Why You Should Visit Lake Kerkini (Road Trip Destination from Thessaloniki)

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Last time I visited Lake Kerkini I was 15, and more interested in chasing birds and picking blueberries out of bushes than wine tasting.

Coming back as an adult, I saw this northern Greece gem in a completely new light.

It’s still just as peaceful, still full of of birdlife, and still the perfect excuse for a slow day trip that feels like a full reset.

If you are looking for a quick weekend escape from Thessaloniki, make sure to add Lake Kerkini to your list.

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2. Enjoy a traditional meal at Oikoperigitis

I still remember the exact meal I had here 15 years ago, a buffalo steak with mashed potatoes, a big Greek salad, and that unforgettable rich chocolate cake for dessert. That memory stuck with me for years, so going back felt like flipping through the pages of an old favorite book. And honestly, it still holds up. The food is honest, local, and comforting.

Oikoperigitis is more than just a taverna. It’s also a guesthouse and a base for eco-friendly activities around the lake. You can stay overnight, rent bikes, go canoeing, take birdwatching tours or even volunteer for longer stays. It’s one of those places that blends simple living with the best parts of being close to nature and it’s well worth bookmarking for a future weekend away.

Where is Lake Kerkini?

This tranquil wetland is found in Northern Greece, just a 90-minute drive from Thessaloniki. It is known for its birdlife, quiet rural villages, wine and buffalo farms.

To reach it, you will need a car, so unless you have your own, renting one from Thessaloniki is the best option.

The drive from Thessaloniki is scenic and pleasant.

I use and compare prices for car rentals, with Discovercars.com. It is a giant rental and comparison site on the market and it has a lot of perks that make sense if you travel often.

Once you head to Discover Cars, you’ll find an easy search engine to filter by location, dates and pick up location.

Tip: Always check a few different pick up locations when booking a rental car.

Top things to do around Lake Kerkini

1. Take a boat ride on the lake

The whole reason for this visit was a special wine and boat experience that had just launched. It was part of a new event by Ktima tou Apostoli, a local winery that teamed up with boat operators on the lake to create something a little different. The collaboration first ran in 2023 and is already set to return in 2024 and 2025.

Update: the tours were successful and run in 2025 as well.

The winery itself has a great story. It was a personal dream brought to life by Apostolos Goulas, who wanted to revive the area’s long winemaking history. In 2004, with help from two local families — one of whom ran the region’s first distillery back in 1936 — they launched Ktima tou Apostoli, combining modern tech with traditional organic farming. Today, their wines are well known locally, and their efforts have even been recognised by the European Observatory for good practices.

Gliding across the lake with a glass of wine in hand, birds overhead and buffalo nearby, was the kind of experience that makes you pause and soak it all in. Not something you can always do, but something you’ll remember.

We were lucky to get a tour from Konstantina Goula, daughter and manager of the winery, and an invite to visit the winery and taste more wines after the cruise.

2. Enjoy a traditional meal at Oikoperigitis

3. Go for a horse ride along the shore

After lunch, we couldn’t resist a short horse ride around the lake.

4. Visit a local winery

There are a handful of small local wineries in the area if you want to taste more local wines. These include Katina Romalidi and Ktima Akritidi all in walking distance from each other.

When to visit

Spring and early autumn are ideal times to visit the region, warm days and cool nights with lots of bird activity. Summer is beautiful too, especially if you want to stay overnight and want to kayak in the lake.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Must Know When Visiting Greece

Emergency: Dial 112 for all emergencies. For police, dial 100. For ambulance 166. For fire dial 199.

Language: English is widely spoken in most tourist areas. Common phrases to learn are “Kalimera” (Good morning), “Yia” (Hello and Bye – informal), and “Efharisto” (Thank you).

Water: Tap water is safe in Athens, mainland Greece and a small number of islands. Always ask beforehand.

Driving: Right-hand side, international driving permit recommended. Book your rental car with Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.

Accommodation: Booking.com for the most options on hotels, apartments and hostels. Free cancellation in a lot of places and no need to pre-pay. Great for their rewards points system.

Islands: There are a lot of islands, spread out around the country. Start with a map or ferry service to get an idea of travel times. Ferry Scanner is the best for ferry bookings to the Greek islands.

Activities: From cultural sights to day trips, food tours and city guides, use Get Your Guide.

Public Transport: For Athens, use the Athens Metro. If you are not renting a car, use Trains (Hellenic Train) or KTEL (Public Buses) services.

Domestic Airlines: The main airlines for air travel are Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. I recommend Aegean Airlines and its rewards program.

Taxi: Always use a taxi app, instead of flagging down a taxi from the road. Use FREE Now (formerly BEAT).

Culture: A siesta nap is still common in less touristy areas. This also means businesses will close between 2 PM – 5 PM. Except for hospitality businesses, everything is closed on Sundays.

Why You Should Visit Lake Kerkini (Road Trip Destination from Thessaloniki)

2. Enjoy a traditional meal at Oikoperigitis

Where is Lake Kerkini?