A new, alternative leisure and tourism experience is premiering in Thessaly, with the presentation of the hot air balloon tourism activity and the official announcement of the Thessaly Greece Hot Air Balloon Festival 2025, which will take place from September 19 to 28 in various locations throughout the Regional Units of Thessaly.
The presentation event took place on Friday, May 30, at Filoneikos ZOO Park, in Karditsa, with a large participation of organizations, representatives of the local government, and the tourism industry. The project was presented by the founder and general manager of Explore DMC, George Giannakis, an event organizer and nature photographer, who highlighted the comparative advantages of Thessaly as a new destination for hot air balloon flights.
The event was attended, among others, by the MP of Karditsa, Giorgos Kotsos, the Deputy Governor of the Regional Government of Karditsa, Kostas Telios, the Mayor of Sofades, Dimosthenis Katsis, as well as deputy mayors and representatives from the municipalities of Karditsa, Pyli, Elassona, and Larissa, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, ANKA, as well as tourism entrepreneurs. Greetings were sent by MPs Christos Kapetanos and Marina Kontotoli.
All those present had the opportunity to participate in a static familiarization flight, enjoying the sensation and view from the balloon — an experience that aroused enthusiasm and positive comments.
Flights throughout the summer period
Regular flights will take place at Filoneikos Zoo Park in Karditsa and begin on the three-day weekend of the Holy Spirit. They will continue on weekends and summer holidays.
There will be two flights daily at 06:00 in the morning and at 19:00 in the afternoon. The cost is €250 per person (capacity in the basket for 5-6 people). For regular flights, pre-booking is required.
In addition, there will be the possibility of static flights, i.e., with the balloon tied. Someone can get a taste of the flight and take photos and videos.
The balloon rises to around 15 meters, and the duration is approximately 10 minutes. The cost is €30 per person for adults, €20 for children, and €50 for couples.
Thessaly, Greece Hot Air Balloon Festival 2025
The culmination of this new experience will be the Thessaly Greece Hot Air Balloon Festival, scheduled for the ten-day period of September 19–28, 2025, with hot air balloon flights in all the Regional Units of Thessaly. The festival will be accompanied by a rich program of events: concerts, gastronomic events, DJ parties, hot air balloon demonstrations, and other cultural and entertainment activities, to be announced soon.
Hot air balloon flights uniquely connect the natural wealth of the region with the traveler’s experience, while at the same time functioning as a powerful communication tool for promoting Thessaly both in Greece and abroad.
The initiative is supported by local and regional bodies and is part of a broader strategic vision of promoting Thessaly as a four-season destination. The event was produced and curated by Alpha Marketing.
