A mountain town in the Pindus between Ioannina and Meteora, the largest centre of Aromanian (Vlach) life in Greece, known for its cheeses, wine and winter skiing.
About Metsovo
Metsovo is a mountain town in the Pindus, between Ioannina to the west and Meteora to the east, about 134 km (2 hours 10 minutes) from Preveza on the A2 motorway. It is the largest centre of Aromanian (Vlach) life in Greece, and its Aromanian name is Aminciu.
From the mid-17th century the people of Metsovo paid the Ottomans a lump sum in place of the usual taxes, in return for guarding the mountain passes and looking after travellers. The town grew rich on trade: its merchants worked from Constantinople and Vienna to Moscow, Alexandria and Trieste, and many left fortunes to their hometown. Among them were the benefactors George Averoff and Michael Tositsas; the Averoff Gallery is named after Averoff.
Metsovo is famous for its cheeses, among them Metsovone and Metsovela, and for wine, including the Katogi vineyard of the Averoff family. With snowy winters and a ski centre close to the town, it is also a popular winter destination.
Good to know
- It is a long day: about 2 hours 10 minutes each way. Ioannina is 45 minutes back towards Preveza if you want to split the trip.
- In winter, check the weather and road conditions: winters here are snowy.
Help keep it unspoiled: take your rubbish with you, never light fires outdoors in summer, and respect wildlife and local life. How to travel responsibly
Photos
Frequently asked questions
How far is Metsovo from Preveza?
About 134 km by road, roughly 2 hours 10 minutes from Preveza town centre via Ioannina and the A2 motorway.
What is Metsovo known for?
Its Aromanian (Vlach) heritage, its cheeses such as Metsovone and Metsovela, Katogi wine of the Averoff family, the Averoff Gallery and skiing in winter.
Is there skiing near Metsovo?
Yes. The Metsovo Ski Centre is not far from the town, and winters there are snowy.
Last updated 19 October 2026. Information checked against en.wikipedia.org. Spotted something out of date? Use “Suggest a place” in the footer.
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