Ottoman monuments, hearty food and wetlands in northern Macedonia.
Serres is a regional city with Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, a lively food culture and access to Lake Kerkini and Fort Roupel.
Serres has been shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman, Balkan and modern Greek history. The Bezesteni now houses the Archaeological Museum, while mosques, churches and the hill of Koulas mark different periods across the compact centre.
The city is also a useful base for two exceptional day trips: birdlife and buffalo farms around Lake Kerkini, and the underground defences of Fort Roupel near the Bulgarian border. In town, try akanes sweets and the rich meat-and-dairy cooking of the Serres plain.
Practical information
Buses connect Serres with Thessaloniki. A car or organised tour is best for Kerkini and Roupel; reserve boat trips on the lake and check border-area opening rules.
