Ioannina, capital of Epirus for year‑round living
A university town set on the shore of Lake Pamvotida, Ioannina combines services, culture and nature. You’ll find schools, two hospitals, an airport and a lively centre year‑round. 📍
Neighborhoods near the lake & university
To live within walking or cycling distance and enjoy the lake:
- Kastro (old town): stone alleys, cafés, historic charm, small houses.
- Centre & lakefront: apartments with views, promenade, activity.
- Perama (on the other side of the lake): more residential, famous cave, quick access to the centre.
Near the campus (convenient for renting to students):
- Dourouti and Neochoropoulo: direct access to the university.
- Anatoli: family neighbourhoods, more affordable budget.
Transport, hospitals, everyday costs
- Transport: Ioannina airport (IOA) to Athens and Europe in season, KTEL bus network, A2 motorway (Egnatia Odos) towards Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa.
- Health: Ioannina University Hospital and G. Hatzikosta Hospital.
- Indicative budget: one‑bedroom rents often €300–500/month; apartment purchase common around €1,200–2,000/m² depending on neighbourhood and condition. Affordable dining (€10–15 for lunch). Data should of course be checked by micro‑area. 💡
Local market: on the Green‑acres site, no primary foreign buyer is listed for the Ioannina department, which indicates predominantly local demand and a market suited to year‑round living — a good sign if you are looking for stability and permanent services.
Parga, Prévéza, Sivota: Epirus’ Ionian coast
Heading to the Ionian coast: turquoise coves, picturesque villages, marinas and lively summer life. 🌊
Swimming, marinas and seasonality
- Parga : Valtos and Lichnos beaches, colourful alleys, postcard views.
- Prévéza : a town alive year‑round, marinas (Preveza Marina, Cleopatra), Aktion airport nearby.
- Sivota : protected coves, popular anchorages; a more discreet atmosphere off‑season.
Marked seasonality: spring and autumn are very pleasant, with peaks in July–August. Consider shops and services that stay open year‑round if you plan to settle permanently.
Short‑term rentals: summer peaks
- Demand concentrated in May–September, peaking in summer; dynamic pricing recommended.
- Winning product: studios/one‑bedroom flats near the beaches or the port, air conditioning, outdoor space, parking space.
- Operations: reliable cleaning, self check‑in, linen kit; professional photos essential.
- Regulatory: in Greece, registration of tourist furnished rentals and tax obligations (AADE). Check local rules before listing.
Market benchmarks (for second homes): the averages of properties listed on Green‑acres give a useful order of magnitude to position yourself:
- Parga — sought‑after high‑end properties (average asking price: approx. €1,085,000, area 256 m², ~€4,238/m²).
- Prévéza — sometimes very spacious inventory (average asking price: approx. €1,546,000, area 515 m², ~€3,002/m²).
- Sivota — more compact profiles, highly demanded for yachting (average asking price: approx. €362,000, area 129 m², ~€2,806/m²).
Who buys?: in the Thesprotia department (where Parga and Sivota are located), foreign enquiries come largely from Germany (≈25%), then the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy and Israel, with median prices often lower than those of the most high‑end properties listed locally — a sign of a mixed market where luxury second homes coexist with more affordable offerings.
For Prévéza, foreign buyers are also mainly German (≈27%): this explains the vitality of the market for family properties and houses near the marinas (see the offer).
Zagori & Tzoumerka: the choice of mountain villages
North and south of Ioannina, the Zagori and Tzoumerka massifs feature stone bridges, spectacular gorges and schist hamlets. Ideal for a nature project, guesthouses or remote work in the countryside. 🏔️
Monodendri, Papigo: stone bridges, views
- Monodendri: access to the Oxya viewpoint and the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi above the Vikos gorge.
- Papigo (Mikro & Megalo): views of the Astraka towers, natural pools; stone houses in demand. Average enquiries there are around €362,000 for ≈129 m² (≈€2,806/m²), reflecting a sought‑after but accessible mountain second‑home market.
- Around Kipi: iconic arched bridges (Kalogeriko/Plakidas), great hiking routes.
From Ioannina, allow 45–90 minutes depending on the village. Four‑season atmosphere, with genuine local life at the weekend.
Winter access: snow, tyres, heating
- Road: snow equipment (winter tyres/chains) recommended at altitude; 4×4 useful in the hamlets.
- Houses: insulation, recent joinery, central heating (fuel oil), wood/pellet stove; check the condition of chimneys.
- Maintenance: protect pipes from freezing, arrange for a neighbour/caretaker to check in during your absence.
On purchase, favour buildings in good structural condition (roofs, frames); heritage renovations may be regulated in classified villages. ✅
How to choose according to your profile
- Year‑round living: Ioannina for services, schools, employment.
- Sea & second home: Prévéza for year‑round balance, Parga/Sivota for the summer crush of emotion.
- Nature & holiday cottages: villages of Zagori/Tzoumerka, with attention to access and heating.
Green Acres tip: define a 15–20 minute radius around your key uses (beach, campus, marina, trails) and test it for a week on site before buying. 🧪
