Greece’s National Parks: Discover the Wild Beauty
To visit one of Greece’s national parks is to experience the country at its most wild and dramatic. The first park, Mount Olympus, was established in 1938. Currently, Greece is home to a total of 10 national parks and two marine parks, all set up to protect their unique wildlife and plant life.
While the facilities within these parks are often basic and walking trails may not always be maintained, the stunning natural backdrops provide an unparalleled experience for visitors. Below is a rundown of Greece’s national parks and the incredible offerings they provide.
Mt Olympus National Park
Best for history
As a focal point of Ancient Greek mythology, awe-inspiring Mt Olympus is a sight to behold, igniting imaginations as it did for the ancients who revered it. Established as Greece’s first national park in 1938, Olympus is home to over 1700 plant species, including many that are rare and endemic, along with wildlife such as wolves, jackals, deer, and more than 100 bird species. In legend, it is known to be the abode of the Greek gods, compelling hikers to summit its highest peak while staying in one of the 15 refuges lining the forested hillsides along the way.
Mt Parnitha National Park
Best for a quick trip from Athens
This wooded parkland, located just an hour’s drive north of Athens, provides a popular escape for locals seeking weekend nature fixes, with activities such as trekking, climbing, biking, and canyoning available.
Crisscrossed by hiking trails, the park is also home to several cave systems and a rich diversity of wildlife, including a significant population of rare red deer. Two well-maintained hiking lodges offering food and a cable car to the hilltop Mont Parnes enhance visitor experience.
Parnassos National Park
Best for hiking, rock climbing, and skiing
Situated near Delphi on the Greek mainland, Parnassos National Park boasts three peaks soaring above 2300m: Parnassos (2457m), Tsarkos (2416m), and Gerondovrachos (2396m). The slopes support diverse flora, including Kefallonian fir, spruce, and juniper, mixed with yellow-flowered shrubs and rare purple-flowered Daphne jasminea.
This park is renowned for its hiking, rock climbing (notably at Kouvelos, which features a particularly popular climbing face), and in winter, skiing and snowboarding among the beautiful wintry landscapes.
Prespa National Park
Best for wildlife
West of Florina in northern Greece, the extraordinary twin Prespa Lakes are a haven for wildlife and steeped in history. Megali Prespa and Mikri Prespa are among Europe’s oldest lakes, each over a million years old. Greece shares Megali Prespa with North Macedonia and Albania, while Mikri Prespa is shared only with Albania.
The region is a sanctuary for wildlife. Visitors can encounter brown bears, wolves, and wild boars, among the 40 mammal species, alongside a remarkable 260 bird species, including the world’s largest colony of Dalmatian pelicans.
National Marine Park of Alonnisos
Best for marine life
As the largest of Greece’s national parks and one of the biggest marine protected areas in Europe, the National Marine Park of Alonnisos was established in 1992 to protect the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and various rare seabirds.
During summer, boats from Alonnisos and Skopelos, part of Greece’s Sporades island chain, offer full-day trips through the pristine waters, which are rich in oxygen-producing posidonia seagrass. Though the shy monk seal is seldom seen, visitors may spot dolphins (three species), turtles, Eleonora’s falcons, and even migrating whales.
Iti National Park
Iti National Park, also known as Oeta National Park, is one of Greece’s most beautiful yet least developed parks, stretching across the scenic slopes of graceful Mt Iti (2151m), located 25km southwest of Lamia. This lush expanse features forests of fir and black pine, upland meadows, wild mushrooms, and snow-melt pools adorned with marsh orchids.
Visitors can explore trails that crisscross the park. Ipati serves as an excellent starting point, offering noticeboards detailing potential routes. For rewarding day hikes, trek roughly four hours (8km) each way to the often-locked Trapeza refuge (1850m) near the Pyrgos summit or the charming villages of Kastania and Kapnohori.
Samaria National Park
Best for soaring cliffs and wildflowers
At the heart of Samaria National Park lies the breathtaking 16km-long Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest canyons, attracting numerous hikers each year to Crete.
The canyon’s raw beauty is marked by its soaring cliffs and narrow passages, particularly stunning in April and May when wildflowers enliven the trails. Visitors will find rest stops featuring basic toilet facilities and springs to refill water bottles. Keep an eye out for the endangered kri-kri, a wild goat the park protects from extinction.
National Marine Park of Zakynthos
Best for snorkeling with turtles
Spanning the marine area of the Bay of Laganas on the southern side of the island of Zakynthos, the National Marine Park of Zakynthos aims to safeguard Europe’s endangered loggerhead turtle species.
Zakynthos hosts the highest density of loggerhead nests, with up to 1300 recorded in some years along the Bay of Laganas. During the breeding season (from May to October), nesting beaches are closed to visitors between dusk and dawn to protect the turtles; however, many nests are still at risk from visitors. Snorkelers may be lucky enough to spot a turtle while exploring around the island, and further insights into turtle conservation can be found at the island’s Mediterranean Marine Life Centre.
Cape Sounion National Park
Best for admiring the Temple of Poseidon
Cape Sounion, one of Greece’s smallest national parks, features sandy beaches, short walking trails, and quaint villages. However, the main draw is the impressive Temple of Poseidon, perched atop a craggy promontory that plummets 65m into the sea. Built in 444 BC using marble from nearby Agrilesa and showcasing gleaming white columns, it was a beacon for ancient sailors. The panoramic views from the temple are equally stunning.
Northern Pindos National Park and Vikos-Aoös National Park
Best for rivers and lakes
North of Ioannina, the expansive Northern Pindos National Park encompasses the Vikos-Aoös region and the beautiful Valia Kalda forest north of Metsovo. Covering nearly 200,000 hectares, visitors will find pristine rivers, lush forests, vibrant meadows, and glimmering lakes.
This remarkable area is home to nearly one-third of Greece’s flora, alongside diverse wildlife including native fish, foxes, chamois, rare hawks, otters, and bears. The majestic Mt Smolikas (2637m), Greece’s second-highest peak, lies on the remote north side, appealing to backcountry hikers.
Ainos National Park
Best for mountain trails
Dominating the landscape of Kefalonia is the towering Mt Ainos (1628m), with much of its range situated within Ainos National Park. The upper reaches of the mountain are cloaked in ancient, twisted Greek fir and black pine, frequently wrapped in mystical afternoon mists and clouds.
While visitor facilities in the park are modest, five established walking trails offer explorers various hiking opportunities. The two most frequented trails ascend to the summit from opposite sides and loop back to their respective starting points. Additionally, it is possible to drive nearly to the summit for breathtaking views across the island. Be on the lookout for the small wild horses roaming freely within the park.
This article was first published May 26, 2021, and updated May 21, 2022.
