Photos: Giorgos Megas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 EAMorton, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pudelek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Giorgos Megas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 EAMorton, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pudelek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ioannina Castle, an Ottoman stronghold
Your local guide
Christos Papas
View profile
Highlights
- A fortress built on Byzantine ground
- The lake defending three sides
- An inner citadel, separately walled
- Centuries of layered history
- A steady walk along the water
About this tour
This session walks Ioannina Castle, the Ottoman-era fortress built over older Byzantine foundations on the lake shore. You see the outer wall, the gate into the inner citadel, and the wide view over Lake Pamvotis from the highest point. It stays within the castle grounds throughout.
I move at a steady pace between the three points, pausing longest at the gate to explain the layers of history behind the citadel. Live questions come up naturally, and I send a short note on the fortress's different periods afterward.
This suits anyone who wants the castle's Ottoman and Byzantine history explained properly rather than skimmed. It also works well as a first session before the mosque and tomb inside it.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Ioannina before heading out.
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Outer Castle Wall 21 min
The camera follows the wall facing the lake, and I explain how the fortress grew from Byzantine foundations into the Ottoman stronghold seen today.
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Its Kale Gate 21 min
You see the entrance to the inner citadel, and I point out how this inner section held the city's administrative and religious buildings separately from the outer town.
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Lake View from the Walls 21 min
From the highest point on the walls, the camera shows the full sweep of Lake Pamvotis, and I explain how the water shaped the castle's defences on three sides.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Ioannina: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Epirus pita (savoury filo pie) and Its Kale, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Athens time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Ioannina, showing you Outer Castle Wall and Its Kale Gate live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet and the link comes with your booking. I walk the castle grounds with my phone, so the lake stays visible along the outer wall.
Times shown in Athens time (EET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sun 1 Nov · 10 seats left From 29,00 €
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