4-Day Motorcycle Tour from Athens to Lake Kerkini and Alistrati Caves

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Go on a romantic boat ride on Lake Kerkini
• 02 Spot pelicans and other birdlife in one of Europe's top wetland habitats
• 03 Explore the historic fortifications of Fort Roupel near the Greek-Bulgarian border
• 04 Visit the Alistrati Cave Complex, one of the largest and most beautiful in Greece
• 05 Ride through spectacular landscapes via Trikala, Meteora, and Palaios Panteleimonas

Hop on a motorcycle tour and travel north from Athens to Lake Kerkini, where you can enjoy a romantic boat ride in one of Europe's most important wetlands and birdwatching destinations. Explore the fortifications of Fort Roupel, discover the cultural heritage and famous local sweets of Serres, and visit the Alistrati Cave Complex, one of the largest and most beautiful cave systems in Greece. The journey also takes you through spectacular scenery via Trikala, Meteora, and the picturesque village of Palaios Panteleimonas.

Go on a romantic boat ride in traditional boats called "plaves" and observe, from a safe distance, the specially constructed platforms where pelicans nest.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Athens, Serres, Trikala, Meteora

Languages English, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Ride from Athens to Lake Kerkini via Trikala and Meteora

• Get acquainted with your BMW rental motorcycle at the tour company's office. After a short briefing on the tour and itinerary, set off on your BMW. All destinations and points of interest will be uploaded to the GPS provided with the motorcycle.
• Start your journey and travel northbound. Pass by Trikala and Meteora before taking Egnatia Odos to Serres and then continuing on to Lake Kerkini, Kerkini 62055. The route is spectacular, and numerous stops will make this long ride pleasant, exciting, and fully enjoyable. (Duration: 6 hours)

2

Day 02

Lake Kerkini Boat Tour and Fort Roupel Exploration

• Ride to beautiful Lake Kerkini, Kerkini, on the foothills of Mount Belles. It is one of the most important wetlands in Europe and is considered one of the top European birdwatching destinations. About 300 bird species have been observed here: some nest, some winter, and others stop over for rest or food. Among them, the pelican and the pygmy cormorant are threatened with extinction. The area is also one of the most important cormorant and heron colonies of the Northern Balkan Peninsula.
• Don't miss the chance to participate in various outdoor activities that will refresh your mind and soothe your soul. Go on a romantic boat ride in traditional boats called "plaves" and observe, from a safe distance, the specially constructed platforms where pelicans nest. (Duration: 3 hours)
• Examine the Rupel fortifications in Sidirokastro, not far from the Serres-Promachona national road that leads to the Greek-Bulgarian border. They are located a short distance from the border in a narrow gorge through which the River Strimonas flows. (Duration: 2 hours)

3

Day 03

Serres Heritage and the Alistrati Cave Complex

• Stop at Serres, Central Macedonia, and see the place where cultures and religions met. Although there is no muezzin to call the faithful to prayer, there are still three extremely well-preserved buildings from the Ottoman occupation, which ended in 1913. Two are mosques - Zincirli and Ahmet Pasha - and the third is the Bezesteni market, which now houses the Archaeological Museum and is well known for its six domes. If you have a sweet tooth, then Serres is the place to be. They have wonderful Turkish delights, Akanedes in the local dialect and Loukoumia in Greek, as well as the most famous Bougatsa, a pastry pie filled with creme patisserie and dusted with powdered sugar. There are also varieties of bougatsa with savoury fillings like cheese, spinach, or minced meat, but nothing compares to the sweet, sugary taste of the original. (Duration: 2 hours)
• The next stop is the Alistrati cave complex, one of the largest and most beautiful systems in Greece. Although known for many years to the local population, it only started being explored in 1975 by the Hellenic Speleological Society. Its explored surface reaches 25,000 sq.m, and its stalagmites and stalactites are of unique and rare beauty. (Duration: 2 hours)

4

Day 04

Return to Athens via Palaios Panteleimonas

• Stop at Palaios Panteleimonas, Pieria Region, Central Macedonia (1 hour), one of the most picturesque villages of Northern Greece. The stunning views of the Thessaly valleys and the Aegean Sea will allow you to relax. The shade of the plane trees in the main square and authentic Greek coffee are a must.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Use of a BMW rental motorcycle

• Use of a helmet for the duration of the tour

• GPS with POIs

• Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in a respected, centrally located hotel in the vicinity of Lake Kerkini

• Planning and organization of the tour

• All fees and taxes

What's Not Included

• Admission to points of interest

• Tolls, if applicable

• Refuelling

• Lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages

• Tour guide

What to bring

• A valid motorcycle license is required for the specific category of the motorcycle rental.
• An international motorcycle license is required where applicable.

Know before you go

• Participation ages are between 22 and 70 years old.
• All tours start and end at the tour provider's premises.
• 950 EUR per adult - pax 1 person for a single room.
• 1100 EUR per group - pax 2 people sharing a double room.
• Fort Roupel: This place is of strategic importance for entry into Greek or Bulgarian territory and was fortified in 1914, when Fort Rupel was built there. This fort became the most renowned in the whole of Greece, and not unjustifiably so. With World War I raging, the advance of the German and Bulgarian armies was stopped in front of this fort. On the eve of World War II, a new line of defence was built to repel an invasion into Greece from Bulgaria. For three days, the fort held out against German and Bulgarian attacks and was only abandoned by its men after the surrender of the Greek army in Thessaloniki.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Athens, Greece

Tour start

Athens, Greece

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.