Kastoria
NOW
11 °C
Next 5 days
-
FRI
16 °C
-
SAT
6 °C
-
SUN
7 °C
-
MON
11 °C
-
TUES
14 °C
Source: National Observatory of Athens /meteo.gr
The Lakeside Jewel of Northern Greece
This charming town, whose beauty will most certainly seduce you, is built amphitheatrically on a narrow peninsula, mirrored in Orestiada Lake and nestled in between the mountains of Grammos and Vitsi. The best way to explore the city is taking a little tour around the lake starting from the southernmost side up to the northernmost.Take a stroll on the narrow pathway along the lake’s coast; you will be overwhelmed by its idyllic beauty and tranquility. The promenade shaded by beech and plane trees as well as the neighbouring forests exude a mystical atmosphere and make an excellent shelter for all kinds of bird species.
The best way to explore the city is taking a little tour around the lake starting from the southernmost side up to the northernmost.
Unique Experiences
Exploring Kastoria
Touring the Lake
Orestiada Lake is home to a 200 different species, among them, some rare and some endangered. Local fishermen find themselves in competition with waterfowls for the lake’s fish. During your walk don’t forget to make a stop by the Dragon’s Cave, where you’ll get to see seven underground lakes and rooms with astonishing stalactites. If you want to admire the city from above, follow the lush and green path towards Profitis Ilias Church and continue even higher up to Agios Athanasios viewpoint.Tour the neighbourhoods
At a short distance from the lake you’ll encounter the old neighbourhood Doltso, a picturesque corner of the town where buildings date back to the 17th and 18th century, when the city’s economy blossomed due to the fur treatment and trade. Lots of buildings have been converted into museums, such as Neratzi Aivazi mansion that houses the Folk Art Museum, Emmanouil mansion lodges the Costume Museum etc. Second oldest neighbourhood with an aristocratic allure is Apozari; you will absolutely fall in love with the byzantine churches and the beautiful mansions, which are typical examples of Macedonian architecture.Discover Byzantine Treasures
In Kastoria you’ll get to visit more than 60 Byzantine and post-Byzantine Churches, dating back from the 9th to the 19th century. Almost all of them are of the Basilica type, apart from Panagia Koumpelidiki which got its name from its characteristic dome (koumpe). The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa (1802), located by the lake, has really impressive murals, depicting Byzantine Emperors. Pass by the oldest monuments of the city, Taxiarchon and Agion Anargyron churches located in Doltso and Agiou Stefanou, Agiou Panteleimona and Esodion Theotokou in Apozari.Make a stop by the Byzantine Art Museum (in Dexameni square), where artifacts from the Byzantine period are showcased; over 700 well preserved byzantine sculptures, murals, paintings and icons from temples from around the city.
Don’t miss out on:
- enjoying the beauty of the lake and the panoramic view of the city on board of a tourist boat that goes around the peninsula.
- visiting the largest freshwater aquarium of the Balkans, where common lake and river fish species and some at risk of extinction find shelter.
- admiring the famous fur art of the furriery workshops and showrooms of Kastoria’s Fur Center (EDIKA).
BY CAR
From Athens via PATHE (Athens-Thessaloniki), to Grevena and take the exit for Kastoria, the journey is 6 hours. From Thessaloniki via Egnatia Odos, the journey takes about 2 hours.
BY PLANE
Kastoria is connected to Athens International Airport, the flight lasts 1.5 hours but also to Macedonia International Airport (Thessaloniki), it is also connected to other airports in Greece.
