Kerkini Lake Day Trip: Flamingos & Buffalo Farm

See flamingos and buffalos in one morning, then eat lunch in a mountain village

A full-day tour from Thessaloniki to Kerkini Lake, one of Greece's 10 most valuable wetland habitats, with stops for bird watching at the dam, optional horse riding, a buffalo farm visit, and lunch in Vironia village. The 98km journey takes you through the Serres valley with views of Mount Beles, departing at 8am and returning by 2pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip to Kerkini Lake

• Depart Thessaloniki at 8:00 AM
• Travel 98km to Kerkini Lake dam
• Enjoy bird watching at the dam
• Optional horse riding near the dam
• Take a coffee break
• Visit traditional farm with buffalos
• Have lunch in Vironia village
• Return to Thessaloniki via west lake perimeter road

The experience

The bus leaves Thessaloniki at 8am and covers 98 kilometers in about an hour and a half to reach the dam at Lithotopos. Kerkini Lake hosts roughly 300 bird species that shift with the seasons, but flamingos stay year-round: their pink plumage against the blue water is the landmark sight here. You'll spend time watching from the dam, and the landscape around it (the verdant valley, Mount Beles rising in the distance) frames what you're looking at. If weather permits and you've notified the operator in advance, the horse riding area sits right next to the dam, so you can ride through the natural scenery without traveling elsewhere.

After the dam, a coffee break comes next, then the route moves east to a traditional farm where buffalos walk in their natural environment. The operator describes these as impressive animals, and you'll observe them up close rather than from a distance. This is the second major stop and the one that breaks up the bird watching with something tactile and different. From there, the tour heads to Vironia village, a small settlement in the foothills, where you eat lunch in a traditional Greek tavern. The only meal included is this one, though coffee at the dam is part of the itinerary. The return to Thessaloniki follows the perimeter road on the west side of the lake, departing around 2pm.

The tour runs eight hours total and suits all fitness levels. An English-speaking escort travels with the group in an air-conditioned bus, and the operator notes they'll wear marked clothing so you can spot them easily. Horse riding is optional and costs €15 per person if you choose it. A one-hour boat ride on the lake is also available for €10 but is separate from the main itinerary. Lunch and coffee are not included in the price, nor are tips.

What’s included

• Round-trip bus transportation to Kerkini Lake and Vironia village.
• bus transportation insurance.
• English-speaking tour escort.
• air-conditioned vehicle.

Options for this experience

2 options

Summer SeasonGuide in English or Greek · Available from 1 Apr 2027Summer Season

Winter SeasonGuide in English or Greek · 08:00Winter Season

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 08:00, from € 490 per person, with a live guide in English and Greek, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ammon Express

Is this one for you?Choose summer if you want to ride horses. Winter focuses on bird watching and wildlife viewing when riding isn't available due to weather.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What birds will I actually see at Kerkini Lake?

Kerkini Lake hosts about 300 bird species that vary by season, so each visit brings different surprises. Flamingos are there year-round and are the signature sight: their pink plumage stands out against the blue water. The exact species you encounter depends on when you travel, but the dam at Lithotopos is where you watch them.

Is the horse riding included, or do I pay extra?

Horse riding is optional and costs €15 per person if you want it. It happens at the area next to the dam, and you need to notify the operator in advance so they know to arrange it. Weather can affect whether it runs on the day you visit.

How far is Kerkini Lake from Thessaloniki?

The lake is 98 kilometers away and takes approximately one and a half hours to reach by bus from Thessaloniki. The return journey follows the west side of the lake and takes the same amount of time.

What's included in the price and what do I pay for separately?

Round-trip bus transportation, insurance, an English-speaking escort, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Lunch and coffee are not included, so you pay for those at the tavern in Vironia and at the dam. Horse riding (€15) and a one-hour boat ride (€10) are optional add-ons.

When do we eat, and what kind of food is it?

Lunch happens in Vironia village at a traditional Greek tavern, and you pay for your meal there. A coffee break comes earlier in the day at the dam, which you also pay for separately. The tour departs Thessaloniki at 8am and returns around 2pm, so the timing gives you most of the afternoon for the meal.