Evros Delta

The Evros Delta National Park is one of the most important wetlands in the whole of Europe, and a magnet for birdwatchers.

Marsh harrier in the Evros Delta wetland in Greece, from https://www.greece-travel-secrets.com/Evros-Delta.html

Marsh Harrier. Photo (c) S. Mills, courtesy of www.evros-delta.gr

The eastern borders of Greece contain two regions that are among the best wildlife sites in the country: The Dadia Forest and the Evros Delta National Park. The Evros River flows through Greece after rising in Bulgaria, and for much of its length it marks the border between Greece and Turkey.

For this reason it is a politically sensitive area as well as an ecologically sensitive one, and the Greek authorities do take an interest in anyone visiting the area, so don’t be at all surprised if, when wandering around with binoculars and notebooks, you are approached and asked to produce identity papers. Until the late 1990s a permit was needed to even visit parts of the area, but this no longer applies.

The Fire Salamander

Accommodation near the Evros Delta

There is a town on the edge of the delta, Loutra Traianopolis, where there is a choice of simple accommodation if you wish to spend a little time exploring the area. From here you can do it on foot, as there are numerous paths that go into the delta, but take care with directions as it is easy to get lost.

Google Map showing the Evros Delta National Park in Thrace, Greece, from https://www.greece-travel-secrets.com/Evros-Delta.html

SNAKES!
There are some poisonous snakes in the region, and while you are unlikely to be bitten as snakes usually make themselves scarce as they hear approaching footsteps, do be cautious.

Nose-Horned Viper

Evros Delta Wildlife

Among the snake species found here are the nose-horned viper, the sand boa, the cat snake, grass snake, dice snake and leopard snake, while other reptiles include several species of tortoise, terrapin and lizard. There are many amphibians too, such as the warty newt, yellow-bellied toad, marsh frog and fire salamander.

The rarest mammal is the now-misnamed common otter, and there are also some wolves, jackals and polecats, indicating that the delta is not all marshland.

Sunset in the Evros Delta wetland in Greece, from https://www.greece-travel-secrets.com/Evros-Delta.html

Photo (c) E. Stets, Courtesy of www.evros-delta.gr

There are some spectacular sights to be seen, if you are lucky, and during the winter months when the weather in Greece can remain surprisingly clement there are as many as 100,000 wildfowl overwintering here. You might be fortunate and see the spectacle of a sea eagle or osprey hunting, diving to pluck fish out of the water.

See Videos of the Evros Delta



More Information
For further information see the official website for the Evros Delta

Our Pick of the Guides to Greece

Rough-Guide-Greece-2022.png

Other Thrace Pages

  • Macedonia and Thrace are the regions in Greece where travelers will find Thessaloniki, Mount Athos monasteries, Halkidiki and sites like Dion and Pella.

    Macedonia and Thrace

    Macedonia and Thrace are the regions in Greece where travelers will find Thessaloniki, Mount Athos monasteries, Halkidiki and sites like Dion and Pella.

  • The city of Xanthi in Thrace is a lively university town with several museums, old mansions, and one of the best markets in Thrace.

    Xanthi in Thrace, Eastern Greece

    The city of Xanthi in Thrace is a lively university town with several museums, old mansions, and one of the best markets in Thrace.

  • Philippi is an ancient archaeological site near Kavala in East Macedonia and Thrace and is famous for being the place where the apostle St Paul was imprisoned.

    Philippi

    Philippi is an ancient archaeological site near Kavala in East Macedonia and Thrace and is famous for being the place where the apostle St Paul was imprisoned.

  • Komotini is a town in eastern Thrace in Greece, with many Turkish influences, and it is also home to the Pomak people.

    Komotini in Thrace, Greece

    Komotini is a town in eastern Thrace in Greece, with many Turkish influences, and it is also home to the Pomak people.

  • The Dadia Forest in eastern Greece is famous for wildlife, especially birds, with accommodation and information available at the Dadia Ecotourism Centre.

    Dadia Forest Reserve and Ecotourism Centre

    The Dadia Forest in eastern Greece is famous for wildlife, especially birds, with accommodation and information available at the Dadia Ecotourism Centre.

  • The village of Avdira, or Abdera, with its ancient archaeological site is close to Xanthi in Thrace, Greece, and has its own beach and nearby is Lake Vistonida.

    Avdira (or Abdera) and its ancient archaeological site in Thrace

    The village of Avdira, or Abdera, with its ancient archaeological site is close to Xanthi in Thrace, Greece, and has its own beach and nearby is Lake Vistonida.

  • Alexandroupoli is a city in the Thrace region of Greece, in the extreme east of the country, the closest Greek city to the border with Turkey.

    Alexandroupoli in the Thrace region of Greece

    Alexandroupoli is a city in the Thrace region of Greece, in the extreme east of the country, the closest Greek city to the border with Turkey.

  • Greece Travel Secrets explores the best areas for Birdwatching in Greece including the Prespa Lakes, Evros River Delta, Dadia Forest and Mesolongi.

    Birdwatching in Greece

    Greece Travel Secrets explores the best areas for Birdwatching in Greece including the Prespa Lakes, Evros River Delta, Dadia Forest and Mesolongi.

  • Greece Travel Secrets goes hiking in southwest Crete with Ramblers Walking Holidays based in Paleohora and hiking the E4 footpath and to Anidri and Azogires.

    Hiking in Southwest Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets goes hiking in southwest Crete with Ramblers Walking Holidays based in Paleohora and hiking the E4 footpath and to Anidri and Azogires.

  • The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

    Northern Greece Guide

    The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Greece Bans Sunbeds, Umbrellas, Bars on 198 Beaches

    Sunbeds, umbrellas, and all sorts of constructions have been banned on 198 beaches across Greece according to a joint ministerial decision signed this week by Economy & Finance Minister Kostis Hatzida…

    Read More

  2. 4 Guesthouses in Zagori that Are Worth Visiting

    Amidst the mountains and spectacular scenery, these four traditional guesthouses in the heart of Zagori, Epirus, offer the very best in Greek hospitality.

    Read More

  3. Greece’s 10 Highest Mountains

    From myth-laden peaks to rugged alpine trails, we explore ten of Greece's highest mountains, where untamed beauty and boundless adventure meet.

    Read More

  4. Paris 2024 Olympic Flame Lit at Ancient Olympia, Countdown to Games Begins

    The Olympic flame that will be burning for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer was lit in Ancient Olympia on Tuesday, April 16. Located in western Peloponnese, Ancient Olympia is one of the most…

    Read More

  5. April 17 Greece National Strike to Affect Public Transport, Ferry Travel

    Public transportation in Athens as well as ferry travel in Greece will be disrupted on Wednesday, April 17, due to a 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), the cou…

    Read More

  6. The Ikaria Way

    the-ikaria-way-front-and-back-cover-900.webp
    Greece Travel Secrets reviews the Greek cookbook, The Ikaria Way by Diane Kochilas, containing 100 delicious plant-based recipes.

    Read More

  7. Greece Announces Steep Fines for Beach Access Violations

    The Greek Finance Ministry announced this week that it would taking strict measures including fines of up to 60,000 euros to ensure that Greece’s beaches are always accessible to the public. Fines ran…

    Read More

  8. Cyprus-Greece Ferry Connection to Start on May 29

    For a third year in a row, the ferry service linking Cyprus with Greece is scheduled to resume operations on May 29. The Cypriot-flagged Daleela, which can transport 400 passengers and 200 vehicles, w…

    Read More

  9. Greece Aiming to Include Knossos on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

    The Region of Crete announced this week that all actions had been taken to include the world-famous archaeological site of Knossos on Crete on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

    Read More

  10. Two Top Floors of Athens Hotel Blocking Acropolis View Shut Down

    The Greek Tourism Ministry announced this week that it had sealed off the two top floors and the rooftop bar of a hotel in the center of Athens which were blocking views to the Acropolis.

    Read More