Thassos is the northernmost island in Greece, sitting in the northern Aegean close to the Macedonian coast. It is also one of the greenest — dense forests of pine, oak and chestnut cover most of the island, running down to a coastline of marble beaches and clear water. It is a place of gentle, unhurried beauty, popular with Greek families and increasingly discovered by international visitors.

The Island

Thassos is medium-sized — around 379 square kilometres — with a permanent population of around 13,000 people. The landscape is dominated by the forested mountains of the interior, with a coastal plain of olive groves and villages. The main settlement is Limenas (also called Thassos Town), a pleasant harbour town with good archaeological remains.

Sights and Attractions

Limenas has some of the finest ancient remains in northern Greece. The Ancient Agora is well preserved, with remains of temples, a theatre and civic buildings. The Archaeological Museum holds an excellent collection of finds from the ancient city, including the famous kouros of Thassos — a monumental marble statue from the 6th century BC.

The Ancient Theatre above the town is one of the best-preserved in Greece, with a capacity of around 2,000 spectators and extraordinary views over the sea. It is used for performances during the summer festival.

Alyki on the south coast is one of the most beautiful spots on the island — an ancient sanctuary of the Dioscuri, with marble quarries, Byzantine basilicas and a beautiful double beach, all in one extraordinary location.

Beaches

Thassos has excellent beaches. Golden Beach (Chrysi Ammoudia) on the east coast is the most famous — a long, sandy beach with clear water and good facilities. Paradise Beach nearby is quieter. Marble Beach (Saliara) on the south coast is extraordinary — white marble pebbles and turquoise water. Alyki has two beautiful beaches flanking the ancient sanctuary.

Eating and Drinking

The food on Thassos is good — influenced by the Macedonian tradition, with an emphasis on grilled meat, local honey and the island's excellent olive oil. Simi in Limenas is the local favourite for fish; the tavernas in the mountain villages serve excellent traditional cuisine.

How to Get There

Thassos is reached by ferry from Kavala (around 1.5 hours) or Keramoti (around 35 minutes) on the mainland. Kavala has an airport with flights from Athens and seasonal international connections.

Best For

Thassos suits families and travellers who want a relaxed, green island with good beaches and interesting ancient remains — those who want to combine island life with easy access to the archaeological sites of northern Greece.

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Thinking about Thassos? Talk to us — we can combine it with the archaeological sites of northern Greece for a fascinating cultural itinerary.