The small village of Porto Lagos is the northernmost Greek port, with all the necessary facilities for the maintenance of boats, yachts and small ships. But the influx of tourists in the area is mainly to the turnoff before it – the floating monastery of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas)! And the wooden bridges leading to it reveal beautiful landscapes to the flora and fauna of Lake Vistonida!
Where is located and how to get there
Porto Lagos is almost equidistant from Xanthi (26 km) and Komotini (31 km), with easy access from the main highway in northern Greece. For us, it turned out to be a perfect stop to split the road between Burgas and Thessaloniki, with 225 km remaining until our final destination. Another popular destination in the area is Kavala, only 74 km away. There is a spacious parking lot around the entrance, where you can leave your car in peace.
See places to stay around Porto Lagos
Booking.comMore about the area
A narrow strip of land separates the fourth largest lake in Greece (Vistonida) from the waters of the Thracian Sea. Thus, one of the largest wetlands in Europe was created, which developed a unique ecosystem and became home to hundreds of plant and animal species. This is the reason for the presence of pink flamingos in the area around Porto Lagos. Exotic birds often gather in large groups and become a unique attraction!
More about Agios Nikolaos Monastery
The exact information about the establishment of the monastery is hidden among several legends about an early Byzantine temple in honor of the Virgin Mary, shipwrecked fishermen saved by Saint Nicholas, and about a hermit monk who healed the sick daughter of a local bey. But it seems that today’s monastery of Agios Nikolaos appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s a metoch, subordinate to the second in the hierarchy of Mount Athos – the Vatopedi monastery.
Raised on islands deep in the lagoon, the monastery complex of Agios Nikolaos creates the feeling that floats on the water… A wooden bridge takes us literally over she to find ourselves in his main part. There is a small church shop there, offering souvenirs and other interesting things. You can sit on one of the benches with a view of the surrounding nature or in the shade under the huge tree in the yard.
Bright shades of blue and white add a nice Mediterranean flavor, and the captivating calm can make you lose track of time… A second wooden bridge leads further into the water, to the small church of Panagia Pantanassa, which houses a replica of a miraculous icon of the Virgin Pantanassa from the Vatopedi Monastery.
