Nestos river

Nestos, the wildlife refuge 

In the Municipality of Nestos, about 28km. east of Kavala, is Chrysoupolis, the administrative seat of the present municipality, built in the middle of a particularly fertile plain crossed by the river Nestos. A modern city, with rich vegetation, because it is located next to the cluster of lakes of Nestos. The mountainous volume, the coasts combined with the lowland zone, compose a unique destination of beauty.

Nestos is one of the five largest and most important rivers in Greece. It originates from Mount Rila in Bulgaria and flows into the Thracian Sea. It is the natural boundary of Macedonia and Thrace. 

The flow of the river from the Greek-Bulgarian border to its estuary has created a multitude of ecosystems that host many plants and animals, many of which are rare or endangered. The visitor can tour the paths of Nestos on foot or from the special facilities by bike thus enjoying the dense vegetation and the "purity" of the landscape. 

The area around the river has great natural wealth and one can come across a variety of habitat grids that host exceptional species of flora and fauna, such as plane trees, splinters, ities, oaks, wild beaches, orchids, violets and much more. 

In the fauna of the region it is worth mentioning some of the rarest mammals in Greece such as bear, wolf, deer and otter. There are also 250 species of birds, most of which are rare or threatened with extinction. 

Lagoons, green banks, wild animals and birds, caves and rocks are just some of the wonders of nature that you will encounter in the area of Nestos.

Delta (Koja Orman) 

The Nestos Delta, which is located southeast of Chrysoupolis and mingles with the sea. Delta is one of the most important wetlands in Greece and Europe. It extends between Nea Karvali and Avdira.  

The green banks, the blue sea and the formations of the currents are a unique setting, in which nature seems to have exhausted all its passion and imagination. Its environment creates an ideal refuge for wild animals and birds and is a global migratory station. The creation of lagoons in the region favours fish farming which is an important source of revenue for local residents. Part of it is protected by the Ramsar Treaty and the European Natura 2000 network. 

In the Delta area there are two Information Centres, the Nestos River Forest Visitor Reception Centre and the Nestos Delta Information Centre, whose main concern is the proper management and service of visitors. They facilitate the access, the tour and the acquaintance of the latter with the river so that they have the opportunity to enjoy in depth the unique natural beauty that nature generously gave to this place. The aim of the Centres is to leave visitors complete images and experiences while ensuring the good condition of the river forest.
 

Tempi of the river Nestos 

In the mountainous boundaries of the Prefecture of Kavala with the Prefecture of Xanthi, are the straits of Nestos. The area is included in the 'special protection areas'. Dense trees, caves on the rocks, sandy beaches and wild animals are mosaics of this unique natural "mosaic". This unique route covers 22 km. and is ideal for walking, hiking and extreme sports. 

Activities  

Rafting on the Nesto River. A river-donor of life, which all the way to its mouth in the Aegean creates conditions of life and gives color to all the riverside areas of its perpetual course, creating enchanting images.  

Walking in the riverside forest (Koja Orman) and bird watching.  

Try getting Nesto down with kanoe-cayak! Visit the village of Archers from where the excursions begin and live a unique experience in nature. 

 Also, if you are in the area, don't miss:  

• The famous "sand language" of Keramoti, a peninsula that penetrates the sea and reminds of an exotic destination. Amazing place to swim! 
• The beaches of Timamari and Agiasm. 
• Points of religious interest: The monastery of the Savior in the Monastery of Nikita, the church of Ioannis Prodromos in Dysvatos, the chapel of Panagia in the Basin. 
• The watermills in Dipotamos. 
• Museums: The Museum of History and Art of the Municipality of Nestos, the Folklore Agricultural Museum "Lazaridis" in Petropigi and the Folklore Museum of the Basin.