Why should I buy a home in the Pindus mountains if I am Dutch? How does it rank compared to other destinations in Greece for me? What are the most popular areas to buy a home in the Pindus mountains?
In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of the Pindus mountains. Throughout our article, you will see quotes from Maria Kofou, a travel blogger and Instagram personality who has travelled all over the Pindus mountains.
About Maria (@travelstoriesofmyworld)
“I’m Maria! I love traveling, I love waking up in an unknown country and having all day ahead of me to discover it and I like to write about everything I see, discover and feel traveling. I choose to travel mostly on my own and my goal is to inspire other women to do the same!
I love the globes and maps! I can look at them for hours and make plans in the hope that I will see all 197 countries on our planet!”
Find Maria on Instagram, Tiktok, and on her blog.
About the Pindus Mountains
The Pindus mountains cover a large portion of North and Central Greece. There are many popular Greek mountain towns in the Pindus range, and some of the best-known are Metsovo and Karpenisi.
Metsovo
Metsovo is a large traditional village in the Epirus region, at an elevation of 1200 meters in the Pindus mountains. The architecture in Metsovo goes back centuries, and there are many cafes and restaurants to enjoy the view of the mountains. For winter sport lovers, Metsovo has a ski center and there are many trails for snowshoeing. For foodies, Metsovo is also known for its famous local cheese.
Karpenisi
This winter destination, despite its name ending in “nisi”, which means “island” in Greek, is found in central Greece. The surrounding valleys are full of fir trees. Karpenisi is a place to explore the natural environment at the Panta Vrehi Canyon, the Prousos Monastery, and the Velouchi Ski Center. The town of Karpenisi is full of cozy restaurants and cafes with hearty local Greek dishes.
Zagori
Zagori is a town of mountain magic. It is right next to dense forest, deep gorges, lovely rivers, waterfalls, and caves. Nearby are 46 stone villages, known as the Zagorachoria, which create a mountain paradise. There are hundreds of kilometers of marked trails to explore in the area, which pass by breathtaking views, monasteries, and old stone bridges.
The area of Zagori is also popular for backcountry skiing and organized hikes. Zagori is also famous for its savory pies, which were a main food source for the inhabitants of the area.
Zagorochoria
The “Zagorochoria” are also known as the “Zagori villages” or “the place beyond the mountains.” For centuries, because these villages were hidden in the mountains, they kept a unique character compared to the rest of Greece and were protected naturally by the mountains from many intruders.
This is why you will find local food and customs found only in this area. Some of the most popular Zagorochoria villages are Ano Pedina, Papigo, Vitsa, Monodendri, Asprageli, Aristi, and Greveniti.
Rating the Pindus Mountains for the Dutch
Ranking Methodology
How did we decide what factors are most important for Dutch home buyers? To solve this challenge, we first asked our sales and legal team, who offer consultation and legal handling to dozens of Dutch clients (both those who do and don’t purchase a property). We then combined this data with a small survey of Dutch clients who ultimately purchased a home to find out their highest priorities.
Sea View
In the Pindus range, you will get the view you came for – the mountains! This means that – yes – you won’t get a sea view. However, you will have access to some of most beautiful mountain views in Greece. Mt. Ziria and Mt. Menalon are nearby and are some of the best hiking areas in Greece. These mountains have plenty of trails and also rafting opportunities.
You will have a view of the rivers, mountains, and unique landscapes in the Pindus mountain range that mass tourism do not know about. Many tourists to Greece do not know about this unique charm.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Direct Flights
From the Netherlands, you can fly directly to Thessaloniki to reach the mountain towns of the Pindus mountains. Note that you will need to rent a car, because there is not frequent public transportation to these areas. For reference, it takes about 3 hours to drive to the Pindus mountains from Thessaloniki.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Property Prices
Prices in the Pindus mountains highly depend on the area where you buy a home. According to national averages from Spitogatos, prices range from 600 Euros per square meter in Grevena (on the Eastern border of the Pindus mountains) to 1200 Euros/sqm in Evrytania (the region on the southern border of the Pindus mountains).
Relative to other areas in Greece, prices in the Pindus mountains are inexpensive. For example, prices in the Ionian islands and Cycladic islands range from 2000 to 3500 Euros/sqm. Compared to the “hot” areas of Greece, like Athens, the Cycladic islands, Mykonos, Santorini, and Corfu, you will have a traditional Greek experience in the Pindos mountains without facing large crowds of tourists.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Internet Speed
Internet Speeds are available in the Pindos mountains via Speedtest by Ookla. Out of the towns listed nearest to the Pindos mountains (Arta and Ioannina, which are located in the foothills of the Pindus Mountains), you can expect a speed of 40 MBPS. Compared to other areas of Greece, this is slightly below average.
Rating: 8 out of 10
English Speakers and Expatriate Community
If you choose one of Pindus’s most popular towns, like Karpenisi or Metsovo, you will surely find English speakers. In the winter, when the tourists leave and only local Greeks remain, you will likely see fewer English speakers.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pindus Mountains Overall Rating for the Dutch: 8.7/10
