A brand-new stone retreat with two suites, a fireplace and a shared sauna, in one of the best-preserved mountain villages of Epirus
In Foiniki, one of the best-preserved mountain villages of Thesprotia, a brand-new stone building completed in 2025 houses more than a guesthouse — it holds the vision of the sculptors Konstantinos and Angelos Valaes. Valaes Guesthouse offers two independent suites with mountain views, a fireplace, a shared sauna and works inspired by the golden olive branch — the artists’ signature — inside the authentic atmosphere of a fortress-village that feels straight out of another era.
An art retreat in the heart of Thesprotia
This small, understated space doesn’t just offer a place to sleep — it offers a complete aesthetic experience. The building sits in full harmony with the stone, fortified mansions of Foiniki, while its rooms display works inspired by the Valaes metal sculpture — above all the timeless olive-branch motif that is the artists’ personal signature. Bronze and gilded pieces enrich the atmosphere discreetly, never overshadowing the space’s real purpose as a quiet place to rest.
Konstantinos & Angelos Valaes: the artists behind the guesthouse
Konstantinos Valaes (born in Athens, 1957), who signs his work as VALAES, is a member of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece. He has been awarded the Gold Medal of the Hellenic UNESCO Association of Arts, Letters & Sciences, and served as its vice-president for two years. He works in bronze, silver and gold, with the olive tree as his signature motif; his permanent works stand in the Zappeion Megaron and in the town halls of Palaio Faliro, Tripoli and Filiates.
In recent years he creates alongside his son, Angelos Valaes, himself a state-diplomaed gold- and silversmith and metal sculptor — so the guesthouse is very much the work of both.
In Foiniki, Valaes is not simply a resident but an active pillar of local cultural life: he has served as vice-president of the village Folk Museum and is the founder and curator of the Sculpture Symposium held each summer as part of the multi-disciplinary Foiniki Arts Festival — a celebration of sculpture, painting, theatre, music and poetry that has turned this small border village into a living hub of culture.
Foiniki: the village that became a living monument
Foiniki sits on the slopes of Mavrostani hill, about 5 km north–northwest of Filiates, and has been protected since 1976 as an area of outstanding natural beauty — widely considered the best-preserved traditional settlement in Thesprotia. Its stone houses, built like small fortresses for protection against raids in the 15th–16th centuries, its narrow flagstone lanes and its courtyard gateways with hewn stone arches compose a scene of authentic Epirus architecture, set amphitheatrically above the Filiates plain.
Within this setting, Valaes Guesthouse works like a natural extension of the village: simplicity, stone, and a rare artistic aura in a single space. To plan the rest of your trip, see our Foiniki village guide.
The suites
The guesthouse has two independent suites, each available to book separately — ideal for couples as much as for families or groups.
Deluxe Suite (73 m², ground floor)
Sleeps up to 5 guests (max 4 adults)
1 bedroom with a double bed
Private bathroom
Fully equipped kitchen
Comfortable living room with a double and a single sofa bed
Superior Suite (80 m², first floor + attic)
Sleeps up to 5 guests (max 4 adults)
1 bedroom with a double bed
Private bathroom
Fully equipped kitchen
Spacious living room with a double and a single sofa bed
Both suites enjoy open views to the mountains and to the building’s large courtyards, with a fireplace for cold winter evenings and a fully equipped kitchen for those who want to cook with local Thesprotia produce.
Shared amenities & wellness
Guests of both suites have access to:
- A spacious veranda / courtyard
- A BBQ area
- A shared sauna, for a full wellness and detox experience
- An outdoor shower
- A shared toilet in the common area
Additional comforts include air conditioning, heating, a washing machine, TV, iron, fresh linens and towels, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
Who it’s ideal for — and what to know before you book
Valaes Guesthouse is aimed above all at travellers looking for something different from a conventional stay: lovers of art and culture, couples who want a quiet escape with a story behind it, families or groups of up to 4–5 people per suite, and anyone who wants to pair the coast of Igoumenitsa or Sivota with a more authentic, mountain experience in the Thesprotia hinterland.
In all honesty, a few practical points are worth noting before you book:
- It is a newly built property welcoming its first guests in 2026, so there isn’t yet a large volume of reviews or a long stay history.
- The sauna, the outdoor shower and one toilet are shared between the two suites — perfect for two families or groups travelling together, less so if you want total privacy.
- Foiniki is an inland mountain village, about 20 km (around 30 minutes by car) from Igoumenitsa via Filiates. Your own transport is essential, as there are no tavernas or shops within walking distance — which is exactly where the fully equipped kitchens help.
What else to see nearby
Foiniki is an ideal base for exploring the traditional communities around Filiates and the natural beauty of northern Thesprotia.
Foiniki Folk Museum
Right in the village, the Folk Museum gathers everyday objects, tools and testimonies of local life — a short, worthwhile stop that sets the scene for the architecture all around you.
Where to eat nearby: Lontza
With few options in the village itself, it’s worth planning a meal in the wider area. See Lontza taverna for local flavours, and stock the suite’s kitchen with Thesprotia produce for the evenings in.
Thesprotia wineries
Northern Thesprotia has a quietly growing wine scene. Combine your stay with a tasting at the Zervas and Markatselis wineries.
For more ideas around beaches, gorges and mountain villages, see the Thesprotia travel guide — and if you want to split your trip between mountain and sea, browse where to stay in Sivota and Igoumenitsa. You’ll want a car either way — see car rental in Igoumenitsa.
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Valaes Guesthouse in Foiniki, Thesprotia: Where Epirus Stone Meets Art
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