Papingo

Papingo is a pair of adjacent traditional villages in the Zagori region of Epirus, northwestern Greece. Megalo Papingo (Great Papingo) and Mikro Papingo (Little Papingo) are located in the Pindus mountains near the Vikos Gorge, within the Vikos–Aoös National Park and the Ioannina regional unit.

The settlements are known for their well-preserved Zagori architecture, featuring multi-storey stone houses with carved wooden balconies, slate roofs, and narrow pedestrian streets. The villages are connected by a network of stone bridges and footpaths that cross streams and ravines, reflecting their historic role as part of a cohesive mountain community.

A notable natural feature in the area is Drakolimni Tymfis (Dragon Lake), a high-altitude lake near Mikro Papingo that is associated with local dragon legends and is reached by a popular hiking route. The Papingo area also serves as a gateway to trekking routes in the Tymfi mountains, the Vikos Gorge, and the Voidomatis River, which is famous for its clear, pristine waters.

Access to Papingo is by road from Ioannina and nearby towns, with the villages hosting guesthouses, tavernas, and small shops that cater to visitors. While preserving traditional character, Papingo and the surrounding Zagori villages function as a destination for nature, hiking, and cultural tourism, illustrating a long-standing rural heritage within a protected national park.