From the stone built villages of mountainous Arcadia to the golden forests of Pelion and the natural paradise of Lake Kerkini, Greece is brimming with beautiful spots that beckon us to autumn scented getaways.
The autumn trips in Greece are a collection of experiences that relax the body and the mind. The mellow landscapes painted in red, gold and orange, the crisp air, the running waters and the scent of damp earth set the ideal scene to head for the mountains, wander through forests and unwind on lake shores. From the Peloponnese to Epirus and Macedonia, we discover the magic of autumn in 10+1 destinations that are ideal for short and long getaways.
Foloi Forest
If you dream of an autumn escape in the Peloponnese with endless, relaxing strolls through a fairytale forest, then your destination is one: the Foloi Forest. It lies in mountainous Ilia, on the Arcadia-Achaia border, on the southwestern foothills of Mount Erymanthos, and according to mythology it took its name from Pholus, king of the Centaurs and friend of Heracles. On the Foloi plateau, oaks cover an area of many thousands of acres, creating one of the few purely seed-grown forests of this kind in Europe.
Mountainous Arcadia
True open-air museums of traditional architecture, the villages of Mountainous Arcadia hold many surprises for travelers. Stemnitsa with its stately mansions, Vytina with the famous tree-shaded "Road of Love" (photo), Dimitsana with the open-air Water Power Museum, the Lousios Gorge with its old monasteries, the fir forest of Mainalo, and other smaller yet beautiful villages (Valtesiniko, Kapsia, Alonistaina, Panagia, Libovisi, etc.) set the finest scene for mountain getaways.
Pelion
Autumn is magical in the mountain villages of Pelion. Squares with gigantic centuries-old plane trees, fallen leaves on the stone cobbled lanes, beech and chestnut forests create a dreamlike atmosphere. Portaria, Makrinitsa, Zagora, Tsagarada, Milies, Vizitsa, Agios Lavrentios and other picturesque settlements reveal the autumn magic of the mythical mountain of the Centaurs.
Lake Plastira
The beautiful artificial Lake Plastira, formed in 1959 and located 25 km west of the city of Karditsa, has emerged as one of the most popular destinations year-round. The scenery is enchanting, as the lake meets centuries-old firs that adorn its banks, offering a unique paradise for those seeking both adventure and relaxation in nature. The many villages that surround it,serve as a base for excursions and discoveries.
Meteora
The towering dark rocks of Meteora, rising above Kalambaka, present a spectacle unique in the world. The famed monasteries, built atop some of the rocks, constitute the second most important monastic complex in Greece after Mount Athos. Of the thirty that existed historically, today only six are active and they welcome crowds of pilgrims.
Ioannina
Autumn is the best season to discover Ioannina, the city of silversmiths, students, legends and traditions. Legendary Lake Pamvotida, the jewel of Ioannina, offers the ideal setting for unforgettable strolls in the capital of Epirus. The life of the city revolves around it. The lakeside road is lined with towering trees that carpet the shores of the lake with their leaves. Walking or cycling, whatever you choose for a stroll, the route beside the serene waters will reward you.
Konitsa
Three rivers (Aoos, Voidomatis and Sarantaporos), arched stone bridges and the Vikos-Aoos National Park create a mosaic of experiences in one of the most beautiful regions of Greece. At the entrance to Konitsa you are welcomed by its renowned stone-arched bridge (photo), the work of master builder Kostas Frontzos (1870). From here begins a journey through a land of dramatic gorges, majestic mountain masses, mountain lakes, rivers and picturesque stone-built villages.
Valia Calda
The Pindus National Park, also known as Valia Calda, lies in a particularly remote area of the Pindus range on the border between the prefectures of Grevena and Ioannina. It is one of the most important and pristine national parks in Greece. It includes the Valia Calda valley ("warm valley" in Vlach), which sits at an altitude of about 1,400 meters and is encircled by the mountains Lygkos and Mavrovouni up to the peaks of Mount Avgo. Every year hundreds of visitors come to the Valia Calda valley to admire its impressive and unforgettable landscapes.
Kastoria
One of the most beautiful cities in northern Greece, Kastoria has been reflected for centuries in the still waters of Lake Orestiada, which draws visitors like a magnet. Dense beeches and towering plane trees mark the route, creating an almost otherworldly scene. As you walk, youll gaze at pelicans and ducks, as well as the impressive sight of fishermen rowing their "boats" standing upright.
Pozar Baths
One of the reasons to visit lovely Pella is the Pozar Baths, located 30 km northwest of Edessa and 13 km west of Aridaia. The therapeutic hot waters, with a constant temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, have bubbled up for thousands of years from the mountain, creating a striking landscape of mountain and forest.
Lake Kerkini
Nature makes the trip to Lake Kerkini unforgettable. The lake was born from a dam created in 1932 and today it is a highly protected wetland and a landscape of rare beauty with views to Mount Belles and the valley of Serres. The lakeside vegetation with riparian forests of wild willows, the huge water lilies that float, the great variety of fish, the herds of water buffalo splashing along the shores and the wonderful horizon formed by the mountain ranges of Mount Belles and the Kroussia, give the place a unique charm.
