Skra Waterfalls and Emerald Lake
Near the village of Skra, a series of waterfalls feeds a natural pool of turquoise waters, known as Emerald Lake. The forest trail makes the visit especially pleasant on hot days.
Europe / Greece · TRAVEL GUIDE
PeoniaCentral Macedonia · Greece
DISCOVER · PLAN · GO
OpenStreetMap / OpenCycleMap + Geraki · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
One destination.
A thousand ways to live it.
In northern Greece, Paionia preserves a mosaic of villages, archaeological remains, and natural landscapes that are still little explored. Here you can alternate a stroll through the streets of with an excursion to the Skra Waterfalls or a discovery of ancient Europos.
6 places to see1 / 3 / 7-day itinerariesInteractive map
THE PLACES THAT TELL PEONIA
Worth seeing, worth remembering.
Monastery of Panagia
This Orthodox monastery is one of the most important religious sites in the area and preserves a famous icon of the Virgin Mary. The visit also offers the chance to explore the historic center of .
Archaeological site of ancient Europos
The remains of ancient Europos tell the story of a Macedonian settlement that flourished in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The archaeological area is located near the modern village of Evropos.
Skra Battle Memorial
The memorial commemorates the battle fought in May 1918 on the heights of Skra during World War I. It is a meaningful stop for learning about the region’s modern history.
Axioupoli Natural History Museum
The museum displays artifacts and materials dedicated to the geology, fossils, and biodiversity of the area. It is an interesting visit to delve into the natural heritage of Paionia.
myself · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
This village is known for its traditional streets, churches, and wine production, supported by the vineyards surrounding the town. Stop in the center to soak up the atmosphere of rural Macedonia.
CHOOSE YOUR PACE
How much time
do you have to get lost?
From a first stroll to a week of discoveries. A starting point to make your own.
A sensory journey through the historic vineyards of Goumenissa and the spectacular crystal-clear waters of the local waterfalls.
- 1Historic center of Goumenissa
- 2Monastery of Panagia Goumenissa
- 3Local wineries (AOC Goumenissa)
- 4Skra Waterfalls and Emerald Lake
Three days to explore the cultural heritage of Axioupoli, the villages of Mount Paiko, and the region’s outstanding food and wine experiences.
- 1Natural History Museum of Axioupoli
- 2Monastery of Saint Nicodemus (Pentalofos)
- 3Mountain village of Kastaneri
- 4Hiking trails of Mount Paiko
- 5Skra Waterfalls
- 6Emerald Lake (Koupa)
- 7Main Square of Goumenissa
- 8World War I Memorial in Polykastro
An immersive experience that combines nature trekking, Greek archaeology, and the discovery of the rural traditions of Central Macedonia.
- 1Goumenissa and its ancient fountains
- 2Vineyards and tasting at Aidarini Winery
- 3Archaeological site of Europos
- 4Axioupoli Natural History Museum
- 5Skra Waterfalls and the Stalactite Cave
- 6Emerald Lake
- 7Kastaneri Village and chestnut forests
- 8Summit of Mount Paiko
- 9Monastery of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene
- 10Banks of the Axios River (Birdwatching)
- 11Memorial to the Allied Forces of Polykastro
- 12Gorgopi Village and Roman remains
- 13Tatsis Organic Winery
- 14Pentalofos and its local specialties
- 15Idomeni and the border trails
GET YOUR BEARINGS, THEN EXPLORE
The city takes shape.
Stop after stop.
BEFORE YOU GO
A well-planned trip.
Getting around
Peonia is a wide area, with places and attractions spread across several towns: a car is the most practical way to explore it. The roads connect the main towns, but in the rural surroundings services can be far apart. KTEL buses serve some locations and connect the area with Kilkis and other cities, but departures can be infrequent: check the timetables before setting off. In the built-up areas, it’s easy to get around on foot, while for excursions it’s best to plan your travel in advance.
When to go
Spring and early autumn are ideal for visiting Peonia, thanks to generally mild temperatures and pleasant conditions for exploring the countryside and villages. Summer can be hot, especially in the middle of the day: plan visits for the morning or late afternoon and bring water. In winter, the weather is colder and some services in smaller localities may have reduced hours.
Where to eat
For the widest choice, look for tavernas and restaurants in the larger towns in the area, such as Polykastro, Axioupoli and . Local cuisine features traditional Greek dishes, grilled meats, cheeses and seasonal produce; around , you can pair your meal with local wines. Opening hours can vary in town, so it’s worth checking in advance, especially outside peak season.
Quick tips
- 01If you want to visit several places in the same day, consider renting a car: distances and the frequency of public transport can make getting around time-consuming.
- 02Check KTEL bus timetables and any changes on weekends and public holidays.
- 03Bring cash for small shops and villages, where card payments may not always be available.
- 04If you plan to cross the border into North Macedonia, check the required documents and the latest border-crossing conditions beforehand.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Wake up in the right place.
Where to stay · Peonia
1 night · max 14 nights
Observed average price · EUR/night
1 night · 1 room · 2 adults · no children
Data still limited · Sample: up to 3 distinct hotels, 7 real searches in the last 48 hours, for this query. Not the official average of the destination and not guaranteed to be representative.
Arrival date
Lowest price among the hotels found
among 3 hotels with a LiteAPI price for this search, not the absolute lowest of the destination
Park Hotel Polykastro
Eparchiaki Odos Kilkis-Aksioupolis terma stadioy, Polykastro, Polýkastron
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$72
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Prices are real for the searched dates and may change. Click a point on the chart to change arrival keeping the length of stay.
Real prices for your dates
Park Hotel Polykastro
Eparchiaki Odos Kilkis-Aksioupolis terma stadioy, Polykastro, Polýkastron
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$72
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Hotel Astro
Olympiou Dios 1, Polýkastron
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$74
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Elite Home
Dimosthenous 3, Polýkastron
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$112
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Villa Apartment with 3 bedrooms
40.99322200562817, 22.598182877539088 Apartment No4- Ground floor, Polýkastron
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
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