Metsovo

Metsovo, a small town in the Pindus Mountains of northern Greece, draws visitors with its stone houses and red-tiled roofs. In this mountain retreat, you can view paintings at the Averoff Gallery, taste Metsovone cheese, and ski at the nearby Anilio resort. Metsovo's Aromanian culture and mountain location make it a unique stop in northern Greece.

Location in the Pindus Mountains

Metsovo sits at an elevation of 1,200 meters in the Epirus region of Greece. You'll find the town between Ioannina to the west and Meteora to the east, making it a convenient stop when traveling between these destinations. Three of Greece's major rivers - the Aoos, Arachthos, and Pineios - originate in the mountains surrounding Metsovo. From the town, you can see snow-capped peaks in winter and green slopes in summer.

Traditional Stone Architecture

As you walk through Metsovo's narrow cobblestone streets, you'll see stone houses with wooden balconies and red-tiled roofs. This architecture reflects the town's Aromanian heritage. In the central square, you might hear older residents conversing in the local Vlach dialect. The 15th-century Church of Agia Paraskevi dominates the square, with an elaborate wood-carved iconostasis inside.

Museums of Art and Culture

Metsovo has several museums that showcase local art and traditions. At the Averoff Gallery, you can view paintings and sculptures by Greek artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Folk Art Museum in the Tositsa mansion displays traditional costumes, carpets, jewelry, and household items from Metsovo's past. The museum also contains religious icons dating from the 15th to early 20th centuries.

Local Cheese and Wine

You can taste Metsovo's specialty cheeses during your visit. Try Metsovone, a semi-hard smoked cheese made from cow's milk with some sheep or goat's milk added. This cheese has held Protected Designation of Origin status since the 1990s. Other local varieties include Metsovela and Metsovo Graviera. To see how these cheeses are made, visit the Tositsa Foundation cheese factory. Metsovo also produces wine, thanks to Evangelos Averoff who planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines here in the 1950s. At the Katogi Averoff Winery, you can tour the facilities and taste their wines.

Skiing and Mountain Activities

In winter, you can ski at the Anilio Ski Resort, located 6 kilometers from town. It has five ski runs and a snowboard piste suitable for various skill levels. During warmer months, you can hike in the surrounding Pindus National Park or drive to the artificial Aoos Springs Lake. This lake, at an altitude of 1,300 meters, has become a habitat for local wildlife and offers mountain views in every season.

Getting to Metsovo

The nearest airport is in Ioannina, about 50 kilometers west of Metsovo. From there, you can reach the town by car in about 45 minutes via the Egnatia Highway. If you're coming from further away, Metsovo is approximately 420 kilometers northwest of Athens or 220 kilometers southwest of Thessaloniki. The town's location along major routes makes it accessible, though the mountain roads require careful driving, especially in winter.