Ioannina Castle
Ioannina, Greece
A walled citadel on the shore of Lake Pamvotida, with Ottoman mosques, a museum and lanes inside the old fortress. Walk the walls for lake views and take the short ferry to the small island across the water.
Ioannina Castle encloses the fortified old town on a rocky promontory on Lake Pamvotida. Ioannina is first reliably mentioned in 1020 under Emperor Basil II, and excavations have also uncovered Hellenistic fortifications. The Ottomans captured the city in 1430 and held it until 1913; Ali Pasha (1787–1822) left an especially strong mark. The complex consists of the north-eastern citadel, with the Aslan Pasha Mosque of 1618, and the larger south-eastern citadel, Its Kale.
The Aslan Pasha Mosque houses the Ethnographic Museum. Its Kale contains the Fethiye Mosque with the tomb of Ali Pasha and the Treasury with an exhibition on silversmithing; a Byzantine Museum is also part of the visit. A short walk takes about an hour, but allow half a day for the museums. The castle is easy to explore on foot; it is best to park outside the old town.
- Nearest town
- Ioannina, Greece
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.6715, 20.8546
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- LimnopoulaCampsite1 km from Ioannina CastleDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Limnopoula CampingMotorhome stopover1 km from Ioannina CastleMotorhomes
- Ionnina GlampingCampsite13 km from Ioannina Castle
- Camperstop: TriethnesMotorhome stopover15 km from Ioannina CastleMotorhomesToiletsWaste disposalWi-FiFree
- Motorhome stopover · MonodendriMotorhome stopover19 km from Ioannina CastleTentsMotorhomesFree
- Ο ΛοφοςMotorhome stopover23 km from Ioannina CastleMotorhomesElectricityFree
All campsites in Greece · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Ioannina Castle?
Ioannina Castle is in Ioannina, Greece, at GPS 39.6715, 20.8546. It is about 26 km from Monodendri.
Can you camp near Ioannina Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Limnopoula, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Ioannina Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Nisi Island, Lake Pamvotida (2 km), Ancient Dodona (15 km), Stone Bridges of Kipi (22 km) and Oxia Viewpoint (28 km).
When is the best time to visit Ioannina Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)