There are 46 Zagoria villages, also known as Zagorochoria, spread across the Pindus natural park. Perched high in the mountains, these stone villages captivate with their rustic character and close proximity to nature. In fact, they have been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2023! If you’re looking for a place to stay in the Zagories, we’ll help you make your choice for a worry-free vacation.
In the late 18th and early 20th centuries, the region enjoyed a very prosperous period of trade. It was at this time that villages were built and roads and bridges were built to link them together. So they’re not as isolated as you might think at first glance.
Here are just a few of the Zagorian villages we visited. Most of them offer hotel and B&B accommodation in traditional houses. We’ve listed the ones we or our friends have tested and enjoyed.
=> See also our article “What to do in the Zagories”.
Where to stay? Summary of our best hotels and accommodation in the Zagories
- Kipi Suite in the village of Kipi, luxury rooms and suites
- Gaia guesthouse in the village of Dilofo, charming B&B
- Aristi Mountain Resort in Aristi, luxury resort
- Ioannidis Guesthouse in Papingo, bed and breakfast in a traditional house.
- Papigo Towers in Mikro Papingo, a traditional establishment with a superb view of the Astrakas towers. Excellent breakfast
- Orestis house in Ano Pedina: a nice address for families and people looking for authenticity and simplicity. What’s more, Eleni, the owner, is perfectly fluent in French.
The villages of Zagories
Papingo – Mikro Papingo
This is one of the prettiest villages in the Pinde park. Indeed, it has all the trappings of a mountain village: a pretty square with a plane tree and a church with an offset bell tower. A little above, the road leads to Mikro Papingo (little Papingo), even more perched than his big brother. Not to be missed!
What’s more, Papingo is very central for venturing out on hiking trails or along the river. Last but not least, it’s a great place to stay in the region. This is because it offers a wide range of accommodation (hotels, houses, B&Bs) on site, as well as a number of tavernas and shops selling local produce.
Here are a few good places to eat and drink:
- Κουκουνάρι Πάπιγκο: this is a café with a lovely shaded terrace enjoying a view at the exit from the village on the way to Mikro Papingo. The café is also a mini-market.
- The Kalliopē tavern on the pedestrian street south of town. We particularly recommend the gargantuan and delicious pork chop.
Vikos
The village of Vikos is perched high above the source of the Voïdomatis river. It can also be reached via a hiking trail. With its easy-access view of the gorge and traditional tavernas, it’s a magical place to end the day and enjoy a magnificent sunset.
Aristi
Located close to the river, the village has experienced impressive growth in recent years. Many of the houses have been rebuilt, making the village vibrant and full of activity. Aristi Mountain Resort is one of the village’s many hotels, a luxurious mountain residence.
It has a pretty central square, but is unfortunately a victim of its own success, with boat trucks crossing it and creating traffic that disturbs the calm of the area.
Asprageli
The village was one of the most prosperous in the 19th century. This is one of the first Zagorian villages you’ll come across on your way from Ioanina. During the Second World War, it was violently attacked, as evidenced by the church, of which only the walls remain.
It houses the tourist office where you can learn more about the region’s history, architecture and activities. At the top of the village is a paragliding departure point.
Where to eat in Asprageli
We also recommend the Vergina tavern serving excellent local and traditional cuisine. We feasted on gigantes (large beans) with melting herbs, lamb chops, wild boar stew, and their excellent, hearty pita.
Kipi
Kipi is located in the southern part of the park. This too is a pretty village in the mountains. Its location is ideal for exploring the stone bridges, particularly the three-arched one. For families with young children, it’s a good choice, as several trails follow the valley, without too many changes in altitude.
It was in this village that we stayed, in the Kipi suite hotel . A magnificent place, both modern and traditional, that we recommend you discover. On the other hand, it has only one tavern, which we found a little disappointing.
Ano Pedina
Here’s a great place to stay in the Zagories:Orestis Guest house in Ano Pedina . Eleni, the owner, who is also the Honorary Consulate of the French in the Ioannina district, speaks French, is very friendly and has good advice for discovering the region.
A small, cosy family suite with warm, rustic decor in an old building typical of the region, restored by Eleni and her husband in the 80s, at a time when the Zagories were not very popular. We paid 80 euros a night for 4. And a super tasty and complete breakfast before a day of hiking !!!!
Every evening, Eleni served us a home-cooked meal using fresh local produce: mushroom soup, rabbit in brown ale, marinated chicken, trout, etc… and homemade desserts! For the price of a meal at the tavern. And you could go down to the small dining room in your slippers, without any fuss, which was much appreciated after days of trudging through the valleys!
In short, it’s a great address for families and people looking for authenticity and simplicity.
What’s more, the village of Ano Pedina is also very beautiful and central for strolling in the direction of either Monodendri or Vikos. From the village, it’s a 1, 2 or 3-hour walk to other villages…. (Monodendri, Elafotopos, for example).
Monodendri
This is undoubtedly the most touristic village in the park. The presence of souvenir shops leaves no doubt about this. This is where the buses arrive, pouring hikers and the curious into the narrow streets.
However, we advise you to go beyond the village to enjoy a superb view of the canyon, known as Oxia. At the far end of the road is a parking lot. Then just walk 100 metres to discover the gorge. On the way, you can also stop off at theStone Forest(signposted). It’s an impressive pile of stones.
Villages in the Zagories, off the beaten track
Of course, there are many other villages to discover on your walks.
For example, one of our friends recommended the very pretty and somewhat abandoned village of Dilofo. Among other things, it is home to a charming little hotel: Gaia guesthouse and a tavern.
The perched villages of Kapesovo and Vradeto are linked by a magnificent path lined with drystone walls that winds its way up the mountain.
Sophie B.
