Lake Zazari

Directions

Λίμνη Ζάζαρη

Lake Zazari, also called Lake Agioi Theodoroi and locally Mikrolimni, is a small lake of about 1.85 km² at about 600 m in the south of Florina, at the foot of Mount Vernon, among forests, meadows and farmland. It is part of the Natura 2000 network, and the village of Limnochori stands on its banks.

How it formed

The Sklithro river and underground springs feed it, and a canal carries its overflow to Lake Chimaditida, about 2 km away. A hot spring in the north of the lake supplies small thermal baths, known locally as hamams. It often freezes in harsh winters.

Nature

Despite its size it holds many birds, with herons, spoonbills, long-legged buzzards, Dalmatian pelicans and pygmy cormorants among them. Water lilies bloom on the water, with reeds, willows, poplars and alders on the banks, and carp, pike and Balkan barbel swim below.

Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

Take the Egnatia motorway to the Ptolemaida exit and follow the road through Levaia towards Nymfaio; the lakes appear on the left just before the junction. Limnochori has guesthouses, cafés, food, a grocery and a small harbour. The lake is about 43 km from Florina.

You can hike, cycle and watch birds around the lake, and go out by canoe or boat when conditions allow. Spring and autumn are the best times; winter can make access difficult.