Posted by 🦩 Where to see them & when they arrive
Greece is known for sun, sea, and olive trees – but many don’t know
that flamingos also live here. These elegant pink birds have long since become a symbol of the diversity of Greek nature.
Every winter, they migrate in large numbers to the country’s salt lakes and lagoons,
where they feed, rest, or even breed.
Whether on Crete, Kos, Rhodes, in the Evros Delta, or at Lake Kerkini – those who know where to look
can see flamingos in Greece without even going to a zoo.
🌍 Flamingos in the Mediterranean
Flamingos are found throughout the Mediterranean region:
in southern Spain, southern France, Italy, Turkey – and also in Greece.
The species found here is the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus),
the largest flamingo species in the world.
It can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, has long pink legs,
and a slightly curved beak, which it uses to filter small crustaceans and algae from the water.
Flamingos in the Mediterranean are semi-native:
Many stay year-round, while others migrate to North Africa in winter.
🕊️ Why Flamingos Come to Greece
Greece offers flamingos perfect conditions:
shallow, salty lagoons
warm temperatures even in winter
abundant food (crustaceans and microalgae)
minimal disturbance in protected areas
The pink color comes from carotenoids – pigments that flamingos absorb from small shrimp and algae.
The more carotenoids, the more intense the pink.
🏖️ Best Places to See Flamingos in Greece
Flamingos are found throughout Greece – from the north to the islands.
Here is an overview of the most popular viewing locations:
| Location | Region / Island | Best Time | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alyki Lagoon (Kos) | Dodecanese | Dec – March | large winter colony directly near Tigaki |
| Gialova Lagoon (Peloponnese) | near Pylos | Oct – April | beautiful nature, many more birds |
| Messolonghi Lagoon | Western Greece | year-round | largest flamingo population in Greece |
| Lake Alyki (Lemnos) | Northern Aegean Sea | Autumn – Spring | other migratory birds as well |
| Lake Kerkini | Northern Greece | Spring & Autumn | mixed colony with pelicans |
| Evros Delta | northeastern Greece | year-round | one of the most important bird habitats in Europe |
| Alyki Lagoon (Thessaloniki) | Macedonia | October to March | Easily accessible, good for photos |
| Creta – Almyros Wetland (Elounda) | Crete | Winter – Spring | small but stable group |
📸 Flamingos on the Islands
🦩 Kos
The Alyki Lagoon near Tigaki is the most famous flamingo spot in the Dodecanese.
In winter, you can see hundreds of flamingos standing in the shallow water here.
A wooden boardwalk runs along the edge – ideal for photos.
🦩 Crete
Flamingos are rare on Crete, but sightings are possible.
In winter, some birds can be found near Elounda, in the Almyros Lagoon near Agios Nikolaos,
or in the Georgioupolis wetlands.
The chances are best after rain, when water collects.
🦩 Rhodes
Flamingos regularly visit the salt lakes of Apolakkia and Kallithea.
The colony is small but stable. It’s especially beautiful in the early morning,
when the light casts a reddish glow on the lake.
🦩 Lesbos
The island of Lesbos is considered a hotspot for birdwatchers.
Kalloni Bay is home to large flocks of flamingos every year –
sometimes more than 1,000 birds.
They are easy to spot in spring, as they stay close to the shore.
🏞️ Mainland: Greece’s Great Flamingo Reserves
🦩 Gialova Lagoon (Peloponnese)
One of the most beautiful natural areas in Greece,
at the southwestern end of the Peloponnese near Pylos.
The lagoon is part of the Natura 2000 network and is home to up to 200 flamingos in winter.
Herons, kingfishers, storks, and eagles also live here.
There are hiking trails, viewpoints, and information panels.
💡 Best time to visit: November – March
🦩 Messolonghi Lagoon
Located between Patras and Agrinio is one of the largest wetlands in the Mediterranean.
The lagoon consists of several salt lakes, mudflats, and small islands.
Several hundred flamingos live here year-round,
and some pairs even breed in the spring.
💡 Tip: In the early morning, the pink birds are perfectly reflected in the calm water – an ideal photo opportunity.
🦩 Lake Kerkini
This artificial lake in northern Greece (near the Bulgarian border)
is famous for pelicans, herons, and, of course, flamingos.
Many flamingos migrate here in the spring –
an ideal stopover on their way to Europe.
💡 Best time to visit: March–May and September–October
🦩 Evros Delta
The Evros Delta on the border with Turkey is a paradise for birdwatchers.
Over 300 bird species live here, including large flocks of flamingos.
In winter, more than 1,000 birds can often be seen.
The area is protected but can be visited on guided tours.
💡 Tip: Bring binoculars! Flamingos are usually found far out in the shallow water.
🐣 Do flamingos breed in Greece?
Yes – but only in a few places.
The most important breeding site is in the Messolonghi Lagoon,
where flamingo chicks have been successfully hatching for several years.
Nests have also occasionally been observed in the Evros Delta.
The conditions must be just right:
shallow, salty water
minimal disturbance
suitable mud for nest building
A nest is a small mound of mud and algae,
in which the female lays 1–2 eggs.
After about 30 days, the gray chicks hatch.
They stay with the colony for about three months,
until they can fly.
🦩 Behavior & Lifestyle
Flamingos are the epitome of sociability – they always live in large groups,
sometimes consisting of several hundred or even thousands of birds.
They eat, sleep, and fly in sync.
Their characteristic “one-legged standing” posture serves to regulate their body temperature.
Their diet consists of:
small crustaceans
plankton
microalgae
tiny mollusks
Their specialized beak filters this food from the water.
💡 Interesting fact: Flamingos are excellent fliers – they can fly at speeds of up to 60 km/h
and cover hundreds of kilometers at night.
📅 Best time to travel to Greece to see flamingos
| Season | Description |
|---|---|
| Winter (November – March) | peak season – many flamingos overwinter in lagoons and salt lakes |
| Spring (April – May) | Migration time northwards, good observation in northern Greece |
| Summer (June – Aug) | small groups only, intense heat |
| Autumn (Sept – Oct) | Return from North Africa – especially in the Evros Delta and Messolonghi |
If you want to be sure of seeing flamingos, you should travel between December and March.
📸 Photographing Flamingos – Tips
Morning or evening: soft light, pink reflections
Telephoto lens or good zoom: keep your distance
No loud noises – flamingos are easily startled
Move quietly, no drones
💡 Tip: The reflection in the water often creates the illusion of two flamingos in photos – perfect for social media pictures.
⚠️ Conservation & Environment
Flamingos are strictly protected in Greece.
Almost all lagoons and wetlands are protected under Natura 2000 or Ramsar sites.
The biggest threats:
Disturbance by boats or drones
Drying up of wetlands
Pollution from plastics and chemicals
Conservation organizations such as the Hellenic Ornithological Society (a partner of BirdLife)
regularly monitor populations and inform visitors about proper conduct.
🧭 Conclusion: Flamingos in Greece – Pink Magic Between Sea & Sky
Flamingos are a stunning example of
the diversity and vibrancy of Greek nature.
Those who travel in winter or spring can experience them without the tourist crowds –
silently, on secluded lagoons, amidst the sea, salt, and sun.
They are more than just a beautiful photo opportunity –
they show that Greece has far more to offer than beaches and tavernas:
a rich, precious natural environment full of color and life.
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Birds in Greece – Species & Habitats