The prospects for further tourism development in the wider Soufli area are significant, as highlighted by the Municipality’s Strategic Plan through 2029.
Specifically, in Soufli there are environmental areas of exceptional natural beauty, archaeological value, and religious interest, suitable for the creation of a competitive and comprehensive tourist destination. With proper promotion and effective organization, the municipality believes it can attract visitors from around the world.
According to the municipality, the development of well-designed infrastructure is a key prerequisite for competing in the tourism sector. Such infrastructure is also important for the growth of an area both nationally and internationally. Since protected areas act as a draw for visitors and form the foundation for economic growth through tourism, they can be considered a significant advantage, also providing employment opportunities for the local population. The quality of tourists’ experiences depends on existing infrastructure, and further development of such infrastructure is an essential prerequisite for the future sustainability of the area. Developing and improving infrastructure is a necessary measure for the effective management of a protected area, as it increases visitor satisfaction.
It is worth noting that a few years ago Soufli was ranked among the best tourism villages in the world, in the prestigious Best Tourism Villages competition organized by the World Tourism Organization, during the thematic session “Building for the Future: Innovation, Education and Rural Development” at its 24th General Assembly in Madrid, Spain.
Soufli stood out among more than 170 entries from 75 countries, granting the municipality global recognition.
The proposal submitted by the Municipality of Soufli, initially selected as one of the three best at the national level and representing Greece, was announced to have received positive impressions from the selection committee of the World Tourism Organization, securing for Soufli the distinction of being one of the best tourism villages in the world.
Thus, Soufli enters the global tourism map, demonstrating outward-looking vision, courage, and initiative, seizing the unique opportunity to showcase and leverage all that constitutes its timeless uniqueness: primarily the dual distinction that sets it apart in the broader Balkan region—on one hand, the internationally protected Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park with its extraordinary, unique biodiversity, and on the other, Soufli itself, the world-renowned city of silk, whose entire economy remains alive—from the silkworm farms to the processing and promotion of the famous Soufli silk products, as well as the architecture of the “koukoulospita” houses, creating an urban landscape unlike any other settlement, with the Tsivre factory and the silk museums at the forefront.
Beyond the well-known side of Soufli, there exists an entire legacy of tourist destinations around it, little known until now but equally charming, highlighted in the proposal submitted by the Municipality to the competition. This includes the ancient fossil forest, over 40 million years old; the heritage of megalithic culture with dolmens, totemic mushrooms, rock carvings, open sanctuaries, and prehistoric castles scattered everywhere; the unique architecture of mountain villages and monuments of the rural landscape, including centuries-old stone bridges, watermills, fountains, and more; the world’s most important Bektashi monastery, Kizil Deli, dating from 1401/2; ancient tekkes and other Muslim establishments; and post-Byzantine churches spread across the settlements, with carved holy tables, icons, and architecture—a creative synthesis of knowledge from East and West.
