Greek nature - Ecotourism

Notwithstanding its limited surface area, Greece is endowed with a particularly rich and diversified natural environment as a result of a rare geomorphology, with many striking natural contrasts and areas of great ecological value. The country’s abundant natural gifts –thousands of indented coasts, imposing rocky massifs, caves, gorges, lakes, rivers, biotopes of spectacular beauty and unique natural habitats– coupled with the mild climate, place it among the ideal destinations for ecotourism and alternative forms of tourism.

When travelling in Greece, nature-loving tourists are offered the opportunity to:
- to wander in aesthetic forests or explore national parks not merely in the mountainous regions of the mainland, but also on certain islands or in the proximity of rivers and lakes
- to enjoy the wonderful natural monuments, gorges, caves and waterfalls.
- to watch and admire rare bird species nesting or seeking refuge in coastal ecosystems and wetlands (rocky coasts, sandy beaches, sand dunes, river deltas, lakes, marshes, coastal plains, etc)
- to study the highly diverse floral life of the Greek countryside
- to visit the unique marine parks supported near the islands of Alonissos and Zakynthos, which provide shelter to two protected species, the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus-Monachus) and the Mediterranean green loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) respectively.
- to engage in extreme sports (canoe-kayak, rafting, monoraft, hydrospeed, canyoning, mountain biking, etc), activities which have seen a spectacular rise in popularity in recent years
- to stay in agrotourist units which are being developed all over the country and afford visitors the opportunity to become familiar with vernacular architecture, cultural and gastronomic tradition, local products, farming activities and the daily life of local inhabitants.    
Visitors of ecologically sensitive areas must observe all rules for the protection of the environment against pollution, the non-disturbance of natural habitats and the preservation of the various ecosystems’ equilibrium. Information on visiting protected areas and participating in special programs can be obtained from local information centres, local authorities, and specialised agencies.

National parks

The designation “National Park” refers to areas which, under the international forest legislation, display special ecological interest due to the rare and variegated indigenous flora and fauna, their geomorphologic formations, subsoil, water and atmosphere. Humans must ensure their preservation and improvement, both in order to allow the conduct of scientific studies and to attract visitors for recreational and educational purposes.

In Greece, under an ad hoc law, ten wooded areas have been established and demarcated as National Parks; the latter extend over a total area of 68,732 hectares, 34,378 of which make up the nuclei of these forests.
Ainos - Kefalonia
Vikos Aoos - Ioannina
Lefka Ori (Samaria Gorge) - Hania / Crete
Iti - Fthiotida
Olympus - Pieria
Parnassus - Fokida / Viotia
Parnitha - Attica
Sounio - Attica
Pindus - Grevena / Ioannina
Prespes - Florina

Source: Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)
The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) is a Public Entity (PE) supervised by the Ministry of Tourism.
http://www.gnto.gr