Getting from Santorini to Ioannina

If you are heading to Ioannina from Santorini you are in for one of the most rewarding urban destinations in Greece. Ioannina sits on the western shore of Lake Pamvotis in Epirus, surrounded by the mountains of the Pindos range, and it has a character unlike any other Greek city. The old quarter inside the Itsale Kale fortress is Ottoman in feel, with mosques, a Jewish quarter and the house where Ali Pasha, the legendary Lion of Ioannina, was finally cornered and killed in 1822. There is a small island in the middle of the lake with monasteries, a taverna and the actual room where Ali Pasha met his end. The Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world, is an hour away. Ioannina deserves more time than most people give it.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry connection to Ioannina. It is an inland city in the mountains of Epirus, accessible only by road or air.

What about flying?

Ioannina has its own airport, King Pyrros Airport, with domestic connections from Athens operated by Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. The journey from Santorini goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Ioannina, with total travel time around 4 to 5 hours door to door. The airport is just 4 kilometres from the city centre. It is worth knowing that in Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. Almost all island to island travel goes through Athens.

Your best option

Fly to Athens and connect to Ioannina. The Athens to Ioannina flight takes around 50 minutes and the connection is easy. Ioannina Airport is close to the centre so you are in the city quickly after landing.