From the villages built of stone in mountainous Arcadia to the golden forests of Pelion and the natural paradise of Lake Kerkini, Greece is filled with beautiful spots that beckon for autumn escapes.
Autumn trips in Greece are a collection of experiences that relax the body and mind. Gentle landscapes in hues of red, gold, and orange, the crisp air, running waters, and the scent of damp earth set the perfect scene to head for the mountains, wander through forests, and unwind on lakeshores. From the Peloponnese to Epirus and Macedonia, we discover autumn's magic in 10+1 destinations ideal for short and long getaways.
Foloi Forest
If you're dreaming of an autumn escape in the Peloponnese with endless, relaxing strolls through a fairytale forest, then your destination is one: Foloi Forest. It's located in mountainous Ilia, 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, oak trees cover many thousands of acres, creating one of the few purely seed-grown oak forests in Europe.
Mountainous Arcadia
True open-air museums of traditional architecture, the villages of Mountainous Arcadia hold many surprises for travelers. Stemnitsa with its majestic mansions, Vytina with the famous tree-lined '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 (Valtessiniko, Kapsia, Alonistaina, Panagia, Limbovisi, etc.) create the finest setting for mountain getaways.
Pelion
Autumn is enchanting in the mountain villages of Pelion. Squares shaded by gigantic centuries-old plane trees, fallen leaves on the stone-paved cobbled lanes, and beech and chestnut forests create a dreamlike atmosphere. Portaria, Makrinitsa, Zagora, Tsagarada, Milies, Vizitsa, Agios Lavrentios, and other picturesque villages reveal to us 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 year-round destinations. The scenery is spellbinding, as the lake meets centuries-old firs that adorn its shores, offering a unique paradise for those seeking both adventure and relaxation in nature. The many villages that surround it, serve as bases for excursions and discoveries.
Meteora
The gigantic dark rocks of Meteora rising above Kalambaka are a spectacle unlike anywhere else in the world. The famed monasteries, built atop some of these rocks, form the second most important monastic complex in Greece after Mount Athos. Of the thirty that existed historically, only six operate today and they welcome throngs of pilgrims.
Ioannina
Autumn is the best season to discover Ioannina, the city of silversmiths, students, legends, and traditions. Legendary Pamvotida, the jewel of Ioannina, sets the ideal scene for unforgettable strolls in Epirus's capital. The city's life revolves around it. The lakeside road is lined with towering trees that carpet the lakeshore with their leaves. Walking or cycling, whatever you choose for your outing, the route beside the tranquil 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 Greece's most beautiful regions. At the entrance to Konitsa you're welcomed by its famed stone-built bridge (photo), a work by master builder Kostas Frontzos (1870). From here begins a journey through a land of impressive gorges, majestic mountain masses, mountain lakes, rivers, and picturesque stone-built villages.
Valia Kalda
Pindus National Park, also known as Valia Kalda, lies in a particularly remote area of the Pindus range on the border between the regional units of Grevena and Ioannina. It's one of Greece's most important and pristine parks. It includes the Valia Kalda valley ('warm valley' in Vlach), which lies at an altitude of around 1,400 meters and is encircled by the mountains Lygkos and Mavrovouni up to the summits of Mount Avgo. Every year hundreds of visitors come to the Valia Kalda valley to admire its impressive, unforgettable landscapes.
Kastoria
One of northern Greece's most beautiful cities, Kastoria has reflected for centuries in the still waters of Lake Orestiada, which draws visitors like a magnet. Dense beeches and towering plane trees line the route, creating an almost otherworldly setting. As you walk, you'll watch pelicans and ducks, as well as the striking sight of fishermen rowing their 'boats' standing up.
Pozar Thermal Baths
One reason to visit beautiful Pella is the Pozar Thermal Baths, located 30 km northwest of Edessa and 13 km west of Aridaia. The therapeutic hot waters, at a constant 37 degrees Celsius, have been bubbling up from the mountain for thousands of years, creating an impressive landscape of mountain and forest.
Lake Kerkini
Nature makes the journey to Lake Kerkini unforgettable. The lake was born from a dam created in 1932, and today it's a highly protected wetland and a landscape of rare beauty with views of Mount Beles and the valley of Serres. The lakeside vegetation with riparian forests of wild willows, the huge floating water lilies, the great variety of fish, the herds of water buffalo splashing along the shores, and the superb skyline of the mountain ranges of Mount Beles and the Krousia, lend the place a unique charm.
