A calm Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea, known for its marble quarries, ancient amphitheater, and pine forests that stretch to white-sand beaches.
Thasos floats in the northern Aegean Sea, 7 kilometers from mainland Greece. Pine trees blanket the slopes of Mount Ipsarion, which reaches 1,204 meters above sea level. You'll find white sand at Paradise Beach, swim near ancient marble quarries at Alyki, and walk through 4th-century BC ruins in Limenas. In the mountain village of Theologos, residents still make olive oil using traditional methods and celebrate local festivals in stone-paved squares.
Getting to Thasos
Take a ferry from either Keramoti or Kavala on the mainland. Most travelers land at Kavala International Airport, then take a 20-minute taxi (€25-30) to Keramoti port. Ferries run every hour during summer (€4 per person, €25 for cars), with a 40-minute crossing time.
Best Beaches for Swimming
Paradise Beach slopes gently into shallow water, with sunbeds costing €10 per pair. Several tavernas serve lunch along the beachfront. Golden Beach runs for 2.5 kilometers along the eastern coast, where calm waters make swimming easy. At Alyki Beach, swim above submerged ancient marble quarries or snorkel near the small peninsula.
Ancient Sites in Limenas
Walk through the Ancient Agora to see temples and public buildings dating to the 4th century BC. The ancient theater holds 2,000 spectators and hosts music performances from June to September. Inside the Archaeological Museum (€6 entry), you'll find marble statues, ceramics, and coins excavated across Thasos.
Mountain Villages and Local Life
In Theologos, stone houses line narrow streets, with wooden balconies hanging overhead. Visit the Folklore Museum (€4 entry) in an 1800s mansion to see traditional furniture, tools, and clothing. Panagia's cobblestone streets lead to small shops selling local honey (€8-12 per jar) and olive oil pressed from local groves.
Exploring Mount Ipsarion
Giola, a circular rock pool near Astris village, fills with seawater and warms in the sun. The pool measures 15 meters across and sits 8 meters above sea level. Mount Ipsarion's hiking trails start from Potamia village. The summit trail takes 4-5 hours round trip, with signs marking the path through pine forest to the peak's Aegean Sea views.
Local Food and Products
Beekeepers place hives near pine and thyme flowers to produce Thasian honey. Local olive growers make oil from Throumba olives, which has EU protected status. In Skala Potamia, fishermen sell their catch to waterfront restaurants each morning. Try local specialties like octopus sun-dried on wooden racks (€12-15 per portion).
When to Visit
July and August temperatures reach 31°C, with beaches at their busiest. September sees 24°C water temperatures and fewer visitors, with hotel prices dropping by 30-40%. Most restaurants and hotels close between November and April, when temperatures drop to 10-15°C.
