Boating, mountain and lake horseback riding, rare birds that visit it all year round, ancient water buffaloes, sensational food, hiking trails and many traditional events throughout the year are some of the reasons worth visiting. explore the most alternative lake in Greece. We welcome you to Lake Kerkini.
Feathered housemates, water buffaloes, water lilies and horses on the banks, quiet villages and a riverside forest, are the pieces of a unique puzzle of alternative tourism that is a breath away from Thessaloniki.
The lake of Kerkini has always existed there, in the shadow of Mount Beles, once as Lake Kerkinitis and during the years of the Turkish occupation it changed its name to Lake Butkovou. Its current form (a creation of human intervention), thanks to the dam erected in the village of Lithotopos, took on the beginning of the 1930s. Since then, much has changed in the area, apart from the natural beauty, which the locals are careful to keep intact. And this is the secret that helped Kerkini develop into an alternative oasis for visitors from all over Greece and all over Europe.
The lake
It is included in the 10 wetlands of international importance in Greece and has been declared a National Park. The function of the lake is the reason for the different images per season with the simultaneous hosting of different species of birds. With a boat – with the traditional “blavas” that sail quietly on its waters – we will admire the water lilies, the water buffaloes that lazily swim in its waters, the willows and the dozens of impressive birds that flood the lake, from storks and silver egrets, to herons and flamingos especially during migration seasons.
Fort Rupel
The last piece of Historical tourism that is intense in the Prefecture of Serres is the Rupel Fort. Nowadays it functions as a monument where anyone can visit and with the guided tours that are given, they will be able to get to know this great part of History.
The visitor to the fortress will be able to approach Roupel from the Sidirokastro – Promachona road and before the Promachona Customs will turn right, at the point where there is a bust of Ioannis Metaxas inside a white marble hero. In the camp facilities, the military personnel will escort you both to the information area and to the galleries where you complete the appointment with the history of the Forts.
Alistratis Cave
Fifty kilometers south-east of the city of Serres near the settlement of Alistratis is the cave of the same name, which became known in May 1975 following a relevant document from the then Community of Alistratis to the speleological company. Its size and rare beauty arouse the interest not only of speleologists, paleontologists, geologists and explorers, but also of every ordinary visitor who wants to admire a masterpiece of nature up close.
The surface of the cave that is known to this day covers 25,000 m2 and in many places there are sediments dating back approximately 2,000,000 years to the present day. The temperature after measurements was found to be almost constant at 20C and the humidity close to 75%. The awareness of the cave is huge both Nationally and Internationally and it is visited by more than 100,000 people a year. Why didn’t you go?
Amphipolis Museum
The museum is located in the archaeological site of the ancient city of Amphipolis, which was the most valuable in the area during the 5th BC. century and from the time of Theseus it is called “Nine Roads”. The museum houses monuments of its history and culture of ancient and Christian times. In its exhibition spaces, the cultural history of Amphipolis is summarized from prehistoric to late Byzantine times. The spot where the museum is now is believed to be associated with the general Brasidas, who was buried outside the walls by the Amphipolitans in 422 BC.
The food
Local specialties will steal your heart: Here you will taste the best buffalo steaks, but also many more specialties based on buffalo meat, such as stew, buffalo sausages or wild boar with quince. Buffalo milk guarantees very special sweet and dairy dishes, while the fish of the lake become delicious fish snacks in the taverns of the lakeside villages. All of the above are abundant in any tavern in the area.
The local products
In the small harbor of the village of Kerkini, in the Women’s Cooperative in Ano Poroia, but also in other key parts of the lakeside routes, you will find stalls with locals selling pure local products. Liqueurs, herbs, sweets, legumes are waiting for you in jars to take with you and try your own Kerkini-flavored cooking at home.
Walking routes
The lake in the middle and on one side Mount Beles and on the other Mount Mavrovouni. This is the setting that endows the National Park of Kerkini with incredible routes for lovers of hiking and mountaineering routes. Easy routes (three to five kilometers) start next to the lake or run parallel to the river and the east embankment. The more difficult ones follow the uphill paths from Ano Poroia to the top of Mount Beles – in fact, on its ridge there are many options for extra explorations that can take whole days, which is why excursions with tents are organized.
The attractions of the surrounding area
Around Strymonas and in the wider area of the prefecture of Serres, you will find the famous Rupel fort, above the village of Promachonas. This large fort was the battlefield in the Greco-German war in April 1941 and today functions as a monument with its own Museum (tel: +302321095102). At the entrance to the Middle Strymonas valley you will also come across a Neolithic settlement, next to the now abandoned Greek village of Mesia Neo Petritsiou near the Greek-Bulgarian border. You will also tour the thermal springs of Sidirokastro and the sandy Agistros with the Byzantine baths and the facilities for… thermal baths even in winter. In Sidirokastro there is also the Chartsidis Historical and Folklore Museum to get to know the traditional life of the locals, while in the settlement of Byronia you will find an aquarium with an information room about the area’s fish fauna.
Photos of the Area
