Lake Doirani

Lake Doirani is located in the prefecture of Kilkis, 75 km north of Thessaloniki on the border of Greece and the former Yugoslavia. It has an area of ​​40 sq. Km, however, only 1/3 opens in our country.

The diversity of local vegetation and the abundance of fauna, combined with the elements of the modern history of the area, compose a special landscape. In the homonymous settlement of Doirani, next to the bank, one will see the abandoned wagons of the old railway station and the Cemetery of the British Soldiers on the hill behind the settlement of the First World War.

The huge grain crops and the wetlands around the lake are used as pastures while the area is characterized by intense livestock and agricultural activity since after the reduction of fish production the boats have been abandoned on the shores of the lake by fishermen.

The climate of Lake Doirani is Mediterranean with hot summers and wet winters. The lake is located on the border between two tectonic plates in an area with a particularly seismic area. Its depth is about 4 meters.

In the waters of the lake grow plants such as myrtle leaves and river neighbors and reeds that compose the aquatic vegetation of the wetland while in the lakeside forest we find the white willows or white poplars that create a magical landscape. The fauna around the lake is also impressive since the Greek part of the Lake has been included in the list of Special Protection Zones.

About 36 species of rare and protected birds use the area to nest, a park during migration, overwinter, or search for food, including the world-endangered Pelican and Lagoon. Some of the seabirds that we will meet in the Lake are the diphtheria, the kryptotsnikias, the baltokirkos, the diplosaino, the chalkokata, the bekatsini, the avoceta, the “lord of the swamps” etc.

Improper exploitation of the lake has led to the extinction of many species of fish that lived in the lake. In the past, there were 18 species of fish, mainly the carp, the goulianos, the platitsa and the perch which, together with the pike, the red-winged, the glin and the circus, abounded in its waters and were tradable. Other species were the eel, the tilinari, the piglet, the murmuritsa, the virgina, the butterfly, the mosquito fish, the gold needle, the ferro needle, the gypsy fish, etc.

In the Forest of Mulberry, which is located north of the settlement of Doirani and has been designated a Preserved Monument of Nature, with the nickname “Thousand Trees“, many mammals find shelter, such as weasels, foxes, badgers, ferrets and hares. Amphibians such as the bald eagle and the crested newt are some that can be found.

During your stay at Lake Doirani do not forget to eat at the local fish taverns but also to visit the old border railway station Doirani, which has been renovated and operates as a bar.