Zagorochoria

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-General information-

Zagorochoria are located in Epirus, in the prefecture of Ioannina and are one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. They are 476 km from Athens, 316 km from Thessaloniki and only 64 km from Ioannina. They are accessible by road and also by air if you choose to fly from Athens to Ioannina. Aegean Airlines operates daily flights and upon your arrival at Ioannina airport you can rent a car. You will find quite economical prices especially in the winter season. Zagorohoria consists of 46 settlements and their main characteristic is the traditional stone-built houses. In addition to the traditional stone houses, they are also known for the arched stone bridges that connect the villages to each other. The settlements are located between two national parks, one includes the Vikos gorge with the Athos river, while the other includes the area around Valia Kalda.

-What to visit-

1. Stone-built villages

Zagori has 46 villages. The most famous are Papigo, Monodendri, Vitsa, Dilofo, Koukouli, Aristi and Kipoi.

Dilofo is a traditional settlement, built at an altitude of 1,000 meters on the slopes of Tymfi. Cars are prohibited in this settlement. In this village you will find many small churches, picturesque cobbled streets and also the Makropoulos mansion, which is worth visiting. This mansion is the tallest in all of Zagorochoria. It is worth making a stop at the "Lithos" cafe to drink tea with a view of Tymfi but also to taste handmade Zagoris pies and baked sweets.

After about 7km you will come across the village of Kipoi. A village with only 70 inhabitants and built at an altitude of 800 meters is located in the heart of central Zagori. It has a remarkable folklore museum, ''Agapios Tolis'', with traditional costumes and other folklore exhibits. Just 750m. before the entrance of the village you will come across the famous bridge of Kokkoris (or Noutsos), built in 1750. For those who love hiking there is a path of about 2 km that leads from the Gardens to the neighboring Koukouli. There are signs that guide the walker, but if you want the confidence of a professional guide or you want to do the route with an organized group, you can visit the Trekking Hellas team where they will answer all your questions. [https://trekking.gr/el].

Koukouli is a traditional settlement near the entrance of the Vikos gorge. You will find here buildings of excellent architecture such as the complex of the old school with the arches, the fountains and the cell. The Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is one of the most well-preserved in all of Zagori. On the day of the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin on August 15, a local festival is organized every year.

  Another well-known village is Monodendri at a distance of 17 km. from the Gardens. In Monodendri is the Rizarios School, it is the handicraft school-boarding school of the Rizarios Foundation, which has been operating in the village since 1979. You can see and purchase works made by the girls who are taught traditional weaving at the Rizarios Foundation. The showroom is located in the village square in the Pantazi mansion. [https://rizarios.eu/]. Beyond the Pantazi mansion in the square you can enjoy your coffee under the plane trees. There you also make a stop at the shop "Oi pita tis Frosos" to enjoy traditional pies. In addition to the above, you can take a nice walk following the cobblestone path that leads after ten minutes to the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi, a stone monastery on the edge of the Vikos ravine. The view from this point is magnificent.

Next to Monodendri at a distance of 2.8 km. it is the village of Vitsa. Vitsa is smaller than Monodendri, but it has nothing to envy from the other villages. Traditional cobblestones and stone-built churches make up the village, while at a distance of 3.7 km. you will come across the stone bridge of Kampos. Qualify for a Stone single-arched bridge where according to a foundation inscription, which still exists on the bridge, it was built in 1811. 

Further north and west you will find the village of Aristi. Aristi is one of the most touristic villages of Zagori. More specifically, it is located in western Zagori at an altitude of 650m. and at a distance of 47 km. from Ioannina. Aristi has many mansions which today operate as guesthouses. In the village square is the Church of the Dormition with its impressive bell tower. The church was built in 1718. At the same time, Aristi is the ideal starting point as it is located at a key point. First you can visit the bridge of Aristi as it is only 3.4 km away. from the village. It is a green place where you can dive in the icy waters of Voidomatis or go rafting in the summer months. Some groups participating in the descent of the river reach the bridge of Kledonia. The road that goes over the bridge of Aristi is the one that leads to the next known village, Papigo.

Papigo is 10.9 km away. from Aristi. It is built on the slope of Tymfi and is located at an altitude of 960 meters. Arriving in the village, leave your car at the entrance of the village where there is a parking lot. In the village you will find a multitude of restaurants, taverns and cafes. After a walk through the alleys of the village sit down for a juicy cake with pumpkin puree and date syrup at the "Kukounari" cafe. While later you can visit Kolymbithres (natural pools) as they are only 1.2 km away. from the village.

2. Arched bridges

Today's Zagori is home to 60 arched bridges. The Plakidas or Kalogerikos Bridge, the Kokoris or Noutsou Bridge, the Kontodimos or Lazaridis Bridge, the Camper Aga Bridge, the Kledonia or Voidomatis Bridge, the Misios Bridge, the Tsipianis Bridge and the Mylos Bridge. Of these, the most easily accessible is the Noutsos or Kokori bridge, as it is located between the villages of Koukouli and Kipoi in Central Zagori and next to the Asfakas - Vrysochori Provincial Road. A few meters further is the Bridge of Captain Bear, next to the same country road. While if you continue on the same road after the village of Dilofo you will meet the bridge of Agios Minas. Following the provincial road Metsovou - Kipon, you will come across the Plakida or Kalogeriko bridge, a little further down the Lazaridis Bridge and the Mylos bridge. All are examples of excellent traditional architecture.

3. Rafting and swimming in Voidomatis

Shortly after Aristi you will meet the Voidomatis River. On the provincial road of Kalpaki - Papigou is the bridge of Aristi, where the river Voidomatis crosses. Worth a stop, there is parking. At the point you can go rafting as the point is the starting point for the descent teams. Rafting is offered for all ages, even children. For your convenience, you can contact the Rafting Athletic Center where they will provide you with the necessary information and answer any questions you may have. [ https://rafting-athletic-center.gr/ ]

4. Natural pools or swimming pools

Between the villages of Papigo and Mikro Papigo, leaving Aristi, there are some natural pools, at an altitude of 980 meters, called Ovires Rogovou. They are small ponds that form on the stone blocks, at the point where the Rogovou stream ends. They are worth visiting and if you are lucky you can take a bath in them.

-Where to eat-

All the villages in the villages in Zagori have unique restaurants and taverns where you can taste dishes from the local cuisine. We would definitely recommend Salvia restaurant in Aristi. Located at Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas, it is a restaurant that honors the local products and cuisine of the area. Awarded for four years with a star in the "Modern Greek Cuisine" category, it comes to satisfy even the most demanding palates. [ https://www.aristi.eu/en/gastronomy ]

In Vitsa you will find the Cinnamon and Clove restaurant, the restaurant has a wide variety of dishes with mushrooms as the main ingredient. It is worth trying the king mushroom soup as well as the dish with dried mushrooms. [ https://kanela-garyfallo.gr/ ]

  Another restaurant that deserves your attention is Astra in Papigo. The restaurant has its own garden, to cover its vegetable needs. In addition to the garden, the owners are engaged in animal husbandry, so what ends up on the plate is fresh and delicious. [https://astra-inn.gr/]. For lovers of traditional pie, visit the restaurant "The Pie of Kikitsa". Since 1958, the restaurant has served guests traditional Epirotian pies as well as seasonal meats such as shortbread and lamb. It is located under the shade of the plane trees in the square of Monodendri.

-Where to stay-

In Zagori there are many traditional guesthouses and hotels. It is worth staying at Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas. It is located in the village of Aristi. It is a hotel that has all the amenities such as indoor pool, restaurant and spa. The most important thing is how it works based on sustainability. Traditional wooden roofs and stone walls harmonize with the traditional architecture of the area. Autonomous buildings, villas and suites, spaced apart, are the ideal choice for any visitor looking for peace and security. [ https://www.aristi.eu/en/aristi-mountain-resort ]

Another hotel that deserves attention is the Kores Boutique Hotel in Vitsa. Kores Boutique Hotel combines tradition with luxury, offering every guest an unforgettable hospitality experience. [ https://www.koreshotel.gr/ ]

For the more traditional ones who would like to stay in a guesthouse, the Astra guesthouse in Papigo overlooks the imposing Astraka. It has 6 independent residences and a remarkable restaurant. [ https://astra-inn.gr/ ]

Finally in the value for money category we have the Papaevangelou guesthouses in Papigo [ https://hotelpapaevangelou.gr/ ]