Κέντρο Προστασίας Αρκούδας - Bear Conservation Area — Attraction in Amyndeo Municipality

I have wanted to come here since the sanctuary first opened but as the location is in a remote village in the northern Greek mountains, it has taken me that long. So the expectations were high and the disappointment commensurate. Given that we would be visiting in the Christmas period, I rang twice (from London) to verify opening times etc. I was reassured that all would work as expected but could tell that the lady answering the phone was rushing it. So on the day, we drove hundreds of kilometers and finally made it. Upon arrival in Nymfaio, we see two different signs for Aktouros that take you in opposite directions; incomprehensible. We pick one and drive there, only to be met by a man who works for the sanctuary but turned us away in a manner that showed exactly what idiots he thought we were. He barked at us sarcastically that everyone knows bears hibernate (yes, we were aware but wanted to visit the centre which, er, remains open to visitors all year around). I asked him what we could expect as visitors, but it was clear he was there to turn cars away, and to do so in the rudest way he could master. So to spare you going through the same treatment, here is the basic info: the “sanctuary” consists of three “centres”: one is an information centre and gift shop in the centre of the village in an old mansion called “Nikios Scholi”, where you get a guided tour looking at posters and watch a film about the centre; in the same village but on the outskirts, there is the centre where they look after the bears and this is only open in the summer months; and finally, some 13km away, just beyond the village of Agrapidies, there is a centre where they look after the wolves, jackals and lynxes, not forgetting their big income-maker, the gift centre. We visited the first and third. We thought the guided tours were well meaning but a bit basic, aimed at school children. I was expecting something more thoughtful and scientific. They kept repeating that they are all volunteers but I felt there was a whole lot of room for improvement. We paid €32 for the four of us and in terms of animals, we saw two wolves and one lynx (and a Greek friend told me that we were lucky to see as many as two species on the same day). €11 per animal then, I will leave it to you to decide if it is value for money given that you don’t visit to look at the posters (which by the way are the only things that are translated in English as no tour is conducted in any language but Greek). Nymfaio village is incredibly beautiful and I am tempted to say that we would like to return one summer day when it might hopefully be less busy than the day we visited. Unfortunately, as with most things, it is the people who make the memories. I can’t speak about the conservation staff but the Arktouros visiting centre staff - volunteers or not - could be doing a...

A Place of Heart and Hope

Visiting the Arcturos Bear Sanctuary, built under the vision and leadership of Yiannis Boutaris, is a deeply moving and unforgettable experience. What makes this place special is not only the breathtaking natural setting in the mountains of Northern Greece, but the purpose that lies at its heart: giving once-captive or mistreated bears a second chance at life.

From the moment you arrive, you feel the sense of respect and care that defines the sanctuary. The bears roam in large, forested enclosures that allow them to behave as close to wild as possible. Instead of cages and chains, you see animals exploring, climbing, playing, or resting peacefully—finally free from the harsh conditions they once endured.

The guided tours are excellent: knowledgeable, passionate staff share each bear’s personal story, raising awareness about wildlife protection, biodiversity, and the importance of conservation. It’s not just an attraction—it’s an educational journey that makes you reflect on our responsibility toward animals and nature.

Yiannis Boutaris’ vision transformed this sanctuary into a landmark for environmental protection in Greece, setting an example of how compassion and action can make a lasting difference.

Whether you are an animal lover, a family looking for a meaningful outing, or simply a traveler seeking something authentic and inspiring, the Bear Sanctuary is a must-visit. You leave with a full heart, knowing your visit supports a project that saved many...

Must visit place! Really well organized with very good people attending the animals in perfect facilities for stuff and animals.The effort of these people are really changing things for the better. You get informed about the bears in extensive way. Its cheap and with one ticket you can also visit the wolf and lynx sanctuary. I would recommend the place to anyone, it can broaden your mind on common beliefs about wild animals. The only negative that I could find is that many people chose to go there with their children (I mean really young ones) and that seems to disturb the animals and in my opinion its more of an adult experience because of the disturbing information about the bears history. The children should do some educational training before going there to understand what to expect and what...