A historic tobacco trading center in northeastern Greece with Ottoman-era mansions and a lively Saturday bazaar. Near the Rhodope Mountains and known for its chocolate festival.
Xanthi's stone-paved alleys wind past wooden balconies and painted ceilings of more than 100 Ottoman-era mansions. You'll see masked revelers parade through the streets during Greece's second-largest carnival in spring, while musicians perform in mansion courtyards during the Old Town Festival each September. The city sits between the Rodopi Mountains and Nestos River, with its 19th-century tobacco merchant houses telling stories of its trading past.
Historical Context
When Ottoman authorities opened tobacco trading to non-Turkish merchants in 1859, Xanthi became a major processing center for premium Basma tobacco, which European cigarette makers ranked among their top choices. The resulting wealth led merchants to build elaborate mansions and processing facilities throughout the late 19th century.
Walking Through the Old Town
The steep streets of Xanthi's Old Town contain mansions built between 1860 and 1920. These three-story buildings combine wooden balconies and painted ceilings with Greek classical columns and pediments. Visit the Folk Art Museum on Antika Street, housed in a former tobacco merchant's home, to see local crafts, furniture, and household items from the 19th century.
Getting to Xanthi
KTEL buses connect to Athens (10 hours) and Thessaloniki (4 hours) several times daily. Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines fly daily between Athens and Chrysoupolis airport, 47km from Xanthi. Trains run multiple times per day to Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis.
Cultural Events Through the Year
Two weeks before Lent, musicians, theater groups, and masked participants fill Xanthi's city center during Greece's second-largest carnival, ending with a main parade. The September Old Town Festival brings concerts to mansion courtyards and art exhibitions to former tobacco warehouses. You'll hear Thracian folk music alongside contemporary Greek performances.
Mountain and River Activities
The Nestos River flows through limestone cliffs 13 kilometers from the city. Take guided kayak trips through the gorge or walk marked paths along the riverbank. In the Rodopi Mountains north of Xanthi, follow signed trails to small Byzantine monasteries and mountain villages.
Local Food Scene
Farmers and merchants sell their products at Trade Square every Saturday morning. Try kariokes (chocolate-walnut pralines) and seker pare (syrup-soaked cookies) at the city's sweets shops. The Old Town's tavernas prepare regional specialties like kavurma (preserved meat) and serve wines from local vineyards.
