Protected areas concern those that are primarily dedicated to the protection of the natural and cultural heritage and host the most unique, sensitive and valuable elements of our natural wealth.

These areas are governed by a special institutional regime based on national, European and international legislation.

For the effective protection of Greek nature, Greece has established national parks, wildlife refuges, protected landscapes and protected natural formations, while it has included areas in the Natura 2000 network (based on the Wildbirds’ Directive 2009/147 and Habitats’ Directive 1992 /43) and has also defined areas of protection based on international conventions.