Survival Guide
Welcome to
Ioannina !
Ioannina, a city that still resonates from the tragic love story of Kyra Frosyni, and her demise, awaits you to discover its beauties.
Ioannina
Ioannina Survival Guide
Table of contents Ioannina, the lake-side city
University of Ioannina
How to get to Ioannina
Map of the city
Hospitals and Labs
Boarding and lodging
Transportation
Exploring the City
Around the area
Events
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4
5
7
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11
15
20
24
Ioannina, the lake-side city
The Epirus Region is located in the western part of Greece, and is
divided into four regional units (formerly prefectures), which are:
Thesprotia, Ioannina, Arta and Preveza. The biggest prefecture is this of
Ioannina and the main city is Ioannina with merely 1/3 of the
population.
Set on the bank of Lake Pamvotis in 500m altitude, it fascinates
everyone with its beauty and its warm atmosphere, despite the
generally cold climate. It is a lively city of 130,000 inhabitants, which
carries a history of centuries. Each alley and square, each part of the
city echo its great tradition.
The combination of innumerable historical monuments and museums
with the unbelievable natural beauty of the landscape is a guarantee
for the visitors. The castle of Ioannina, Lake Pamvotis with the
island, the cave, the fabulous ancient city with its traditional stores
and its exceptional market give no other choice to the visitors but
attract their attention and captivate them. It is a city that combines
just about everything.
Medical School of Ioannina
The Medical School of Ioannina is considered to be among the best in
Greece and is completely public. Its buildings are unique in the
University Campus and the facilities are modern and respond to the
contemporary Medical Student’s needs. You can find more information
about it here.
University of Ioannina
The University of Ioannina is a university located 5 km southwest of
Ioannina, Greece. The university was founded in 1964, as a charter of
the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and became an independent
university in 1970. As of 2014, there is a student population of 15,000
enrolled at the university (11,000 at the undergraduate level and
4,000 at the postgraduate level). The University of Ioannina is one of
the leading academic institutions in Greece. You can find more
information here.
From Thessaloniki to Ioannina by Bus:
Take the bus from KTEL ‘’Macedonia’’ Central Bus Station, in
Thessaloniki. You can find more information regarding the timetable
here. The trip’s duration is about 3 hrs 30 mins
The ticket costs 28 euro (one way trip). To get to the bus station from
Thessaloniki International Airport “Macedonia” where you will have been
landed, take bus line No.78 or 78N (nightshift).
How to get to Ioannina
There are multiple ways to reach the city of Ioannina.
By plane
The Ioannina National Airport “King Pyrros” is located 4km away from
the city center and -as the name suggests- does not receive
International flights. You would have to first land in Athens (Athens
International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos’’) and then switch flights
to your final destination, Ioannina.
The second possibility is to travel by bus (in Greece we call the
stations “KTEL”). Due to the lack of a railroad system in Epirus, this is
the cheapest and most common way to get here.
From Athens to Ioannina by Bus
Take the bus from the Central Bus Station of Kifissos (near the Athens
Metro Station “Elaionas”), full ticket costs 40 euros (one way trip). If you
have an ISIC Card, you can get it for less. The bus station is connected
to the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” via bus line
X93.
Trip Duration: 6 hrs 30 mins (15 min break included near the city of
Patras) You can find more information here regarding the timetables.
You can also reach Ioannina by landing in other Airports around the
periphery of Epirus. These airports receive International Flights due to
their great touristic interest especially during the summer months. Check
it out in your Airlines itinerary! The Greek airports that you could also
choose to land to, are:
The Corfu International Airport “Ioannis Kapodistrias”, situated in Corfu
Island. From there take the ship to Igoumenitsa Port and then a KTEL
bus to Ioannina.
The Patras International Airport of Araksos. From there take the KTEL
bus that connects Patras with Ioannina.
The Volos International Airport of Nea Anghialos. From there, you can
take the KTEL bus from Volos to Ioannina.
Having your ISIC card with you is recommended, as there might be
student discounts available. Νot all of the bus companies accept them
though.
Map of the city
How lost would you be if it weren’t for us?
This map is a valuable tool that lists many things of interest about the
city itself. We will keep it updated throughout your exchange with
things that we think are worth sightseeing, places to shop and dine,
nightlife areas and above all places that will be useful for your
exchange! Click on the map below to see more information. If you
notice something that you’d like to see as well, tell us and we’ll add
it!
Hospitals and Labs
The Peripheral General University Hospital of Ioannina (“Dourouti’’ –
UHI) is the biggest and best equipped Hospital in North-Western
Greece covering the most severe medical cases of the whole Epirus
and the Northern Ionian Islands, as well as a great part of Western
Macedonian cities. It is managed by the Greek Ministry of Health and
Social Solidarity and it is completely public. It has almost all medical
specialties and is ranked among the best in the Balkans. Your daily
schedule and things to do will be determined by the head of the clinic
that you have chosen to attend in your exchange. You can find more
information about it here.
You may find a list of our research exchange projects here (website in
greek) and our clinical departments right here.
During the first day of your exchange your Contact Person will guide
you to your appointed clinic or laboratory, in order to greet you to
your professor.
Boarding & Lodging
Boarding
Students arriving throughout the academic year from
September to July can have 3 meals per day at the University
Students’ Restaurant without charge. The restaurant is
located within the university campus at the final stop of the
bus route (16 or 17 bus). Check the map for more
information.
Throughout August, you can eat twice per day (lunch &
dinner) at the University Hospital’s Restaurant along with the
medical stuff. To do that, do not forget to have the name tag
provided to you by the Local Committee of HelMSIC Ioannina.
Lodging
Student Hostel, International Center of Hellenic Education-
Culture & Vocational Center “Stavros Niarchos”. It is situated
just in the east entrance of the University Campus of
Ioannina next to the University Hospital and behind the
Science & Technology Park of Epirus. Check the map for
more information.
Upon arrival you will say your name to the guard and he will
give you your room key. You will find him at the main
entrance of the Administration Building. Usually, your Contact
Person takes you to the hostel, so you do not need to worry
about transportation. However, under special circumstances
(i.e. if you arrive too late at night), you might need to get to
the hostel on your own.
Each room has its own bathroom (toilet, shower), a mini fridge,
and clean sheets, pillow cases and towels. The rooms are
normally cleaned twice per week, but in August it may be less
frequent (once per week). There is a laundry room available on
the ground level of the dorm. An iron is also available.
Inside the room and within the dorm, you will have Internet
access only via cable. On the other hand, if you go to the
Administration Building right next to where you are located, you
can find an open Wi-Fi Network.
There is no kitchen or any other electrical appliance used for
cooking inside the rooms or at the dorm in general. There is a
canteen in the Administration Building, where you can get
coffee etc. or something to eat (i.e. pizza)
Transportation
The city center is not a very large area and you can walk around
most places at ease. However transportation to & from the
University requires that you take a bus. Here you can download an
app that has some very useful info.
University of Ioannina <-> the city center
Bus Line No.16 (Court House –University)
Bud Line No.17 (Nea Zoi - City Square – Anatoli – T.E.I. -
University)
We strongly recommend you stick to these two bus lines only, as
the rest may be too confusing for you, since they head to other
destinations throughout the city and NOT in the University Campus
There are 4 Bus Stops within the University Campus.
1st stop: “Metavatiko” Building (Administration, Rector’s Office
etc.)
2nd stop: School of Medicine & University Hospital of Ioannina
3rd stop: Schools of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and
Informatics
4th stop: (terminal) Students Restaurant & Old Students’
Dormitories.
How to get to the hostel using the bus
Take bus No.16 or 17. Ask the bus driver to tell you which one is the
stop for the Science & Technology Center. Get off & keep walking
towards the same direction the bus was heading. Turn right at the
University Hospital sign. On your right hand you will see a big blue
sign that writes “THE UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA, INTERNATIONAL
CENTER OF HELLENIC EDUCATION - CULTURE & VOCATIONAL
TRAINING “STAVROS NIARCHOS”. Turn right & 100 meters further
down you will see the hostel (the one with the blue roof).
Where can I buy bus tickets?
The green ticket costs 1.7 euros (full fare), while the orange ticket
costs 0.6 euros (students’ discount). As foreign students you can
only buy the full ticket (1.7 euros) but we will try to do o our best to
provide you with a lower price.
When you are in the University Campus, you can buy them from the
various canteens spread in the Campus. You can find one in every
faculty, one in the University Library and 2 located close to the
students’ dormitories. Alternatively you can buy them from the 2
canteens at the entrance of the University Hospital. When you are in
the city, you can buy tickets from kiosks called “periptera”.
From the Central Bus Station (KTEL) to the hostel
By bus
On Sundays, only bus No.16 stops right in front of the Central Bus
Station. Board the bus and it will take you to the University. On any
other day, you can ask the locals to point you to the direction of the
nearest bus stop from where the buses 16 and 17 pass frequently.
By taxi
Usually there are taxis waiting outside the Ioannina Central Bus
Station, Dark green in color. The taxi fare from the station to the
University will be around 8-10 €. Please note that if you take a taxi
after midnight the fare is doubled. In case that there are no taxis
waiting, you may call the following phone no.: +30 26510 46777 and
book one. The call is charged 2€ extra.
Sidenote: Minimum fare: 3 Euros, Cost per km: 1 Euro
From the Ioannina Airport to the Hostel
You can take a taxi to the University Hospital, which will cost you
around 10 - 12 Euros. Bus transportation is rather complicated and is
not recommended.
Indicative taxi prices for common routes
KTEL Bus Station – University Campus 8-10 Euros
Court House (City Center) – University Campus 6-7 Euros
KTEL Bus Station - Court House (City Center) 4 Euros
Ioannina Airport – University Campus 12 Euros
Exploring the city Castle of Ioannina
The period of the Turkish domination and particularly the
presence of Ali Pasha in Ioannina have left their indelible
marks in the city. One of the oldest castles that are saved in
Greece, the castle of Ioannina impresses everybody by its
imposing presence until today.
Lake Pamvotida and Ioannina Island
One of the most special characteristics of the city is of course
Lake Pamvotida and the Ioannina Island floating inside. With a
fascinating history full of legends and traditions that go back
centuries, the lake of Kyra Frosyni, as it is also known, has
become famous beyond the borders of Greece. Little boats will
ferry you through the local nature, past historic monasteries
and into the picturesque fishing community, where the real
heart of the island beats.
The old market
It’s located in the very center of the city, next to the lake. It
has retained it’s traditional atmosphere and look since the
19th century during the most prosperous era of the city. You
can find a lot of shops that sell the traditional silver-crafted
jewels of Ioannina called “Giannotika”, which the city is
famous for, and also a variety of other stores.
Pavlos Vrellis Museum
It is a genuinely impressive creation, the biggest and most
important museum of wax effigies in Greece, but also one of
the best in the whole world. The insuperably beautiful wax
effigies that literally "speak" the history of Epirus and the
entire Greece, will impress you. It is only 15 minutes from
Ioannina taking the bus for the IKEA department stores, on
the highway to Arta.
Frontzos
A magnificent area outside of Ioannina that has an excellent
view of the city, and a theatre where a lot of shows and
performances take place.
Perama cave
Only four kilometres from Ioannina, on the road that goes
from Metsovo to Trikala, the Cave of Perama was created
1,500,000 years ago in the interior of Goritsa hill, exactly
above the village. It was discovered by residents of Perama in
1940. This natural wonder is known for the variety of
stalactites and stalagmites that are found there and it is
included in the best caves in the world.
Aneksartisias Str.
There are a lot of places in Ioannina for nightlife and this is
one of the best. In this street you can find everything from
traditional greek restaurants to alternative night clubs.
Kallari Str.
It’s in the very heart of the city and it’s bustling with young
people every night. It has lots of “Tsipouradika”, or local
taverns that have a variety of foods meant to be served with
tsipouro, the region’s famous alcoholic beverage. Beware
though, tsipouro is not for the faint of heart.
Garivaldi Str.
It’s a street that has a lot of cafeterias with an excellent view of
the lake. Perfect for relaxing afternoons.
The old slaughterhouses
This particular place was called this way because it used to be,
you guessed it, an old slaughterhouse. Nowadays it has been
repurposed, and this beautiful building by the lake houses the
city’s summer cinema where shows are being projected.
Around the area
Metsovo
A beautifully picturesque town located very close to Ioannina.
The city’s proud history is very closely tied to the profession of
the builder and the stone carver, that in the old days used to
provide the necessary materials for the building of houses, an
artifact that remains evident to this day, in the architecture of
Metsovo, with its traditional stoney buildings.
Meteora
Meteora, which literally means “middle of the sky” or “in the
heavens above”, is one of the largest and most important
complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece. The six
monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the
northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly.
Theogefuro -“The bridge of God”
It is a natural bridge created from rocks which have been fused
above the river Kalamas which passes under it. It’s not visible
from the road side and it will take you 2-3 minutes of steep
walking to get there, but the view it offers is excellent and well
worth a try.
Preveza
Preveza is a commercial harbour and tourist hub that has also
many beautiful locations around its region. A place filled with
history that is reflected in every part of the city.
Parga
A sea-side town in the northern part of the Preveza region.
Known in the ancient times as the location of the gate to
Hades, nearby lies the start of the river Acheron which was
thought to carry the dead to the afterlife. Of course, this has
nothing to do with its impeccable beauty. A must-see location
to visit in the summer.
Syvota
Syvota town is a well-developed resort, owing largely to the
numerous pristine beaches with clear waters located on several
islets immediately offshore. A most amazing place that you
have to see to believe.
Zagorochoria
A very famous region in Greece. It is actually a network of 46
little villages that is dispersed on the mountains northeast of
Ioannina. Amazing natural beauty and tradition is combined in
an amazing result.
Tzoumerka
One of the lesser known regions of Epirus. Its majestic
mountains and clean rivers await extreme sports fans from
everywhere to try them out. The rivers that surround the region
have been adorned with magnificent architectural bridges.
Corfu
One of the most popular destinations of Greece. The old
town of Corfu, having grown within fortifications, where
every meter of ground was precious, is a labyrinth of
narrow streets paved with cobblestones, sometimes
tortuous but colourful and clean.
Lefkada
Located on the west coast of Greece, connected to the
mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge. It
contains one of the most well-known beaches in Greece,
Navagio beach.
Events Depending on the month of your stay there are many events
happening in Ioannina, that you may be interested to see and
experience first-hand. Ioannina has a large and thriving academic
community which brings a lively and creative dynamism to the city.
Daily life in the city is full of intellectual and artistic events. There
are also important sports events, mainly held at lake Pamvotida.
Here you can see a calendar view with many events that are about
to take place in the city!
Old Slaughterhouses
During the summer there are many cinema plays in this open air
cinema. Ask for the program of the week!
The 15th of August Celebrations
In Greek Orthodox tradition, the 15th of August marks the date of
the death or “Koimisis” of the Virgin Mary and it’s a holiday and
celebration in many villages. You’ll get to experience a first-hand,
real Greek celebration, with lots of food and plenty of wine and
traditional dances, so be sure to check it out!
On behalf of
The Local Committee of
Ioannina
We’re looking forward to meeting you!
National Exchange Officer (NEO)
National Officer on Research Exchange (NORE)
Publisher Hellenic Medical Students’ International Committee (HelMSIC)
General Secretariat Mikras Asias 75 Athens 11527
Greece Phone: +302107462033 E-mail: [email protected]
www.helmsic.gr
Copyright © 2016 - HelMSIC