Unique natural beauty, rich history and a culinary tradition worth discovering. A guide to Kastoria, the stately city you always want to return to.
Among the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Greece, Kastoria is mirrored in the waters of Lake Orestiada and charms its visitors with its grandeur and tranquil aura. The lake with its cinematic beauty (especially in winter when it freezes, the image is magical), the traditional neighborhoods with imposing mansions, the Byzantine churches and the gastronomic delights make Kastoria one of the best winter destinations in Greece. What follows is a guide to fully experience the stately city of Western Macedonia.
Lake Orestiada: The jewel of Kastoria
Lake Orestiada is inseparable from the identity, history and development of the city. It has been designated a site of outstanding beauty by the Ministry of Culture and has been included in the European «NATURA 2000» Network. Kastoria’s lake lies at an altitude of 630 m. above sea level, covers an area of 28 sq. km. and is the eleventh largest lake in Greece. Its waters are home to many fish species, as well as more than 200 species of birds (16 of which are rare and endangered), making it one of the most important wetlands in the country.
The small loop around the lake is about 8 km long and is ideal on foot or by bicycle (there is also the big one, which continues towards the lake’s villages). As you walk, you will gaze at pelicans and ducks, as well as the impressive sight of fishermen rowing their «boats» while standing. Along the route there arekiosks ideal for picnics, while on the plateau in front of the Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa stands a plane tree about 900 years old. In the northern part of the lake liesthe Dragons Cave withits ten accessible chambers and seven underground lakes that are worth seeing. The cave was discovered by chance by locals in the 1940s and only in 2009 did it open its doors to the public.
Doltso: The stately neighborhood of Kastoria
A stroll through Doltso, the old town of Kastoria, on the southern shore, is one of the experiences you shouldn’t miss. Starting from the main square, just a few meters from the lake, wandering the atmospheric stone-paved alleys of the neighborhood will transport you to another era. The imposing and majestic mansions, two- and three-story buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries, stand as undeniable witnesses to an economy that flourished thanks to the vibrant commercial and artisanal activity of Kastoria’s furriers. Some ruined and others impressively restored, Kastoria’s mansions are of great interest for their masonry, architecture and painting. Some mansions, after their renovation, now operate as hotels (Archontiko Orologopoulou, Doltso, etc.), while others have been converted into museums, such as the Nerantzis Aivazis mansion that houses the Folklore Museum and the Emmanouil mansion that houses the Costume Museum.
Christmas in Kastoria
Kastoria is one of the most enchanting destinations for Christmas. The lake scenery, the illuminated alleys, the beautiful mansions and the churches create the perfect atmosphere to experience the magic of the holidays. These days, the spotlight is stolen by the «Magic Lake City», a Christmas-themed park brimming with imagination, action and festive spirit, on the lake’s shores (Traffic Education Park), which attracts many visitors from all over Greece.
Ragoutsaria
The famed Ragoutsaria, a carnival with a history lost in the depths of time, is the best excuse for a getaway to Kastoria at Epiphany. It is a three-day program of traditional carnival events (from January 6 to 8), during which the city takes on a distinctive color and festive atmosphere. The name and origins of this custom are traced to classical antiquity, from which, via Rome and Byzantium, it has reached our days. In Ragoutsaria, everyone in Kastoria takes part in «bouloukia» - each with its own traditional brass band - men and women, young and old, together with thousands of visitors, reveling for three days and nights in the city’s streets.
Flavors
Beyond its famous lake, imposing mansions and dozens of Byzantine churches, Kastoria can also be proud of its local cuisine. The renowned sarmades, meatballs with makalo (a sauce with flour, tomato and garlic), the area’s famed giant beans and lake fish are just a few tasty reasons to fall in love with this city.
Nearby excursions
After your strolls in the city of Kastoria, it is worth visiting a unique attraction in the area: the prehistoric lakeside settlement at Dispilio, a few kilometers outside the city, on the southern shore of the lake. In Dispilio one of the oldest and most important lakeside settlements in all of Europe was discovered in 1932. The reconstruction of the prehistoric settlement, with huts on wooden platforms in the lake, will transport you through time and give you an idea of what a «household» looked like about 7,500 years ago.
A few kilometers north of the city of Kastoria lie the Korestia or «mudbrick villages», a historic cluster of villages that display exceptional architectural and cultural interest thanks to their mudbrick houses with their characteristic red color. The houses were built by craftsmen in the first half of the last century with mud from red earth, water and straw and are unique examples of traditional architecture. Today, most of the villages are abandoned and half-ruined, while some still retain a few inhabitants.
Also, just 22 km from Kastoria lies the Vitsi Ski Center, at an elevation of 1.800 m., fully organized and especially beloved by skiers and snowboarders.
