Along with the broader Serres area, Lake Kerkini enchants visitors throughout the year. This was our experience too, on a journey that surpassed our expectations. The bold colors of the landscapes we visited were truly mesmerizing, in an adventure that wouldn’t have been the same without the car we rented from Avis.
At Avis.gr we found exactly what we were looking for: a sturdy, spacious SUV capable of comfortably transporting four people and their luggage. It performed well and had great maneuverability, allowing us to travel with great ease on highways and even on somewhat demanding rural roads alike. We were on the lookout for a car with fuel efficiency too, which wasn’t hard to find. Thus, we picked up the car from the Avis station at Thessaloniki’s International Airport «Macedonia» and after a briefing by Avis’ staff on all we needed to know, we excitedly set off to Eastern Macedonia.
The drive to Serres was smooth and serene. We decided to stop off in the city of Macedonia: the day was sunny, and the cafes were bustling with people. Before departing, we took a long walk and stocked up on Serres’ famous bougatsa cream pies – a delicious snack – to enjoy in the car until reaching our final destination, Lake Kerkini.
Beautiful and Serene
Lake Kerkini didn’t exist until 1932, when it was created during the construction of the Strymon River dam. This manmade feat resulted in a unique ecosystem, that has ranked the Kerkini area among the 10 Wetlands of International Importance in Greece (also known as Ramsar Wetlands). It is also listed among the 196 Important Bird Areas of Greece as a Special Protection Area.
The village of Kerkini, with its quaint harbor and an Information Center on lake life, stands as the most touristic developed area. From here, boat tours of the lake set off. Locally referred to as “plaves”, the boats can easily navigate shallow waters, which are the result of drought periods in Kerkini.
The village is known for its delectable cuisine and picturesque, tile-roofed houses. The area’s culinary hallmark is buffalo meat, derived from animals raised adjacent to the lake. From approximately 4,000 water buffaloes bred in Greece, the majority live here. Kerkini also ranks as a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Each autumn and spring, thousands of visitors flock here from around Europe for birdwatching. Eager to observe the flamingos, storks, pelicans, herons, and other birds that seek refuge in the lake before continuing on their migratory journey, birdwatchers mark it on their annual calendar. One route we particularly enjoyed and recommend starts from the lake’s shores and ends near the Greece-Bulgaria border, traversing a significant part of the lake’s circuit and the Serres plain. This route is noteworthy for its diverse landscapes while remaining simple to navigate.
Easy Riding
Our starting point was the village of Lithotopos, arguably the birthplace of the lake, given its proximity to the Strymon River dam. We photographed the dam and the birds that seek refuge in the lake. Regardless of the season, one can observe numerous and diverse wild birds here, including herons and the magnificent yet rare pelicans. We took the left road from the dam, admiring the sight of clouds in the blue sky mirrored off the lake’s waters. Heeding local advice, we drove at a low speed to avoid startling the wildlife that frequently crosses the road to drink from the lake. Indeed, as we drove along the lakeside road, foxes, a rabbit, and even a horse crossed our path.
The Kerkini village harbor stands out for its picturesque and serene scenery. We continued for several kilometers until reaching Mandraki, a smaller harbor with banks covered in water lilies. Here, the scenery is equally mesmerizing but carries a hint of melancholy, evoking the sensation of stepping into an Oscar Wilde story.
Before us stretched an expanse where, in 2001, the largest movie set ever constructed in Greece and one of the largest in Europe was set up. Designed by the late scenographer Giorgos Patsas, it was built with meticulous detail – including 92 houses, a church, a community store, and a two-story cafe – all transportable and foundationless. This was for the filming of Theodoros Angelopoulos’ notable movie “The Weeping Meadow.” Although “Angelochori,” as locals call it, no longer exists, residents still discuss how significantly the cinematic trilogy contributed to promoting the region during a time when tourism was just beginning to develop.
At Vyroneia, we turned right and continued to the bridge. Near the river, buffaloes grazed, accustomed to human presence, yet we choose to keep a respectful distance. The next village after Vyroneia is Neo Petritsi, built on the foothills of Mt Beles. The Sultanica stream, sourced from the mountain, crosses the Lontza valley on the northern side of the settlement, creating impressive waterfalls. The valley is wonderfully landscaped with bridges and small paths for walking.
Crossing Strymon River, we entered the Serres-Promachonas road axis, and just before the border, we turned towards Agkistro, which has thermal springs that flow since Byzantine times. We enjoyed the experience of going from the nippy outdoors to 38-40°C baths filled with waters from the springs. It was the last and uniquely memorable experience of a fulfilling two-day journey in the shadow of Mt Beles.
On our return to the airport we were caught in a heavy rainstorm. Fortunately, the bad weather arrived at the very end of our trip, and our car handled the wet roads exceptionally well. As we returned the car to Avis’ station, we were already planning our next trip into the heart of Greek nature. With the constantly updated offers at Avis.gr, this is sure to happen very soon.
Read also:
Lake Kerkini’s traditional plava: the most photogenic feature of the wetland
Kerkini: Serene Serres lake, home to Greece’s largest water buffalo population
A stunning place in Northern Greece “leaning” over a wonderful artificial lake
