If you're in the mood for quiet, clean mountain air, forests, mountain climbing, skiing, river fishing, then surely this is the place for you. For Grevena's extraordinary natural beauty not only astounds but cap-tivates the visitor. The prefectural capital is Grevena, built 543 metres above sea level on the banks of the Grevenitis river, a tributary of the Aliakmon. The town possesses restaurants, taverns, rotisseries, a cinema and an open-air theatre. One of these villages is Zakas, 23 kilometres from Grevena, set at an altitude of 900 metres. There are two caves worth visiting, one at Mt. Orliakas and the other near the village named Spileo (cave), which stands on a cliff. At Paliouria (47 km.), don't miss the Byzantine monastery of the Virgin Evangelistria and the monastery of Ossios Nikanor founded in 1534 not far from the Aliakmon river.

        Samarina, another charming village, is built on the slopes of Mt. Smolikas, 1.450 metres above sea level. Here the lush greenery and spectacular scenery can not fail to please. Other villages that deserve a stop - all of them overlooking forests of firs, pines and willows - are Kipourio, Krania, Deskati, Avdela, Polineri, Smixi and Alatopetra, to mention only a few.
Mountain climbing and skiing at Pindos. At Vassilitsa (7 km. from Smixi, alt. 1.800 m.), there are two refuges sleeping 40 and 10 persons, respectively. They are equipped with spring water, a fireplace, heaters, and generator - supplied electricity. The ski slopes are located at 2.249 m.; there are lifts from the refuges.

          The prefecture of Grevena is located in the north-western part of Greece and belongs to the western part of the District of Macedonia. The prefecture is bordering with the prefecture of Kozani, Kastoria, Ioannina, Trikala, and Larissa. The prefecture's area includes 2,290 Km2 and its population is equal to 36,717 (according to the last census). The prefecture's area mainly includes mountains. The prefecture's 1/3 and more specific the western part include the eastern side of the mountain Pindos where mountain Orliaka, Ligkos, Smolikas with the highest point at 2,610 meters at Smolika. On the southern part the mountain of Chasia and Antichasia. On the northern and north-eastern the mountain of Vourinos and Kamvounia. Two main rivers go throw the prefecture of Grevena, the river Aliakmonas and Venetiko.
The area was populated from the early years. From the ancient years is part of the District of Macedonia with the name of Elimia or Eleimeia. Thucydides wrote: "των γαρ Μακεδόνων εισί και Ελιμιώται", which translates to: 'and the Elimiotes are Macedonians'. The ancient castles which are located at Spilaio, Alatopetra - Poluneri and other ancient discoveries show the existence of Grevena prior to the pre-Macedonian years, 1500 B .

        On those ancient discoveries show the relation with the sourthern's Greece civilization such as Mykinaikos. The area took part on all the country's fights. Soldiers from the area participated during the Trojan War as a light-worriers. During the Alexander the Great people from the current prefecture of Grevena participated both in the front line with horses and without horses. During the Roman invasion it took part against the Romans with a result to obtain some casual in terms of population and religion development of the area. During the Ottoman Empire gave a lot to the nation. This was due to the rough area, which resulted in small interaction between the Greek population and the Turks. From the area a large number of worriers appear which took part during the wars against the Ottoman Empire. Such families include but not limited to the family of Ziakaion, Korizis, Toskas and many others. Also, a large increase of monastery complexes in the area helps to preserve the Greek-Christian Ideas and life style.