National Parks in Greece: Exploring Greece’s Protected Areas

Just an hour north of Athens, Mt Parnitha National Park is a favorite weekend escape for Athenians. The park offers trekking, climbing, biking, and canyoning. It’s also home to rare red deer and features several cave systems, such as the Cave of Pan and the Cave of the Nymphs. Covering an area of around 300 square kilometers, the park is crisscrossed by a network of well-marked hiking trails. Two large hiking lodges and a cable car to the hilltop casino enhance its appeal. The cable car, originally built for the Mont Parnes Regency Casino, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Mount Olympus, Greece's first national park, is rich in mythology and natural beauty. Established in 1938, it is home to over 1700 plant species and diverse wildlife, including wolves, jackals, and deer. The park covers a vast area of approximately 238 square kilometers, featuring deep gorges, dense forests, and high peaks. Hikers often aim to summit its highest peak, Mytikas, standing at 2,917 meters, the mythical home of the Greek gods. The journey to the summit involves staying in one of the 15 refuges along the way, providing a true adventure in the heart of Greek nature.

Near Delphi, Parnassos National Park is renowned for hiking, rock climbing, and skiing. Its peaks exceed 2300 meters, surrounded by forests of fir, spruce, and juniper. The park spans over 36,000 hectares and supports a diverse ecosystem with many endemic and rare species. In winter, it transforms into a popular skiing destination with the Parnassos Ski Center, while in other seasons, its trails attract hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Located in northern Greece, Prespa National Park is famous for its twin lakes, Megali Prespa and Mikri Prespa, and rich biodiversity. It hosts over 40 mammal species, including brown bears and wolves, and is a birdwatcher's paradise with 260 bird species. The park covers an area of about 327 square kilometers, featuring wetlands, forests, and high-altitude meadows. The lakes are among the oldest in Europe, providing vital habitats for many rare and endemic species.

This park, encompassing the Bay of Laganas on Zakynthos, protects the endangered loggerhead turtle. It hosts the largest density of loggerhead nests in the Mediterranean. Visitors may spot turtles on snorkeling trips and learn about marine conservation at the local marine life center. The park covers 135 square kilometers, including important breeding habitats such as Gerakas, Kalamaki, and Marathonisi. Besides turtles, the park also supports diverse marine life, including rare seabirds and fish species.

Cape Sounion National Park, one of Greece's smallest, is known for the Temple of Poseidon. The ancient temple stands on a cliff 65 meters above the sea, offering breathtaking views. The park spans 3500 hectares and features sandy beaches, walking trails, and charming villages. Visitors can enjoy hiking along coastal trails, exploring archaeological sites, and relaxing at nearby beaches.

This park in the Epirus region is renowned for the Vikos Gorge, one of the world's deepest canyons. It offers stunning landscapes, including rivers, forests, and alpine meadows. The park covers approximately 126,000 hectares and is home to diverse wildlife, including rare bird species and brown bears. Hikers can explore a network of trails, with the Vikos Gorge Trail being a highlight. The park also includes traditional villages like Papigo and Monodendri.

Encompassing Vikos-Aoös and Valia Calda, this large park in northern Greece is noted for its pristine rivers, forests, and lakes. It supports a third of Greece's flora, along with diverse wildlife, including native fish, foxes, otters, and bears. The park covers approximately 200,000 hectares, featuring deep gorges, alpine meadows, and high-altitude lakes. Popular activities include hiking, birdwatching, and exploring traditional stone-built villages like Papigo and Monodendri.