Nature reserve — Nipsa, ~20km north of the city
Nipsa Forest covers the hills northeast of the small village of the same name, part of what's designated the Southern Forest Complex of Evros — oak, pine, and old plane trees around a reservoir lake, about 20km and roughly half an hour north of the city.
It doesn't have Dadia's name recognition or its vulture observatory, which is exactly the appeal: a quieter stretch of the same kind of Evros forest country, close enough for a half-day out without committing to a full day trip.