Greek island Thassos vacation. Thassos is an emerald corner of Greece. Holidays in Greece

The island of Thassos is located in northeastern Greece. This is a small island that you can travel around in a day, with a permanent population of 16 thousand people.

Thassos Island– this is a calm and harmonious vacation atmosphere on the Thracian Sea in the country of Hellas. The area of the island of Thassos is more than 450 square meters. km (north-south direction is about 24 km, west-east 21 km), and the coast stretches for 115 km. Forests occupy 90% of the island's territory.

Thassos is the northernmost island of Greece. This small island is completely covered with greenery: the valleys and coastline are full of olive plantations, and on the mountainous and rocky surface in the center of the island there are sycamore and chestnut groves, as well as oak groves interspersed with low pines, spruces and cedars.

The island of Thassos is called the “marble island”, because white marble rocks protrude everywhere here!

The island of Thassos will appeal to those travelers who love to study antiquities, amazingly beautiful nature and listen to silence. There are few Russian tourists on the island of Thassos, probably due to the island’s remoteness from the airport, but if you come for a relaxing beach holiday at sea, you will fall in love with it forever! The island of Thassos is less hot in the summer months than the rest of the islands of Greece (the air temperature usually does not rise above 28C-30C).

The capital of Thassos is the city of Limenas.

The capital of the island is the city of Limenas(ancient name Thassos). This is the main port of the island, where crowds of tourists from the mainland of Eastern Macedonia come by ferry. The island is separated from the mainland of Greece near the city of Kavala by only 12 miles and the Thassos Strait. From the port of Kavala to the island of Thassos is just 25 minutes by boat. Kavala has its own airport, but direct charters from Russia do not fly there.

All the main attractions of Thassos are concentrated within the capital Limenas and its surroundings.

Attractions of the Limenas resort:

Ruins of the acropolis, temple of Apollo;
Church of St. Nicholas and Vatopedi Monastery in the old town;
Fragments of the temples of Pan and Athena;
Ancient sanctuary of Hercules in the old port area;
Archaeological Museum;
The Orthodox women's monastery of Michael the Archangel, keeping a piece of the nail with which the Savior was crucified;
Temple of Dionysus;
The cave (sanctuary) of the ancient deity Pag is evidence of pagan times;
Ancient theater, Roman baths, part of the stadium, ancient quarries;
Round ancient Roman temple of Palemon;
Ruins and preserved mosaic floors of the Temple of Poseidon.

Beaches of Thassos Island.

Thassos- This beach holiday on the Aegean Sea from late May to mid-September. More than 200 comfortable hotels are available to tourists. The peak season on Thassos is July-August.

The beaches of Thassos are sandy and small-pebble.

The best resorts on Thassos island: Panagia, Potamia, Potos, Felogos, Kastro, Sotiras, Prinos, Maryes, Greater and Lesser Kazaviti.

The best beaches of Thassos:

The gently sloping sandy “Golden Beach” is an excellent place for a family holiday with children (12 km from the capital);
Resort coast near the capital Limenas (Grifada, Limenaki, Pakhis, Makriammos);
The resort area of Limenaria is famous for the small-pebble 800-meter Tripiti beach with a wide strip of coastline by the sea and a beach in Skala Marion Bay (13 km north of Limenaria);
The resort area of Potamya is famous for the white sand beach Potamyas;
The coast between Panagia and Potamia has beautiful equipped beaches of Chrysi Akri and Chrysi Ammoudia - a haven for families with children due to the convenient gentle entrance to the sea and the protection of the beach from the wind by Mount Ipsario;
“Paradise Beach” with white sand is located near the villages of Loutros and Aliki;
The secluded Kekes beach is located just a kilometer from the village of Aliki right next to a pine forest;
Potos - a kilometer-long beach with equipped camping areas is very popular among travelers by car;
Pevkari Beach is an amazingly beautiful place where pine trees approach the water itself.

Limenaria is the second largest and significance, the resort town is located in the southwest of Thassos. Here you can visit old abandoned German mines.

Youth resorts, of course, are due to the thick of entertainment in a large number of discos, bars, pubs, cafes and are located near the two most important cities of Thassos: the capital Limenas and Limenaria.

Sights of Thassos island.

Ipsario is the highest mountain of the island, which offers views of the sacred Mount Athos;
The Mikriammos hotel not only has its own beach, but also its own zoo with peacocks and deer;
The resort village of Aliki is famous for the ruins of a marble wall on which inscriptions of ancient sailors have been preserved;
The village of Phelogos hosts an annual celebration of ancient Greek wedding rites;
The village of Panagia is the custodian of an ancient church with the flag of Richard the Lionheart and ancient icons;
Theologos village hosts national festivals;
Palataki Palace in Limenaria, built at the very tip of the cape;
Turkish fortress of the 19th century.

How to get to Thassos island?

The closest airport to Thassos is on mainland Greece in Thessaloniki. Regular flights take off from Moscow and deliver tourists to Thessaloniki airport in 3.5 hours. Next, by car or bus, 200 km to the mainland port city of Keramoti, and then an hour by ferry to the island of Thassos to its capital Limenas.

Everything about the island of Thassos: hotels, entertainment at sea, relaxation on the beaches and excursions. Author's photos and videos, reviews from tourists. Location of Thassos on the map.

Thassos is an island in the northern Aegean Sea

Thassos Island located in the north of Greece - opposite the coast Eastern Macedonia. Administratively, it belongs to the periphery Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

The length of the island's coastline is 115 kilometers and its area is 378.84 square meters. kilometers. Population - 14,000 inhabitants.

Just 18 nautical miles separate Thassos from city of Kavala. This is an amazingly green island, thanks to its rich vegetation: olive trees, pines, cedars, spruces, lindens, dogwoods and many other types of trees and shrubs cover the surface of the island right up to the tops of the mountains. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the main income of the islanders is wood. In addition, the island is famous for marble mining, developed tourism, olive plantations and, accordingly, olive oil, as well as honey and other agricultural products.

Port of Limenas - the capital of the island

The capital of Thassos is Port of Limenas, which is the commercial and administrative center of the island. It is located on the northern coast of the island - on the very spot where the ancient city of Thassos was located.

During the day you can swim on one of the many beaches along the coastline - Makriammos, Limanaki, Glyfada etc. In addition, you can visit ancient Agora And ancient theater, and in the evening enjoy a walk and shopping, as well as try the “authentic taste of the island” in numerous taverns and restaurants.

The small town of Limenas is also called Thassos. Despite its size, the city has a wide variety of shops, hotels, banks, bars, taverns and pub clubs. In addition, there is a post office and police station, as well as a bus station.

Limenas is divided into two parts - into old and new city. The old town is perhaps the most beautiful part of the capital of Thassos. Moreover, it has archaeological value. There is also a very rich museum and many ancient ruins scattered throughout the old part of the city.

In addition, the old port of Limenas is a picturesque sight, especially considering that there was a ancient agora. In the old part of the city there are also many temples: in particular, Church of St. Nicholas and Vatopedi Monastery, which is located in the middle of the old city and is symbol of Limenas.

In addition to ancient ruins, such as old fortress walls, acropolis, theater, temple of Apollo and much more, the city has preserved to this day other historical monuments testifying to the glorious past of the island when it grew rich due to the development of marble quarries.

Limenaria - the second city of Thassos

Limenaria- the second largest city on the island of Thassos, which, together with the settlement Kalyvya In recent years there has been great tourism and economic development. The city has beautiful beaches.

The first inhabitants of Limenaria were workers from Castro. The population increased with the arrival of refugees after the Asia Minor disaster of 1922.

There are houses here that were built back in 1900 by the Turks (during Turkish rule), and there are also many neoclassical buildings.

In addition, it is of interest to any tourist Palataki(that is small palace) and a fortress located at 600 meters above sea level. Palataki stands right on the cliff of a cape jutting into the sea. This is a two-story rectangular building with towers located along the edges.

The mansion is an example eclectic architecture, with characteristic strict symmetry and with a clear influence of Central European trends in architecture. The building was built in 1903/1904 as Management of the German company Speidel, which at that time was engaged in the development of ores on Thassos. With the abolition of industrial facilities in 1963, the building was abandoned. In 1993, restoration work began to use it as Cultural center.

Along the long coastline of Limenaria there are taverns, cafeterias, bars, shops, creating a cheerful atmosphere of life in full swing.

There are many hotels and rental apartments here. There is a sandy beach not far from Limenaria Tripiti.

Thassos settlements with beautiful beaches

In the southwest of Limenas there is a village Rakhoni. There are many monasteries and mansions here, giving this settlement an unusual atmosphere of tradition. In Rakhoni you can visit Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built in the 19th century.

There is a settlement above Limenas Panagia, with lush, rich vegetation, where numerous pine trees combined with the expanse of the sea create a picturesque picture of extraordinary beauty. The village is named like this after the church of the same name which was erected here in 1832.

Between Panagias Rock And Rock Potamyas there is an organized beach Chrissi Ammoudya, which translated from Greek means "golden sand" The beautiful beach with crystal clear waters is surrounded by dense vegetation that goes straight down to the sea. The shore here is shallow, which is very convenient for families with small children. Dominant over the beach mountain Ipsario gives the area additional charm.

Rock Potamyas also distinguished by its amazingly clean beach, but already with white sand. It should be noted that there are a lot of hotels in both Skala Panagia and Skala Potamyas. Overall such a great combination beauty of nature - clear sea - traditional taverns - modern bars surprisingly conducive to relaxation away from the bustle and noise of the city.

Mountain village Potamya, located on the slopes of Mount Ipsario - the highest mountain of the island (1,203 m) - provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area. Potamia is distinguished by its houses, built in a traditional style - with stone walls and wooden roofs - among rich vegetation, old churches and narrow streets against a backdrop of village silence and amazing tranquility.

In Potamya, in addition to hotels, rooms are also available for rent. There are many taverns and cafeterias where you can eat delicious food and have a good rest.

In addition, in Potamya you can visit M uzey Vagis, dedicated to the Greek-American sculptor Polygnotos Vagis (Hadzigeorgiou), born on the island of Thassos in 1892.

There are two paths leading from the village: one to the seashore, and the other through dense vegetation to the mountains.

Within Potos there is, albeit small, but organized beach - Pevkari, which is surrounded by densely growing pine trees, which, in fact, gave the name to the area, because “pevka” translated from Greek means “pine trees.”

In the mountain village of Potos - Theologos you can admire the old mansions and be sure to visit the famous ones throughout the area taverns of a traditional village which are famous for their spit-roasted goat meat, as well as local homemade wine.

Theologos is a very beautiful village with equally beautiful houses and mansions. It is thanks to its amazing architecture that this village was declared in 1979 by the Greek state as a traditional settlement, followed by the restoration of houses by indigenous people. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to do this, so many houses were sold to foreigners, who, in turn, gladly renovated the newly acquired houses, turning them into amazingly beautiful buildings.

In the summer, in June, the village annually hosts a folk festival in the form of a performance traditional wedding ceremony.

Feologos is located south of Limenas, between Castro And Kinira.

The name Kastro speaks for itself, because in Greek it means “fortress”. This is the fortress, located in the central part of the island at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level among ravines and gorges.

During the Genoese period it was a surprisingly lively and rich area. Currently, the fortress is completely abandoned and deserted.

It was built the Gattilusie family from Genoa, as evidenced by the inscriptions preserved on the walls.

The oldest temple on the island is also located here. Church of St. Athanasius. It is on the day of memory of St. Athanasius - January 18 - that the fortress wakes up from its lethargic sleep, enlivened by festive events in honor of this Saint, when residents literally from all over the island flock here.

If you cross the main road of the island, passing through two picturesque fishing villages - Maryes Rock and Callirachi Rock, with fantastically clear water and beaches, as well as traditional taverns and their mountain settlements, which are buried in such dense greenery, as if untouched by time, you go straight to Rock Sotiras, built on a quiet and beautiful shore, from where you can admire the unique beauty of the sunset.

Charming Sotiras village is located between Kallirahi and Prinos, at the foot of Ipsario, at an altitude of 380 meters above sea level.

Currently, the village is home to a small number of residents. It is famous for its ancient ruins, old traditional houses and equally old churches, as well as a spring spring from 1888 (a very famous spring on the island is considered source of Panagia).

In its turn, Bringing is the largest, most populous village in the western part of Thassos. Economically, the village is thriving thanks to the oil deposits found here.

Prinos is the cultural and social center of the area. There are many restaurants, taverns, hotels, coffee shops and bars.

4 kilometers from Prinos there is Kazaviti village, which is divided into Little and Great Casaviti. This village is literally “nestled” among the mountains, hidden in dense vegetation.

Beautiful houses with wooden balconies, stone walls and painted ceilings, like steps, climb up the mountain.

In the gorge, in the mid-western part of the island, at a high altitude, there is village of Maries- one of the oldest villages on the island, founded in the Middle Ages. The most beautiful panorama opens up from here.

The houses in Maries are built closely together, representing examples of traditional architecture, thanks to their unusual balconies and carved ceilings.

Kallirahi village- this is also one of the oldest mountain villages of Thassos, located 2.5 kilometers from the seashore, not far from Maryes. Kallirahi is set among olive plantations, immersed in lush greenery, with traditional architecture and narrow streets - perfect for walking. By the way, there are many traditional coffee shops in the village.

The rich vegetation of Thassos gives the right to call the island the greenest island of the Aegean Sea. Its proximity to the port of Kavala makes it the most popular tourist destination not only for foreign tourists, but also for the Greeks themselves - all year round.

Getting to Thassos from Moscow is not as easy as getting to some other Greek islands, such as Crete, Rhodes and Kos. The fact is that Thassos does not have its own airport, so it is impossible to get to the island directly. As a rule, a trip to Thassos from Moscow includes a flight to one of the two nearest airports (Thessaloniki and Kavala), a trip to the ferry terminal and a ferry ride to the island. We have already talked about how to get to Thassos from Thessaloniki and Kavala airports in a separate article. Therefore, in this article we will only talk about how to get from Moscow to these airports.

Direct flight

It is clear that there cannot be a direct flight from Moscow to Thassos (at least for now), but you can fly directly from Moscow to Thessaloniki airport on flights of Aeroflot and Ellinair airlines. The option is, of course, convenient, but usually the cost of air tickets for direct flights from Moscow to Thessaloniki is higher than the cost of air tickets for flights with transfers.

Flight with transfer

This option is usually cheaper, but, of course, not everyone likes to change planes at some other airport. If you fly from Moscow to Thessaloniki with a transfer, then the transfer can be in places such as Athens, Heraklion (Crete), Rhodes, Istanbul (Turkey) and even Belgrade (Serbia).
It is worth judging the profitability of a particular offer not only by price, but also by other criteria, such as the duration of the transfer, the possibility of free baggage allowance, seat selection, etc.
Another advantage of traveling from Moscow to Thassos with a transfer is the opportunity to land at Kavala airport, which is much closer to the Keramoti ferry port than Thessaloniki airport. This means that you will spend very little time traveling from the airport to Thassos Island, since you will need approximately 15 minutes to travel to the ferry port from Kavala airport and another 40 minutes for the ferry crossing. The flight from Moscow to Kavala is carried out with a transfer in Athens.

What's next

Whichever of the two airports you fly into (Thessaloniki or Kavala), you will need to get to the ferry port of Keramoti or Kavala, and from there take a ferry to the island of Thassos. Ferries operate more frequently and faster from the port of Keramoti, but sometimes the port of Kavala is a more convenient option. You can learn more about how to get to Thassos from airports in another article on our website.

Driving 12 kilometers from Kavala, you find yourself in an emerald paradise among the expanses of the Aegean Sea - Thassos. The lush, rich greenery makes the island the greenest in Greece. Spacious valleys, olive groves, various conifers that permeate the air with a wonderful aroma, cedars and plane trees - nature has generously endowed this area with the best it has. 115 kilometers of coastline provide the traveler with the opportunity to choose from a variety of beaches with their white sands and incredibly clear sea.

The landscapes of the island are a bright emerald, sparkling with the freshness of greenery. The picture of nature is decorated with waterfalls and steep cliffs, which serve as a place for extracting white marble. Such picturesque wealth wins the hearts of travelers from the first minutes of their stay in Thassos.

The resort will be an ideal place for a holiday with children thanks to its well-equipped beaches, developed infrastructure, and numerous entertainment complexes. Fans of secluded pastimes, as well as anyone interested in ancient history, will find their place here.

The mildness of the climate allows Thassos to be a fertile territory (according to this indicator, the island is considered the best in the Aegean Sea). The area is also suitable for wellness holidays. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, lived here for several years, noting that the local winter is more similar to spring, and the summer period is pleasant and comfortable.

Capital of Thassos

The island's capital, Limenas, also serves as the main port. Archaeological monuments are available to tourists: the Ancient Agora, the ruins of ancient Roman temples, the ruins of the ancient city of Thassos. In addition, by visiting the archaeological museum, you can see unique exhibits telling about the history of the island.

Limenas is equally beautiful at any time of the day. In daylight, a tourist can relax by the sea by visiting one of the local beaches. The best of them are Makriammos, Limanaki, Glyfada. The ancient theater is definitely worth a visit. Evening time is suitable for shopping. Shopping in Thassos will bring pleasure to all shopping lovers; at the same time, you can acquire memorable souvenirs. In addition, a gastronomic walk will help you truly get into the spirit of the island, including local cuisine prepared by chefs from restaurants in the capital.

The second name of Limenas is Thassos, so don’t be surprised if you hear this name of the city. Despite its size, the territory of Limenas has a large number of different shops, hotels, bars, taverns, and pubs. Large banks operate here, so tourists will not have problems withdrawing money or exchanging currency.

The capital of Thassos has two parts - the new city and the old. The Old Town is the most beautiful area of Limenas. There is an archaeological museum and numerous ruins of ancient buildings, so the value of this place cannot be overestimated.

The Old Port is picturesque. It captivates and remains in the memory forever. An ancient agora was located here a long time ago. In addition, the old part of Limenas is rich in religious places: the Church of St. Nicholas and the Vatopedi Monastery are the brightest monuments of religion. This monastery, by the way, is the calling card of the capital.

Capital's rival – Limenaria

Limenaria can compete with the capital. This city is the second largest. The high level of infrastructure development required by tourists attracts travelers with the opportunity to choose from a variety of hotels, restaurants, taverns, and entertainment centers. The local beaches will not disappoint the traveler.

The first settlers of the city arrived here from Castro. Then they were simple workers. The population has grown significantly since 1922, when the major Asia Minor disaster occurred. Because of this, refugees poured here and settled in the city.

Turkish domination left a clear mark on Limenaria in the form of houses built then. They are still preserved, located along the streets of the city along with modern buildings.

For beautiful views, you should go to Palataki. This is a small palace with a fortress, rising 600 meters above the sea. These buildings are located on the top of a cliff. The two-story rectangular building with towers on the edges is a beautiful landscape that once you see, you will never forget it.

The coastline of Limenaria is quite long. Here tourists can find cafes, bars, restaurants, and various shops. Life along the coastline is bustling and colorful, so even a simple walk will become a real adventure. Very close to the city is the beautiful sandy beach of Tripiti.

Villages of Thassos

Kazaviti (both Small and Large) are picturesque settlements located on a hill. Traditional houses and a square typical for mountainous regions perfectly characterize Thassos. Here you can enjoy peace, tranquility, quiet bird songs and beautiful waterfalls.

Deep in the olive groves lies another village worth visiting: Kalihari. People come here for active recreation: the hilly terrain where the settlement is located makes the streets winding, and the picturesque groves provide plenty of opportunities for hiking around their territory.

Theologos was once the capital of Thassos. This is a mountain village, the buildings of which are recognized by Greece as architectural monuments. Theologos is often called a real “open-air museum.” Every year, local residents organize a large-scale celebration where the traditional wedding ceremony is reproduced. This happens in the summer, in June, so if you happen to be here, be sure to stop by.

Potos, considered a tourist center, is especially popular among young people. This is a great place for fun after sunset. Bars, clubs, taverns, cafes, discos - the nightlife of Potos is noisy until the morning.

To the southwest of Limenas is Rahoni. This village allows you to feel the traditional spirit of the island: many monasteries and mansions create a vivid picture of Thassos. The attraction of Rakhoni is the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary from the 19th century.

Panagia is a settlement where pine trees come into close contact with the sea, creating a unique landscape. You can get here by driving up from Limenas. Panagia is the personification of the entire island with luxurious greenery, lush vegetation and pine notes permeating the air. The village takes its name from the 1832 church.

The houses of the village of Potamya are located right on the slopes of Ipsario. They are the distinctive feature of a black mountain settlement: traditional houses are built of stone with wooden roofs. A beautiful panorama opens from Potamya, rich in all shades of greenery, visible ancient churches and flowing streets. Here you can rent a hotel room or rented accommodation, and numerous bars and taverns provide a wide menu to suit every taste. A traveler should also definitely check out the museum of the sculptor Vagis.

Beaches of Thassos

Chrysi Ammoudia (“golden sand”) is located between Skala Panagias and Skala Potamyas. Crystal clear sea, beautiful beach, rich vegetation surrounding the area - the beach landscape seems to be borrowed from a picture. This beauty is complemented by the towering Mount Ipsario. The shallow depth of the shore is an ideal condition for swimming small children. The deep sand of a golden hue sparkles under the sun's rays, which is why the beach was named that way. You can rent sun loungers and you also get a drink, which is very nice considering the summer heat of the Greek territories. All conditions for active recreation have been created: those who wish can engage in water sports.

Another beautiful beach is located directly at Skala Potamyas. Snow-white sand and clear water – this is what tourists come here for. Nearby there are taverns and bars where you can have a snack, have fun, and most importantly - not think about the noisy bustle of the resort town. There are also various hotels nearby that provide necessary services to guests.

Not far from Potamya is Potos Beach, one of the most favorite locations for guests of the island. The fun is here around the clock, so you won't get bored. There is also Pevkari beach nearby. The Greek word “pevka” is translated as “pine”, because these are the trees that surround the area. This beach is marked with the Blue Flag, so lovers of a comfortable holiday will appreciate this place. It is not safe for small children to swim here because of the rocky areas, as well as the rather dangerous inhabitants of the sea - sea urchins.

An interesting place is Tripiti. The name means “leaky”; the beach got it because of the through passage. The territory is well-groomed and landscaped. You can rent umbrellas and sun loungers. Directly adjacent to the beach there is an excellent hotel where you can stay. The shore is covered with white sand, however, further from the hotel the silky coating stops. The sea here is calm and warm. Tripiti is not suitable for those who like solitude, as it is always crowded.

For an unusual holiday, head to Marble Beach. It is truly marble: instead of sand, the shore is covered with marble chips obtained from the extraction of this material. The bright contrast of the azure sea with the snow-white beach is an amazing landscape of a paradise. The beach is made up of three beautiful lagoons, surprising with their unearthly beauty.

When going on vacation with children, choose Aliki. The beach has a gentle entrance, and the sea is shallow, so you don’t have to worry about the safety of the kids. Stunning shades of sea water are a real find that cannot be forgotten. There is a bar on the beach with a variety of dishes.

The most beautiful place is Giola. This is the lagoon south of the village of Astris. You should go here without children, as the depth of the sea is rapidly increasing. The water does not warm up too much, and the area is blown by strong winds. However, the stunning view - snow-white cliffs, boulders, clear sea - you need to be here at least once. Nature has created a pool with clear sea water near Giola, so this opportunity should not be missed.

Glyfoneri is not the most popular place, which is surprising. Sun loungers are free here, prices in the cafe are affordable. Snow-white sand and clear sea, shady areas throughout the territory - a great place to hide from the tourist bustle of Thassos. Glyfoneri is the name of the tavern, so when you see a sign with the corresponding inscription, head there. You can have a delicious lunch here if you plan to stay longer. By the way, the beach cannot be seen from the road, this is another reason why there are few tourists here.

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Attractions

Aliki

The small village is very popular among tourists. In addition to clean beaches, luxury hotels, lots of entertainment, cafes, bars, Alika can be proud of its attractions. Surrounded by centuries-old pine and olive trees, the wonderful village is one of the most beautiful places on the island. The cape on which Alika is located is recognized as an archaeological monument. Here is an ancient quarry where Thassos marble was mined for thousands of years. Not far from the quarry there is a shopping center from which marble products were transported to various parts of the world. To this day, archaeologists and tourists find huge pieces of carved marble near the quarry.

A group of French archaeologists found the ruins of an ancient sanctuary, on the walls of which ancient inscriptions were preserved. An early Christian chapel was discovered in a small cave. According to legend, the gods Dioskouri and Apollo protected sailors during the voyage. In honor of the gods, shrines dating back to the 5th-6th centuries were erected. BC. Later, sea salt was evaporated here, as evidenced by the name of the settlement. Aliki translated means “salt pans”. A vacation in this resort town will be not only beach, but educational and intellectual.

Monastery of the Archangel Michael

The Monastery of Archangel Michael is considered the largest in Thassos. Erected near Aliki in the 8th-9th centuries. According to legend, the monk Luke is considered its founder. According to legend, the rock on which the monastery is located was not chosen by chance. This is a place of amazing miracles, inexplicable events, healings, and prophetic dreams.

The sacred monastery attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The monastery is proud of and protects its main shrine - a piece of a nail driven into the body of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion. During a visit to Archangel Michael, you can touch a sacred relic.
The ancient building is surrounded by incredible nature. A beautiful seascape opens up on all sides. The breathtaking cliff face excites everyone.

Entrance to the territory is free. There is a temple, cells, chapels, and guest rooms here. A walk through the courtyard will lead to a souvenir shop with church souvenirs and handmade items. The weapons shop and exhibition displays knives and sabers. There is a small cave under the monastery. The entrance to it is open, but not safe. Inside the cave there is an icon of the Archangel Michael and a healing spring.

Panteleimon Monastery

The Monastery of Panteleimon is a historical landmark of Thassos. Located near the village of Kazaviti at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level. Legend says that the monastery was built on this site for a reason. Construction was supposed to be a couple of kilometers away, from where tools were constantly disappearing. The workers, having stumbled upon unknown tracks, followed them and discovered the loss. The incident was considered a sign from above, and a decision was made to build a temple here.

In the first half of the 19th century, construction was completed. The building was built of mountain stone and the roof was made of wood. Near the temple there is a cave, which according to legend was the dwelling of Panteleimon. A sacred monastery was erected in honor of the healer. It is believed that the sacred spring in the cave can cure any disease. Thousands of people come here with the hope of recovery. From the observation deck you can enjoy an incredible view and breathe in the smell of nature. On clear days, Mount Athos can be seen from here. Every June, St. Panteleimon's Day is celebrated here. There are several ways to get to the sacred place. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, don't forget about safety.

Ancient Thassos

Ancient Thassos is a historical and archeological monument dating back to the 7th century BC. In the old days, it was a prosperous city: its own merchant and military fleet, minting coins. The wealth of natural resources turned Thassos into a commercial, religious and political center. The city was attacked and captured more than once, but one day it could not resist and fell. At the beginning of the 20th century. A group of French archaeologists began excavating the destroyed settlement. The few artifacts found confirm the grandeur and luxury of ancient Thassos. Some of them are kept in the Archaeological Museum. You can appreciate the beauty of the ruins of marble fortresses, ancient sanctuaries, the ancient theater, the main square, and the foundations of churches in the ruins of the city. The destroyed walls were once a reliable defensive wall. A walk through the ruins will be exciting and interesting.

Castro

“Kastro” translated from Greek means “fortress”. The ancient village, located at an altitude of 500 m above sea level, was founded at the beginning of the 15th century. In those days, settlements were located high in the mountains, and a defensive wall was built around them. So the locals were forced to defend themselves from pirate attacks. For several centuries Castro flourished, but by the end of the 19th century it lost its significance.

People went down to the fertile soil and took up agriculture. The village was deserted, maintaining its medieval atmosphere. In the center of the settlement, the Church of St. Athanasius, built in 1804, remains standing. Literally every resident of the settlement took part in its construction. The sanctuary was built from materials from a destroyed Genoese castle. The ruins of this fortress have survived to this day.

Today, Castro's ancient houses are being restored. Tourists come here to enjoy the peace and tranquility. For entertainment, there is a small cozy tavern. In January, in honor of the celebration of St. Athanasius's day, the village comes to life. All the inhabitants of the island come here, walk, sing songs, dance.

Lake Marie

The island captivates not only with its historical sights, but also with its natural ones. Lake Mari is the only one in Thassos. The Greek Archipelago is not characterized by the presence of islands. Therefore, Marie is a real miracle.

Few travelers know about this cozy, quiet and picturesque place. The lake is not marked on any map. To see all the beauty with your own eyes, you need to get to the village of Mari. Local residents will tell you the way.

Giola

Among the natural attractions, a unique lagoon called Giola should be highlighted. This is a natural body of water with blue-green sea water, surrounded by rocks. A small stone wall separates Giola from the sea. During a storm, raging waves overflow the barrier and replenish the pool with fresh water. In appearance, the lagoon resembles a pearl shell. Swimming in such an amazing natural phenomenon is a pleasure. Literally a meter from the lagoon the endless sea spreads out. The view is amazing. Vacationers come here to enjoy the sea and take extraordinary photographs. At sunset it is very beautiful here, but evening time is not suitable for swimming.

The lagoon is called "Aphrodite's Tear". There is a legend that Zeus himself created a natural pool for his beloved. According to another legend, the pool is the watchful eye of Zeus. You can get to the reservoir by car. But you should carefully monitor the road and prepare a map in advance.

Ancient amphitheater

The ancient amphitheater, built in the 3rd century BC, is located on a hill in the city of Limenas. The stone seats can accommodate 3,000 spectators. There is an opinion that gladiator fights used to take place here. Ancient inscriptions have been preserved on some seats. It is assumed that this is how the places of rich and influential people were marked. Today people gather in the amphitheater for musical concerts and performances. In the evenings, the public sits on stone benches and enjoys the sunset. The sun sets on the mountains and sea, ships and yachts sail past. The view is simply amazing. The amphitheater is surrounded by a pine forest. The extraordinary smell of pine needles hovers in the air. Climbing higher you can see many ruins of a Byzantine medieval castle, a tower and a church.

Archaeological Museum

You can immerse yourself in the past within the walls of the Archaeological Museum, which is located in the capital of the island, Limenas. The museum presents a fairly wide composition with a total area of about 2000 square meters.
More than one and a half thousand exhibits from the period from the 7th century BC are stored here. to 7th century AD Their main feature is that they were all found on the territory of Thassos.

The finds are varied: ancient Greek dishes, antique mosaics, sculptures. Primitive tools are the most ancient museum exhibits. The remains of a Bronze Age man are kept here. Marble statues, bronze figurines, jewelry, statues of gods and generals - all this can be seen within the walls of the museum. Many exhibits are outdoors.
The museum is open daily from 8.30 to 15.00.

By “is it worth it” I mean 2 points. Firstly there is no airport on the island and therefore you have to get there “by transfer” - with transfers (first by plane - then by ferry). A Secondly the island is very small. And in this second point, again, the problem of the first point lies hidden - if you go somewhere on the mainland, then again you can’t do without a ferry...

Let me start right away with the fact that we had a very good rest there. But the fact is that when I was choosing an island to go to, I read on Tripadvisor that it looks like Pargu . Yes Yes! And Parga is sacred to me (because it’s my favorite place in Greece) and that’s why we rushed there... And also - everyone almost mentioned that there are few tourists on the island. So this is beauty! Parga, and even without tourists! Of course we’ll fly, I don’t care what the transfers are...

What turned out to be the case? Well, about Pargi - this is nonsense, of course. Not even close. Moreover, it loses, IMHO, not only in beauty Parge with its surroundings, but also to the Ionian islands in general - and Corfu, and L Efkasu, And Kefalonia(I was on the last island only for a short stop, but it still seemed so to me). First of all because Thassos very tiny.

But there are also many advantages. There really are very few people there! And not only tourists, but in general. Even too little, at times... That is, when you find here and there beaches for personal use, it’s super, of course, but when you have lunch and dinner in splendid isolation in taverns, then it’s a little overkill, IMHO. The Greeks themselves were also surprised where the tourists went this year, did the crisis have an impact? In general, mostly their own Greeks relax there. Although the end of May is still not the high season, incl. maybe a little later there will be more people...

Another plus is that the island is green and mountainous, so there are many beautiful views. Well, as everywhere else in Greece, the Greeks are hospitable and have wonderful, albeit simple, food.

We went there "charter" way - so we had a plane to Kavala - and then a ferry to the capital of the island of Limenas (where we lived), but we must take into account that if you fly on your own, you will most likely have to fly with transfers - the airport in Kavala is tiny and, apart from our plane , we didn’t see any others at all, so it’s not a fact that there are many suitable flights from other Greek cities.

By the way, the ferry is not very far - only 35-40 minutes. And time passes quite quickly, because... there passengers organize “feeding” of seagulls!

We were there for a whole week and therefore drove around the length and breadth of the island twenty times! Well, maybe not "across", it won’t work out there, mountains. However, if you want the beach and the sea, and also a restaurant in the evenings, then it’s all there! And in abundance. But if you, like us, cannot sit in one place, and every day you are drawn to exploits, then you will be terribly bored there after 3 days... Hmm... We are bored...

But it was still a bummer to go to the mainland - there this ferry somehow takes a long time to load and unload... And they don’t go there every hour. In short, we won’t go there again, but you can still see it once.

Moreover, where else can you find so many beaches with almost no people? And good ones, with white, soft sand.

By the way, we sunbathed there every day on a new beach. I was also pleased that the cat cried on the roads of cars, wherever you wanted - and slowed down there, taking pictures of the beautiful views.

And there were a lot of flowers, it’s not for nothing that the month of May is the most beautiful time, I suppose...

The food is local - yes, it’s simple to the point of disgrace), but somehow it always goes well there, apparently the local air influences)))...

Especially these Greek salads - not a single day without them, no, no... Although they are terribly different for each cook)))

There are various ancient ruins and simple ruins there too. And in quite large quantities. And the local museum amazed me, to be honest! And after all, the island is very tiny - the population is 16,000 people, but they built a wonderful museum!