Relaxing on the beach and taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the lake. No one would believe that Lake Orestiada—known to everyone as Lake Kastoria—would be a top tourist destination during the summer months, offering not only rowing, water skiing, and sailing, would also be ideal for sunbathing and diving. «We used to do this mainly when we were children, but in recent years it has been organized in certain parts of the lake,» Kastoria’s deputy mayor for tourism, Athanasios Rimos, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
«The lake is in excellent condition, while »Plaz«»—a specific area of the lake suitable for swimming, as Mr. Rimos says—«has a smooth, fine-gravel bottom.» The lake’s depth ranges from 1.5 to 12 meters, and its average temperature—especially during the summer months—is considered ideal for swimming. A well-known destination for a rejuvenating getaway, Lake Kastoria has gained international fame for the rowing competitions held there, while swimmers can enjoy its calm waters by pedal boat, canoes, and kayaks, as well as explore its vast expanse and idyllic landscapes aboard the “OLYMPIA” boat.Lake Kastoria, which is the 11th largest lake in Greece, is a rich wetland, and responsibility for its environmental protection and management lies with the Prespa National Park and Protected Areas of Western Macedonia Management Unit of the Organization for the Natural Environment and Climate Change.
«Lake Kastoria also offers excursions, short cruises, and other hiking and nature-based activities that allow visitors to discover the natural heritage of the area’s water systems.".
Rowing, picnics on boats, exploring, and birdwatching are just a few of the related and comparable activities that may be available. Canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, as well as hiking, mountaineering, and mountain biking are popular choices for lakeside and mountain activities that can provide both a dynamic sense of wellness and a hands-on adventure.
Furthermore, the city of Kastoria has the comparative advantage of being located in the center of the lake basin. Lake Prespa, Lake Ohrid, Lake Ioannina, Lake Vegoritis, Lake Cheimaditis, and the artificial Lake Polyphytos are all located within about an hour’s drive and offer a unique wealth of birdlife; they are major bird-watching destinations and provide opportunities for other lake-based activities. »The goal is to create an internationally recognized joint lake brand with activities at different lakes and to develop joint getaway packages,” the Deputy Mayor of Tourism for Kastoria told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
In addition to all these activities over the past few summers, swimming in Lake Kastoria is considered the highlight for both locals and tourists, who «take the plunge» at every opportunity.
«It’s a unique experience that poses no danger, as long as you know how to swim,» Kastoria’s Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Athanasios Rimos, told APE-MPE.
The fact is, however, that beyond the refreshing dips—even right next to the white swans swimming carefree—open-air «tsibousia» are set up along the lake’s shore, while the lakeside taverns take center stage, offering a myriad of local delicacies featuring fresh fish, making the visitors’ experience unforgettable and thus rightfully a well-deserved top spot among tourist destinations, rivaling even many of the country’s most idyllic coastlines.
Annie Tapascu
