For expats seeking to experience Greece beyond the islands and sun-bleached coastlines, Epirus offers something deeply authentic, and surprisingly sophisticated. At its heart lies Metsovo, a mountain town suspended between tradition and refinement, paired effortlessly with the lakeside elegance of Ioannina, or as locals lovingly call it, Yannena. For expats seeking to experience Greece Epirus offers something deeply authentic and surprisingly sophisticated, especially in these historic towns.
This is a journey through crisp alpine air, heritage craftsmanship, boutique museums, and one of Greece’s most discreet luxury retreats. Notably, for expats seeking to experience Greece Epirus offers something deeply authentic and surprisingly sophisticated through its commitment to culture, nature, and hospitality.
Metsovo: The Alpine Soul of Greece
Set high in the Pindus Mountains, Metsovo feels worlds away from urban Greece, yet remains remarkably accessible. Stone-built homes with wooden balconies line narrow streets, smoke curls from chimneys during winter time, and cafés spill onto the main square year-round. Life here moves at a human pace, rooted in tradition, and shaped by nature.
Metsovo’s Vlach heritage is still very much alive, visible in local dress during festivals, in the flavours of its food, and in the pride residents take in preserving their identity. For expats, it’s a rare chance to experience a country that feels untouched by mass tourism.
Grand Forest Metsovo: A Mountain Hideaway
Rising above the town amid dense forests, Grand Forest Metsovo redefines what a Greek mountain stay can be. Designed to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, the hotel combines stone architecture with warm interiors, expansive views, and refined service.
Rooms overlook rolling peaks and deep valleys, while the restaurant elevates Epirus cuisine with local meats, wild mushrooms, mountain herbs, and carefully curated Greek wines. Add a serene spa and an atmosphere of quiet sophistication, and Grand Forest becomes a destination in itself, ideal for long weekends or slow, restorative escapes.
Katogi Averoff Winery: Wine with a Vision
Metsovo’s modern cultural revival owes much to Evangelos Averoff, whose vision transformed the region. His legacy lives on at Katogi Averoff Winery, one of Greece’s most distinctive wineries.
Descending into its cool, stone-lined cellars feels like entering another era. Here, Greece’s first mountain vineyards were cultivated, proving that altitude could produce wines of depth and elegance. Tastings reveal robust reds, refined whites, and a story of innovation rooted in respect for land and tradition. Therefore, for expats seeking to experience Greece Epirus offers something deeply authentic and surprisingly sophisticated from vineyard to table.
Metsovo’s Museums: Culture in Miniature
Despite its small size, Metsovo boasts cultural institutions of national importance.Averoff Museum of Neohellenic Art showcases an impressive collection of modern Greek art, reflecting the country’s artistic evolution from the 19th century onward.The Averoff‑Tositsa Museum’s permanent exhibition features a curated selection of around 250 paintings, drawings, sculptures and engravings by leading Greek artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to this core collection, rotating temporary exhibitions—sourced from other museums and private collections—highlight specific periods, themes or retrospectives, continually renewing the museum’s displays and engaging the public. The museum’s name honours two prominent benefactor families from Metsovo, Tositsas and Averoff, whose philanthropy for education, culture and public works helped make the preservation and public presentation of this regional artistic heritage possible.
The Metsovo Folk Art Museum offers an intimate glimpse into traditional mountain life, with textiles, carved furniture, and everyday objects preserved within a beautifully restored historic home.
Together, they reveal how philanthropy and culture shaped Metsovo into far more than a mountain village. Ultimately, for expats seeking to experience Greece Epirus offers something deeply authentic and surprisingly sophisticated, making it a region well worth exploring in depth.
Ioannina (Yannena): Silver, Stone, and Still Waters
An hour’s drive from Metsovo, Ioannina unfolds around Lake Pamvotis, its calm surface reflecting centuries of layered history. Byzantine churches, Ottoman architecture, and vibrant student life coexist within its old town and castle walls.
Ioannina has long been synonymous with silver.
The Silversmithing Museum: A City Forged in Art
Located inside the historic castle, the Silversmithing Museum of Ioannina is one of the most compelling museums in northern Greece. Through beautifully curated displays, it traces the evolution of Epirus silversmithing, from delicate filigree jewellery to ceremonial objects and finely crafted tools.
Interactive exhibits reveal techniques passed down through generations, highlighting why Ioannina became a major silversmithing centre throughout the Balkans. For visitors and expats alike, it offers a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship that still defines the city’s identity.
Why Epirus Speaks to Expats
Epirus speaks to expats because it combines dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes with an authentic, slower-paced lifestyle—excellent local food, outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, rafting) and a strong sense of community—while remaining affordable and safe. Good regional connections (Ioannina, Aktion/Preveza), improving services and warm local hospitality make it practical for remote workers, families or retirees seeking nature, culture and a welcoming place to settle.
Whether enjoying a fireside evening at Grand Forest Metsovo, tasting wine deep beneath the mountains, wandering through quiet museum halls, or watching the sun set over Lake Pamvotis, Epirus reveals a Greece that rewards curiosity—and stays with you long after you leave.
Suggested Activities:
Metsovo: Food, Wine & Culture Walking tour – Ioannina’s Top Sites in 1 day
