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Voykit pocket guide · Greece
Kastoria
Καστοριά
Visit Kastoria for a half‑day to see lakeside views and key Byzantine churches; add an extra morning if you want the museum and cave.
Kastoria is a small lakeside town in Greek Macedonia, famous for its Byzantine churches, fur trade and lake scenery. Most sights cluster within walking distance, so one half‑day covers the highlights; a full day allows a museum visit and a short trip to Dragon’s Cave.
- Country
- Greece
- Local name
- Καστοριά
- Best months
- May–June, September–October
- Avoid
- July–August (hot, crowded)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted; card terminals are required in many businesses.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–45 excl. bed · Mid €45–70 excl. bed · High €70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Tourist police 1571
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European round two-pin plugs.
- Tipping
- Café: Leave the coins, €0.50–1.; Taverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro.; Hotel housekeeping: €1–2 a night.; Boat crew or guide: €5–10 per person for a day trip.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland. On many islands it is desalinated or hard: ask locally and buy bottled if unsure.
- Toilets
- Use cafés (buy something), museums and sites. Paper goes in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 |
| Kastoria fur coat (small) | €150–300 |
| Museum entry | €3–5 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | €12–15 |
| Bus ticket Thessaloniki→Kastoria | €15–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KSO · Kastoria (Argos Orestiko) Airport
- 15 km (9.3 mi) from centre, limited flights via Athens9.3 mi (15 km) from centre, limited flights via Athens
- SKG · Thessaloniki Airport
- 2 h by car or bus to Kastoria
Typical fares
- Thessaloniki → Kastoria, bus
- ≈ €15–20, 2 h (check)
- Lake promenade walk
- Free, 15 min each way
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The historic centre is walkable; local buses connect the lake promenade, the monastery and Dragon’s Cave (about 3 km (1.9 mi)). Taxis are available at the bus station.The historic centre is walkable; local buses connect the lake promenade, the monastery and Dragon’s Cave (about 1.9 mi (3 km)). Taxis are available at the bus station.
See and do
Known for
- Byzantine churches
- Fur industry
- Lake Orestiada
- Dragon’s Cave
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon’s Cave | Walk or short bus from lake promenade, about 3 km (1.9 mi)Walk or short bus from lake promenade, about 1.9 mi (3 km) | ≈30 min |
| Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa | Bus or 15‑min walk along lakeshore | ≈20 min |
| Ski centre at Verno | Bus to Verno (≈30 km (19 mi)), then shuttleBus to Verno (≈19 mi (30 km)), then shuttle | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Lakefront guesthouses
- Close to churches and promenade; good for short stays
- Town centre hotels
- Within walking distance of shops and bus stop
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Συγγνώμηsee-ŋó-mee |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώef-cha-ree-STO |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κοστίζει;PO-so ko-STEE-zee |
| Where is the bathroom? | Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;POO EE-neh ee too-a-LEH-ta |
| Can I pay by card? | Μπορώ να πληρώ με κάρτα;bo-RO na plee-RO me KAR-ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'kaliméra' (morning) or 'kalispéra' (evening) on entering shops and tavernas; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Hospitality: Accept offered coffee, sweets or raki; it is part of the welcome; avoid: Refusing flatly — take a little
- Churches: Covered shoulders and knees; quiet voices; a small candle donation; avoid: Turning your back on the altar for photos during a service
- Gestures: Wave with the palm turned towards yourself; avoid: The open palm pushed forward (moutza)
- Conversation: Family, food and football are easy topics; avoid: Lecturing on the debt crisis, Türkiye or the name of North Macedonia
- Dinner at a home: Bring pastries or wine; arrive a little late; avoid: Leaving food on the plate if you have been served more
- Dress: Casual; long trousers or skirt for monasteries; avoid: Swimwear in town, shops and churches
Scams and watch-outs
- Check opening hours of churches and museum; some close early in winter (check).
- Winter snow can affect roads to nearby ski centres.
Kastoria is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded markets and follow local traffic rules near the lake.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kastoria yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Byzantine churches
- Fur industry
- Lake Orestiada
- Dragon’s Cave
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kastoria, revision 5301744 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5301744
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kastoria). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.