A few kilometres from Karditsa the plain ends abruptly and the mountains begin. There, at an altitude where the air turns cooler, lies Lake Plastiras, one of the best-loved destinations in Thessaly.
A lake born of a vision
The lake is man-made. It was created in the mid-20th century by the Tavropos dam, to irrigate the plain and generate power. It takes its name from Nikolaos Plastiras, the general and politician who envisioned the project.
Over the years the landscape absorbed the work: the forests come down to the water, the shores form small bays, and visitors can hardly tell that the lake was not always there.
What to do
- Drive or cycle around the lake: the road passes through villages and viewpoints.
- Walk along the shores and on the paths around the lake.
- Visit the villages around it and the monasteries of the area, such as Koroni Monastery.
- On towards the Agrafa: the lake is the gateway to one of the most untouched mountain areas in the country.
After Storm Daniel
The storm of 2023 hit the plain of Karditsa hard. Visiting the area today is also a way of supporting local businesses.
For practical details, see our guide to Lake Plastiras.
