Eco & Agro Tourism
Eco Tourism
If you’re interested in ecotourism, then Greece is definitely a fantastic place to explore. Not only does it have over 16,000 kilometers of coastline and over 2,000 islands nestled among the Mediterranean azure waters, but Greece also has vast mountainous regions brimming with a great biodiversity in fauna and flora alike. This country has over 400 bird species, 116 species of mammals, 58 reptile species and over 6,000 different plant species – that’s a whole lot of birds and plants!
Greece since the 1960s has been increasingly flooded by tourists, especially during the summer months, with figures nowadays reaching 14 million visitors a year. As you can imagine these trampling hordes did not have the best effect on the country’s ecosystem. Adding to this, was the fact that many locals living in the rural areas of Greece during these past couple of decades have been moving to the big cities to find jobs. The traditional ways of village life that had usually been very harmonious and protective of the environment around it were being lost.
The great thing about the ‘right’ kind of tourism is that it can actually reverse the negative trends of environmental decline and rural exodus. By your eco-touristic visit you will actually support rural communities and thus protect and treasure the wonderful natural world we all love so much.
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Laws have been made and parks established to protect the environment, but the great thing about Greece is that many parts of it are undiscovered, like the mountains of the Peloponnese or the lakes in northern Greece. Many areas have escaped development and damage by the very nature of their isolation, which make them the perfect place to visit if you’re an eco-tourist.
By just insisting on being an eco-tourist, you are helping the nation develop this sector. Other things you can do in order to contribute is to buy local products, thus helping the local village or settlement economy; always doing any activity or sport so that it is harmonious with the environment; and to vociferously speak out if you see any violations of the law in environmentally protected areas. Above all, keep in mind that to be an eco-tourist you don’t have to go to an “eco-tourist” place or immerse yourself in a completely no-electricity traditional settlement, like Milia in Crete. You simply have to be respectful of the natural environment around you and support enterprises that have that same philosophy.
You will find in many instances hotel owners are great nature-lovers and have tried to make their hotels as harmonious with their surroundings as possible, often becoming one with the great beauty all around them, without however labeling their place as eco-tourism. But be careful, there are also cases where the opposite is true!
Where to be an ''eco - tourist in Greece?
Epirus
The region in north-western Greece is famous for its forested mountains and crystal-clear rivers over which stand century’s old stone bridges. One of the most beautiful areas in Epirus is the Zagori, which is composed of 45 stone-housed villages up in the pine and oak filled mountains. Because this area was difficult to access in earlier times it was also protected from development and even today, mass tourism has been rejected by locals, preferring to welcome tourists that will treasure this natural paradise. Definitely worth a visit also is the Bourazani environmental park, close to the border with Albania, at about 50 km from Ano Pedina and Papingo (via Konitsa).
Where to stay?
Arh.Dilofou, Dilofo
Papaevangelou, Megalo Papingo
Porfyron, Ano Pedina
Primoula, Ano Pedina
Saxonis Houses, Megalo Papingo
Lake Kerkini
Lake Kerkini is one of the few examples of a man-made intervention that has become a great ecological success. Dams built in the 1930s and in later years have broadened this lake and it now serves as a safe haven for 227 species of birds. In places the lake is covered with water-lilies while amongst the forests along the riverside a wild herd of buffalo roams.
Where to stay?
Prespes
The two Prespes lakes covering thousands of hectares and situated high up at an altitude of over 800 meters has been described as one of the most beautiful wetland areas in Europe. It now has more European and international laws protecting it than any other site in Greece. This is definitely a bird-watchers paradise as well as anybody that loves lakes and nature.
Where to stay?
Drama
Drama is almost the farthest north you can go in Greece, with some of the highest mountains to match. Being so far away means that it has been kept fairly secluded from tourists, and especially if you go during spring and summer time, you will have a paradise almost to yourself. The mountains are transversed with green walkable gorges leading down to flower-lined lakes.
Where to stay?
Thessaly
In Thessaly are situated Meteora, the dramatic stone pinnacles atop of which centuries-old monasteries are built. Also, not too far away is Lake Plastira another example of man-made intervention turned into wonderful natural haven.
Where to stay?
Arh.Hatzigaki, Pertouli
Guesthouse Sotiriou, Kalambaka
Central Greece
Central Greece is virtually undiscovered by mass tourism even though it boasts pine-covered mountains, crystal-clear rivers and great gorges to trek through. There are a number of hotels in the area whose owners love nature and can guide you on the best areas to visit.
Where to stay?
Anatoli House, Koryschades
Anerada Inn, Megalo Horio
Generali, Arahova
Hellas CC, Mikro Horio
Korys House, Koryschades
Kiriaki, Amfikleia
Peloponnese
While tourists crowd some of the coastal regions of this southern Greek peninsula, inland you will find delightful tranquility. Among densely forested mountains, there are spectacular stone-house villages isolated in an environmentally pristine beauty. We give you several hotels, located in villages up in the mountains, from which to choose from.
Where to stay?
Arh.Isari, Isari
Geodi, Arna Laconias
Helydorea, Trikala Korinthias
Kazakou, Dimitsana
Trikolonion CC, Stemnitsa
Zakynthos
Around 2000 Carretta-Carretta sea turtles breed and lay eggs in the sandy white beaches of this island. Springtime is definitely the best time in order to avoid tourists and see the turtles swimming and breeding in aquamarine waters. If you go in summer you can also volunteer to help protect the vulnerable eggs.
Where to stay?
Western Crete
If you want to immerse yourself in a completely ecological experience, jump back in time 200 years and see what life was like in a mountain village in complete harmony with nature. You can do this in the small Cretan village of Milia, an ecologically-run settlement which has no electricity and which gets its water from its own springs. All the foods eaten there are grown organically and surrounding hills have wonderful nature walks you can enjoy.
Where to stay?
Eastern Crete
On the south-eastern side of Crete we have discovered a small stone-cottage settlement built into the hillside of an olive grove. The settlement is run in an ecological fashion, the ochre-painted houses built into the very stone wall of the hill. No electricity is used except some things that are run on solar energy. But for after sunset you will only have a candle and a lantern, and if the night is chilly you can light the fireplace in your room.
Where to stay?
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