Zagori, Greece: Your 3-Day Adventure Guide

This three-day guide will give you a storybook experience as you explore the best of Zagori's unforgettable hikes and charming villages.

Tucked away in Greece’s mountainous Epirus region lies Zagorochoria, a collection of picturesque villages that will transport you directly into a fairytale.  Picture jaw-dropping views of the Vikos gorge, ancient stone bridges, specialty Greek pies, and mountain towns directly below towering mountain peaks.  It's a magical spot year round. In the cooler months the whimsical fog and deep hues will take your breath away and in the warmer months the nature blooms vibrantly with new growth. If you love easy, unforgettable hikes and charming villages, this 3-day adventure guide will help you explore the best of this hidden gem.

Day 1:  Monastery Views, Ancient Stone Bridges, and the Vitsa Steps

Where to Stay:  Start the first night of your adventure with a stay in either Monodendri or Vitsa.  Both villages are wonderful introductions to the Zagori region.  Monodendri gives you walkable access to the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi and breathtaking Vikos Gorge views, while Vitsa offers access to the Skala Steps trail and panoramic hilltop vistas.  Either way, you’ll be surrounded by history and charm!

Hotel Recommendation:  My top recommendation is Katikia Zagori, a beautifully renovated stone mansion that’s now a cozy bed and breakfast. The property is run by a delightful couple and features a sitting room, library, and kitchen fit for a magazine.  It was easy to see why they often host retreats, cooking classes, and food tastings right on the property.  Best of all, it’s walking distance from dinner and the Vitsa Steps.

Morning:  Explore the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi

Kick off your day by visiting the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi in Monodendri.  For over 600 years this monastery has watched over the stunning Vikos Gorge!  For centuries, it served as a safe haven where villagers hid religious artifacts and icons to protect them from the Ottomans. After the monastery, there are hidden paths and caves that were used as escape routes and hideouts. Today, its dramatic location on the edge of a cliff makes it one of the very best views of the Vikos Gorge!

Parking is straightforward in Monodendri, and there are plenty of signs to guide you to the site. Allocate about an hour for this visit.

Breakfast:  After your visit, you can enjoy breakfast at a cozy café in Monodendri, right near the monastery entrance.  We had cappuccinos with a warm pumpkin pita (Zagori pie) that was crispy and delicious. 

Afternoon:  Hunt for Ancient Stone Bridges

Zagori is renowned for its historic stone bridges, hidden throughout the region.  Centuries ago, these bridges were the only links between the numerous remote mountain villages and they enabled vital communication and trade.  Today, they are beautiful reminders of the region's history and their enchanting, fairy-tale charm has turned them into a delightful scavenger hunt for visitors.

Thankfully, they are easily accessible by car and usually within a five minute walk from the road.  Here’s a quick list of the best ones to see in the order you will actually encounter them.  I’ve italicized and starred the three “must-sees.”  You can save all 6 in google maps so you are ready to go!

1. Kapetan Bridge

2. Kokkori (Kokkorou) Bridge***

3. Bridge of Plakida (Kalogeriko)***

4. Lazaridis Bridge

5. Milos Bridge

6. Pitsonis Bridge***

I’ve written an entire blog post about these bridges with photos and more details that you can check out here.  

Lunch:  For lunch, you can stop at a taverna in Kipoi, located conveniently near several of the bridges.  Alternatively, you can drive 10 minutes to Dilofo village for a really fantastic meal at Lithos Takis Place, a charming spot with views of the mountains and authentic Greek meals.

Sunset:  Vitsa Steps

In the evening, hike down the Vitsa Steps to catch a magical sunset.  This ancient cobblestone trail winds through meadows and woodlands before descending into the Vikos Gorge valley.  It’s an easy hike, taking about 45 minutes each way.  At the bottom, you’ll discover the Misiou stone bridge and the icy blue Voidomatis River - the view at sunset is unforgettable!  We googled our sunset time for that day and made sure to save enough time to walk back in daylight.

Dinner:  Back in Vitsa, dine at Sta Riza, a local favorite. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, and the food is extraordinary.  I still dream about their chickpea appetizer!

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Day 2:  Hike the Beloi Viewpoint and

Explore Megalo Papigo

Morning:  Beloi Viewpoint (or Vradeto Steps if you like longer hikes)

The Vradeto steps connecting the Kapesovo and Vradeto villages are probably the most famous steps in the area.  Before modern roads were built, they were the only way to access the surrounding villages in the area for supplies.  If you have several hours to dedicate to this journey, it’s a beautiful (and arduous) hike through the mountains.  

However, if, like me, you prefer shorter hikes that offer similar views, you can drive straight to Vradeto to hike to the Beloi viewpoint, one of the very best viewpoints of the Vikos gorge.  It takes about 45 minutes each way and winds through stunning meadows with cliff views before reaching the final viewpoint. We caught a rare snowy day, but even then it was very safe, fun, and well-marked.

Brunch:  After our hike, we enjoyed brunch at Balkoni Zagoriou.  The owner is really kind and even sent us home with a bag of oranges from their family orchard!

Afternoon:  Head to Megalo Papigo

Megalo Papigo is the star of Zagorochoria.  Nestled beneath the Astraka Peaks, this lively village is full of cobblestone alleys, quaint shops, and cute cafes.  We spent the afternoon recovering from the hike, wandering the village streets, and soaking up the mountain views.

Dinner:  We adored Aris restaurant.  It was so good, in fact, that I broke my own rule and went back two nights in a row.

Hotel Recommendation:  Do yourself a favor and stay 2 nights at Arkefthos Mountain Hotel.  I’ve returned to this boutique property again and again and it’s actually one of my FAVORITE hotels in Greece!  It has one of the best views in the village with the Astraka Peaks right outside your window.  It’s also run by the sweetest family that made us feel like we were a part of it.  Every time we came back from an outing, they asked what we had been up to and offered a new home cooked treat:  my favorite was Vasilia’s chocolate cake.

Check out my view:

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Day 3:  Wander Megalo and Mikro Papigo

Morning:  Stroll from Megalo Papigo to Mikro Papigo

This village is truly for slowing down and the day can easily be spent in charming cafes or browsing shops filled with handmade wooden crafts and natural products. The mountain tea is popular, and I picked up some dried flower petals for baths back home. I also found some liquor flavored with local herbs.

Mikro Papigo is a leisurely 45-minute walk (or a quick 5-minute drive).  Along the way, you can stop at the Papigo Rock Pools, a natural wonder that’s perfect for photos. In the warmer months, it’s a common place to take a dip! 

In Mikro Papigo, we enjoyed the serene atmosphere of the smaller village which also boasts incredible views of the Astraka Peaks.

Try Zagori’s Famous Pies

No trip to Zagori is complete without sampling its famous pies.  I’m sure you’ve heard of spanakopita – the “spanako” represents spinach and “pita” means pie in Greek.  In Zagori, they have many different flavors of these “pita” pies that you’ll only find in this region.  They are made with flaky phyllo dough and filled with ingredients like feta, spinach, mushrooms, cheese, chicken, pumpkin, and more.  You’ll find them at most local tavernas—just ask for the day’s specials.

Zagori is Waiting!

I love Zagori so much that I keep going back to see the same things in different seasons. It's truly one of Greece’s top hidden gems. Its close proximity to Albania, picturesque mountain villages, and enchanting natural beauty make it a destination unlike any other in Greece.  Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, some true culture, or just a chance to unwind in breathtaking scenery, Zagori will be unforgettable.  Let me know what you’re most excited about seeing!

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