Table of Contents:
SEE FLORINA
SEE KOZANI
GREVENA
KASTORIA
If you look at the Greek map, you see Western Macedonia in Greece’s upper left corner. This region is another area many non-Greeks have yet to discover.
Few ancient manmade structures are remaining. But the natural sights make up for the lack of temples.
In the summer, there are numerous activities on the lakes and mountains.
The winter offers many “alpine-looking” scenes and snow skiing and boarding.
The region has a tradition on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.
Ancient Western Macedonia.
The history includes ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and numerous invaders from the north.
The borders of Macedonia flip flop through history, getting larger and smaller.
The name Macedonia was on the map since 800 B.C.
Phillip II and his son Alexander the Great get things going circa 359 B.C.
The Romans will rule over the area until the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Invaders from the north will call it home until the Ottomans arrive circa 1430 A.D.
Western Macedonia Today.
Today, on its north, it shares two international borders. The Republic of North Macedonia is due north, and Albania is to the northwest.
Western Macedonia has four regional units of Florina (north), Kozani (east), Grevena (south), and Kastoria (west).
There are approximately 280,000 people in the region. Only five have populations over 10,000 residents.
Let’s see what people are missing when they do not explore the Western Macedonia region of Greece.
See Western Macedonia’s Florina
Florina is a town and capital of the region with the same name.
Its motto is, ‘Where Greece begins,’ and it makes up most of the northern section of Western Macedonia.
There are scenic villages, numerous lakes, and mountains.
Using the town as a base, there are many things you can reach as day trips.
The town itself has several small museums that may take you 20-60 minutes each to see. There are five different folklore museums and an art gallery.
Nymfaio
This charming hillside village is on many “prettiest villages of Greece” lists.
Once very prosperous, the city boasts many mansions of stone.
There is a small gold and folkloric museum. The tavernas are plentiful for a village of its size. In winter, with snow, it is magical.
Kajmakcalan
This mountain on the border between Greece and North Macedonia reaches a height of 8,271 ft. In September 1916, a battle between Serbian and Bulgarian troops took place here, resulting in a Serbian victory. A small church and crypt honor the Serbian soldiers who died in battle. On the Greek side is a small church to Saint Peter.
Prespa National Park
The majority of the park is in Albania, but it includes Greece’s Small Prespa Lake. Just north is Big Lake Prespa in Greece, but larger portions are in Albania and Northern Macedonia.
Small towns along the smaller lake offer stone buildings, charming churches, and excellent waterside restaurants.
Agios Achillios
This small island is at the north end of the small lake. The island is a hidden treat only accessible by a long pedestrian walkway or boat.
There are about a dozen buildings of various sizes, many with stone walls.
Lake Petron
Less than an hour east of Florina is this picturesque lake. It is a stopping place for European birds migrating. See Western Macedonia’s wine region nearby.
Lake Zazari
This small lake is an important wetland and a member of the Natura 2000 network. Some think it one of the prettiest lakes in Greece.
You can see Florina has many different sites to explore. Many require a good deal of walking to reach.
Bring a guide book and hopefully a few Greek words.
See Kozani.
The capital of the Kozani region goes by the same name. You will find it in the eastern section of Western Macedonia.
The town has more than 70,000 residents, so there are more restaurants, hotels, and things to do.
It makes an excellent base for exploring the eastern part of Western Macedonia.
Krokos
Just south of Kozani, this town is the center (coop) of more than 2000 Saffron producers. More than 40 villages grow the pure red saffron. Much of it has organic certification. The Saffron has P.D.O. status.
The Mountains.
A large part of Kozani has hills and mountains. This makes for scenic hikes in the warm months and snow activities in the winter.
The ski areas are to the far east, near the border with Central Macedonia.
If you find yourself in Kozani between December 25 to January 5, check out the 12-day Momoeria festival. The festival takes place in eight villages and is on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List.
The festival asks for good luck and prosperity in the new year. This luck includes healthy babies, making natural resources sustainable, protection of the harvests, and more.
Each night they end in the town square with a bonfire and everyone singing and dancing until daybreak.
See Grevena.
At the southern end of Western Macedonia is the region of Grevena and its capital of the same name. There are several friendly hotels and restaurants. The town has no significant sites.
The region is famous for its numerous bridges.
The Bridges of Grevena County (region).
One of the highlights of the Grevena area is the many bridges.
More than fifteen stone bridges dating from the Ottoman period are in Grevena. Many of these bridges include stones from previous Roman structures.
Some of the bridges are on the Venetikos river.
Dotsiko is a charming hillside village 40 minutes west of Grevena. Here you can see the Dotsiko stone bridge. The Liatissas bridge is near Spelaio, and there are others.
Venetikos River
The river offers several options. Flowing west to east, you can reach it fifteen minutes drive south from Grevena.
There are hiking paths along the river in many places, some following former Roman routes.
Canyons, some only a few yards wide, enclose the river in areas.
Vasilitsa Ski Center
An hour west of Grevena, the ski center has eight different lifts and numerous ski areas from beginner to expert.
In the summer, there is a bike park.
There is one small hotel, but the majority of accommodations are in other villages.
When driving from Central Macedonia to the monasteries at Meteora, the quickest route is through Grevena.
Why not plan to arrive early afternoon and see some of the areas, then spend the night.
Or explore after breakfast before continuing.
Grevena has many different activities year-round. Come for the bridges, but see the rest.
See Western Macedonia’s Kastoria.
Kastoria, the capital of the region with the same name, sits on Lake Orestiada. It is in the western area of Western Macedonia. It offers numerous hiking trails in the summer and snow activities in the winter.
The town has a fair share of Byzantine and Ottoman-era architecture, which is unusual in this part of Greece. The lake borders the city on the north and south as Kastoria is on a peninsula.
Monastery of Virgin Mary
This 11-century monastery is on the point of the peninsula. You can walk to it in less than an hour. It is a small compound with a red bell tower. The setting is beautiful.
The natural cave contains stalactites, stalagmites as well as four lakes. Parts of the cave are wheelchair accessible.
Archeologikos Choros Proistorikos Limneos Ikismos
The remains of this settlement date to circa 3000 B.C. Many artifacts, including ceramics, figurines, personal ornaments, and instruments, are in the museum.
The wooden Dispilio Tablet, dating from 5000 B.C., is not on display and is in a controlled environment.
Mount Gramos.
Two hours drive west of Kastoria is this all-season mountain.
In the winter, it is the site of backcountry snow skiing and boarding.
In the summer, it is home to hiking, mountain biking, climbers, and more.
Western Macedonia Cuisine.
We know they have spices and seasoning. The dishes center around what they grow locally.
The Western Macedonia diet is a mixture of Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Balkan cuisines with a local twist.
Alpine valleys lend flavor to the goat and sheep milk Manouri cheese.
The salty, semi-hard P.D.O. Batzos cheese is also from goat or sheep’s milk.
The P.D.O. Verginis Kaseri Cheese from Kastoria is 80% sheep, with only a dash of goat’s milk.
Also, P.D.O. Kefalograviera cheese is heavy on the sheep’s milk.
The area is not conducive to cattle raising. New techniques are underway to introduce a breed that will thrive.
Until then, goat and sheep (lamb) meat are the most popular. Some places you may find Buffalo.
Seafood is not on many menus as the region has no seashore.
Fresh fish from the lakes and streams are popular.
Menus feature fresh produce in the summer and hearty stews in the winter.
Grevena is famous for its mushrooms and Kastoria for meatballs.
The local wines include whites, reds, and roses. Where there is wine, there is Retsina and Tsipouro. I think they may be homemade as they can be a little eye-opening.
See Western Macedonia Summary.
To see Western Macedonia takes a little planning, but it is worth it.
Incorporate it with a trip to Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki) or Epirus. Both are less than 90 minutes from Western Macedonia.
Bring a useful guide or guide book, as many sites do not have English descriptions.
A phrasebook or a few words in Greek will also be helpful. This area does not receive numerous English-speaking guests.
The numerous mountains, a reason for its smaller population, is one of its most remarkable features.
Summer or winter, Western Macedonia has activities for the energetic and scenery for everyone else.
The lodgings are quaint. American chain hotels are only in large cities.
Mama is in or near the kitchen in most restaurants. No skimping here.
Come, see Western Macedonia and discover for yourself.