Epirus

Epirus

Buckle up for the steep curves and narrow paths of a Zagori road trip. You are in the Epirus region of grey stone and rushing blue water. The **Pindus Mountains** rise up like a giant wall all around your car. You cross ancient arched bridges made of rock that blend perfectly into the cliffs. The engineering of these old stone paths is a marvel to see in person. You will find yourself stopping the car just to touch the cool masonry of these historic crossings. The **Vikos Gorge** is a giant crack in the earth that takes your breath away. You can park at the very rim and look down into the green void below. The villages here are made of slate and heart, built to last for a thousand years. You eat savory meat pies by a roaring fire even when the spring sun is out. The silence in these mountains is something you can almost feel in your bones. It is a land of wolves and eagles where nature is still the boss. Drive down to the coast to find the bright blue bay of **Parga**. It looks like a painting with its colorful houses and hilltop castle. The roads are narrow and challenging but the views of the Ionian Sea are worth every gear shift. It is a rugged and rewarding route for any driver who loves the thrill of the climb. You leave the mountains behind only to find a Mediterranean paradise waiting at the shore.

Epirus highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
Is this a good destination for road trips?

We're curating expert road-trip insights for this destination — check back soon.

When is the best time to visit?

Detailed seasonal travel advice is coming soon.

How long should I spend here?

Our itinerary team is building personalised duration guides — coming soon.

What are the top attractions nearby?

A curated list of must-see nearby highlights is on its way.

History of Epirus

The region of Epirus was home to the most ancient oracle in Greece at **Dodoni**. On a Zagori road trip, you see the massive theater built by King Pyrrhus in the 3rd century BC, which could hold seventeen thousand people. **Pyrrhus** became famous for his campaigns against Rome in 280 BC using twenty war elephants. His victories were so bloody and costly that they gave rise to the phrase Pyrrhic victory to describe a success that ruins the winner. The city of **Ioannina** was the capital of Ali Pasha, who ruled the region as a nearly independent state from 1788 to 1822. He was a powerful figure who corresponded with Napoleon Bonaparte and hosted the poet Lord Byron in his lake palace. The island in the middle of Lake Pamvotis is the only lived-in lake island in Greece and was the site of Ali Pasha’s assassination. The city became a global center for silver smithing and fine jewelry during this era. The **Zagori** area is famous for its 46 stone villages and 48 arched bridges built by master masons. These builders used a secret professional language called Koudaritika to keep their construction techniques hidden from competitors. During the winter of 1940, the **Pindus Mountains** were the site of the first Allied victory against the Axis powers. Local women carried ammunition and supplies on their backs through deep snow to help the soldiers on the peaks.
Monk's Travel Secrets

Insider road trip tips,
straight to your inbox.

New routes, hidden stops, and seasonal guides —
written for people who travel by car, not by flight.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click. Read by 12,000+ road trippers.