Thassos

Hiking, mountain biking, motocross, caving, swimming or camping on the golden sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters and pristine sea beds. Moreover, the island has many different footpaths for walking routes of environmental and cultural interest, some of which you can find at the website thassos.gr/gis/#ajax/dashboard.php and by clicking on the Tools menu.

All the island’s beaches. The perimeter road that runs around the island enables visitors to choose the beaches that suit them. Bustling or otherwise, all the beaches of Thassos without exception are known for their unparalleled beauty: Chrysi Ammoudia, Makryammos, Pachy, Glyfada, Glyfoneri, Papalimani, Nysteri, Kinyra, Paradisos, Alykes, Psili Ammos, Potos, Agios Antonios and Metallia.

The island’s mountain villages of Panagia, Theologos and Mikro and Megalo Kazaviti (otherwise known as Mikros and Megalos Prinos). A stroll through their lanes, their traditional architecture and their natural beauties, with water running in their marble fountains can satisfy even the most demanding visitor. As for a visit to the village of Limenaria, this is a must! The view over the Aegean Sea from the “Palataki”, the grand early 20th-century building in the eclectic style that once housed the headquarters of the local mining company, is stunning.

The archaeological sights. The ancient theatre of Limenas and the Archaeological Museum, where the visitor will discover the island’s history, the archaeological site of Alyki, the ancient marble quarries, the sanctuary of the Dioscuri, and the two three-aisled Early Christian basilicas.

The museum dedicated to the sculptor Polygnotos Vagis at Potamia.

The monastery of the Archangel Michael at Poto, which appears suspended above the sea, and the church of Agia Paraskevi at Theologos, where the icon of the Panagia is made of candle wax and mastic.

Fairs and folklore events take place on the island all-year round. The best known are the reconstruction of the Thassian wedding at Theologos, which takes place in mid-summer, the New Year’s customs, with the scattering of the olive leaves being a main feature, carnival and the Easter customs.

Specifically, on the Second Day of Easter at Kalyvia the ancient custom of “Come rain my April” is held. The locals dance and implore God to make it rain so that the vines do not dry up and they have a good harvest. The inhabitants of Theologos on the second day of Easter take the icon to the saint from the chapel in the monastery of the Archangel Michael, following a difficult footpath. They spend the night there and return the next day.

The wonderful local products such as honey, olive oil and wine, throumpes olives, fresh fish and kid goat that have made Thassos famous worldwide. And to digest? Walnut spoon sweets and, of course, the famous pine honey of Thassos.

How to get to Thassos: Just a breath away from Kavala, Keramoti and the airport of the Regional Unit, the ferry boat will take the visitor either to the island’s capital of Limenas or to the port of Prinos. The journey from the port of Kavala to that of Prinos takes about 1 hour. Alternatively, from Keramoti it takes just 25 minutes to reach the island’s capital of Limenas.