Ioannina Greece

Ioannina is one of Greece’s most distinctive cities, set dramatically on the western shore of Lake Pamvotis in the Epirus region. Unlike the sun-drenched islands most visitors imagine, Ioannina has a cool, atmospheric quality shaped by its mountain setting, its Ottoman past, and its lakeside setting. The walled Old City, known as the Kastro, contains mosques, Byzantine ruins, and the tomb of Ali Pasha — the infamous Ottoman ruler who made Ioannina his court. A short boat ride across the lake leads to the small island of Nissi, where a monastery marks the site where Ali Pasha was killed in 1822. The city has long been home to a distinguished Jewish community and a vibrant silversmithing tradition that continues today. For conference travelers, the University of Ioannina brings intellectual energy to the city, and the surrounding region offers hiking in the Pindus mountains, the stunning Vikos Gorge one of the deepest in the world — and traditional stone villages like Metsovo and the Zagorochoria. The local cuisine leans toward hearty Epirote dishes: pita pastries filled with greens, cheese, and meat, roasted lamb, and warming bean soups. Evenings are spent along the lakefront promenade, watching the lights of the Kastro reflect in the water. Ioannina is a city that rewards those who venture beyond the well-worn Greek trail.

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