Alistrati Cave

Discovered properly in 1975 and opened in 1998, the Alistrati cave has around three kilometres of surveyed galleries, of which roughly one kilometre is on the visitor route, and it is unusually spacious: chambers wide enough that the path runs level and step-free for most of its length, past columns, curtains, cave pearls and rare helictites growing sideways. Some stalagmites reach fifteen metres. The temperature holds at about seventeen degrees. Outside, the cave sits above the Aggitis gorge, and a small open train, the Alistrati express, runs visitors along the canyon rim with viewpoints; a suspension bridge and walking paths continue along the gorge. The site is one of the few Greek caves genuinely accessible for wheelchairs on the main route.

What you actually see

• The great chambers - wide galleries with columns and giant stalagmites.
• The helictites - rare formations growing against gravity.
• The gorge train - an open train running along the Aggitis canyon rim.
• The suspension bridge - a crossing on the gorge walking route.

When to go

Year-round; the constant temperature suits any season, and the gorge outside is best in spring and autumn. Tours run hourly in summer and less often in winter.

Honest expectations

Visits are guided at a set pace, about forty-five minutes, and commentary is mainly in Greek with some English. The train and gorge activities are separately ticketed. In peak season groups can be large.

Nearby

The Aggitis cave lies on the same river to the east; Serres and Lake Kerkini are north.