7 best things to do around lake Plastira

One of the great joys of visiting Lake Plastira is discovering the villages around it, some visible, others tucked quietly among fir trees. They often have incredible lake views and come with cosy tavernas serving local specialities and traditional cafes. Some also have stone guesthouses with modern comforts. The largest villages near Lake Plastira are Neochori and Kalyvia, close to the western shore and with excellent places to stay and eat. In Neochori, the Botanical Garden is a beautiful space dedicated to the region’s endemic and medicinal plants. There are also shops with herbal teas, essential oils and natural cosmetics, and plenty of places to buy local produce.

Elsewhere, the villages are even quieter and more remote. Neraida is known for its pine-covered slopes and views all the way to Mount Olympus. It’s also the starting point for hikes to Alexandris Spring or Pezoula. Belokomitis is memorable for its stone houses and carved balconies, while Kryoneri, with its little chapel of Ai-Giorgis, offers lush scenery and fresh produce. Kerasia delivers sweeping views of the lake and nearby river, and Kastania is home to a traditional Footwear Workshop & Museum. Lampero is tiny and offers postcard-perfect panoramas, and Anthochori is a picturesque stop. Finally, Morfovouni, the birthplace of General Nikolaos Plastiras, adds historical depth. It was Plastiras who first envisioned the lake in 1928, and the village is home to a museum in his honour – a fitting tribute to the man whose dream transformed this mountain plateau into the "lake of four seasons".

Local Tip: The Plastira Lake Festival in Neochori is a three-day celebration of music, nature and creativity in July, with live concerts by top Greek artists and lakeside events.

The next of our things to do is not around but on Lake Plastira. Activities include hiring sea bikes, canoes or kayaks, and even small electric boats. Exploring scenic coves and quiet corners of the lake is the perfect way to take in the natural surroundings and appreciate the birdlife. You can spot cormorants, herons, moorhens, sandpipers and various duck species, while wagtails and water blackbirds dart along the shoreline. Beneath the surface, the lake is rich in fish, including trout, carp and perch. Meanwhile, Niagas island, in the middle of the lake, is the perfect mid-journey stop for a peaceful picnic and swim.

There are various vantage points around the lake, but the best place to start is on the dam wall itself, at Kakavakia. The size of the engineering project speaks for itself. The dam wall is 83m tall, and the reservoir it created has a capacity of 400 million cubic metres of water. For the best views, however, the Lake Plastira Observatory is around 15 minutes away by car. From here, you can see how harmoniously the manmade lake fits in with the surrounding forests and mountains.

Another highlight is the Panagia Pelekiti Monastery, around 6km from the dam wall and one of the most remarkable cultural landmarks around Lake Plastira. Built into the rock at 1,400m altitude in the 16th century, it takes its name (Pelekiti means ‘hewn’) from the way it appears carved into the cliffside. After a short uphill walk, you’re rewarded with beautiful frescoes and breathtaking views of the lake and the Agrafa mountains.

Next on your list of things to do around Lake Plastira is to explore the area’s proud wine-growing tradition. Thanks to the cool mountain climate, the conditions are ideal for cultivating grapes, including the rare red variety Black Messenikolas, grown in just three villages in Greece. A standout stop is the village of Messenikolas, where the Monsieur Nicolas Winery has been run by the Karamitros family for four generations. Set at 700m altitude, the vineyard benefits from Lake Plastira’s unique microclimate. You can enjoy a tasting of local wines, including the PDO Messenikola blend, and a tour of the cellars to learn how centuries-old tradition meets modern winemaking. Just a few steps away, the Messenikolas House of Wine and Vine is dedicated to the tools, techniques and stories of local wine production.

Expanding your wine experience further, head to Kontozisis Organic Vineyards near Kanalia, pioneers of natural winemaking in the region. Since 1991, they’ve focused on organic methods and indigenous grapes like Limniona, Malagousia and Assyrtiko, offering tastings that highlight the purity of their winemaking techniques.

Local tip: Every August, Messenikolas hosts a wine festival, where locals share their celebrated wines with visitors from all over Greece.

Lake Plastira makes an ideal base for discovering the wider region of western Thessaly. You’re just 20–30 minutes away from Karditsa, a relaxed city with tree-lined squares, pedestrian streets and cultural highlights including an Archaeological Museum and Folklore & History Museum. Further north, Trikala (around 1 hour) is a bicycle-friendly city in which you can explore the medieval Varousi quarter and stroll along the Litheos River. Sites in Trikala include the ancient Asclepius Sanctuary and the city’s Digital Museum.

For mountain escapes, follow the scenic route from Pyli to Elati and Pertouli (1hr 30mins) through fir forests and picturesque stone villages. Or head to Meteora, the UNESCO-listed wonder where centuries-old monasteries perch on towering rock formations – perfect for hiking or simply soaking in the majesty. Finally, if it’s wild nature you’re after, venture deeper into Argithea in the Agrafa mountains, with villages like Leontito, Palaiochori and the lakeside setting of Stefaniada, where kayaking, horse riding and archery await. Meanwhile, in Petrilo, a forested hideaway 1hr 45mins from Lake Plastira, you’ll find even more reasons to extend your stay.