The Prespa lakes in Greece: Lesser and Greater Prespa
The Prespa lakes in Greece are two lakes, Lesser Prespa and Greater Prespa, in a basin shared by Greece, Albania and North Macedonia, with a national park on the Greek side. The lakes are about 7 km from Agios Germanos. This guide explains how they differ, how they are protected and how people live beside them.
Two lakes, one basin
According to the Municipality of Prespes tourism portal, Lesser Prespa was created from a former single lake Prespa by the deposit of material from the torrent of Agios Germanos. Between 1936 and 1945 the torrent was diverted to flow into Greater Prespa. The portal puts Greater Prespa at an altitude of about 850 m, and says that through many underground faults its waters are directed towards Lake Ohrid.
Lesser Prespa
Two islets lie in Lesser Prespa: Agios Achilleios, which is inhabited, and Vidronisi, a tiny uninhabited islet where people are not allowed to land, because any human presence would disturb the nesting birds. The island of Agios Achilleios is in things to do in Prespa and its monuments are in Byzantine heritage in Prespa.
Greater Prespa
Greater Prespa is described by the portal as the third largest lake in the Balkans, after Shkodra and Ohrid. It lies between Greece, North Macedonia and Albania. We print no national shares, because the portal's figures contradict each other. The only Greek village on its shore is Psarades, a designated traditional settlement.
A protected area
The Prespa Park was founded in 2000 with the declaration of the three Prime Ministers of the countries that share the Prespa basin, according to the Society for the Protection of Prespa. In 2010 the three states and the EU signed an international agreement, which entered into force in 2019. On the Greek side, Lesser Prespa is part of the Prespa National Park, and the portal says a large part of it is included in the Natura 2000 network. The Society also says that much of the basin is protected by the Ramsar Convention.
People and the lakes
Reeds have spread because nobody cuts them any more, the portal says, and since the 1980s almost all farmers in Prespes moved towards bean monoculture, which it links to the growth of reeds and the decline of the lake meadows. The Society for the Protection of Prespa started experimental reedbed management and wet-meadow restoration at Lesser Prespa through grazing and mowing. In 1997 it brought a small herd of buffalo to Prespa to help, and wet meadows tripled from 35 ha in 2000 to 100 ha in 2007, the Society reports. The beans have their own guide: Prespa beans.
Wildlife in brief
The Society reports that the Prespa lakes hold the largest Dalmatian pelican colony in the world, with about 15% of the estimated global breeding population, that 23 species of fish have been recorded in the lakes, and that more than 1,800 plant species have been recorded in the Greek part of Prespa alone. The birds have their own guide: birdwatching in Prespa.
Visiting respectfully
The lakes are a protected area, so follow any signs and rules you find, keep your distance from nesting birds and do not land on Vidronisi. For swimming, water quality or boat trips, ask locally before you go: we give no advice on them here.
Quick answers
How many lakes are there?
There are two: Lesser Prespa and Greater Prespa.
Who shares the lakes?
Greece, Albania and North Macedonia share the Prespa basin, according to the Society for the Protection of Prespa.
How far are the lakes from Agios Germanos?
The Prespa lakes are about 7 km from Agios Germanos.
Can I swim in the lakes?
We give no advice on swimming or water quality. Ask locally before you go.
Four homes in the village
Prespes Luxury Homes has four homes in one renovated stone building in Agios Germanos: Home 1 for up to 2 guests, Home 2 for up to 4, Home 3 for up to 4 and Home 4 for up to 5, and up to 15 guests in all. Every home has heating you control room by room, hot water all day and a welcome basket with breakfast treats. Homes 2, 3 and 4 also have a fireplace; we provide firewood, and a person helps you with the fire. Meet the homes or ask about availability.
For the village itself, read the village guide. More guides
