Region profile
Epirus and Ioannina
Housing roughly a fifth cheaper than Athens, a university city, and the best mountain landscape in the country.
Last verified 12 September 2026 · 1 day ago · checked by spec-import Every figure on this page was checked against its source on this date.
Snapshot
- Population
- Around 330,000, with Ioannina the main city.
- Climate
- Cold snowy winters in the mountains and warm summers — the least Mediterranean part of Greece.
- Getting there
- Ioannina airport with limited routes; the Egnatia motorway makes Thessaloniki and the Ionian ports fast by road.
- Internet
- Good in Ioannina. Mountain villages vary considerably.
- English usability
- Moderate, supported by the university.
- Golden Visa zone
- Zone B — Zone B throughout.
Living here
Who this place suits
- People who actively want mountains, forest and seasons.
- Anyone who wants a small university city at a low cost base.
- Buyers looking for Zone B thresholds within reach of a hospital and an airport.
Who it does not suit
- Anyone who moved to Greece for winter sun. Ioannina is cold and the Zagori is snowbound.
- People who need frequent international flights.
- Anyone who wants to be near a beach — the coast is an hour and a half away.
Areas and neighbourhoods
One trade-off sentence each. Every one of these has a downside worth knowing before you sign anything.
- Ioannina
- Lakeside, walkable and cheap, with a real winter.
- Zagori villages
- Some of the most beautiful stone villages in Europe, and isolated when it snows.
- Parga and the coast
- A pretty seasonal coastline that largely closes in winter.
Healthcare
Ioannina University Hospital is the referral centre for north-west Greece and is well regarded.
Read how the Greek health system works for what registration actually gets you.
What it costs
Rent bands for this area, drawn from the shared dataset. Remember that
advertised rent excludes utilities and koinochrista — the building's common
charges, at Common charges (koinochrista) Building maintenance, shared lighting and often central heating, billed separately from rent. Always ask for the monthly figure before signing.€30 to €150 a month — source and verification date
| One-bedroom, central | €250–€400 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom, outside centre | €200–€330 |
| Three-bedroom, central | €400–€700 |
| Utilities, 85 m² apartment | €120–€200 |
| Home internet | €30–€45 |
| Groceries, single person | €200–€300 |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | €8–€12 |
Visiting
Worth the trip
- The Vikos Gorge and the Zagori stone bridges.
- The island in Lake Pamvotida.
- Dodona's ancient theatre.
Best months
May to June and September to October for walking; January for snow.
What to skip
Expecting a beach holiday. That is not what this region is.
Before you book, check entry requirements and read about the accommodation tax, which is not included in the price you see on a booking site.