Beyond the sun-drenched islands and ancient cities, Greece is one of Europe’s richest countries in terms of protected natural spaces. Wild mountain ranges, deep canyons, lakes, dense forests, and sensitive marine areas create a highly diverse ecosystem. Greece’s National Parks are not isolated reserves but part of a living landscape of villages, shepherds, monasteries, mythology, and local culture. For travelers seeking an experience different from sea and sand, these are the places where Greece is revealed in full force.
The official classification of National Parks in Greece distinguishes between terrestrial and marine parks. Terrestrial parks protect mountains, canyons, forests, lakes, and wetlands, while marine parks are designed to preserve sensitive sea areas, beaches, and nesting sites of rare animals. Alongside these, Greece’s large islands host extensive terrestrial parks, which are no less important than those on the mainland.
Greece’s first National Park was declared in 1938 on Mount Olympus. Throughout the 20th century, parks were added in mountainous regions and vital habitats for migratory birds. Since the 1990s, many areas have been integrated into the EU’s Natura 2000 network, strengthening the protection of Greek nature and making the parks a central part of responsible and sustainable tourism.
Major Terrestrial Parks
Mount Olympus National Park
The highest mountain in Greece is also one of the country’s most important national parks, both scenically and ecologically. The park ranges from dense pine and fir forests, rocky slopes, and sharp cliffs, to snowy and exposed peaks. A network of marked hiking trails leads from the entry points at Litochoro and Prionia to Mytikas peak, the highest in Greece, allowing for hikes of varying difficulty levels. The park is located in Northern Greece, about 90 km south of Thessaloniki.
Vikos–Aoös National Park
Located in northwestern Greece, this is considered one of the most dramatic and impressive natural areas in the country. At its center lies the Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world in proportion to its width, carved between steep limestone cliffs and descending to the channel of the Voidomatis and Aoös rivers. The park combines wild mountain scenery, oak and beech forests, the traditional stone villages of Zagori, and arched bridges from the 18th century.
Hiking trails connect high viewpoints, descents into the canyon itself, and mountain passes, suitable for both day trippers and long treks. The area is also known for its biological richness and rare medicinal plants that have grown there for centuries. The park is located about 40 km north of the city of Ioannina, which is the nearest major urban center.
Meteora
Meteora is found in Central Greece, in the Thessaly region, and is one of the most unique landscape phenomena in Europe. Massive sandstone pillars rise abruptly above a wide plain, and hanging monasteries have been built on their peaks since the 14th century. The area combines dramatic nature with deep spiritual and historical heritage, including hiking trails passing through forests, cliffs, and open viewpoints over the valley and surrounding mountains.
Beyond the monasteries themselves, Meteora is also a protected natural area where one can hike, observe vultures and birds of prey, and experience wild scenery and silence during the morning and evening hours. The site is located near the town of Kalabaka, about 230 km north of Athens.
Mount Parnassus National Park
The park is located in Central Greece and covers one of the most impressive and accessible mountain ranges in the country. The area includes dense forests, rocky slopes, mountain plateaus, and caves, and is considered to be of high ecological importance. Within its boundaries lie some of Greece’s most famous natural and cultural sites, led by ancient Delphi, which adds historical depth to the mountain landscape. The park is suitable for day trips and treks, and in winter, it hosts the largest ski resort in Greece. Located about 180 km northwest of Athens, it is a major destination for travel year-round.
Prespa National Park
Located in northwestern Greece, about 45 km north of the city of Florina, in the border region with Albania and North Macedonia. The park includes a unique lake system, one of the most important in Europe. At its center are the Great Prespa Lake and Small Prespa Lake, surrounded by forested mountains and quiet rural villages. The park is considered a key site for birdwatching, with large populations of pelicans, herons, and rare waterbirds, combining open water landscapes, marshes, small islands, and isolated Byzantine churches. This is a tranquil and less touristed natural area, suitable for hiking, cycling, and nature observation.
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is found in southwest Crete and is considered one of the longest and most impressive gorges in Europe. The route descends from the mountain heights to the seashore, along approximately 16 km of steep cliffs, a rocky channel, and particularly narrow sections like the “Iron Gates.” The gorge is part of a protected nature reserve and a habitat for local species, including the indigenous Kri-Kri goat. The hike through the gorge is one-way, takes several hours, and requires a reasonable level of fitness. Located in the western part of the island, about 40 km south of the city of Chania, it is considered one of the most important and visited natural sites in Crete.
Mount Psiloritis
Mount Psiloritis, also known as Mount Ida, is the highest mountain in Crete and one of the most impressive mountainous regions on the island. The range is characterized by alpine scenery, rocky slopes, high plateaus, caves, and traditional shepherd villages. The area is deeply identified with Greek mythology and is considered the place where, according to tradition, Zeus was raised in his childhood. Psiloritis is not an official National Park, but it is a vast protected natural area, with a network of long hiking trails, shepherd paths, and open viewpoints over the center of the island.
Mount Ainos
The Mount Ainos National Park is located on the island of Kefalonia and is the only National Park on the island. Mount Ainos towers over the southern part of the island and is known for its Kefalonian fir forest, a rare local species that grows only here. The landscape combines forested ridges, rocky slopes, and viewpoints overlooking the neighboring islands. The entire area maintains a relatively quiet and wild character. The park is located about 15 km west of Argostoli, the island’s main city.
Chelmos–Vouraikos National Park
The park is found in the northern Peloponnese and combines dramatic mountain scenery with one of the most impressive canyons in Greece. Through the heart of the park runs the Vouraikos Gorge, a deep and narrow channel where a river flows between steep cliffs, dense forests, and rocky passes. The area includes high mountain ranges, caves, and water sources, and is also known for the historic railway connecting Diakopto to Kalavryta, which traverses the length of the gorge. A network of hiking trails allows for diverse trips, from easy to long and challenging.
Mount Oeta
One of the less visited but important mountainous regions in the country. The mountain is characterized by dense fir and pine forests, open plateaus, springs, seasonal streams, and a particularly wide and quiet mountain landscape. The mountain is also identified with Greek mythology as the place where the story of Hercules ended, but beyond the historical context, it is a rich and diverse natural area, suitable for long hikes and nature lovers seeking non-commercialized spots. Located in Central Greece, in the Phthiotis region about 150 km northwest of Athens, and about 40 km south of Lamia, the nearest major city.
Parnitha National Park
The park is located in the northern Attica region, about 30 km north of Athens, and constitutes the most important and closest mountainous nature area to the city. This is a forested ridge towering over the urban plain, including pine and fir forests, mountain plateaus, karst caves, and wide viewpoints towards Athens and the Saronic Gulf. The park serves as a central “green lung” for the metropolis and offers an extensive network of hiking trails of varying difficulty, picnic areas, and accessible viewpoints. Alongside nature, it hosts historical ruins and monasteries, representing a unique combination of protected nature in the heart of a populated area.
Dadia–Lefkimi–Soufli Forest National Park
Considered one of the most important natural areas in Europe for the conservation of birds of prey. The park is situated in a hilly area forested with pines and oaks, with clearings and valleys creating ideal conditions for a wide variety of species. It is the only place in Europe where stable populations of rare vultures coexist, including the Black Vulture and the Griffon Vulture. Hiking trails and designated observation points allow for controlled viewing of the animals without harming the environment. The park is located in the Thrace region, in northeastern Greece, about 60 km northeast of the city of Alexandroupolis, and is considered a key destination for nature and birdwatching enthusiasts.
Rodopi Mountain Range National Park
The Rodopi range stretches across northeastern Greece along the Greece–Bulgaria border, in the East Thrace region, about 55 km north of the city of Xanthi, and is considered one of the wildest and least visited mountainous areas in the country. The park includes forested mountain ranges, deep canyons, cold rivers, and dense forests of beech, oak, and pine. It is an area of high ecological importance, home to brown bears, wolves, and a wide variety of rare Balkan flora. Suitable for travelers looking for non-commercialized nature and pristine mountain landscapes.
Axios Delta National Park
Located near the mouth of the Axios River into the Thermaic Gulf, this is one of the most important wetland areas in the Mediterranean. The park includes a complex system of lagoons, freshwater and saltwater marshes, small islands, and floodplains, fed by three major rivers: the Axios, Loudias, and Aliakmon. It is a key area for bird migration, with hundreds of documented species, including flamingos, herons, pelicans, and birds of prey. The landscape is flat and open, highlighting the ecological importance of water zones within an agricultural and industrial environment. Located about 20 km west of Thessaloniki.
Chrysi Island
A small, uninhabited island south of the coast of Crete, declared a protected nature reserve due to its unique ecosystem. The island is characterized by light sands, shallow and crystal-clear waters, and an ancient juniper forest, one of the largest and rarest in the Mediterranean region. Due to the sensitivity of the site, access to the island is limited and controlled, and visits are usually conducted as part of a day cruise from Ierapetra.
Agioi Theodoroi Islands
A pair of small, uninhabited islands off the coast of the Corinthia region, declared a protected natural area due to their high ecological value. The islands serve as a habitat for species of seabirds and rare land mammals, including the golden jackal, and are kept under strict access restrictions. Their relative proximity to populated coastal areas highlights their importance as protected natural spaces in the heart of an inhabited region.
Sounio National Park
Stretching across the southern tip of the Attica peninsula, in an area where low hill ranges descend directly into the Aegean Sea. The landscape is characterized by rocky cliffs, open bays, and natural Mediterranean vegetation, including low shrubs and scattered pine trees. Alongside the prominent Temple of Poseidon atop the cliff of Cape Sounion, the park includes a network of hiking trails running along the coastline and between the hills, offering open viewpoints of the sea and sunsets. The combination of protected nature, historical ruins, and high accessibility from Athens makes Sounio one of the most important and impressive natural areas in southern Attica.
Major Marine Parks
Alonnisos Marine Park
The largest protected marine park in the Mediterranean, extending around the island of Alonnisos and a group of small, uninhabited islands in the northern Sporades. The park is designed to protect a particularly sensitive marine ecosystem, led by the population of the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. The area includes open and crystal-clear waters, underwater caves, rocky shores, and natural reefs, also serving as a habitat for dolphins, sea turtles, and a wide variety of fish. Visits to the park are conducted primarily via controlled boating and diving, strictly adhering to regulations, offering an exceptional marine nature experience on a European scale.
National Marine Park of Zakynthos
The park is located in the south of Zakynthos Island and is considered one of the most important marine conservation areas in the Mediterranean. The park protects shallow sandy bays and vital nesting sites of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), one of the largest and most significant populations in the world. The park’s domain includes beaches, open sea areas, and coastal caves, with strict restrictions on boating, anchoring, and human activity during sensitive seasons. The combination of protected marine nature, open coastline, and Ionian Sea scenery creates an area of exceptional ecological value, serving as a model for coastal management and conservation in touristed islands.