The villages of Zagori are the best known destination for winter holidays in Epirus. All the villages have maintained their traditional character with the stone houses, the cobbled paths and the roofs covered with black stone.

The old stone bridges preserved in a very  good condition until today, the old mansions, the traditional watermills and the unspoiled natural environment, really make you feel that time in Zagori has stopped.

The first of the villages the traveler meets, Asprageli, is just 30 km. from the city of Ioannina and is built at an altitude of 990 m. The settlement dates from 1380 when it had the Slav name Dovra (=good), found in contemporary scripts.

The village was a rich leading village during the 19th century. Rich benefactors built schools, buildings and churches, such as the church of St. Nikolaos (1778), which is one of the biggest churches in Zagori. There are also a cultural center, a library, a rifle club and a paragliding base.

Monodendri is one the most beautiful villages in Zagori, built at an altitude of 1060m., 39 km. from Ioannina. Its name was given due to a big fir tree growing in the village until 1840.

Until 1753, it was a community with three neighborhoods: Vitsa, Ano Mahalas, Agios Georgios, which later formed the present village.

Monodendri reached its peak in the 17th and 18th century, when its benefactors adorn it with mansions, churches and schools. It is a village that attracts the most of the visitors in Zagori, since that's where the worldwide known Vikos gorge is.

It is a gorge that has been listed in Guinness World Records as the deepest one, 900 m. deep and just 1100 m. wide.

Trekking clubs from all over the world, as well as single tourists, Greeks and from abroad, visit the area just to cross the gorge from the beginning to the end.

There are trekking paths in the gorge, marked from and to all the villages. It is a 5 hours route and gives the walker the opportunity to admire the unique fauna and flora, as well as rare species of the vegetable and animal kingdom.

During your visit in Monodendri you shouldn't miss trying the unique "pita tis Kikitsas" (Kikitsa's pie), which is continually made since 1958 with the same secret recipe, using pure and only ingredients produced in the area: Flour, butter, eggs and feta cheese. Altogether make up the alevropita (flour-pie), kind of a pie with a unique taste that you'll remember for a long time!

The restaurant where "pita tis Kikitsas" is served is at the central square of Monodendri, on the path that leads to Vikos gorge and the Monastery of St. Paraskevi, places you should definitely visit.

For your stay in Zagori choose one of our hotels: "Vikos" and "Arhondissa" in Monodendri or "Melition" in "Asprageli" that will really leave you with the best impressions for their traditional character and the warm hospitality, enjoying at the same time all the modern conveniences they offer.

So, visit Zagori! Come and feel the magic of this place. All we need from you is your limited and important free time and we will make sure you use it in the best possible way.

We will take on your board and stay. Furthermore, we will provide you with printed matter for the region and we will gladly inform you about the sights and the activities you can enjoy in the area.

Access from Europe

The location of Epirus

Map of the Prefecture of
Ioannina and Zagori area

The villages of Zagori and
access from Ioannina

Asprageli

Monodendri

Vikos gorge

Hotel "Melition"

"Melition" and the adjascent area

"Pita tis Kikitsas"