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There are over 60 lakes in Greece, both natural and artificial, located throughout the country. We chose five of them for you, and if you are going on holiday any time soon - they are pretty suitable for autumn trips.

Kerkini, Serres

An artificial lake created in 1932 after the construction of a dam on the river Strymon, Kirkini stuns with its beauty and natural resources. Offering a view of Beles (Belasitza) mountain and Serres Valley, 35 kilometres from Serres, Kerkini is a nature reserve with a rich fauna: it has over 30 species of fish, the most important of which is the eel, 10 species of amphibians, 20 species of reptiles and plenty of mammals, e.g. deer, jackals, wolves, wild cats, wild boars, etc. Over recent years, the lake has enjoyed a heightened interest from tourists, which has resulted in tighter controls over the use of its resources. This in turn has increased local residents’ incomes. Eco tourism is also developing. You can stay in a nearby village, e.g. Mandraki, Lithotopo, Kirkini, Ano Poroia or Kato Poroia.

Stymphalia, highland Corinthia

Mythology devotees might remember Heracles’ sixth labour where he slayed the Stymphalian Birds. Lake Stimfalia is associated with this feat, but it owes its name to another hero, Stimfilos, who created the town of ancient Arcadia. This is a marshy lake with an area of 3.5 square kilometers, located on a plateau between Kyllini  and Oligyrtos mountains, at an altitude of 600 metres. Endemic to the lake, Phoxinellus Stymfalicious is a fish species, which can survive even when the lake dries up in a thick layer of silt. By the lake’s shores, you can watch migratory birds, for many of which the lake is a nesting place. Stimfalia, Kastania, Kaliani are just some of the places that can offer you their hospitality.

Trihonida, Aetolia-Acarnania

In the southern part of Aetolia-Acarnania, between Messolonghi and Trihonida, south of the Panaitoliko mountains, extends Greece’s largest natural lake, with an area of nearly 96 square kilometeres, 21.5 kilometres in length and a maximum depth of 58 metres. Nearby villages you can visit are Pantanassa, Myrtia, Panetolio, Kainourgio, Paravola. Lake Trihonida is the habitat of otters encountered in very few other places in Greece. It is characterized by exceptional biodiversity, with over 200 bird species and 25 fish species. The area is rich in forests featuring plane trees, poplars, willows and oleanders, and the purity of the lake waters is really amazing.

Volvi, Thessaloniki

Volvi, 35 kilometres east of Thessaloniki, is the largest lake in the Macedonia region, the second largest in Greece. Volvi has an area of 70.8 square kilometres and a maximum depth of 23 metres. Although today it lies 11 km away from Lake Koroneia, the two constituted one large lake in antiquity. Its name comes from the nymph Volvi, who had a son from Heracles, named Olynthos. Today the lake has 11 protected areas under the auspices of the Ramsar Convention, rich fauna with 34 species of fish, including liparia (Alosa macedonica), which is not found anywhere else in the world.

Prespa Lakes, Florina