Places to visit
Fanari beaches
Fanari is famous for its iconic blue flag beaches, a marker for environmental safety, and quality standards. Barakouda beach, the village?s main beach, is the place to go for a refreshing midday swim. Skala, the beach in front of the crowded promenade with the restaurants and caf?s, is ideal for families and children playing whereas Ioulia beach, parallel to the main port of Fanari, is ideal for people with reduced mobility as a wheelchair ramp has recently been installed. In total, Fanari has five beaches and a coastline stretch that many Greek islands would be jealous of!
Distance: everything is nearby. You can walk or drive.
Monastery of St. Nicolas
The monastery of St. Nicholas is located on the island of Lake Vistonida, near the village of Porto Lagos and is the area of the Vatopedi Monastery on Athos and especially beloved in Greece. The monastery has great religious and historical values, being a true treasure for the region, and now operates as a pilgrim center, attracting pilgrims and visitors from different countries.
A few meters from the Monastery of Nicholas on the neighboring smaller island connected by a small wooden bridge, there is the Church of Panagia Pantanassa, where is located the list of the miraculous image of the Mother of God Pantanassa and here many patients and their families come to worship and ask for healing. The list like the miraculous icon gives healing especially from cancer.
Distance: 9.5 km, 10 minutes by car
Vistonida lake
In the middle of a large and fertile plain marking the boundary between the regions of Rodope and Xanthi lies Lake Vistonida, one of the most beautiful wetlands in Europe. It is the fourth largest lake in the country, covering an area of 45 km2, a dreamy location where the green hues of the forests meet the azure of the sea.
The wetland is a birds paradise for populations of the entire European continent, as 260 species of birds have been observed here. The list grows longer every year with observations of new species. These birds of passage visit the wetland and Greece as they traverse from other continents (America, Asia). So, carry with you a pair of binoculars, a high definition zoom camera, follow your guide and you are off for a unique bird watching experience!
Distance: 6.5 km, 7 minutes by car
