3 Underrated Things to Do for Couples in Kastoria

Kastoria, the sleepy lakeside town tucked into the hills of northern Greece’s Macedonia region, doesn’t get half the attention it deserves from couples planning European getaways. Most travelers speed past it on the way to bigger, more famous Greek islands or coastal hotspots, but that’s exactly what makes it so special: there’s no overwhelming crowds, no overpriced tourist traps, just quiet cobblestone lanes, Byzantine churches tucked around every corner, and the glassy, mountain-fringed Lake Orestiada that feels like it was made for slow, lazy afternoons with someone you love. If you’ve ever flipped through a Greek travel guide and wondered why no one raves about this spot, you’re not alone—most big publications skip right over it, which means the town still feels like a well-kept local secret.

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If you’ve already scrolled past the usual recommendations for Kastoria—walking the lakefront promenade, browsing the old town’s fur shops, or snapping photos of the iconic 11th-century church of Agios Stefanos—you’re in for a treat. We’ve dug up three underrated, couple-focused experiences that feel like hidden gems, perfect for making memories that don’t revolve around checking off tourist boxes or fighting for space at crowded viewpoints. These are the kind of low-key, personal moments that turn a regular trip into something you’ll talk about for years, no fancy planning or big budgets required.

1. Private Traditional Rowing Boat Sunset Trip on Lake Orestiada

Most couples who visit Kastoria stick to the big, noisy public ferry that chugs around the lake during the day, or they simply stroll the paved promenade that wraps along the water’s edge. But if you want a truly romantic, low-key experience, skip the tour groups and rent a small, handcrafted wooden rowboat from a local family who’s operated out of the tiny, unmarked harbor near the old fur merchants’ square for generations. There’s no motor, no guide yelling over a microphone, just the soft splash of oars, the sound of water lapping against the hull, and unobstructed views of the snow-dusted Gramos mountains reflecting off the lake’s glassy surface as the sun dips below the horizon. If you’re lucky, you might spot a family of swans gliding past your boat, or even a shy otter peeking out from the reeds along the shore. This experience is perfect for couples who value quiet, uninterrupted time together—no need to make small talk with strangers, no itinerary to stick to, just the freedom to drift wherever the wind takes you, or pull over to a quiet cove to share a bottle of wine and a snack you picked up from a local bakery that morning.

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• Best time to go: Late May through early October, when the lake water is mild enough for a quick dip if you’re feeling adventurous, and sunset doesn’t happen until after 8 p.m., giving you plenty of golden hour light to enjoy the views without rushing.
• Booking tip: Skip the big online tour platforms and ask your hotel concierge to connect you with the Koutsioumpas family, who run the small wooden rowboat fleet out of the tiny harbor behind the Church of Agios Nikolaos. They charge just 25 euros for a 2.5-hour rental, no hidden fees, and they’ll even throw in a free bottle of sparkling local wine if you mention you’re celebrating an anniversary or birthday.

2. Custom Fur Atelier Experience with a Local Kastorian Artisan

Kastoria has been the heart of Greece’s fur trade for more than 600 years, and while most visitors pop into the glossy fur shops lining the old town’s main drag to browse pre-made coats, hats, and accessories, very few take the time to book a private custom experience with one of the town’s small, family-run ateliers. These aren’t the big, tourist-focused stores—they’re tucked away in narrow side streets, run by third- or fourth-generation furriers who still use the same hand-stitching techniques their grandparents taught them. For a few hours, you and your partner can sit down with the artisan, pick out the type of fur you want (from budget-friendly local sheepskin to luxurious sable or mink, if that’s your style), choose a custom lining, and even add small personal details like embroidered initials or a hidden pocket for a love note. The artisan will walk you through the entire process, share stories about how Kastoria’s fur trade kept the town afloat during hard economic times, and even give you a behind-the-scenes look at how they work with raw pelts to create soft, long-lasting pieces. This experience is ideal for couples who love unique, meaningful souvenirs, or who want to learn a little about the local culture in a hands-on, personal way. Even if you don’t end up buying a full coat, you can opt for smaller custom pieces like matching fur-lined keychains, a cozy sheepskin throw for your shared home, or a custom hat or scarf for your partner, all for a fraction of what you’d pay at a big tourist shop on the main drag.

• Best time to go: September through early November, when new shipments of fur arrive from farms across Greece and Eastern Europe, so you’ll have far more options to choose from than you would in the busy winter holiday season, when most artisans are swamped with orders for pre-made coats.
• Booking tip: Reach out to the small atelier run by the Hatzistavrou family on Proxenou Koromila Street 3 days in advance to reserve a 2-hour custom slot. They only take 2 private appointments a day so they can give each couple their full attention, and if you mention you’re visiting for a romantic getaway, they’ll include a free small jar of local wildflower honey and a handwritten note with the history of their atelier as a parting gift.

3. Intimate Home-Cooked Dinner with a Local Kastorian Family

If you’ve ever wanted to skip the overpriced, generic tourist restaurants lining the lake and eat like a local, this is the experience for you. Over the past few years, a small group of Kastorian families have started hosting intimate, small-group dinner parties in their homes for 2 to 4 guests at a time, serving up generations-old family recipes that you won’t find on any restaurant menu. Expect dishes like Kastorian pilaf cooked with local wild rice and topped with crispy fried onions, slow-roasted lamb marinated in wild mountain herbs, creamy homemade tzatziki made with yogurt from a nearby village farm, and honey-soaked baklava for dessert, all paired with bottles of crisp local white wine from the hills around the lake. The hosts love sharing stories about growing up in Kastoria, pointing out old family photos on the walls, and even teaching you a few traditional Greek dances if the mood strikes after dinner. This experience is perfect for couples who love food and want a genuine, unfiltered look at local life, no performative “Greek night” shows or overpriced set menus to deal with. It’s cozy, personal, and feels more like having dinner with old friends than a paid tourist activity.

• Best time to go: Mid-June through late September, when local produce is at its freshest, and many families host their dinner parties outdoors in their backyard courtyards under string lights, which makes the experience feel even more magical for couples.
• Booking tip: Ask your hotel concierge to connect you with a local family hosting dinner parties, or check the small community board in the Kastoria tourist information office for listings from families who open their homes to visitors. Most charge 35 euros per person, which includes all food, wine, and even a small take-home jar of the host’s homemade jam as a souvenir, and they can accommodate dietary restrictions if you let them know in advance.

Kastoria doesn’t get the hype of Greece’s more famous tourist spots, but that’s exactly what makes it so perfect for couples looking for a low-key, memorable getaway. These three underrated experiences skip the crowds and the generic tourist traps, letting you connect with the town’s history, culture, and local people in a way that feels personal and special, long after you’ve packed up your bags and headed home. It’s the kind of place you’ll leave wanting to come back to, again and again, with the person you love most.