ACTIVITIES IN AND NEAR NYMFAIO
AREA DESCRIPTION
The village of Nymfaio is a mountain settlement at an altitude of 1350m. which has been classified as a preserved traditional settlement since 1978. It belongs to the Municipality of Amyntaio of the Regional Unit of Florina. It is located at the southern end of the prefecture of Florina, on the eastern slopes of Mount Vernos. It is 57 km. from the city of Florina, 21 km. from Amyntaio and 40 km. from Ptolemaida.
Travel guides present it as one of the ten most beautiful villages in Europe, while in the UNESCO world competition it claimed the International Melina Mercouri Award for excellent management of cultural heritage and natural environment.
The village is surrounded by a beech forest and is crossed by cobblestone paths and stone-built houses. In recent years, with the contribution of important individuals, it has become a significant tourist attraction.
EXPERIENCES IN THE REGION
Nymfaio is an excellent choice to get in touch with nature, walk in beautiful streets, enjoy the unique wines from the surrounding area and relax in the cozy houses with the sound of the fireplace and the thick snowflakes outside to renew the beautiful white view.
It is located very close to remarkable places and routes that will certainly not leave your trip monotonous.
Ski resort Vigla Pisoderi/Verno – Florina
At the confluence of Varnous and Verno mountain chains, 19 km on the west side of Florina and at an altitude of 1650 m up to 2000 m, a “neck” is formed, where Vigla-Pissoderi crossing/passage is located. In this area, in a dense beech forest one of the best ski centers of Greece can be found.
The Vigla Pissoderi Ski Center has a total of 12 ski runs, out of which 9 downhill ski slopes, 2 cross country ski runs & one slope suitable for snowmobile
9 of the slopes are of Olympic standards and can service all skiers’ and snowboarders’ categories. The overall view of Prespa lake is combined with the view of the surrounding snow-covered mountain tops.
Nikeios School
The Nikeios School dates back to 1928. During the interwar period, more than 3,000 people lived in Nymfaio and there were 400 children who studied at the Nikeios School.
With the restoration of the village, where the Nikeios School was concerned, it was carried out in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and functioned as a model conference center. Since 1993, it has hosted the Environmental Information Center for the brown bear from Arcturus and operates a photography exhibition of the village
Nymfaio Forest
One of the best things to do in Nymfaio is to walk the paths through the Nymfaio forest. Arcturus has marked 6 paths through the Nymfaio forest. The first “the White Route” is the shortest. A half-hour walk among towering beech trees, pine trees and running water.
The feeling one experiences in the forest is indescribable. Those of you who are more familiar with hiking can look for the other five: Blue Route, Red Route, Blue Route, Pink Route, Orange Route.
Arktouros Bear Sanctuary
Arcturos is an environmental organization founded in 1992 with the aim of protecting wildlife and the natural environment. The species protected within its framework are the brown bear, the wolf, the shepherd dog, the wild goat, the otter, the deer, the roe deer, the jackal and the lynx.
You can visit the Bear Protection Center and see the bears that are housed in a fenced area of 50 acres. However, you can also visit the Wolf and Lynx Protection Center, where the animals are kept in 70 acres in the oak forest.
Horse Riding
In Nymfaio there is an Equestrian Club with a horse farm and riding school, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy rides with horses and foals. The rides are adapted for all ages and all levels (advanced or beginners).
Zazari Lake
Lake Zazari is 20-30 minutes from Nymfaio. It is located at an altitude of 602 meters at the foot of Mount Vernos.
Lake Zazari is fed by the Sklithros River which originates from Vernos and belongs to the protected areas of the Natura 2000 network and to its north there is a hot spring. There are various activities that you can do there, such as boating, canoeing, cycling, hiking and horseback riding.
Alpha Estate
Alpha Estate is located in the area of Amyntaio, Florina, with the Petra lake in the background. The goal of the Alpha Estate is to take special care in the exploitation of the privately owned vineyard of 850 acres, with the highest management standards. The viticultural ecosystem of the Amyntaio region brings together all the exceptional characteristics of a unique vineyard and the goal of the Alpha Estate team is to highlight the dynamism and uniqueness of the vineyard with absolute respect for the quality data of the winemaking process.
Arktouros - Nymfaio
How about a trip to the beautiful village of Nymphaeum? There you can meet all the bears hosted by Arcturos in a specially fenced area of 50 acres, at an altitude of 1,350m.
Ktima Alpha
Ktima Alpha is located in the area of Amyntaio, Florina, with the Petra lake in the background, between the picturesque Nymphaeum and the cosmopolitan winter destination of Agios Athanasios. The goal of the ktima Alpha is to take special care in the exploitation of the privately owned vineyard of 850 acres, with the highest management standards. The viticultural ecosystem of the Amyntaio region brings together all the exceptional characteristics of a unique vineyard and the goal of the ktima Alpha team is to highlight the dynamism and uniqueness of the vineyard with absolute respect for the quality data of the winemaking process.
