Lake Plastiras Reservoir

Address: Lake Plastiras (Lake Neochori), Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece

Lake Plastiras is an artificial reservoir in the Thessaly region of mainland Greece formed by damming the Tavropos (Megdovas) river. It is named after General Nikolaos Plastiras and is a regional recreational and water-management resource.

The shoreline and nearby hills are used for hiking, cycling and small-scale boating, and several villages around the lake serve as bases for visitors. The area is noted for its road and forested trails rather than large tourist infrastructure.

The reservoir was created in the mid-20th century when the river was dammed for water storage, flood control and local development, and the name commemorates a 20th-century political and military figure.

Geographically it sits in the mountains of central Greece within the administrative region of Thessaly, near the town of Karditsa and surrounded by upland forest and pasture.

• Viewpoints and access: Lookouts above the reservoir and small lakeside villages provide the most accessible viewpoints and starting points for hikes and short drives.
• Activities: The lake is used for recreational boating and swimming and forms part of local scenic driving routes through the Thessaly hills.

• Do the scenic circuit around the reservoir-driving or cycling the lakeside road gives repeated viewpoints and is the easiest way to see differing vistas and small villages along the shore.
• Visit in spring or early autumn for pleasant temperatures, clear skies and wildflower displays; summer weekends can be busy with Greek domestic tourism, so midweek mornings are calmer.
• Stop at the main dam and nearby lookout points for classic sunrise or sunset photos; local tavernas in lakeside villages are the best places to sample regional cuisine after sightseeing.