Thassos

The island of Thassos belongs to the northeastern Aegean islands. It has about thirteen thousand inhabitants and is a very attractive place with its beautiful sandy beaches and traditional villages with incredible mountain views. It is the ideal place for all those who are looking for a peaceful and naturally beautiful environment. The island also has its crowded places, increasingly touristic beaches and a rather intense nightlife. It is practically the perfect island for everyone and has so much to offer. The island is also known as the “Emerald of the Aegean”. It has a mild climate with cool summers and not particularly cold winters.
Thassos is the birthplace of Polygnotos, a great painter of antiquity known worldwide whose works were exhibited in the largest museums. Some of his work can be found in his birthplace, Potamia. The island was also the birthplace of Theagenis, a famous athlete of ancient Greece. A famous visitor to the island was Hippocrates, the father of medicine, who resided on the island for three years. He left notes on climate, winds and other useful information that has helped scholars understand and interpret that period.
The island of Thassos has been known since ancient times for its pure white marble which is quarried in huge blocks and also for its honey production. The island is also rich in olive trees, produces spicy olives and olive oil, is famous for its fresh fish and seafood and is rich in remains and ruins of ancient temples, old churches and shrines and this makes the island not only one of the most beautiful but also the most important to see of the Greek destinations. According to an ancient myth, Thassos was the island of the sirens with enchanting voices and all men who heard them sing fell under their spell. The sirens devoured anyone who fell under their spell. In the Odyssey, the sirens who tried to charm Odysseus probably lived in Thassos. According to archaeological excavations the island was inhabited during the prehistoric period. The first inhabitants of the island were the Thracians. Around the seventh century BC. C. the island was colonized by the Greeks from Paros who discovered that the island was rich in minerals, especially gold and marble and covered in forests. Thassos was later dominated by the Athenians, the Spartans, the Romans, the Arabs, the Saracens, the Byzantines and the Genoese and during the 7th century it suffered numerous attacks by Slavic pirates.
During the first century d. C. the apostle Paul came to the island bringing the Christian faith and building churches on the remains of ancient temples. The Turks took the island at the end of the 15th century. During the 18th century the population of Thassos decreased due to immigration caused by heavy taxes imposed by the Turks. In 1912 Thassos was liberated and united with the rest of Greece.
The island is known for its architecture consisting of houses with thick white walls and slate roofs, with closed wooden balconies, authentic examples of traditional architecture as well as different architectural and decorative elements from Epirus and Macedonia. The houses are surrounded by flower gardens or courtyards surrounded by low walls. Squares, narrow alleys and fountains complete the scenery.
The road network of the island is in good condition. Buses operate daily from Limenas, the capital of the island also called Thassos Town, to Panagia, Skala Potamia, Skala Prinou, Limenaria, Potos, Theologos, Alyki and Kinyra. Island tours are also organised. The taxi service is available in the capital as well as in the main villages and tourist locations.

The island of Thassos is connected to various ports. Every day and every 4 hours ferries connect the port of Skala Prinou to Kavala with a journey time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. From the port of Limenas daily ferries go to Kavala and Keramoti (40 minutes).
Then there are the hydrofoils. Six daily hydrofoils connect Limenas to Kavala (30 minutes).
The nearest airport is Kavala International Airport which has daily flights to and from Athens (the flight takes approximately 50 minutes) as well as several flights to and from various European cities.
The island of Thassos, and in general the Northern Aegean Islands, are connected to the ports of Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandroupoli, Volos, Agios Kostantinos.
From Thassos it is possible to visit the nearby Eastern Aegean Islands such as Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios etc.

Some useful numbers:
Limenas Bus Station: +30 25930 22162 / 22163
Taxi Service: +30 25930 22575

Thassos

On the island there are beautiful places to visit.
Theologos
It is located 52 km south of Limenas and is one of the oldest towns and one of the most beautiful towns on the island. It is famous for its stone villas, taverns and food. Every year, in June, an interesting and beautiful re-enactment of a traditional local wedding takes place.

Panagia
It is located 7 km southeast of Limenas. It is the old capital of the island. Panagia has a traditional architecture and a lot of greenery. It is famous for its sweets, nuts, figs and tomatoes.

Aliki
It is among the most beautiful places on the island. At the right end of the village there are remains of an ancient temple dating back to the 7th century BC. C. Taking the narrow path you reach the two basilicas which were built on the remains of ancient temples. Continuing westwards you reach the ancient marble quarries.

Phillipi
It is located about 20 minutes from Kavala and was the first stop of São Paulo on the island. It has an ancient theater and remains of an ancient city.

Vriokastro
Here is the sanctuary of the Holy Apostles. On the top of the hill is the ancient theater. In the area there are also the sanctuaries of Apollo, Athena and Pan. Walking along the path you come across the ancient walls.

Ancient Theatre
Built in the 3rd century BC. C., the theater could accommodate from 2000 to 3000 people. It was modified by the Romans in the first century AD. C. and used for gladiator fights. The theater continues to be used for musical performances and plays, especially during the summer. It offers a fantastic view of the sea.

Gate of the Silenus
It is located just outside the capital, at the crossroads of the roads leading to the town of Panagia and Mikriammos beach. The door is two meters high and represents Parmenonand Silenus with a thick beard and a ponytail, completely naked and wearing a pair of high boots.

Old Port
Thassos had two ports, one for market and trade and the other for military purposes. The ancient naval port is more commonly called Porto Vecchio and is currently closed. The foundations of the round towers are still clearly visible on the quay.

Monastery of the Archangel Michael
Built on top of a rock, it is the largest and also the most famous monastery in Thassos, built in the 18th century. It has an interesting architecture and is located on a hill above Livadi. To enter the Monastery you need to follow some rules: dress in long trousers, for men, and long skirts and shirts with covered shoulders, for women.

St. Paraskevi Church
It is located in Theologos and is among the oldest churches on the island of Thassos. Built in stone, it houses an icon of the Virgin Mary, made of wax and mastic and considered a work of the apostle Luke.

Church of Maries
It is located in the locality of Maries, southeast of Limenas. It is dedicated to the archangels and is one of the oldest churches in Thassos. Beautiful decorations made by the monks adorn the church. Also in the locality of Maries there is the interesting Monastery of Panagoudas.

Church of Saint Athanassios
It is located within the walls of the Genoese Castle, a settlement in the central area of ​​Thassos, near Maries. According to the inscription on the wall, the church dates back to 1804. The stones used for its construction were taken from the remains of an old castle. Every year on January 18, the church celebrates the feast of Saint Athanassios and welcomes the many pilgrims who come from all over the island.

The capital of the island of Thassos
limes
It is a small city and in addition to being the capital it is also the main port of the island. It is located on the north coast and is the city with the highest concentration of population. It is the administrative and commercial center of the island, and offers hotels, restaurants, shops, banks, bars, taverns and clubs. Limenas has a modern part and an older part. The old quarter is the most beautiful part of the city and constitutes a great archaeological interest with its museum and the remains of an ancient past scattered all around.
The old port is also very picturesque as is the old market. In Limenas there are also marbles and monuments that testify to its glorious past, when it became rich with its marble quarries. There are beautiful beaches within walking distance.

To be seen
Cave of Pan
It is actually an artificial cave. It is thought to have been used as a place of worship dedicated to the god Pan.

Ancient Agora
It is located on a hill above Limenas and includes the ruins of the ancient city of Thassos. There are remains of temples and shrines, an odeon, a theater and the Acropolis.

Vatopediou Monastery (or Kalogeriko)
It is the symbol of Limenas. It is located in the middle of the quay and was built during the 19th century.

Museums
Archaeological Museum
It is located in the capital of the island. It exhibits various archaeological finds such as ceramics, statues, terracotta figurines etc…
Ticket price: €2, reduced €1
For more information: +30 25930 22180

Folklore Museum
It is based in a traditional two storey building in the heart of Theologos. On the first floor there are exhibits related to industrial and traditional professions while on the second floor there is the reconstruction of a traditional house of Thassos.

Limenaria Folklore Museum
It exhibits utensils of daily life, tools, traditional costumes, photos, ceramics and more.
The museum is open every day during the afternoon hours.

Kalirachi Folklore Museum
It is a small museum which is housed in a recently renovated traditional house. Traditional furniture and handicrafts decorate the interior and accurately recreate the ambience of an ancient house.

Vagis Sculpture Museum
It is a small museum in the town of Potamia, near a church. It is dedicated to the sculptor Polygnotos Vagis, who was born in Potamia and emigrated to America where he became an accomplished artist. The museum exhibits works by the sculptor.

Thassos

Beaches
The coast of Thassos is embellished by numerous sandy and pebble beaches and by romantic and small bays. In Greece the island is in fact known for the superb beauty of its beaches, with soft golden sand, crystal clear waters and green trees surrounding them. Anyone who has set foot on the island is captivated by it. And, although many beaches have tourist facilities and are well organised, they have still not lost all their natural and charming surroundings.

Makriamos beach
It is located 2 km from Limenas and is the closest beach to the capital and among the most characteristic places on the island. It is well organized and usually becomes popular during the summer.

Paradise beach
Si trova a 20 km a sud di Limenas. The beach is among the best known beaches of Thassos. It is famous for its very picturesque place and its soft, white beach.

Limenaria beach
It is located 37km southwest of Limenas and is a very popular tourist spot. It is lined with family-run hotels, taverns offering excellent fish dishes and water sports centres.

Alyki beach
It is located 31km south of Limenas and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island made up of two small white sand beaches, calm seas and soft sand in and out of the water.

Skala Potamias beach
It is located 10 km southeast of Limenas. With soft sand, it is well organized and becomes very popular in the summer.

Skala Prinos beach
It is located 12 km southwest of Limenas and is the second largest port of Thassos where ferries arrive from Kavala. Its long beach is a very popular tourist spot.

Glykadi beach
It is located 2 km from Limenas. It is a long beach with pure sand and crystal clear waters. It is ideal for those who love to take long walks on the shore.

Hara beach
15 km from Limenas, it is a small beach that usually never gets too crowded. It has soft sand and crystal clear waters.

Livadi beach
It is located 35 km south of the capital of the island. Livadi is ideal for swimming. Hidden by lush nature, it is located between Alyki and Astris.

Fun
Thassos is a particularly popular destination with both Greeks and tourists from other European cities. In the capital you will find taverns along the harbor offering authentic Greek cuisine. There are also bars and late-night music. On the beach there are also places where you can have after-dinner cocktails and live entertainment. In some localities, there are very chic bars and cafés along the seafront. Bouzouki, bars with live bouzouki compositions, are also common in the various localities of the island. The Greek version of blues, called "Rembetika", is performed in some taverns by local singers. Especially during the weekends succulent dishes are organized such as grilled fish and meat that fill the air with an enchanting scent.
It is not an understatement to say that the island is so enchanting and difficult to forget that it could become ideal for a romantic honeymoon.