Kastoria Car Hire

Guide of Kastoria

Geography

Kastoria is a pretty town in West Macedonia, north-western Greece. It sits on the banks of Lake Orestiada, surrounded by lush green mountains.

Climate in Kastoria

The climate in Kastoria is mild, warm and temperate. The lake moderates temperatures here, which makes them less extreme than in the rest of Western Macedonia. Summers begin in June and last until September. August is the hottest month to visit Kastoria when temperatures average 22.8°C. January is the coldest month of the year, with average temperatures of -0.1°C. The wettest month of the year is May, which experiences an average of 66mm of rainfall per month.

Culture

Kastoria has ancient origins, though little is known about the city until the Turkish occupation. It flourished culturally and economically during this period thanks to its strategic location, which guarded the region’s frontier from the west. Along with Constantinople, Thessaloniki and Ioannina, it became one of the most important centres in the empire, evidenced by its impressive legacy of Byzantine monuments and mosques.

Kastoria takes its name from the numerous castors (beavers) that once lived here. Large communities of Jewish furriers fled to the area due to the abundance of these magnificent creatures and the town quickly made a name for itself as a centre of the fur trade. In its heyday, the city supplied major cities across Europe. While the beavers are long gone, the town is still renowned for its fur trade and you’ll find dozens of shops and showrooms all over town. Today, tourism and the fur industry dominate the local economy.

Things To Do in Kastoria

Take a stroll around Orsetiada Lake

The best way to get under the skin of the city is by taking a tour around the mesmerizing lake, ideally from the north to south shores. The lake is home to more than 200 species, including swans, silver pelicans, herons and several endangered species. It’s a peaceful spot, lined with willows and plane trees, and overlooked by dozens of charming restaurants and bars.

Meander around the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods

Kastoria is home to two unique neighbourhoods: Apozari and Doltso. Nearly all of the buildings in Dolso date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when the fur trade was at an all-time high. Many of these have been transformed into fascinating museums, like the Folk Art Museum and the Costume Museum. The city’s second-oldest neighbourhood, Apozari, is famed for its Byzantine churches and beautiful mansions.

Explore the Dragon’s Lair

The Dragon’s Lair – also known as The Dragon’s Cave – is situated on the shores of Lake Orestiada, so you can easily incorporate this into your lake tour. The recently-discovered site features seven sprawling underground lakes, ten chambers and five tunnels. Inside, visitors are allowed to explore 300 meters of the cave, which is covered in colourful stalactites and stalagmites.

Discover Byzantine treasures

There are more than 60 Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches peppered across the city, dating from the 9th to the 19th century. The Panagia Koumpelidiki, Panagia Mavriotissa and Byzantine Art Museum are all well worth a visit. Koursoum Mosque, while in bad condition, is the last of seven mosques that once dominated the landscape here. Most of the churches are squeezed between houses and feature enchanting family chapels and rare frescoes.

Dig deeper into the town’s history of fur

Most of the magnificent mansions that line the lake were built by wealthy merchants who made their fortunes from the trade. Pop into a workshop or studio to see first-hand why the town is so famous for its fur, leather and embroidery.

Take to the streets for an epiphany party

Kastoria is an important religious centre for the Orthodox Church of Greece, and Easter is not taken lightly. Every year, just after epiphany, the streets fill with traditional brass-playing bands, processions, free wine, traditional food, singing and dancing for three days of non-stop revelry.

Eating Out in Kastoria

There are some excellent cafes, restaurants and tavernas serving up hearty and delicious food in Kastoria. For the most authentic experience, head away from the city centre. Local favourites include Palia Poli and Steki tis Pareas in the Old Town and Ta Grada on the northern banks of the lake. You’ll find local specialities like makalo meatballs and kolokythopita (creamy pumpkin pies) on the menus here. While nightlife isn’t the liveliest in the region, there are plenty of lakeside bars and local ouzeris open late at night.

Transport

Airport

The closest airport to Kastoria is Aristotellis Airport (KSO), located 12 km from the city centre. From the airport, it’s a 30-minute bus journey or a 15-minute drive. Buses depart roughly every 25 minutes from the airport.

However, the airport only operates domestic flights from Athens Airport (ATH), so you’ll need to book a connecting flight to get here. The flight takes around 2 hours and 59 minutes. Most international airlines operate flights to Athens from major European cities. Alternatively, you could fly to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG), the third-largest airport in the country. From here, it’s a two-hour drive to Kastoria.

Getting around Kastoria

There is no train station in Kastoria, but there is a local bus network, run by KTEL. If you aren’t pressed for time, you’ll be able to visit most of the city’s star attractions on foot, by bicycle or by bus. However, services can be infrequent and tend not to venture beyond the main sights. For more flexibility and the chance to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace, we recommend hiring a car.