What is Kastoria famous for? History, sights and everything you need to know

Kastoria is primarily famous for three things: its long-standing tradition in fur-making, which made it known throughout Europe from the 17th century, the stone mansions with painted ceilings built by its fur merchant traders, and its natural landscape, as the city stretches out on a peninsula within Lake Orestiada. Add to that the over sixty Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches, the carnival custom of Ragoutsaria, and the presence of pelicans on the lake, and you'll understand why it's considered one of Northern Greece's most unique destinations.

In brief

• Historic capital of Greek fur-making since the 17th century
• Over sixty Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches within the city
• Built on a peninsula within Lake Orestiada with unique views
• Stone mansions with carved wooden ceilings in the Doltso district
• Ragoutsaria carnival custom with masked participants and bagpipes

What Kastoria is famous for

The fur tradition

Kastoria became internationally renowned thanks to fur-making, an art that began as early as the 17th century with the processing of small pieces of fur discarded by large workshops in Europe. The city's artisans learned to stitch these remnants in a way that created complete, luxurious garments, and thus Kastoria evolved into an important fur trade centre with clientele across Europe and Russia. Today, the tradition continues on a smaller scale, with workshops and shops selling fur items, while the Fur Museum tells this entire story.

The Byzantine churches

Few cities in Greece have such a dense concentration of Byzantine monuments as Kastoria, boasting over sixty churches, many dating from the 9th to the 14th century. Characteristic examples include Panagia Koumpelidiki with its tall dome, Agios Stefanos, Panagia Mavriotissa with its lake view, and the Archangels of the Metropolis. Their frescoes represent a significant part of Byzantine art and attract scholars and visitors wishing to observe this centuries-long continuity up close.

Its location on Lake Orestiada

The city is built on a narrow peninsula extending into Lake Orestiada, which gives it an almost island-like feel despite being located in the hinterland of Western Macedonia. The lakeside promenade offers continuous views of the water, the surrounding mountains, and the old mansions reflected on its surface. This distinctive geography is among the first things that impress anyone visiting Kastoria for the first time.

The mansions of Doltso and Apozares districts

The wealth brought by the fur trade is clearly visible in the stone mansions built by the merchants in the neighbourhoods of Doltso and Apozares, featuring prominent projecting balconies (sahnisi), carved wooden ceilings, and internal frescoes. Many of these, such as the Natzis Mansion or the Bassara Mansion, are open to visitors and operate as museums, offering an insight into the lifestyle of the city's bourgeoisie in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Ragoutsaria

Every year, from 6th to 8th January, Kastoria comes alive with the Ragoutsaria, one of Greece's oldest and most renowned carnival customs. Masked participants wearing furs and bells parade through the streets accompanied by bagpipes and drums, in a celebration believed to have roots in ancient rituals marking the end of winter. The custom attracts crowds from across the country and has become a trademark of the city.

The pelicans and the natural environment

Lake Orestiada hosts a permanent population of Dalmatian pelicans, a rare sight that very few Greek cities can offer within their urban fabric. The pelicans swim near the fishermen's boats and have become a recognisable symbol of Kastoria, while the lake itself also hosts other waterfowl, offering visitors a glimpse of nature in the heart of the city.

Must-see sights

Panagia Koumpelidiki

A Byzantine church from the 9th-10th century, known for its unusually tall dome, which also gives it its name. The frescoes inside, though worn in places, remain among the most significant examples of early Byzantine painting in the region and are well worth a brief visit.

Panagia Mavriotissa

An 11th-century monastery built in a wooded area on the lake, just outside the city centre. The walk there along the lakeside road is one of the most beautiful in the city, offering views of the water and an opportunity to see pelicans up close.

Natzis Mansion

One of Kastoria's most representative mansions, with richly decorated rooms, carved wooden ceilings, and period furniture. It operates as a museum and provides a vivid picture of the daily life of affluent fur-making families in the 18th century.

Byzantine Museum of Kastoria

Houses a significant collection of icons and Byzantine relics from the city's churches, helping visitors better understand the region's vast religious and artistic heritage before or after exploring the churches themselves.

Old Doltso district

Kastoria's historic commercial centre, with narrow cobblestone streets, stone houses, and lake views. It is the best way to experience the pulse of the old town, with cafes and local product shops nestled among historical buildings.

Local gastronomy: what to try

• Prespes Fasolada — A thick soup made with giant or medium beans from the region, a staple of Western Macedonian cuisine, ideal for the colder months.
• Pies with local cheeses — Handmade pies with local cheeses and greens, usually with thin, crispy pastry, served in many traditional shops in the city.
• Trout from the mountain waters — Fresh trout from local fish farms, baked or grilled, often accompanied by lemon and local olive oil.
• Smoked meats and charcuterie — Traditional smoked sausages and meats, an influence of the proximity to Macedonia and the Balkans, served as spicy mezedes.
• Local Tsipouro — Tsipouro accompanies almost every meal and is served with rich mezedes in traditional tavernas around the lake.
• Sweets with walnut and honey — Local spoon sweets and syrup pastries with walnut, regional honey, and nuts, popular in the city's patisseries.

Beaches, nature and landscape

Lake Orestiada

The lake surrounds almost the entire city and offers a circumferential road of approximately nine kilometres for walking or cycling, with viewpoints, wooden jetties, and spots where pelicans and herons frequent.

Dragon's Cave

One of the region's caves, with stalactites and underground lakes, accessible with an organised tour, offering a different insight into Kastoria's geological wealth.

Grammos Mountain

Just outside the city, the Grammos mountain range offers hiking trails, forested landscapes, and historical significance due to the Civil War, for those seeking a more mountainous escape.

Forest walk to Mavriotissa

The wooded section around the Mavriotissa monastery offers a shaded path by the lake, ideal for a peaceful walk away from urban noise, with views of the water and mountains.

When to visit

Kastoria has a strong continental climate, with cold, often snowy winters and cool summers compared to other parts of Greece. Winter, especially around Christmas and the Ragoutsaria in early January, is a unique time to experience the city festive, but warm clothing is needed. Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures, clear light for photography on the lake, and fewer crowds. Summer is pleasant and cool, ideal for walking around the lake without the heat of other destinations.

How to get there

Kastoria is approximately 500 km from Athens, a six to seven-hour drive via the Egnatia Odos motorway, and approximately 220 km from Thessaloniki, around two hours and forty minutes. A small local airport operates with connecting flights mainly from Athens, while there are regular KTEL bus services from Thessaloniki and Athens. It is not served directly by train, so car or bus remain the most practical options.

Where to stay

The old Doltso district, by the lake, is ideal for those who want to stay within the historic centre with cobblestone streets and lake views. The city centre offers more hotel options and easy access to shops and restaurants. For a quieter stay, some choose accommodation near the lakeside perimeter, with a tranquil landscape and direct access to the walking path.

• Where to stay in Kastoria — Doltso, Centre & Lakeside

Practical tips

• Wear comfortable shoes to walk the road around the lake, it's longer than it looks.
• Visit the churches early in the morning, when they are usually open and quieter.
• If you go in winter, wear many layers of clothing as temperatures drop quite low.
• Book a cave tour in advance, especially on busy weekends.
• Try local fur or leather products from small workshops instead of large stores; they often offer better quality and price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kastoria famous for?

It is mainly famous for its historical tradition in fur-making, the stone mansions of the furriers, over sixty Byzantine churches, and its unique location on Lake Orestiada, elements that differentiate it from any other Greek city.

How many days are needed to see Kastoria?

Two to three days are sufficient to walk around the lake, visit the most important churches, a mansion-museum, and perhaps a cave in the area, without rushing.

Is Kastoria worth visiting in winter?

Yes, especially around Christmas and the Ragoutsaria in early January, when the city is filled with a festive atmosphere, although temperatures are quite low and appropriate clothing is needed.

Are there beaches in Kastoria?

There are no sea beaches as the city is inland, but Lake Orestiada offers walking spots, boats, and views, while some enjoy canoeing when weather conditions permit.

How do I get from Thessaloniki to Kastoria?

The distance is approximately 220 km, about two hours and forty minutes by car via the Egnatia Odos motorway, and there are also regular KTEL bus services covering the route.

What should one definitely see in Kastoria?

Panagia Koumpelidiki, a mansion-museum in Doltso, the walk around the lake to the Mavriotissa monastery, and, if possible, the Ragoutsaria if the visit coincides with early January.

Kastoria combines history, art, and nature in a way rare for a Greek city of its size. Among the Byzantine churches, the furriers' mansions, and the lake with its pelicans, every corner has something to tell about its past and identity. Whether you go for a short getaway or a more in-depth exploration, the city rewards you with experiences that are hard to forget.