Dadia Forest

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

Head north-east from the Evros Delta and you will reach the small town of Féres, which would make a good base for exploring the area to the north of here, the 32,500-hectare Dadia Forest Reserve. Set in the Evros Valley and overshadowed by the Evros Mountains, this is another scenically splendid area of Greece and mostly visited by those with an interest in its wide range of wildlife. It's especially noted for the fact that 36 of Europe's 38 species of predatory birds can be found here.

Dadia Forest Reserve Information Centre

There is an information centre in the forest, at the Dadia Ecotourism Centre, reached from near the village of Likófi. At the centre you will naturally find a lot of information about the flora and the fauna of the Reserve, which is especially noted for its rare birds of prey. At the centre you can also get advice on exploring the Reserve, which can be done by way of an organised tour van, which goes into the areas where cars are banned, or on foot. 

There are two main footpaths to be followed, and these are well-marked. One leads to the highest point in the Reserve, at 520 meters (1706ft), and the other to a hide which looks out over the Mavrorema Canyon, giving chance for visitors to see some of the raptors as they soar on the thermals that rise out of the canyon. 

In addition to the eagles and vultures, other species seen here include the lanner falcon, black kite, goshawk, Levant sparrowhawk, honey buzzard and the increasingly rare black stork, although there are only a few of these in the forest. 

Accommodation in the Dadia Forest

It is quite possible to stay in the Reserve, as there are 20 rooms available at the Dadia Ecotourism Centre, which also has a restaurant and café. You would need to book ahead as it gets full at busy periods such as migration times in spring and autumn. There is a café nearby, and more eating options and shops in the village of Dadiá, about 1km (1/2 mile) away.

Visiting the Dadia Forest
Find more information on the
Forest Inn Ecotourism Hotel of Dadia website.

Our Pick of the Guides to Greece

Rough-Guide-Greece-2022.png

Other Thrace Pages

  • 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.

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

    Evros Delta National Park in Thrace, Greece

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

  • 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 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. Kerameikos Ancient Site in Athens Getting New Visitor Facilities

    Visitors to the Kerameikos archaeological site in central Athens will soon have new access through an entrance-exit point being developed on Agion Asomaton Street, directly across from Dipylou Street.

    Read More

  2. Central Greece Motorway E65 Adding More Kilometers

    A new section of the E65 motorway, often referred to as the “backbone road” of Central Greece, was opened to traffic in the second week of July, with 136 kilometers now operational. This road provides…

    Read More

  3. AirDNA: Greece’s 3 Cities with Affordable Airbnb Rates

    Iceland, Monaco, the UK, Greece, and Spain are Europe’s most expensive countries for short-term rentals, according to analytics experts AirDNA.

    Read More

  4. Seaplane Test Flights Connect Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros

    Greek seaplane company Hellenic Seaplanes on Friday laid the groundwork for some of the Greek islands that will welcome seaplanes and carried out its first flights between three islands of the Sporade…

    Read More

  5. Travel + Leisure: Four Greek Hotels Among Best in the World and Europe

    The World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure recently ranked four Greek hotels among the best in the world and Europe, honoring them for their luxurious atmosphere and top-notch hospitality.

    Read More

  6. Santorini Cannot Support Even One More Hotel or Airbnb Bed

    Santorini is now coping with the repercussions of overtourism generated by cruise ships and day-trippers from Crete and other adjacent islands.

    Read More

  7. 9 Tasty Stops in the Cyclades for Authentic Flavors

    Restaurants, tavernas, and grocery stores that highlight the local flavors of the Cyclades.

    Read More

  8. Where to Eat on Symi

    taverna-o-meraklis-symi-2.webp
    Greece Travel Secrets picks where to eat on Symi, down by the harbour or in the upper town, and whether you like fish, meat, vegetarian, traditional or modern.

    Read More

  9. Restaurants with Acropolis Views

    gb-roof-garden-restaurant-dusk.webp
    Greece Travel Secrets chooses its top ten Athens restaurants with Acropolis views, perfect for dining by day or by night, including places with Michelin stars.

    Read More

  10. The Ilisian: Reimagining an Icon of Modern Athens

    The former Hilton Athens is being transformed into a multi-faceted destination that aspires to forge exciting new connections between the Greek capital and the rest of the world.

    Read More