Plizio Visual Lab
Dadia Forest
The Dadia Forest, located in the Evros regional unit of northeastern Greece, is one of Europe's most vital protected areas for birds. Established as a protected site in 1980, it now forms a national park covering approximately 428 square kilometers. The forest is internationally renowned for its extraordinary diversity of raptors; it is the only location in Europe where three of the four European vulture species, the Cinereous vulture, the Griffon vulture, and the Egyptian vulture, coexist and breed. The landscape is a mosaic of pine and oak forests interspersed with open clearings and rocky outcrops. This unique habitat provides good nesting and hunting grounds for 36 out of the 38 raptor species found in Europe. Geographically situated at the crossroads of major migration flyways between Europe, Asia, and Africa, it serves as a crucial stopover point. In addition to birds, the park hosts a rich variety of amphibians, reptiles, and rare mammals such as the wildcat. Despite challenges from recent forest fires, Dadia remains a critical hub for biodiversity conservation and ecological research.
- Location: Greece
- Nearby: Didymoteicho (33 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 75 | 59 | 51 | 39 | 45 | 40 | 25 | 14 | 41 | 64 | 62 | 76 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Designated as a protected area in 1980 in NE Greece.
- Only place in Europe where three vulture species breed together.
- Home to 36 of the 38 species of European birds of prey.
- The national park covers an area of approximately 428 square kilometers.
- Consists mainly of Calabrian pine and various oak forest types.
- Critical crossroads for migratory birds across three continents.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Dadia Forest (1)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Dadia forest famous?
Is there an information center?
How can I watch the vultures?
Are there marked hiking trails?
Is the park accessible after fires?
Dadia Forest: where is it located?
Dadia Forest: when is the best time to visit?
Dadia Forest: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
