West Macedonia: 5 Must Visit Places That Will Blow Your Mind

I was kindly invited by the Greek Tourism Board to visit West Macedonia, a hidden gem in Greece. To say that it surprised me is an understatement. When we think of Greece, we think of the blue domes, small streets paved with boutiques, turquoise water and boat trips. However, did you know that Greece is the 2nd most mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland? There are more than 20 mountains in Greece that are higher than 2,000 meters.

This is exactly what you will find in West Macedonia. It is the complete opposite of what you might expect to find in Greece. It is full of mountains, national parks, lakes, rivers and much more. The region is full of breathtaking nature, wildlife and the most incredible food that you have probably never tried before. If you do decide to visit this hidden gem, here are the places to add to your list that will absolutely blow your mind.

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1. Pindus National Park

Pindus National Park is located a few hours’ drive away from the city of Kastoria. With dense forests, lakes and rivers, this National Park covers 6,927 hectares. It is the most beautiful to visit during the months of October/November to see the autumn colours. May and June when the flowers are blooming is also a great time to visit.

The best way to see the park is with an organised tour as the roads can only be accessed with a jeep within the park. We did ours with Greek Adventures, but there are some tours available on Get Your Guide too – check out this Jeep Tour. Otherwise, it is also possible to go hiking and discover beautiful hidden gems along the way.

What particularly impressed me about this park was the fog as it intertwined with the trees, giving the park a very mystical atmosphere. Driving through the fog was also a unique experience.

2. Kastoria

Kastoria is one of the most beautiful towns in West Macedonia. It is not similar to any other town I have encountered before. The red roofs of the town are surrounded by a lake and hills, making this a postcard perfect view.

The town is well known for its fur production, as the fur has been developed here since the 17th and 18th centuries. It is currently a huge part of the local economy. You can see signs for it all around the town while driving through it.

When visiting the town, do not miss the Old Town, where you can discover a lot of old traditional buildings and nice restaurants. Take a walk along the lake, and check out the ancient Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary Mavriotissa. It is believed to have been founded in the 11th century, and it is definitely very impressive to see how well it has been preserved.

For a delicious meal here, head to a restaurant called “Old Town” to try the local food and you will not regret it!

We also stayed in a hotel called Enastron View Hotel which had the most amazing view of the town and starts at only £60 a night.

3. Lake of Megali Prespa

Bordering with West Macedonia of Greece, as well as Albania and North Macedonia, the lake of Megali Pespa is a unique one. In 2014, the lake was added to the NESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Local fishermen conduct boat trips here. Getting a boat trip here is a must in order to see the caves and the hermitages built into the caves. These date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, making this a very impressive site. Make sure to also look out for an icon within the cave from the 14th century.

It is possible to go inside the Panagia Elousa hermitage, to see an ancient church inside it. There is a very impressive view from above that looks out to the border of Albania and North Macedonia.

The lake is also significant as it acted as the setting when the Republic of Macedonia was renamed to North Macedonia.

4.  Prespa National Park 

Prespa is the ideal place to visit if you want to spot wildlife, while enjoying the nature views of the region. This park has historical monuments, lakes, wet meadows, mountains, lakes, and traditional villages, all located side by side as they have been for many years.

The region takes its name from its two lakes, Lesser and Great Prespa, which are two of the largest water bodies in the Balkans and amongst the oldest in the world. The lakes are located at the borders of Greece with Albania and Republic of North Macedonia. They are lying 850 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains of over 2000 m.

This basic geography gives the region unique characteristics in terms of climate, vegetation and associated wildlife.

Belonging to the Regional of Florina, Prespa has an area of approximately 330 km2. The resident population is about 1,400 people living in thirteen villages. The main economic activities of the area are directly or indirectly linked to the lakes and the mountains bean farming, fishing, livestock farming and, in recent years, tourism.

Prespa also holds more than 1800 species of plants and 450 species of animals. It is a home to Dalmatian pelicans and great white pelicans, of which there are only a few colonies worldwide.

5. Naoumidis Peppers Estate

Probably the most memorable part of the trip for us was the visit to the Naoumidis Peppers Estate. This is one of the most unique experiences that one can do in Western Macedonia – visiting a pepper farm.

However, this is not just any pepper farm. This is a family owned business that has been operating for generations, and the passion of the owners really shows.

Firstly, they welcome you into their farm as if you were their family. I had never met anyone as passionate about peppers as the owner. As he showed us around the farm, we got to pick our own peppers and even take some home. He explained that this is a family business founded by his father and showed us the restaurant which is one of his businesses. We got to try some very delicious spreads made at the farm and buy some of our own to take home as a souvenir!

This was truly an unforgettable experience and a visit here I highly recommend.

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Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Central Greece. Visiting West Macedonia was very special as I had no expectations and was completely blown away! The hospitality of the locals, the stunning nature and the delicious food are only some of the reasons why this region is worth visiting.

Would you visit West Macedonia? Let me know below!