The Aliakmon is the longest river in Greece: it is estimated that it stretches over 297 kilometres. Its source is from the mountains of Gramos, in the northwest of Greece on the border with Albania. It courses eastwards, traversing through large parts of Macedonia before ending up at the Thermaikos Gulf between the cities of Thessaloniki and Katerini.

Due to both its length and size, there are many tributaries and streams of central and western Macedonia that run off into the river such as the Grevenitikos, the Sarantaporos, and the Ladopotamos. It should be noted that the Aliakmonas river drives several hydroelectric power stations of the DEH (the National Greek Electrical Company). which has constructed several dams in the region that, in turn, have created a chain of artificial lakes in the area.

One of the most beautiful among the artificial lakes created is Agia Varvara – also known as ‘Lake Aliakmon which can be a tad confusing as there are a number of lakes that are fed by the river, as already mentioned.

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Photo: Periklis Merakos