Hi, I am sharing our last trip to Greece ( July 2024) :
**Sunday**
We landed in the morning hours at Athens airport, rented a car, and set off northwards to our first destination, Meteora. Since it’s a long drive, we decided to stop after about two hours in the town of Kamena Vourla: [Kamena Vourla on Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/PxwVYSeBfE4HPw3d9). I
recommend driving into the town to the point close to the sea. There’s plenty of parking, and it’s worth stopping to eat at one of the restaurants along the water.
Afterwards, we continued for another half hour to Thermopylae. The place is famous for two reasons: the first is the hot springs, and the second is the Battle of Thermopylae that took place here, with a monument about 100 meters before the entrance to the springs: [Battle of Thermopylae on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae). You can enter the springs for free and bathe in them. There’s a strong, pleasant hot water waterfall and small pools where you can dip your feet.
From there, we continued towards Meteora. It’s important to arrive about fifteen minutes before sunset and find a good spot for viewing. I recommend this point, which offers a stunning view at sunset: (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bYkh9ZFx5fNcxkvQ8).
From there, we proceeded to the hotel in the nearby town of Kalampaka for one night. We recommend the hotel we chose. It’s clean, tidy, not expensive, centrally located, and has free nearby parking.
Link to the hotel: https://bit.ly/46iZS5w
**Monday**
In the morning, we set off towards the monasteries in Meteora. It’s important to check their website to see if the monastery you’re planning to visit is open or closed. Most of the monasteries are open every day, but one monastery is always closed to visitors on a fixed day.
We chose to visit two monasteries: Holy Monastery of the Great Meteoron and Monastery of Varlaam. The two monasteries are close to each other (about half a kilometer apart), and there’s parking nearby which fills up quickly. I suggest heading to the monasteries early and being there between 9:30 and 10:00 AM to park your car. The monasteries open at 10:00 AM.
We parked near Monastery of Varlaam and entered this monastery first. It’s very large and impressive. It’s important to arrive dressed appropriately. Women are provided with clothing to cover exposed areas. The entrance fee is 3 euros per person. Be prepared to climb many stairs, and in July, it’s hot, but the experience is worth it as the monasteries are very beautiful inside.
Afterwards, we visited the second monastery, Great Meteoron, which is also very beautiful inside. We climbed to a third monastery and found it to be very similar to the previous ones, so our recommendation is that it’s sufficient to visit two monasteries. They are very similar to each other.
From there, we continued to the town of Grevena, an hour’s drive away. This town specializes in mushrooms, and in the town center, there are several stores selling interesting mushroom-based products: dried mushrooms, mushroom-based pasta, and even mushroom chocolate. Here’s an example of one store: https://g.co/kgs/ukRCpVH.
There’s another store in the nearby square, 50 meters from this one, offering additional mushroom products.
From there, we continued to the town of Metsovo, a 40-minute drive away. At the entrance to the town, continue to the central square and park your car there for free. The town looks like a Swiss village, with houses in an alpine atmosphere. It’s worth visiting. The restaurants there are touristy, and the food is not very tasty, to say the least. We stopped mainly for good ice cream and coffee. This stop is mainly for a brief refreshment of half an hour to an hour at most.
From there, we continued to Ioannina, located next to Lake Pamvotida. Ioannina is the seventh largest city in Greece, with a population of about 170,000. It has an old city and a wall surrounding the old city. There are bars, tasty taverns, bakeries, and cafes.
We stayed at an excellent hotel in the heart of the old city, with a great breakfast, close to almost everything, and it also has free parking. Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/4cRVNI2
Within walking distance from the hotel, you can reach the Byzantine Museum of Ioannina. We visited it, but it’s entirely unnecessary unless you really love very old Christian art. In the evening, we dined at a recommended restaurant called Il Castello in the old city.
**Tuesday**
We drove to Trekking Hellas Tzoumerka Rafting, about an hour’s drive from the hotel. The rafting experience is excellent and suitable for the whole family, including a guide accompanying you in the raft. The rafting trip is spectacular, with stunning views as you paddle through a canyon, with stops at beautiful spots where water flows from rock crevices like rain. There’s also a trail leading to a waterfall with very cold water that’s great for a refreshing dip in the summer months.
The rafting is highly recommended and lasts about 4 hours, including the briefing and the drive in their vehicle to the starting point. The endpoint is at the vehicle parking area.
Afterwards, we drove to have lunch at Taverna Tzoumerka (a 15-minute drive) in the village of Ktistades, in the small square next to the road near the small church with a terrace overlooking the Tzoumerka view. It’s a long-established and good restaurant with a variety of local and seasonal dishes. It’s particularly convenient for a meal after rafting. When driving from Plaka towards Parmenion, the restaurant will be on your left side of the road, with a convenient parking lot across the road on the right.
From there, we went to the Katarraktis Waterfalls, a 30-minute drive away. The drive is slow on a winding road that climbs up to the top of the mountain, where two stunning waterfalls await. It’s important to note that in July, the flow might be a bit weak. The scenery combined with the waterfalls is very charming and highly recommended.
From there, we proceeded to the nearby town, a 15-minute drive, to the hotel: Etheres Tzoumerkon Mountain Resort. Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/4dgW8DX
Parking is free. I highly recommend having dinner at the hotel. The dishes are local, very interesting, and most importantly, very, very tasty. It’s also affordable and worth trying.
**Wednesday**
We set out early, around eight in the morning when it’s still not hot, heading towards Kouiassa Springs. It’s truly a paradise. Here’s the location: https://www.google.com/maps?ftid=0x13595f1142e4276f:0xee133a2b3396111
Kouiassa, in the Tzoumerka region of northwestern Greece, is a stunning trail through dense forest, leading to several waterfalls and a stream that flows year-round. Additionally, there are streams flowing over the green shrubs along the trail, similar to eternal rainfalls in the Karpenisi area of central Greece. The clear stream in Kouiassa is fed by both snowmelt from the high ridge above and spring water, ensuring a flow all year round.
First, drive from the village of Parmenio towards the village of Syrako. Along the way, you will cross two rivers. After crossing them, continue driving straight towards Syrako until you reach a blue sign indicating straight for Ioannina, Prosperillo, and Syrako, and right for Trikka, Kipina, and Kouiassa. Here’s a photo of the sign for reference. Turn right towards Kipina, Kouiassa, and the stone bridge as indicated on the sign. After about 2 km, you’ll arrive at Kipina Monastery, which you can visit after returning from Kouiassa Springs. Continue straight past the monastery, and after a few minutes, you will come to a tunnel on the road. Pass through it and continue straight. Shortly, you’ll see a brown wooden sign on the left side of the road [ignore it]. Continue straight, crossing a bridge, and follow the road left uphill. Before the next turn, there is another sign on the left. Park the car here.
Start walking along the trail with several steps beside the road. Note that after a few meters, there is another staircase going up; ignore it and continue straight. You’ll reach a sign indicating a fork in the trail, right and left. Go right along the slightly damp and dripping trail until you reach an iron bridge over the rushing stream. Continue on the trail until you reach a building. This building is a water station that has become a café. It’s recommended to stop here as your first point to enter the water, and you can also buy coffee. We also bought some very tasty homemade local jam.
At this point, you can view one of the waterfalls, but it’s more interesting to go around the café to the right and climb up. Continue on the trail for about 10 minutes (through an old water channel) until you reach the large waterfall, a huge pool, and the springs of Kouiassa. It’s a charming and recommended spot.
From there, we headed back and stopped after about 5 minutes’ drive at Kipina Monastery. This is one of the monasteries where the entrance does not require effort or climbing stairs. Kipina Monastery is impressive, built on a steep cliff in Tzoumerka, near the village of Klariates, and is probably the most impressive monastery in Epirus. It was built in 1212 by the monk Gregorius and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Inside the monastery, a secret door leads to a crypt that served as a hiding place for enslaved Greeks during Ottoman rule and later for members of the resistance movement. Impressive frescoes decorate the church’s interior from the 17th century. Its name comes from the gardens the monks cultivated below the monastery (Kipina – Kippos in Greek means garden). An asphalt road leads to a lower parking area where you can park your car. From there, a carved rock trail and a wooden bridge lead to the monastery. The trail is on a rock slope, and the hanging bridge before the entrance remains movable. When it rises, it creates a 4-meter gap over the cliff, which historically prevented potential raiders from accessing the monastery. For those visiting during the off-season (October – May), the monastery may be closed. A few hundred meters before reaching the monastery from Parmenio, on the right side, is a small local house where you can knock on the door and politely ask for the monastery keys.
Don’t forget to ask inside the monastery to see the crypt, the hiding place of the monks. It’s an additional door inside the monastery near the small entrance.
From there, we continued to the Stalactite Cave: Anemotrypa Stalactite Cave. Here’s the link: https://www.google.com/maps?ftid=0x135be2847d36d5a9:0x37ab180c3ef5bc44
It’s a nice and interesting cave where you can hear the river flowing at the cave’s base, and there are impressive stalactites that are thousands of years old. The guide provided a nice explanation in English. There’s a cafeteria upstairs where you can drink coffee, tea, and hot chocolate while enjoying the view. There’s also a small shop selling herbal remedies and local tea. The guide explains orally about the cave’s discovery, the stalactites, and the areas that cannot be approached but can be seen. Inside the cave, there’s a small, beautiful blue lake. The entrance fee is 3 euros. The cave system features quartz rocks with a unique white internal color. The system is 300 meters deep, and according to the guide, it’s extended by an additional 100 meters each year. The total cave area is 10 km (with only 300 meters accessible to visitors).
From there, we began our journey south towards Athens, initially driving to the town of Nafpaktos, a 3-hour drive to the hotel. Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3y9HKOK
The hotel has adjacent parking for 15 euros. The hotel also has a beach with free sunbeds. We arrived at the hotel and immediately went for a swim in the pleasant waters of the Gulf of Corinth. The view from the hotel is excellent.
The hotel is located on the city’s promenade, and within a minute’s walk, you enter the old town full of shops, restaurants, and bars that are great for dinner.
**Thursday**
We drove to Athens, which took about two hours, and returned the rental car in the city center near the hotel. Here’s the hotel link: https://bit.ly/3LzzR8j
This excellent hotel is located in the Psiri neighborhood, which is full of restaurants, cafes, and bars that stay open late for those who are hungry.
For excellent coffee near the hotel, try Picky Brunch & Specialty Coffee. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ibyH6CZ6GdtNQWFs6
We arrived in Athens around 11:00, were hungry, and began exploring the area for places to eat traditional food.
On Karaiskaki Street, number 23, there’s a delicious bagel bakery. Highly recommended. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NQ1YQx7chvHHFiax9
Next, head to Creme Royal on Athinas Street, number 37. They serve interesting Greek pastries, including Greek pie. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tvcR3QPQTbcErR8E9
Afterwards, continue to Monastiraki Square.
In the evening, I recommend taking a taxi to the taverna: Stou Thoma. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/22RAzo1EGEqT1BVJA
Stou Thoma has become a well-known and beloved establishment among locals and tourists alike over the years. The taverna is designed in a warm, traditional Greek style with wooden tables and chairs, and pictures of Greece on the walls, creating an authentic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in a small Greek village.
The food at Stou Thoma is based on authentic Greek cuisine with a menu that includes souvlaki, moussaka, tzatziki, Greek salad, and Greek kebabs.
Every weekend, Stou Thoma hosts a live music performance featuring a wide range of Greek music, from traditional folk to modern tunes. The performance is by a live band of Greek musicians and singers.
It’s recommended to make a reservation in advance, especially on weekends.
**Friday**
We started the morning with a walking tour in the Plaka neighborhood. We began at the Roman Agora, which is very close to Monastiraki Square, and passed through several points, including Anafiotika. Here’s a complete link to the tour: https://bit.ly/3ycP10n
The walking tour ended at the Acropolis Museum.
Regarding the museum: It’s suitable for those who are knowledgeable and passionate about Greek history. We found it less interesting.
For lunch, we ate at one of the restaurants in Plaka: https://g.co/kgs/LhCA6DK). The local Greek food was delicious.
At 17:00, we headed to the Acropolis of Athens. It’s recommended to visit at this time because it’s cooler and less crowded.
Towards sunset, we went to Lycabettus Hill Viewing Area. It’s a good idea to arrive half an hour before sunset to secure a good spot with the view. You can see all of Athens in a 360-degree panorama.
You can walk up, or take the funicular railway that is carved into the hill. The funicular ride doesn’t offer a view of the landscape. The elevator reaches the top in about 5 minutes, and the funicular runs every ten minutes, even at midnight. Here’s the link: https://g.co/kgs/js5krSD
At night, you can see the illuminated Acropolis and all of Athens. It’s definitely worth going up to see.
**Saturday**
In the morning, we visited the Varvakios Central Municipal Market. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ljo6MVBwAZRQB95h6
You can explore the market and see the various stalls selling meat, fish, spices, sweets, and more.
Near the market, there are special Greek donuts at Aiolou Street, number 87. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAYhvSKp2T7D83uW9
For those who enjoy coffee brewed on sand, I recommend visiting Athinas Street, number 44. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oe4EVXfKyudt2qrWA
Also, within a 5-minute walk from the market, there are two interesting shops:
– A shop for purchasing olive oil and thyme-based honey: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u5XJPtRpeDdSWzFX9
– A large store specializing in various types of sausages on Evripidou Street, number 45. Here’s the link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QKHHjEweH4oLFksE7
From there, we headed back to the airport for our return flight.
I was asked to summarize all the hotels , here is the list :
Meteora : https://bit.ly/46iZS5w
Ioannina : https://bit.ly/4cRVNI2
Katarraktis: https://bit.ly/4dgW8DX
Nafpaktos: https://bit.ly/3y9HKOK
Athens: https://bit.ly/3LzzR8j