Discover the lakeside town that feels made for strolling and daydreaming!
Atmospheric, elegant, historic, and filled with surprises—this is how Kastoria feels from the very first glance. Built amphitheatrically on a strip of land embraced by Lake Orestiada, the city seems tailor-made for leisurely walks and quiet reverie. At times romantic, dressed in the golden-red hues of autumn; at others mysterious, wrapped in veils of mist; and at others bathed in dazzling light, Kastoria is a four-season destination in its own right—a city break that will reward you every single time.
Strolls along the lake and historic neighborhoods
In the cobbled lanes of Dolcho and Apozari, you will walk among old Kastorian mansions with their enclosed balconies (sachnisia) and stone corbels, as if they were whispering stories of the merchants and craftsmen who once made Kastoria one of the most prosperous cities of Macedonia. Nearby, the elegant interwar neoclassical buildings revive the city’s urban grandeur and the refined aesthetic of an entire era, while along the lakeside promenade, the plane trees enchant you with their colours and reflections on the calm surface of the water. Your gaze cannot help but linger on the wooden Kastorian boats, a timeless symbol of the city’s connection to the lake and of a centuries-old tradition that remains alive today.
A city, a mosaic of history and culture.
It won’t take long before you realize that the city, beyond its beauty, also resembles an open-air museum, with numerous monuments of its Byzantine past—churches and monasteries scattered both within and beyond the urban fabric. At the same time, you discover its multicultural identity in places such as the Medrese and the restored Kursum Mosque, or in the silent traces of the former Jewish quarter. Within this mosaic of history and culture, the city’s relationship with fur craftsmanship also stands out—deeply rooted in time, it became closely linked to its economic prosperity and international reputation, evolving into a global centre of fur production and trade.
Municipality of Kastoria
A real-life painting around the lake
Nestled in the embrace of the Gramos and Vitsi mountains, Kastoria unfolds like an impressionist painting by a great artist: meticulously crafted down to the finest detail. With Lake Orestiada—one of the most beautiful lakes in Greece—at its heart, it is an ideal base from which to explore the natural beauty and rich history of the entire region.
Kastoria is rightly considered among the most popular destinations in Western Macedonia. With the town of Kastoria as the most ideal starting point, you shall soon discover a unique tapestry of picturesque settlements, Byzantine churches, monasteries, and archaeological sites in a welcoming land that combines natural grandeur with historical continuity from the Neolithic Era to the present day. The lakeside town and seat of the Municipality of Kastoria, with its colors, reflections on the water, famous mansions, picturesque neighborhoods, stone-paved alleys, and romantic atmosphere, will effortlessly captivate you at first glance. As you explore further, you will realize that Kastoria resembles an “open-air Byzantine museum”, as history and spirituality meet art and architecture at the city’s dozens of Byzantine churches.
Around the tranquil lake and on the mountain slopes, you will discover lakeside settlements and mountain villages such as Aposkepos, Kefalari, and Sidirochori, each vying to offer you the most impressive view. If you love winter sports, the slopes of Mount Vitsi await you in winter for skiing and snowboarding. If, on the other hand, you are a relaxation aficionado, you can enjoy the enchanting panorama of the lake and the forested mountains, or visit Polykeraso, with its striking architecture—the only officially designated traditional settlement in the Regional Unit of Kastoria.
Dare to follow the course of the Aliakmonas River as it crosses the Orestida plateau on a unique road trip, irrigating fertile farmland and imprinting the marvelous changes of the seasons along its banks. Prepare to be deeply moved in the martyr town of Kleisoura—birthplace of Saint Mark and homeland of scholars and merchants—which remains a symbol of memory and resilience after its double destruction by the Ottomans and the German troops. A beautiful surprise also awaits you in the cinematic setting of Koresteia, the reddish “brick villages” that quite deliberately starred in unforgettable scenes of cinema and television. Two of the region’s most hidden gems, in a captivating natural landscape full of contrasts, can be found in the Koromilia Gorge with the Ladopotamos stream, and in the alpine Lake Oktara at Mali Madi.
Kastoria tells its story – From the Byzantine fortress town to the modern lake city
Kastoria has a long and rich history behind it. Its roots may stretch back to the late 5th century BC, when the Macedonian king Archelaus founded the ancient city of Celetrum. Centuries later, Justinian created the Byzantine fortified town that went on to become the core of present-day Kastoria. It is a place where, as you walk through it, you can feel the weight of the centuries: from the raids of Bulgarians and Normans to the city’s brilliance during the Byzantine era, when Kastoria rose to prominence as a leading metropolitan see under the Archbishopric of Ohrid. Byzantines, Serbs, Albanians, Ottomans, and Jews all passed through here, each leaving their own tessera in a fascinating cultural tapestry. During Ottoman rule, the city flourished through the fur trade and hosted a thriving Jewish community, mainly of Sephardic origin, which was almost entirely exterminated during the Holocaust. In the years of the Macedonian Struggle, Kastoria stood at the center of events—this is where Metropolitan Germanos Karavangelis was active and where Pavlos Melas fell in battle. During the 20th century, the city welcomed waves of refugees from Asia Minor, while in the harsh decade of the 1940s it was tested by the German Occupation and the Civil War, which wrote its bloodiest chapters on Mount Grammos and Mount Vitsi. Kastoria rose again in the postwar years, once more thanks to fur craftsmanship, which brought newfound prosperity. Today, as you stroll along the lake or the cobbled streets of its picturesque neighborhoods, you will recognize the vast history of a city that has never ceased to evolve.
Personalities of Kastoria
A homeland for heroes, poets, and artists, Kastoria has given rise to figures who left their mark on history and culture, such as Pavlos Melas, national hero; Manolakis Kastorianos, national benefactor; Athanasios Christopoulos, poet and scholar; Ioannis and Panagiotis Emmanouil, fighters alongside Rigas Feraios; Germanos Karavangelis, metropolitan bishop and leading figure of the Macedonian Struggle; Leonidas Papazoglou, pioneering photographer; Stylianos Pelekanidis, archaeologist and Byzantinist; and Loukas Samaras, internationally acclaimed visual artist.
The traditions of Kastoria, a reason to celebrate all year round
From the Kolentes fires of Christmas and the Ragoutsaria carnival of Apokries to the springtime Lazarines and the summer village fairs, Kastoria keeps its traditions alive in every season throughout the year.
If you are keen to experience a different side of Kastoria, start with its lake. By canoe or kayak, you...
If you are keen to experience a different side of Kastoria, start with its lake. By canoe or kayak, you can enjoy city views while rowing—a perspective quite a few have experienced—while the calm of Lake Orestiada envelops you. A simple stroll that will create memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Water Skiing
If you enjoy action, try water skiing on the lake. A short training session and a few adaptation exercises will...
If you enjoy action, try water skiing on the lake. A short training session and a few adaptation exercises will help you become familiar with the sport, before adrenaline takes over. If you prefer something more entertaining, tubes and banana boats promise speed, fun, and intense moments on the water.
Pedal boats
For calmer, more relaxed moments with gentle physical activity, pedal boats are ideal. They require no special skills and they...
For calmer, more relaxed moments with gentle physical activity, pedal boats are ideal. They require no special skills and they are stable and easy to use, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely ride on the lake—even with a coffee in hand.
Boat tour
Do not miss the boat tour aboard “OLYMPIA”. The route around the Kastoria peninsula reveals landscapes of rare serenity, while...
Do not miss the boat tour aboard “OLYMPIA”. The route around the Kastoria peninsula reveals landscapes of rare serenity, while views of plane trees and willows are reflected in the water. From the deck, you can see the Dragon’s Cave, Panagia Mavriotissa, as well as the city’s manor houses bathed in the light. A delightful leisure trip that connects the lake’s past with the city’s present.
Guided tours
If you wish to get to know Kastoria through its stories, try a thematic guided tour or walking route. Along...
If you wish to get to know Kastoria through its stories, try a thematic guided tour or walking route. Along with a certified tour guide, you will wander through alleys and old neighborhoods, discovering landmarks, hidden spots, tells, legends, and traditions that shaped the city as we know it today.
Cycling
Cycling is also a wonderful way to explore the area. Just rent a bike and ride around the lake, or...
Cycling is also a wonderful way to explore the area. Just rent a bike and ride around the lake, or head out of town toward nearby villages and hills.
Paratrike flight
If you wish to see the lake from above, dare to opt for a paratrike flight! You can soar over...
If you wish to see the lake from above, dare to opt for a paratrike flight! You can soar over the city, the lake, and the surrounding mountains in a unique experience of strong emotion and absolute freedom that you will be talking about for a long time.
Kastoria off-road
Looking for more “earthbound” adventures? Follow an off-road 4×4 route, through forests and mountain passes, that promises thrilling moments. That...
Looking for more “earthbound” adventures? Follow an off-road 4×4 route, through forests and mountain passes, that promises thrilling moments. That way, you will discover places seemingly untouched by time and people, enjoying nature up close while combining dynamic driving with authentic exploration.
Hiking
Hiking in Kastoria is an experience of its own. The short loop around the lake leads you through postcard-like landscapes,...
Hiking in Kastoria is an experience of its own. The short loop around the lake leads you through postcard-like landscapes, as plane trees with golden leaves, old manor houses, churches, natural sounds, and the calm water surface create the ideal backdrop for strolls and romantic moments. Deciding to climb toward Agios Athanasios will reward you with an amazing view: the lake and city spread out before you like a postcard. In case you are seeking more demanding physical challenges, hiking or mountaineering in the surrounding mountains will delight you with routes through forests, ravines, and alpine meadows, offering breathtaking panoramas.
When Kastoria sets the table
Welcoming and authentic, the city and its surrounding villages invite you to sit at their table, drink their wine, and get to know them better.
Kastorian cuisine—Balkan, Macedonian, and rural—is deeply rooted in the land, the seasons, and the traditions of the lake, with rich, hearty flavors that warm both body and soul. Among the most iconic dishes, makalo meatballs with flour-based sauce, oven-baked giant beans, and sarma made with pickled cabbage hold a steady place on the winter menu. The cuisine’s centerpiece is carp, the lake’s most prominent fish, masterfully prepared in the garoufa soup or baked with red sauce in the famous saltsistos tavas. As for traditional sweets, try the distinctive “saliarioi”: wonderful fasting Kastorian shortbread cookies flavored with orange and cinnamon.
Wine and local wineries
Tasting Kastoria’s delight is not complete without a glass of its wine. The slopes around the lake, with the favorable agiami wind and the cool breezes of Grammos and Vitsi, produce distinctive local wines, which you can sample by visiting the local wineries. Their people will welcome you warmly and speak to you about their vineyards, their land, and their wines.
