The Prefecture of Florina includes a well-preserved traditional settlement, recently declared one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Every year this jewel of Greek Macedonia becomes an attraction for travelers from all over the world.
Nymfaio is located 28 km from the center of Florina, at an altitude of 1350 meters, in eastern part of Vitsi mountain and the view is impressive. Until 1980 it seemed to become a ghost village, abandoned in the wilderness and deserted, but the people of the village relied on the natural and cultural richness of the area and laid the foundation for the famous winter destination that it is today.
The inhabitants barely reach 35 and send their youth to the cities, but it is a settlement that transforms and pulsates with life every winter.
Nymfaio covered in snow image:.ioanna.paravalou
Nymfaio is home to the non-profit Environmental Center Arcturos, where since 1993 13 free and protected bears have been living, previously in zoos, giving visitors a distant but unprecedented contact.
There are also places like Nikeios School, the Museum of Silver and Gold, Folklore and History, where they give a complete picture of the long history of the place. The visitor can also visit the lakes Zazari and Heimaditida, which are home to 141 species of birds and 150 species of plants, and Agrapida, where the "wolf shelter" is located. Finally, the church of Agios Nikolaos is interesting for its grandeur and history.
Nymfaio with its stone mansions like the former headquarters of the national hero Pavlos Melas during the Macedonian struggle, the cobbled streets, the picturesque square, the hospitable accommodation and the special local delicacies and wines, compose a unique experience that deserves a visit.
