Kastoria
Photo: Sabina Kallari / Pexels
The Verdict
Worth the detour for the lake, the churches and the mansions — especially for repeat visitors done with the islands.
Why go
Kastoria sits on a peninsula jutting into Lake Orestiada, ringed by over 50 small Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches, many frescoed and most unlocked only on request. The old fur-merchant mansions (archontika) along the lakefront show where 18th-century wealth went. Walk or cycle the lake loop at dawn for mist and pelicans; eat lake fish and local wine in the evening.
Understand the place
A fur-trade town on a lake peninsula in western Macedonia, with more Byzantine churches per capita than almost anywhere in Greece and fewer tourists than it deserves.
Pair it with
Editorially complementary destinations.
Easy to combine with
Logically reachable by transport. Confirm current ferry/flight schedules before booking.
Nearby
Related
Booking links
Commercial links: we may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
Plan this trip
Greece Field Guide helps you decide. When you're ready to arrange it, take your saved places to an itinerary.