Greece holidays away from the crowds: The most beautiful national parks
Greece is synonymous with sunshine, beautiful islands, and endless beaches. But did you know that Greece also has numerous national parks to explore? The majority of these protected areas are located on the mainland – a great way to explore Greece's diverse natural landscapes beyond the islands!
In addition, there are the two marine national parks around the islands of the Northern Sporades and Zakynthos , as well as Mount Ainos National Park on the island of Kefalonia and Samaria National Park on the island of Crete . Read here which of the national parks are the most beautiful and what makes them so special.
Want to get up close to the Greek gods? Then conquer the peaks of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. This mountain is said to have once been home to deities such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Athena. The highest peaks of the range are Mystikas (2,918 meters), Stefani (2,912 meters), Skolio (2,905 meters), and Skala (2,882 meters).
The mountains and surrounding landscape have been protected by the national park of the same name since 1938. The area was also declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981. In addition to the spectacular mountain scenery, the national park features numerous waterfalls, dense forests, and green meadows.
The small town of Litochoro, located about 90 kilometers west of the city of Thessaloniki , is a good starting point for exploration tours. Climbing Mystikas requires climbing equipment and appropriate previous experience. Alternatively, you can also hike up Skala or Skolio – and enjoy a fantastic view of Mystikas.
Beautiful views and picturesque villages can be admired in Olympus National Park.
Source: imago images/robertharding
Prespa National Park stretches across Greece , Albania , and North Macedonia. The national park's focal point is the two eponymous lakes, Little Prespa and Great Prespa.
There, beech and oak forests alternate with expansive meadows, pastures, and wetlands. The area is sparsely populated; the few people who live here are spread across several villages. One of these is Psarades. It is a protected monument and a good starting point for a boat tour.
Agios Germanos is the largest village in the Greek part of the national park. Here you'll find two adjacent churches from the 11th and 19th centuries, and you can admire the silhouette of the surrounding Varnoundas Mountain.
An idyllic lake landscape awaits you in the Prespa Lakes National Park.
Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos
In northwestern Greece , near the border with Albania , the Vikos-Aoos National Park covers an area of approximately 126 square kilometers. The city of Ioannina, about a 90-minute drive from the national park, is a good starting point for exploring.
At the heart of the national park lies the eponymous Vikos Gorge. Stretching ten kilometers between the two villages of Monodendri and Vikos, it is one of the deepest gorges in the world . In some places, the sheer rock walls plunge up to 1,000 meters into the depths.
Breathtaking landscapes in Vikos Aoos National Park.
Source: imago/robertharding
The Alonissos-Northern Sporades National Marine Park is not only the first of its kind in Greece, but also the largest in Europe . Among other things, the national park serves to protect the monk seal, which is native to the islands.
Those interested in learning more about the local flora and fauna can visit the information center in the port of Patitiri on the island of Alonissos. Boat trips to the marine park also depart from there. Several other, largely unknown islands are also located within the protected area, including Persitera, Psathoura, and Piperi. The latter is the centerpiece of the national park, as it represents an important habitat for monk seals.
A protected marine paradise: the island of Alonissos.
Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos
Parnassos National Park extends around the mountain range of the same name in central Greece. Founded in 1938, it is, along with Olympos National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Greece .
The national park is known for two things in particular: its ski slopes and the Oracle of Delphi. That's right – you can go skiing in the heart of Greece! The Parnassos Ski Center has 23 slopes and can be reached by car from Athens in about 2.5 hours. The ski season runs from mid-December to mid-April.
Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the Oracle of Delphi is also located. According to legend, the High Priestess Pythia dispensed Apollo's divine advice to mortals here. Not far from the archaeological site is modern-day Delphi, a small town with 26,000 inhabitants that lives primarily from tourism.
Skiing on your Greek vacation? It's possible in Parnassos National Park.
Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images
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