Ioannina Island, Lake island in Ioannina, Greece.
Ioannina Island, also known as Nissi, is an inhabited islet sitting in Lake Pamvotida in northwestern Greece. It is covered with old stone houses, pine trees, and several monasteries spread across its grounds.
The islet was already inhabited before the 13th century, but its religious life grew when monks fleeing the fall of Constantinople in 1204 sought shelter here. Over the following centuries, several monastic communities formed, and the island became a place of refuge during the long period of Ottoman rule in the region.
The monasteries on the island are still active, and visitors can watch monks going about their daily routines. The Agios Panteleimon Monastery is known as the place where Ali Pasha was killed in 1822, and the room where it happened is open to visitors.
The islet can only be reached by boat from Molos, the pier near the center of Ioannina city. No vehicles are allowed on the island, so all movement is on foot along narrow paths between houses and monasteries.
The island has no cars and no engine noise, making it one of the quietest inhabited islands in Greece. Villagers still use small hand carts to move heavy loads along the stone paths.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
