Major city · Greece
IoanninaΙωάννινα
Give Ioannina 2 nights: one for the walled old town and the lake islet, one for Dodona or the Perama Cave. Skip it as a day trip from the coast.
Ioannina is the capital of Epirus, built on a cliff above Lake Pamvotida, with a walled old town that was the seat of Ali Pasha's near-independent state until 1822. The centre is walkable in a day; the lake islet, the cave and the oracle at Dodona fill a second. It works as a two-night stop between the Ionian coast and Meteora, or as a base for Zagori.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), late Dec–Feb (cold, wet, some lake boats idle)
- Airports
- IOA · SKG
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ioannina112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ioannina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Greece-wide
- SIM or eSIMCosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.Greece-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland.Greece-wide
- TippingTaverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.Greece-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Greece-wide
- SafetyIoannina is a low-crime, easy-going city; the real issues are summer heat, uneven old-town steps…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés (buy something), museums and sites.Greece-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency number · 100 police · 166 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysArchaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 08:00–15:00 or 17:00) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Archaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 8:00 AM–3:00 PM or 5:00 PM) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Greece-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckIOA Ioannina National Airport King Pyrros (About 4 km (2.5 mi) from the centre; seasonal and limited flights, mostly via Athens — check schedules.).IOA Ioannina National Airport King Pyrros (About 2.5 mi (4 km) from the centre; seasonal and limited flights, mostly via Athens — check schedules.).
- Getting aroundThe centre and the Kastro are walkable; the islet is a 20-minute boat from the Fishers' Wharf jetty.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (freddo espresso or Greek)€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealPita or bougatsa snack€2.50–5 (≈ US$3–6)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (castle, Byzantine, Archaeological)€3–8 (≈ US$4–10) (check)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 2-star to 3-star hotel, a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedDouble room, 2-star to 3-star hotel, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IOA Ioannina National Airport King Pyrros (About 4 km (2.5 mi) from the centre; seasonal and limited flights, mostly via Athens — check schedules.) · SKG Thessaloniki (About 2 h 30 min by car or 3 h 30 min by bus; the usual arrival point for international flights.)IOA Ioannina National Airport King Pyrros (About 2.5 mi (4 km) from the centre; seasonal and limited flights, mostly via Athens — check schedules.) · SKG Thessaloniki (About 2 h 30 min by car or 3 h 30 min by bus; the usual arrival point for international flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid*
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Ioannina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre and the Kastro are walkable; the islet is a 20-minute boat from the Fishers' Wharf jetty. Local buses reach the Perama Cave and the airport; taxis are cheap for short hops. A car is only worth it for Dodona, Zagori and Metsovo.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dodona
goDoor to door: About 3–4 h round trip
Car or taxi, about 25 min southwest
The theatre and oracle site; go early, there is little shade.
Perama Cave
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Local bus or taxi, 4 km (2.5 mi) from the centreLocal bus or taxi, 2.5 mi (4 km) from the centre
Guided show cave; bring a layer, it stays cool inside.
Metsovo
goDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Bus or car over the Katara pass, about 1 h
Mountain town with woodwork and cheese; snow possible in winter.
Zagori villages
overnightDoor to door: 1–1.5 h to the first villages
Car via the A2, then local roads
Gorges and stone villages need at least one night, not a day return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kastro (old town)
Inside the walls, walking distance to the castle sights and the lake; quiet at night, few rooms.
Centre (Anexartisias, Koundouriotou, Town Hall)
Bars, restaurants and shops on foot; the practical base for 1–2 nights.
Lakeside (Akti Miaouli)
Lake views and the big congress hotels; 10–15 min walk to the old town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–75 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- €75–130 (≈ US$90–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 2-star to 3-star hotel1 × 2 nights × €80 | €160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €85 | €340 |
| Boat to the islet, return2 × €6 · check | €12 |
| Taxi across the centre1 × €6 · check | €6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €54 |
| Trip total≈ €148 per person per day, bed included | €592≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Ioannina excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (freddo espresso or Greek) | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Pita or bougatsa snack | €2.50–5 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Taverna main (Epirote pie, lamb, trout) | €9–16 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Local wine, glass / half litre | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €6–9 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Boat to the islet, return | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) (check) |
| Museum entry (castle, Byzantine, Archaeological) | €3–8 (≈ US$4–10) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Silver shops quote high and expect bargaining: agree the price before any work is done.
- Lake boats to the islet stop in bad weather and run reduced hours out of season — check the day's departures at the jetty.
- Summer afternoons inland reach the mid-30s; do the castle and Dodona in the morning.
- Some old-town guesthouses and the smaller hotels have no lift and no 24 h desk — confirm arrival time.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency number
- 112
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 166
- Fire
- 199
- Tourist police
- 1571
Pocket card
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IoanninaΙωάννινα
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency number112
- Police100
- Ambulance166
- Tourist police1571
Embassy
No embassies in Ioannina; the US, UK and most others are in Athens. Consulates for some countries are in Thessaloniki.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat, Fishers' Wharf → islet: about €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) return, 20 min (check)
- Taxi, centre → Perama Cave: about €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check)
- Bus, Ioannina → Athens, KTEL: about 6 h; fare check at the station
Say or show
- Γεια σας — Hello (YA sas)
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (ef-kha-ri-STO)
- Πόσο κάνει; — How much is it? (PO-so KA-ni)
- Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (ton lo-gha-ria-SMO pa-ra-ka-LO)
- Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; — Can I pay by card? (bo-RO na pli-RO-so me KAR-ta)
- Πού είναι το καραβάκι για το νησί; — Where is the boat to the islet? (pu I-ne to ka-ra-VA-ki ya to ni-SI)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ioannina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), late Dec–Feb (cold, wet, some lake boats idle) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IOA and the Thessaloniki bus fallback, with last-departure checks.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Kastro, lakeside, centre, islet jetty.
- Place pages with verified hours for the castle, Byzantine Museum, Fethiye Mosque and Perama Cave.
- Eat pages with last orders for the tavernas around Anexartisias and the lake.
Sources
- officialMunicipality of Ioannina
- officialKTEL Ioannina intercity buses
- officialIoannina Castle
- officialArchaeological Museum of Ioannina
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ioannina, revision 5335640 (CC BY-SA 4.0)