Dadia Monastery
64 km from the center
About
Built at the base of a lush 80-metre rock at the "Palaiochora" site inside the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park, the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos of Dadia is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary. Its exact founding date is unknown, but records mention a monastery here as early as the beginning of the 17th century.
Around 1850 the monastery flourished, holding considerable property that is no longer traceable today. Surrounded by low hills and abundant water, it is a natural stop for visitors to the Dadia forest, internationally known for its birds of prey.
Useful Tips
- Θέση Παλαιοχώρα, Εθνικό Πάρκο Δάσους Δαδιάς, 10,5 χλμ ΝΔ του Σουφλίου.
- Ελεύθερη είσοδος.
Photos
Useful Information
- Διάρκεια
- 30-45 λεπτά
Weather in Alexandroupoli
LiveFrom April to June and from September to October you get warm days, calm sea, and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy along the seafront, while winters stay mild but rainy.
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The walk along Alexandroupoli's harbour is one of the city's most beautiful and characteristic experiences, ideal for relaxing at any time of day. It usually starts right after the Lighthouse square, heading down towards the sea, with unobstructed views over the Thracian Sea and Samothraki. The best time for the walk is sunset, when the sky is painted in unique colors. Along the harbour you will find the historic stone Customs House buildings, a landmark of the area. The old stone Customs Warehouses have been restored and transformed into a cultural venue; Warehouses 1 and 3 have been named in honour of former mayors Georgios Alexandris and Triantafyllos Arvanitidis, and host exhibitions, talks, book presentations, conferences and cultural events, while in summer the surrounding area comes alive with open-air events, concerts and festivals. You will see the picturesque fishing boats and caiques of the city moored there, giving the place its traditional atmosphere. Right on the harbour you will find N.O.A. (Nautical Overseas Adventures) , an all-day cafe-bar-restaurant with a huge outdoor area by the water, ideal for coffee, food or a cocktail, with its own free parking.
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ΠΡΟΤΕΙΝΟΜΕΝΟNEWAn Unforgettable Weekend in Alexandroupoli
A carefully planned two-day itinerary for anyone who wants to experience Alexandroupoli like a local over a single weekend: traditional bougatsa in the morning, a swim at an organised beach, a sunset walk to the Lighthouse and an evening out for dinner and drinks. Saturday: bougatsa, the sea, a harbour sunset, dinner and a drink. Sunday: morning coffee, shopping, a swim and lunch by the beach, evening souvenir shopping. A good starting point if arriving from Turkey: stop at Jumbo and Lidl on the way into the city.
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ΠΡΟΤΕΙΝΟΜΕΝΟNEWEvros Delta National Park
A boat ride through the channels of the Evros Delta, one of Europe's most important Ramsar wetlands, rich in birdlife. Organised boat excursions are run by Delta Evros Explorer, departing from the Information Centre in Traianoupoli or with hotel pickup in Alexandroupoli (extra cost).
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NEWEvros Delta Flora and Fauna Museum
A museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Evros Delta, operating under the Evros Delta Information Centre (KEPADA), complementing a visit to the wetland with exhibits on the species that live there.
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NEWPlatanotopos of Maistros
A short day trip just 2 km east of Alexandroupoli, to Platanotopos of Maistros - the area's most popular recreation spot, especially on May Day, when hundreds of people come for picnics under the plane trees. It is fully equipped, with tables and benches, drinking fountains, basketball and football pitches, plus exercise equipment, chess and ping-pong. The same grounds also host the Natural History Museum, with exhibits on the biodiversity of the Evros region.
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NEWDadia Forest: Wild Nature, Hiking and Birds of Prey Watching
One of the most important nature excursions in Evros leads to the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park, a large protected area in the heart of Evros, known throughout Europe for its unique importance for birds of prey. The National Park covers approximately 428,000 stremmata and lies in a distinctive geographic position, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and near a major bird migration corridor. The landscape is a mosaic of forests, clearings, scrubland and agricultural land, shaped by the long coexistence of people and nature. The area is protected for its exceptionally rich biodiversity, and in particular for the birds of prey that nest or pass through here. The Dadia Forest The forest is characterised by extensive wooded areas, with oak and pine, glades and ravines that create a very different landscape from the lowland and coastal parts of Evros. The area is a habitat for many species of wildlife. Among the animals one may encounter in the wider area are roe deer, wild boar, foxes, hares and wolves, while the presence of many bird species makes the forest particularly interesting for nature watchers. Dadia's great value, however, lies mainly in its birds of prey. The Cinereous Vulture and the Raptors Dadia is one of the most important sites in Europe for the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), one of Europe's largest birds of prey. Despite the heavy losses caused by the 2023 wildfire, the species' population continues to show remarkable resilience. According to the most recent data from OFYPEKA, 44 active Cinereous Vulture pairs were recorded during the June 2026 breeding season, a number that remains close to the high of 47 pairs recorded the previous year. The area is also home to black storks, short-toed eagles, common buzzards, lesser spotted eagles and other raptor and forest species. Sightings are not guaranteed, as these are wild animals, but their very presence is one of the main reasons Dadia has gained international renown. Dadia Information Centre Before setting out to explore the area, it is worth stopping at the Information Centre of the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park, in the village of Dadia. There you can learn about the ecosystem, the area's species, the routes currently available and the current access conditions. The Centre is open daily 08:00-16:00, and for information on visits and routes you can call 25540 32202. OFYPEKA also provides the number 25540 32209 for information and bookings for the Birds of Prey Observatory. Hiking in the Forest Dadia has historically had a network of marked hiking trails running through forest, clearings, old cart tracks and ravines. Here, though, particular caution is needed: after the major 2023 wildfire, the condition of the trails has changed, and it should not be assumed that all the old trails are available today. The older yellow and orange trails have been affected by the burned areas and have at times been closed. The situation may keep changing as restoration and clearing work continues. So for an actual hike in Dadia, do not rely on old maps or descriptions without checking first. Before setting out, contact the Information Centre to find out which route is open and safe on the day. The Gkimprena Trail One of the area's best-known hiking routes is the Gkimprena trail, marked in red and blue. The classic route is about 10 km, of moderate difficulty, and leads towards the summit of Gkimprena. It is a route for hikers in good physical condition, not a casual walk. There are also more recent trail records for the area, but trail conditions may have changed due to the effects of the wildfire and the forest's natural regeneration. For that reason, up-to-date information from OFYPEKA should always precede any hike. The Route to the Observatory For those who want to experience Dadia without a long hike, there is organised access to the Birds of Prey Observatory. OFYPEKA runs a 15-seat bus transferring visitors to the observatory. The departures currently listed by the Information Centre are 08:30, 10:00, 11:30 and 13:00, running daily, Monday to Sunday. A seat requires booking/confirmation by calling 25540 32209. This matters, because visitors do not need to treat a visit to Dadia purely as a hike. You can experience the forest and reach the observatory via the organised transfer, and then spend time in the village and the wider area. Dadia After the Wildfire Today's Dadia looks different from how it did before the major 2023 wildfire. The fire caused extensive loss of forest vegetation and habitat, yet the area remains an exceptionally important ecosystem and is undergoing natural regeneration alongside active conservation work. The resilience of the ecosystem is also reflected in the Cinereous Vulture's trajectory. OFYPEKA continues to monitor the population and carry out conservation actions, including artificial nests. This makes visiting Dadia today a different experience: you see not just an old, dense forest, but a living ecosystem that is recovering and continues to host rare species. Dadia as a Day Trip If you have a full day available, it is worth not limiting your visit to the Information Centre. You can start at Dadia, learn about the area and the routes available, visit the observatory via the organised transfer, and then explore the village and the wider area. 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