Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Kotychi-Strofylia National Park, located in the region of Western Greece near the Ionian Sea, covers an extensive area encompassing coastal wetlands, dunes, forests, and lagoons. The park includes the Kotychi Lagoon, one of the largest lagoons in the country, and the adjacent Strofylia Pine Forest, a protected habitat recognized under the Ramsar Convention for its international importance as a wetland. The park’s geography is characterized by extensive sandy beaches, shifting dunes, salt marshes, freshwater ponds, and dense pine woods that shelter a diverse array of flora and fauna. The area is globally significant for bird conservation, hosting migratory species such as flamingos, herons, and various ducks, as well as rare reptiles and fish species. Historically, the park and its adjacent lands have been managed to balance environmental protection with traditional fishing and agriculture. Visitors to Kotychi-Strofylia can enjoy birdwatching on designated hides, walking through shaded forest paths, and exploring quiet beach areas. The natural quiet and relatively undisturbed setting appeal to ecotourists, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Notable landmarks include the lagoon’s observation hides, the expansive Strofylia forest with its unique dune-pine ecosystem, and the coastal marine habitats that support rich marine life. The park’s management focuses on habitat preservation, environmental education, and sustainable visitor use to protect sensitive species and ecosystems.
