10 Best National Parks in Greece

10 Best National Parks in Greece

Greece is gifted with natural marvels, ranging from beautiful beaches, mighty mountains, incredible islands and charming nestled national parks that are the finest in entire Europe.

The National parks of Greece possess remarkable historical ruins, mountains, and the best beaches. Each park has uniquely characterized landscapes with hosts with great biodiversity.

Greece is a perfect holiday destination that boasts different opportunities for everyone. Greece’s holiday packages would be a perfect package to consider for traveling to Greece.

Here is a list of the 10 best National Parks in Greece:

  1. Olympus National Park
  2. Parnassos National Park
  3. Vikos-Aoos National Park
  4. Pindus National Park
  5. Parnitha National Park
  6. Prespes National Park
  7. Sounio National Park
  8. Samaria National Park
  9. Ainos National Park
  10. Oeta National Park

1. Olympus National Park

Olympus National Park is known to be the most popular national park in Greece. The Park was established in 1938 and is located in mainland Greece. It abodes the country’s major mountain, Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus’s loftiest peak is called Pantheon which is 3048 meters tall.

Olympus National Park boasts perfect opportunities for trekking and discovering fascinating wildlife including wolves, foxes, deer, and jackals. Rare species like woodpeckers and golden eagles can also be sighted. The Park also homes 1700 plants which are 25 percent of total Greece’s flora.

2. Parnassos National Park

Parnassos National Park is a verdant park with amazingly picturesque scenery. The park is located in south-central mainland Greece. It is the second-largest National Park in Greece. It was established, protected, and preserved by the inhabitants of the region since 1938.

Parnassos National Park is covered with lush vegetation, contrary to the other parts of Greece that are mainly dry and arid. The flora of the region includes water thyme, laurel grown, and oregano. And the fauna includes harriers, golden eagles, and vultures.

3. Vikos-Aoos National Park

Puente, Puente De Arco De Piedra

Vikos-Aoos National Park is located in an isolated area of western Greece. The park was established in 1973. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful national parks in Greece.

The National Park is a true beauty of nature with a hilly landscape, lakes, forests, and deep canyons. Vikos Gorge is the top attraction of the Vikos-Aoos National Park.

4. Pindus National Park

Desfiladero De Vikos, Grecia, Epiro, Pindus, CaminataDesfiladero De Vikos, Grecia, Epiro, Pindus, Caminata

The Pindus National Park is located in northwest Greece and was established in 1966. The park is a hidden gem and is not that popular among tourists as compared to other National Parks in Greece.

The Park has verdant timberland, gorges, peaks, and small villages. It also possesses over 700 square miles of remarkable hiking trails. Most of its hiking trails are in their pristine conditions as tourists visit less visiting.

5. Parnitha National Park

Grecia, Parnitha, Bosque, Árboles, Naturaleza

Parnitha National Park is located in the north of Athens, Greece. It was established in 1961 by the inhabitants of the region. The National Park is home Mount Parnitha which is the tallest mountain in Athens with an elevation of 1413 meters.

Mount Parnitha would be perfect for mountain climbing as it is possible to climb the mountain in a day. The mountain has 3800 hectares of the national park with about 1000 species of plants including crocus and tulips. Visitors can also experience visiting caves in the mountain including Panas cave.

6. Prespes National Park

Callejón, Calle, Pueblo, Sendero

Prespes national Park is divided between three countries, Albania, Greece, and Northern Macedonia. It was founded in 1975 and is in its pristine condition due to less visited by tourists.

The National Park boasts unique landscapes, a serene aura, and unusual villages. It holds half of Greece’s bird species, mammals, amphibians, and over 1800 plant species. It also hosts over a thousand pairs of Dalmatian pelican, the largest Dalmatian pelican colony in the world. And other animal species include ferruginous ducks, tufted ducks, and pygmy cormorants.

7. Sounio National Park

Poseidon, Templo, Sounion, Grecia, Mitología, Cultura

Sounio National Park is located to the southeast of Athens and was established in  1974. The National park has an abundance of archeological ruins (like the Temple of Poseidon and major monuments of the Golden Age of Athens), picturesque scenery, and wonderful walking sites.

The park also has Chaos gulch, a circular gulch that is 70 meters deep and 500 meters wide. In Addition, you can also explore Legrena Bay, an amazing beach that boasts supreme snorkeling opportunities.

8. Samaria National Park

Garganta De Samaria, Sendero, Montañas, Rastro

Samaria National Park or Samaria Gorge is located on the island of Crete and was founded in 1962. It is a significant tourist attraction of the island and a Biosphere Reserve. The National park is a perfect place to experience hiking and having a picnic. You can witness around 16 native species within the Park featuring Kri-Kri (Cretan goat), which you will see the most.

The Samaria National Park is mainly popular for Samaria Gorge, which is the longest in the European continent. The Gorge is also home to Lefka Ori and Mount Volakias.

9. Ainos National Park

Kefalonia Paisajes, Kefalonia Paisaje

Ainos National Park is situated on the heavenly island of Kefalonia, at the core of the Ionian Sea. It was established in 1962. The national park accommodates Megas Peak, with an elevation of 1628 meters. The National park is distinctive of its unique fir species, Abies Caphalonica. It covers around two-thirds of the park and adds oneness to it. The animal species found in the park are mainly wild horses.

10. Oeta National Park

Oeta National park is situated in Central Greece and was established in 1966. The park lodges Mount Oeti, one of the loftiest mountains in Greece with an elevation of 2,152 meters. The National Park is one of the most prosperous ecological national parks in Greece. It contains over 40 endemic species which provide the national park a serene and delightful aura.

Make your trip to Greece unforgettable, whether it is your family tour, honeymoon, or even bestiemoon. Greece will provide you with amazing historic sites, National Parks, and scenic sites to make your trip more joyful. Make every moment splendid and ecstatic with Pickyourtrail. Pickyourtrail, a worldwide travel bureau, can serve you in planning your trips. You can browse the Greece travel guide, pre-planned tour packages, and custom-make your own trip. For more information, visit pickyourtrail.com