📷 Photo by Spyros Skareas on UnsplashNorthern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina
A five-day lake circuit from the pelicans of Kerkini through Veria and Kastoria to Prespa, Ioannina’s island village and the oracle of Dodona.
- Distance
- 469 km (292 mi)
- Driving
- 6 h 29 min
- Suggested days
- 5
- Stops
- 7
- Countries
- Greece
- Updated
- May 14, 2026
At a glance: 5-day road trip of about 469 km (292 mi) with 7 stops, from Lake Kerkini to Ancient Dodona. About 6 h 29 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Greece
Route description
Begin at Lake Kerkini, a large reservoir and Ramsar wetland with pelicans, flamingos and grazing water buffalo, with the Belasica mountains beyond. One travel guide rates winter best for Dalmatian pelicans. Stay on the tracks near nesting areas and keep drones away from the colonies.
Drive west to Veria, a Byzantine-era Macedonian town of many churches, with the preserved Jewish quarter of Barbouta, the Kyriotissa quarter and the 1315 frescoes of the Anastasis church. Explore the old lanes on foot. Ancient Aigai (Vergina) lies about 13 km away if you want to add a detour.
Continue to Kastoria, a lakeside town on Lake Orestiada, and then on to the Prespa Lakes. Small and Great Prespa form a wetland important for breeding Dalmatian and great white pelicans. The islet of Agios Achilleios holds the ruins of a tenth-century basilica, and traditional wooden boats offer trips from villages such as Psarades.
From Prespa the road leads south-west to Ioannina, on the shore of Lake Pamvotida. Take the boat from the lakefront pier, about ten minutes, to Nisi Island, a car-free village of stone-and-timber Epirote houses, tavernas and several monasteries, including the one where Ali Pasha died in 1822.
Finish with Ancient Dodona, a short drive south of Ioannina. This ruined sanctuary of Zeus was an oracle ranked second in prestige only to Delphi, with a theatre, council house and temple foundations. It is publicly accessible, so allow time to walk between the theatre and the sanctuary. Mountain roads are long, so plan generous driving time.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Lake Kerkini
NatureKerkini, GreeceA large reservoir and Ramsar wetland in northern Greece, home to pelicans, flamingos and grazing water buffalo, with the Belasica mountains beyond. One travel guide rates winter best for Dalmatian pelicans; stay on the tracks near nesting areas and keep drones away from colonies.
- 2134 km
Veria Old Town (Barbouta, Kyrillos)
HistoryVeria, GreeceA Byzantine-era Macedonian town of many churches, with the preserved Jewish quarter of Barbouta, the Kyriotissa quarter and the 1315 frescoes of the Anastasis church. Explore the old lanes on foot; ancient Aigai (Vergina) lies about 13 km away.
- 398 km
Kastoria
Greece - 450 km
Prespa Lakes and Agios Achilleios area (Mikrolimni, Psarades)
NaturePsarades, GreeceA wetland of Small and Great Prespa lakes, important for breeding Dalmatian and great white pelicans, with the islet of Agios Achilleios holding the ruins of a tenth-century basilica. Traditional wooden boats offer trips from villages such as Psarades.
- 5163 km
Ioannina
Greece - 63 km
Nisi Island, Lake Pamvotida
HistoryIoannina, GreeceA small car-free island village in Lake Pamvotida with stone-and-timber Epirote houses, tavernas and several monasteries, including the one where Ali Pasha died in 1822. Take the boat from Ioannina's lakefront pier, about ten minutes, and explore the cobbled lanes on foot.
- 720 km
Ancient Dodona
HistoryDodoni, GreeceThe ruined sanctuary of Zeus in Epirus, an oracle that Wikipedia ranks second in prestige only to Delphi, with a theatre, council house and temple foundations. It is publicly accessible, so allow time to walk between the theatre and the sanctuary ruins.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
5 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Lake Kerkini → Veria Old Town (Barbouta, Kyrillos) · 134 km · 1 h 51 minOvernight nearby, for example: Κατασκήνωση Ελαφίνας (15 km).
- Day 2: Veria Old Town (Barbouta, Kyrillos) → Kastoria · 98 km · 1 h 22 min
- Day 3: Kastoria → Prespa Lakes and Agios Achilleios area (Mikrolimni, Psarades) · 50 km · 0 h 41 min
- Day 4: Prespa Lakes and Agios Achilleios area (Mikrolimni, Psarades) → Ioannina · 163 km · 2 h 15 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camperstop: Triethnes (14 km); Limnopoula (2 km).
- Day 5: Ioannina → Ancient Dodona · 23 km · 0 h 19 minOn the way: Nisi Island, Lake Pamvotida.Overnight nearby, for example: Camperstop: Triethnes (1 km); Limnopoula (15 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
Themes
FAQs
How long is Northern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina?
5-day road trip of about 469 km (292 mi) with 7 stops, from Lake Kerkini to Ancient Dodona. About 6 h 29 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Northern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina?
We suggest 5 days: about 6 h 29 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Northern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina start and end?
It starts in Lake Kerkini and ends in Ancient Dodona.
Which countries does Northern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina pass through?
Greece.
Where can you camp along Northern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina?
OpenStreetMap lists 7 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camperstop: Triethnes, Limnopoula and Limnopoula Camping.
When is the best time for Northern Greece lakes: Kerkini, Veria, Kastoria, Prespa and Ioannina?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
