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    Kastoria

    Lake, Elegance, and Tradition: An Authentic Destination Full of Serenity, History, and Macedonian Sophistication

    Kastoria is a beautiful and picturesque city, renowned for its iconic lake, also known as Orestiada. It captivates visitors at first sight, offering a perfect setting for exploring on foot. The lake and city colors are stunning in every season. You’ll be enchanted by a short “cruise,” alongside small and large birds and fishermen casting their nets from traditional “Kastorian boats.The Dragon’s Cave and the Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa, with its ancient plane tree, are breathtaking. Kastoria has a strong tradition of rowing and other water sports. Each year, the city hosts numerous nautical and sporting events, celebrating its rich cultural and natural heritage.

    Highlights

    Lake Circuit

    Enjoy a 7 km circuit around Kastoria Lake by car, bike, or on foot. Witness the unique Dragon’s Cave and the stunning Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa along the way.

    Doltso District

    Beautifully restored Macedonian mansions, Byzantine chapels, notable museums (Folklore, Macedonian Struggle, Costume, Byzantine), and cobbled streets reveal Kastoria’s history at its peak.

    Dispilio

    Only 4 km from Kastoria, the lakeside settlement of Dispilio is Greece’s first open-air archaeological museum, showcasing Neolithic dwellings and giving insights into the life of our ancestors.

    Aposkepos

    Just 5 km from the suburb of Chloe, this picturesque village features a cobblestone square with 12 stone fountains, ancient plane trees, and stunning views of the lake and Kastoria city.

    Nestorio

    Steep gorges, lush forests, and alpine lakes Gistova and Arrenes form the grandeur of Greece’s fourth-largest mountain, Grammos, also home to brown bears. Nestorio is your gateway to explore it.

    Search destination

    IDEAL DESTINATION

    Where Lake Serenity Meets Macedonian Elegance

    Doltso, meaning “sweet,” is a charming district on the city’s southern side. Its Macedonian mansions, wooden balconies, and old churches reflect on Lake Orestiada’s waters. Beyond the restored architecture and cobblestone streets, visit the Macedonian Struggle Museum, Folklore Museum, and the Delinaneo Museum of Kastorian Women.

    Gastronomy – Local Gems & Must-Try Flavors

    Kastoria’s cuisine is a major reason to visit. Try oven-baked giant beans, handmade pies, and fried delicacies with local sauces. The “bantzos,” a local specialty, consists of fried hard cheese with a fried egg, smoked trout, and white taramas, accompanied by skin-on fried potatoes. Don’t miss syrupy desserts, spoon sweets, Kastorian baklava, and the walnut-based sweet “saliara.”

    Best Period to Visit

    Winter months are highly recommended, as the mountainous scenery blends beautifully with the lake’s natural beauty. After Christmas and Epiphany, the Ragoutsaria festival—lasting three days—offers Dionysian-style celebrations with brass bands, masked dancers, costumes, and abundant wine, creating a warm, lively winter atmosphere.

    How to get around in Kastoria

    Transportation options to/from the airport

    You can reach Kastoria by road, either with your own car or via the daily KTEL bus routes from Athens and Thessaloniki, using the Athens–Thessaloniki national road and the Egnatia Odos (from Thessaloniki).

    The city is 593 km from Athens and 226 km from Thessaloniki. There is also air connectivity with Athens. Aristotle Airport is located 12 km from the city of Kastoria.

    Public Transportation

    If you don’t have your own car, you can use buses for getting around the city or take a taxi.

    Questions / Answers

    Q&A

    Winter and autumn for atmosphere, spring for nature, summer for peaceful warmth.

    Doltso, the lake, Dragon’s Cave, Byzantine Museum, and a meal with local cuisine.

    Absolutely! Natural surroundings, easy trails, and activities for all ages.

    By road from Thessaloniki (~2 hours) or Athens (~5.5 hours). A small airport is also available

    Beans, pies, kid goat, walnut pie, wine, and tsipouro from local wineries and distilleries.

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    They said about us...

     Savita
    2025-07-21
    Αthens, Santorini and Corfu
    My Kids and I loved the trip except for our lost baggage from the Aegean airlines upon arrival at Athens at the start of the trip.Loved all the sightseeing. Tour guides and Pick up services were awesome!! Tour guides were very knowledgeable in their area and history of the city and my kids and I loved that. They answered all our questions. Pick up services were always on time.I just wish I had a little more time in Corfu to do the boat tour as I had planned. Wasn’t able to accomplish that. Loved the wine tasting, Oia and Fira in Santorini. Thank You so much for helping me plan this trip. Great memories made on this trip!!Savita
    2025-05-09
    Group from India
    Thank you so much for your flexibility and support throughout the past weeks – the group ended successfully and we truly appreciate your efforts.
    During the trip, we also received very positive feedback from the tour leader regarding the hotels, restaurants, and the quality of your transportation service. We’re very happy with the overall arrangement and sincerely hope to continue working with you on upcoming groups.
    2024-03-27
    BDA - Scientific meeting
    Mata/ChristineThe feedback from all delegates was very positive about all the arrangements provided by the hotel and your good selves. Accommodation, meals and overall satisfaction from the hotel was very good. The renovated rooms help to bring the best of the hotel – the gala dinner room location was fantastic. Please give this feedback to the hotel too. All the transfers, excursions, the drivers, guide etc were performed professionally and all delegates again had something good to say about your services and the way you have handled the management of these activities. Overall well done. This is a genuine feedback and hope that makes you feel satisfied for a job well done
    Fabiola Cano
    2023-11-29
    Fabiola Cano from Viajes Lerma
    It was a real pleasure to meet you. The passengers were happy with all your details and the beautiful country of Greece. Regarding food, I must thank you for the care you took to choose the places and the dishes. They were all a great success. The menus, even in Spanish, were totally appreciated. Regarding accommodation, I found the hotel nice, comfortable and well located. The breakfast room is a bit busy in the mornings, but the food tastes great. And the view of the Parthenon from the top roof is impressive. Transportation good. The tours seemed good to me. Tour guides have a good command of the Spanish language and were quite friendly.  Regarding contact and respond from the company. I must emphasize that there is only praise for you, Anna. You really are a great person. The joy of your soul is transmitted around everything you do. Always with a smile no matter how tiring the tourist activity is. The details and care with which you do your job are extremely applaudable. I only have one word but for you THANKFULNESS.October 2023
    RAK
    2023-05-05
    One more Thank You
    Dear Mata and Desi,I mean it when I say I have never been exposed to such level of loving care in the world of travel.  We were not just your clients. We felt like your family. You cared for us, and all of our many (many! Many!) different needs. You showed Stuart such respect. You were patient with some in our group who would not always ask things with proper respect. You kept showing up in places we did not expect. You made visits to the pharmacy, and extra trips with your car, all to make us feel comfortable and at home.Truly—you are at the top of your business, and it shows. I do not even remember how we initially found you. But however it was, I am so grateful for this friendship and partnership. And I do mean it when I hope that we do many trips together in the future, and that I can send many of my colleagues to you for trips.It is hard for this trip to be over and to say goodbye. Know that we mean it when we say we have not only appreciation for you. But love for you.Αντίο και σας ευχαριστούμε και σας αγαπάμε και είμαστε ενθουσιασμένοι που θα σας δούμε σύντομα.With a heart that is full because we know one another, and heavy because we have to say goodbye!
    Kleopatra M
    2021-09-15
    Very helpful office…
    Very helpful office… special thanks to Ms. Lina who was very kind, very fast (although she had a large workload due to the tourist season) and met our needs perfectly !!! I highly recommend it !!!Kleopatra M
    Aris Konstantinidis
    2021-09-07
    The only travel agency that has served me perfectly
    The only travel agency that has served me perfectly as a voucher holder for \"tourism for all\". Perfect organization of the whole trip. Definitely first in my choices for future travel!Aris Konstantinidis