Cave of Alistrati

Cave of Alistrati

Cave of Alistrati
4.8
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Cave of Alistrati near the town of Serres is considered one of the largest and most beautiful caves not only of Greece but of Europe. The total length of its passages is approximately 3 km, of which 1 km is accessible by the disabled. According to Greek mythology, the Sphinx made her appearance at the position "Petroto" of the Gorge of Aggites that traverses the Alistratis area. Myth also mentions Pluto,the god of the Underworld; when he kidnapped Persephone, the daughter of goddess Demeter, he brought her to this natural ravine where a Gate to the Underworld existed. The area that mythology mentions is situated near the touristic site of the Cave of Alistrati; this area also features a few other caves. At a distance of 250m from the south side of the cave's entrance, one finds the railway tracks connecting Serres to the town of Drama.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying

  • HM12399
    32 contributions
    5 of 5 bubbles
    Our visit at Alistrati Cave was very cool, both figuratively and literally. While it was quite warm outside, it was quite cool and humid underground. Photographs are not allowed and you have the luck of draw with how well you may be able to communicate with your mandatory guide in English (or other language) if you don’t understand Greek. The cave structures were interesting to see and the in-and-out path was easy to follow. We were provided a sheet that explained this history and some of the interesting structures along the way. Fortunately, our guide Thanasis patiently provided explanations in both Greek and English. He captivated us with effusive and exuberant movements matching his words. At the time, we paid 8€ per person and it was quite worth it. The hardest part is getting there.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 22, 2024
  • martymouse
    Llanasa, United Kingdom121 contributions
    5 of 5 bubbles
    We organised our visit to the caves when our cruise ship stopped in Kavala. It was about an hour each way in the car from the town. The caves themselves are in the middle of nowhere so public transport seems difficult. I asked if we could get there early to avoid the crowds. We arrived about 10am and were almost the only people there. Our tour was scheduled for 10:35, so we had a coffee and water at the cafe while we waited. There is also a small shop with some local goods and our inevitable fridge magnet. When it was actual tour time, there were a few more visitors; Greek, Dutch and ourselves, English. Maybe 20 in all, 2/3 Greek. Our guide, and it seems all guides, was a university (masters) student. We, and the Dutch family were given information sheets in our respective languages for the key stops on the tour - they weren't needed. You enter through a long tunnel which seems very basic and no way prepares you for the interior. This was also the only place we could take photos. We were told why by the guide and, afaik, everyone respected it - hence why I have no photos to share. At each stop along the way, our guide explained in Greek and then in English. The whole journey was amazing with huge and unusual stalagmite and stalactite formations and a comfortable cool temperature. When we got to the far end of the tour it looked like there was more, but it was cordoned off. The explanation for this wasn't clear, but we turned round and headed back; it's about 1-1.5km each way. On the return journey the young guide was happy to talk about any aspect of the cave. It was absolutely worth the journey. However, I have one issue of consistency. We couldn't take photos because it was deemed, by the government ministry responsible, that it would impact the delicate environment. However, the whole walkway through the cave is modern concrete and super smooth, well lit and accessible. Parts of the cave's formations were damaged during its construction (you could see). Also there are power cabinets and cables all throughout. Finally they told us the bats had moved on due to people's presence. Given all this, and our physical presence, surely flashless photography would have minimal impact? If this is going to remain the case then can I suggest that they get a professional photo shoot done as a one-off and sell the digital photo album?? Win-win!! Despite this, go along and exercise your eyes and memory the old way.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 20, 2024
  • Navigator42324592080
    1 contribution
    5 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience, well worth the visit. We also had an excellent guide, Dimitra, who made the experience even better. She spoke in English, as the group was mixed and she was very informative without being overwhelming. The cave itself is spacious, well organised, great even with small children. Very decorated and interesting to see everything. I think the tour starts every half na hour, our was at 2.30 and lasted almost an hour.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 4, 2024
  • DAWNBES26
    Warrington, United Kingdom3 contributions
    5 of 5 bubbles
    A truly amazing place. Tucked away in the Greek countryside this is well worth a visit. Our guide spoke very good English and was a perfect in explaining the history of the caves being discovered to how all the formations have been created. I’ve never seen anything as vast as this, it is breathtaking. Well worth the €8 entrance fee. All tours are guided and last about 1hour. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take pictures inside the cave but there’s a gift shop where you can purchase postcards of the caves.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 11, 2024
  • Ειρήνη Β
    20 contributions
    5 of 5 bubbles
    It was the 3rd time I visited the cave on a five-day excursion with students of the 3rd high school. I always leave excited. This time I was surprised by Persephone, the robot supposed to replace the human guide. Impressive, but without emotion...
    Visited February 2025
    Traveled on business
    Written February 26, 2025
  • Mieke762
    Arnhem, The Netherlands85 contributions
    5 of 5 bubbles
    One of the largest caves we have visited so far. There are 3 courses, one of which is open to the public, distance about one kilometer there, same route back. Several large spaces to visit with stalagmites and stalagtites, but also an unusual species, heccentrite, looks like coral. Different colors to distinguish, very beautiful. Impressive especially because of the dimensions. With Guide who gave alternate explanations in Greek and English. Taking pictures is not allowed. While waiting for the start it was good to stay on the terrace.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.8
4.8 of 5 bubbles417 reviews
Excellent
339
Very good
61
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
2

Caterynas
Kyiv, Ukraine49 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Amazing cave to visit but lots of things need to be implemented.
- Photos are not allowed and when we asked why, the reply was "because we were told that it is not allowed" :) amazing reply
- the tour inside is boring and we were hurried by the guide all the time. Why then not to give 1 hour for a group, why there is no option for a private tour, WHY the tour is soooooo boring, with such tours the kids will never want to visit something like this again. The management of the Cave museum or Greek ministry can have tours for their employees to the same places in Europe and be amazed how it is done, how the information is presented, the communication with the group, the stories, and lots of other things.
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Could you please tell us the time of visit?
Written August 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

KPR1955
Deeside, UK1,843 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Absolutely brilliant. the guide was attentive and responded well to all our questions, it was well presented and the spectacle of these huge caverns was awe inspiring. The visit is purely by guide and you will walk about 1500M inwards and then the same in reverse. you will see many examples of different types of stalagmites and stalactites within the caves. Pity they did not allow us to take photos inside.
Written June 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hcoumoussis
Athens, Greece59 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Alistrasti Cave is beautiful 1 km walk through its galleries of stalagmites and stalactites with their impressive formation, age and size. The pure white forming draperies are rather unique as I have not seen them anywhere else. Downside is that the tours are only in Greek (so I have heard). A simple walk along a corridor. No climbing up and down steep stairways.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Νίκη Σ
1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • Couples
The cave is amazing! However the guy for the tickets and the tour guide were very rude , for no apparent reason. I was very disappointed by them , as well as the stupid robot, Persefone. She is practically useless in there, creepy and i couldn't hear what she was saying. The tour lasts one hour, the first half you just wait for Persefone and then you must hurry because there isn't enough time. No photos allowed and no one informed us about this app for the cave.
Written December 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniella S
Sofia, Bulgaria3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
The cave was spectacular, very ancient, with lots of cave formations. It is definitely a good attraction to visit. I give por rating because of the guide who ruined our experience. We were a family with 3 small kids and didn’t speak Greek. So the guide told us that she doesn’t have time to explain in details in foreign language so we should read it by ourselves. We entered the cave I made a picture and was immediately scolded that it’s forbidden. The guide in my language said that only pictures with flash light are forbidden. I excused myself. 10min later I was rudely scolded again because I stopped for 2 seconds to look at something. So we couldn’t stop, we couldn’t make pictures and we couldn’t explain what we see to the kids while in the cave. That made the experience unpleasant.
Afterwards we did the train ride in the canyon which was kind of waste of time.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Daniela Could you please tell us the time of visiting?
Written August 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

J C
Dilbeek, Belgium216 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
You have been to several caves already? Do not thinkit is worth going to another one?

Well, think again. This cave is definitly worth visting. Not only beause you may see there formations not seen in most other caves, i.e.not going down as gravity would require, similar to corals, to broccoli, orto snow crystals. It is because of the WOW effect due to the number and impressiveness of the formations.

The guide was very nice, although we were a group of only 2 she did not hurry, and the tour lasted an hour.

A tip: when coming back from the ca. 1 km walk the lights are dimmed due to ecological reasons (to minimize the impact on the cave) . When going to the end of the trail, look back to ake the view then.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Evangelia Zigkiri
Thessaloniki, Greece2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
Alistrati' s cave was a breathtaking monument!! As soon as you enter you realize that we are talking about a wonder!!! Proper lighting where it should be, safe to be walked, all together give you the impression that you are clearly walking to another world. The place speaks for itself, great history, well preserved stalactites and stalagmites, an experience that cannot and shouldn't be missed. Last but not least, how can I forget our wonderful guide Dimitra, it is of profound significance to have someone who, not only is qualified, but also is an expert. Dimitra has it all, she kindly answered all our questions, in a fully detailed way, all the time kind and with willingness to provide us with all the necessary description of the place.

Thank you lovely Dimitra
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sashkow
Sofia, Bulgaria1,392 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Every day at the endless number of beach sites could be brainwashing.
This cave is nice opportunity to get out of the monotony daily life of a tourist.
It is beautiful and magical route to the inner earth even for kids.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aris K
32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Friends
Visited with friends. In comparison to other caves in Greece, this one is I think one of the most beautiful in terms of cave formations. The tour takes about an hour or so to complete so it’s not overly long or tiring. Added bonus is that the whole thing is very accessible and quite children friendly.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Artemis K
Spain51 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Family
Amazing place, highly recomended. It is without doubts the most spectacular cave we had visited.
The guided tour is also nice. All the workers of the place were really nice. There is a beautiful exterior area to have a refreshing drink ir coffee.
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Cave of Alistrati (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

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