Three days in Karpenisi: A magical excursion that has it all!

Fascinating nature, absolutely picturesque, warm and Greek landscape, the "persistent" Karpenisi, which was built many times and "reborn" so many times, offers one of those excursions that never leave the "Best Of" options. The "diamond" of Evritania, 282 kilometers from Athens, proudly "proclaims" its beauty and graces, through the sign "Evritania – Authentic Place of Life" at the entrance of the village. Trademark, the large square of Markos Botsari with its ornate marble fountains. Its marble slabs also form plane leaves and bear the names of old municipalities of Evritania. It should be noted that the whole of Karpenisi is characterized by large and comfortable sidewalks, so walking here is one of the most enjoyable activities the visitor can do.

The city of Greece with the tank at its entrance

Karpenisi: A walk in the city

The Church of Agia Triada is located in the center of the city and is the metropolitan church of Karpenisi, a preserved historical monument. It was built in the late 17th century by Saint Eugene the Aetolian (born Giannoulis Aitolos), who arrived in Karpenisi in 1645. The chapel he founded in the present location of the church housed the School of Higher Letters - the first school in Evritania for higher education.

Along the way, the chapel grew and the Holy Trinity approached the standards of Byzantine basilicas. Over the centuries, the church was destroyed many times and was always reborn from its ashes. The impressive hagiographies and the women's loft with the wooden balcony are the elements that testify to the historicity of the church. Of course, having lived (and continue to live) moments of great glory, Karpenisi has everything - modern bars, picturesque cafés, taverns, and of course, delicatessen shops that offer all the goodies of the area.

Travel to Karpenisi — A trip to Karpenisi has it all. Different routes...

One of these shops is the "House of Honey", i.e. the beekeeping business of the Karanikas family, which counts 150 years of life. It is the right source to buy from flower honey, forest honey, and royal jelly, to propolis, pollen, and wax, but also sweets, jams, and traditional, handmade pasta, even cosmetics with honey.

Karpenisi: Travel to Evritania — ... and fairytale images in the nature of Evritania

As for the taverns and restaurants of Karpenisi - and the surrounding villages - note that you should try the following: "generous" in size steaks, delicious sausages, trout from the fish farms of the area, the famous prosciutto of Evritania, traditional cheeses such as tsalafouti, local pies, and spoon sweets.

Excursions around Karpenisi

Evritania - Karpenisi — Evritania, nature at its best

Walk in Kefalovriso and games in Saloon. Kefalovryso, a very beautiful forest-park, 3 km from the city, gives its own special touch to Karpenisi. Especially for children, Kefalovryso is a small paradise with its "imperial" plane trees. The "painted" park includes others: small rivers (small arteries of the river Karpenisiotis), wooden bridges, streams, a pond with ducks and geese, and of course, paths that lead to the heart of the forest. In fact, through these paths, you can find yourself in the village of Klavsi. Look for the monument dedicated to Markos Botsaris. Apart from the beautiful natural landscape, here you will also see luxury hotels and internationally renowned resοrt. And once you have arrived here, a stop at the café-restaurant "Kefalovryso Park" is necessary to taste traditional dishes, pies, and fresh trout, directly caught from the fish farm behind the restaurant.

A good choice for children's entertainment is the Saloon, a theme park-multipurpose recreation area located 2.5 km from Karpenisi. Here your kids can go horseback riding, ride a vintage roller coaster, climb a tower, ride in an Indian park, canoe, trampoline, and skydive. the Tourist Horse Riding and Adventure Park, which will particularly excite the children, but also... adventurous greats. Meanwhile, grown-ups enjoy a hot drink at the café-bar with its glass patio and fireplace.

Karpenisi - Panta Vrechi Gorge — The enchanting gorge Panta Vrechi

Magical walk in the gorge Panta Vrechi. It is one of the most beautiful gorges in Greece, with the landscape defined by the perennial plane trees, the crystal springs and the impressive waterfalls that form the waters of Krikelopotamos. The gorge is 59 km from Karpenisi (about 1 hour and 10 minutes).

Lake Plastiras: an ideal weekend getaway

Karpenisi and its interesting museums

Karpenisi - Cultural History Center of Evritania — Photo source: Center of History of Culture of Evritania / kipe.gr

At the Cultural History Center of Evritania (K.I.P.E.) you should dedicate time because it really deserves it. It is an original interactive museum, which presents the history and culture of Evritania in an experiential way, through interesting educational programs. It has two virtual - augmented reality rooms: the "Episkopi Hall" where you will admire the Church of Episkopi which is submerged in Lake Kremasta, and the "Markos Botsaris" Hall where the "Battle of Kefalovryso", the historic battle that Markos Botsaris lost his life, is projected. The permanent exhibition entitled "The Treasures of Evritania" presents cultural exhibits of each time period. Free admission, for more information, here
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Karpenisi - Mountain Museum — Photo source: Karpenissi Mountain Museum - Karpenissi Mountain Museum

Of particular interest is the Mountain Museum, the first of its kind in Greece. It greets visitors at the entrance of the city from the well-kept two-story, stone building where it is housed. It was created exclusively by donations from mountaineers, skiers, and athletes who have excelled in mountain activities. One of the many you can see here are artifacts from the equipment used by the first Greek expedition to conquer the world's highest peak. The page of the Mountain Museum on Facebook.

Road trip to the villages around Karpenisi

On a hill, amphitheatrically built and surrounded by fir trees, the most beautiful villages of Evritania await visitors to discover them - Fidakia, Koryschades, Lagkadia, Agios Andreas Gorianades and the nearby village of Kalesmeno.

Evritania - Karpenisi - Megalo Chorio — Evritania: If you hit Megalo Chorio with snow, this will be its image!

The show, of course, is stolen by Mikro and Megalo Chorio, just 15 km away, the great – and rightly so – attraction of Karpenisi. Traditional architecture, stone-built squares, old churches, running waters, and wonderful nature connect the two villages.

Karpenisi - Prousos Monastery — If you find yourself in Karpenisi, be sure to visit the impressive Prousos Monastery

From Karpenisi to Prousos Monastery. It is a green route with a "gift" at its end, the Prousos Monastery, carved into a vertical rock. It was built in the 12th century and in its small museum, you will admire ecclesiastical relics, Byzantine icons, and part of the weaponry of Georgios Karaiskakis. The panoramic view of the green slopes of Kaliakouda and Panaitoliko is simply magnificent.

Karpenisi - Lake Kremasta — Lake Kremasta, an aquatic paradise

From Karpenisi to Lake Kremasta, an aquatic paradise. It is one of the largest and most impressive artificial lakes in the country, where the Acheloos, Tavropos, Trikeriotis, and Agrafiotis rivers meet. It is located about 50 km west of Karpenisi.