Thasos
Thasos, Greece (Credit: Rosa-Maria Rinkl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Thasos: The Emerald Island with long history, beautiful nature

Boasting historic places, lush green forests, turquoise seawaters, welcoming villages, DPO olive oil and olives, golden honey

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The most northern island of the Aegean Sea and one of Greece’s greenest, Thasos constitutes a municipality and regional unit in the East Macedonia and Thrace region. Called the Emerald Island, Thasos is a place full of breathtaking sights and fascinating beauty. Dense forests, olive groves, pine trees, turquoise-watered beaches, hidden beach bays and caves, hills and mountains, rich history, cultural landmarks, culinary heritage, warm people.  So many reasons to visit. The population is distributed in about 10 villages, mostly at some distance from the sea. The capital, Thasos Town (also called Limenas), is on the north coast and is the major port. The island’s laid-back culture and abundance of possibilities for rest and renewal will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Thassos, the Emerald island (Credit: Alexandru Manole on Pixabay)

.AT A GLANCE

Regional unit’s capital: Limenas-“port” in Greek (also known as Thassos Town) Regional unit’s area: 380 km2 Regional unit’s population (2021): 13,055 Density: 34/km2 Climate: Due to its geographical position, Thassos has a shorter summer than the rest of the Greek Islands.

.HISTORY

Archaeological findings show that the history of the island goes back as far as the prehistoric times. According to Greek mythology, Staphylus, the beloved son of god Dionysus, lived in Thasos while legend wants it to be Homer’s island of sirens. Rich in minerals and natural resources especially gold and marble, the island  came under the control of many conquerors who left their cultural traces behind. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus mentions an early Phoenician settlement that worked the island’s gold mines. In the 7th century BCE, the island was colonised by Greeks from Páros, who exploited the gold mines, and founded a school of sculpture. In 477 BC, Thasos became part of the Delian League, which was controlled by Athens and became a Macedonian dependency in 202.The Thassos military forces fought under the leadership of Alexander the Great, the son of Philip II of Macedonia, against the Persians.

Limenas old harbor, Thasos, Greece (Credit: DocWo via Wikitravel)

The Romans took possession of the island in 196 BC. It was part of the Eastern Roman Empire, now known as the Byzantine Empire, from 395 on. From 1204 Thasos was under Latin rule until its capture by the Ottoman Turks in 1455 who ruled almost continuously for more than 350 years. During the 19th century, the island was an entirely autonomous statelet governed by an Ottoman Egyptian.
Thassos was liberated and reunited with the rest of Greece in 1912, during the first Balkan War.
Like the neighboring Samothraki, Thassos was occupied by Bulgaria in World War II. Between 1945-1949, the island was scarred by the Greek Civil War. Since 1960, tourism has become the main source of income. The inhabitants also engage in fishing, and in the herding of sheep and goats.

.POINTS OF INTEREST

Ancient Agora: Covering an area of 80×100 square meters, the ancient agora was the original political, administrative and religious centre of the island. The earliest constructions date back to the 6th century BC. Stroll around its ruins and visit the nearby Archaelogical museum for further explanations.

Ancient Agora Thasos (Credit: User:Haplochromis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Acropolis: The ancient Acropolis of Thassos, surrounded by armored marble walls, is located on a hill overlooking the ancient agora and offers commanding views of the town and bay below. The remains of the imposing walls were used to secure the town, its inhabitants, and its treasures. Venturing up to the acropolis you will find the Sanctum of Pana and a fifth-century temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and the ancient theater.

Archaeological Site of Alyki: Located in the peninsula of Alyki, one of the most picturesque areas of Thassos, this significant  archeological site is a complex of ancient ruins of a sanctuary, two early Christian basilicas and ancient marble quarries, which operated throughout antiquity until the Byzantine period.

Marble Quarry Thassos
Marble Quarry Thasos (Credit: margitvorberger on Pixabay)

Ancient Theater: Built inside a natural cavity on a hill in Limenas, is one of the most important and best-preserved archaeological sites. Known for its excellent acoustics, is is occasionally used for performances of ancient dramas and comedies.

Panagia village: Τhis picturesque mountainous village, 300m above sea level, is surrounded by lush greenery, running waters and is located in the northeastern part of the island. It was the first capital of the island after the revolution of 1821. You’ll find narrow, cobblestoned streets, stone-and-slate rooftops, taverns and cafes and a few souvenir shops in a beautiful location. Just opposite to the “Treis Piges”, there is the impressive Church of the Virgin Mary. The known “Dragon’s Cave” (that literally means dragon hole) is also worth a visit. The cave is full of impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Panagia village, Thasos (Credit: Gerhard Haubold, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Other beautiful villages: Potamia (old mountain village perched high on a wooded hill), Skala Rachoniou (small, quiet village with harbor), Maries (very original old mountain village; a small lake with waterfall can be found a few km beyond the village), Theologos (mountain village whose houses are mostly built of stone and covered with stone slabs), Prinos (large village with shops, less touristy marked), Megalos Prinos/Megalos Kasavitis (mountain village with old, mostly renovated houses), Sotiras (small mountain village with a beautiful view over the westcoast), Kastro (located in the middle of the island). Potos is one of the main centers of tourism of the island and Limenaria, the second largest town on the island are packed with restaurants, cafes, bars, shops.

.BEACHES

Natural Pool of Giola: One of Thassos’ landmarks, Giola isn’t actually a beach but a natural rocky sea lagoon, which locals call it Aphrodite’s Tear. It is located in the region of Astris. Rocks surround the pool about 10 meters high, from where brave swimmers can dive into the crystal clear waters.

Giola Lagoon, Thasos (Credit Heiner Sollermann on Pixabay)

Aliki Beach: On the southeastern tip of the island,  its twin beaches capture the very essence of Thassos: – calm green-blue waters, yellow sand, a backdrop of greenery (pine and olive trees), and even an ancient marble quarry nearby. 

Metalia Beach: Easily accessible on foot from Limenaria, this pebble beach  features an industrial sight in the form of a mining factory built by German entrepreneur Speidel in 1900. His company, which exploited the iron ore of Thasos during the Second World War, withdrew in 1963. The ruins form an amphitheatre around the beach.

Paradise beach: One of Thassos’ most popular beaches lives up to its name resembling a tropical paradise thank to the exotic beauty and the forest that surround it.

Paradise beach Thasos (Credit: DocWoKav, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Golden beach: Chrysi Ammos (golden beach) features a two-kilometer shore made of fluffy golden sand  shallow and green-blue waters. You will find well-organized facilities, including bars, restaurants, and hotels. 

Tripiti beach: Located next to Limenaria, Tripiti is one of the biggest beaches and is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas. It features white sand and clear blue and calm waters.

Saliara (Marble) beach, Thasos, Greece
Saliara (Marble) beach, Thasos, Greece (Credit: Gnkmver48, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Marble beach: A beautiful beach with tiny white soft pebbles and a quiet atmosphere.  The marble flinders at the seabed give the water its amazing emerald color.

Livadi beach: A sandy beach with aquamarine waters ringed by cliffs and forests.

The island offers a lot more enviable beaches that one could wish for.

.GASTRONOMY

The island of Thassos has been known for its high-quality virgin olive oil (PDO), its olive of the “Throumba” variety (PDO), and of course, its honey. Fresh fish and seafood is in plentiful supply: gray mullet, sea bream, white bait, horse mackerel, lobster, octopus, and squid. Try “gouna,” a dish of primarily mackerel fish that undergoes a salting, smoking, and grilling process. An array of meats are primarily found in mountain villages. Suggestions: stuffed kid goat or goat.

Throumba Olives (Credit: Catlemur, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Other signature dishes include: Peppered cabbage (“piperolachano”) is a winter dish, featuring pickled cabbage white beans and peppery spices. “Tatarka”: A spring/summer dish prepared with zucchini, zucchini flowers, sweet, fresh chillies and peppers, local herbs, and local greens. “Pitarakia”: type of fritter made from zucchini flowers seasoned with mint. “Sarmadakia”: stuffed grape leaves with rice and herb filling. PDO feta cheese is another local product you will rejoice over during your stay on the island.

As for sweets, Panagia village is famous for its siropy sweets, walnuts and figs .

.WINES & SPIRITS

Thasos wine is famous since antiquity. The vineyards of Thasos have been producing Thasos PDO wines, since 2010. The local Limnia variety is cultivated. Tsipouro is also produced, mainly from the hybrid variety “Tzortzina.”

.SHOPPING

Buy Thassian olives and olive oil, wines, tsipouro, as well as other local products of the island such as thyme, honey, objects in olive wood, objects in marble, handmade jewellery, pottery. You will also find many boutiques, gift shops and souvenir stores.

.FEASTS, FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Assumption day (August 15): The largest celebration in Thassos is the feast day of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, in the village of Panagia (meaning “Virgin Mary” in Greek). After the litany of the icon of the Virgin which is accompanied by the local band, everyone gathers at the village square to eat and drink.

Thassian wedding: Every summer, traditional, cultural and folklore events, such as the Thassian Wedding take place. It is about the representation of the Thassian traditional wedding which is one of the strongest forms of expression of the customs of the island.

Kazavitiana: A summer festival, showcasing traditional music and dance events, in Kazaviti, the oldest village on the island.

Carnival: Having some thousands of years tradition, it is still largely celebrated in the traditional manner in many villages of the island. Potamia Carnival Parade is very popular. Carnival marks the beginning of Lent, the period of 40 days before Easter.

.RELIGIOUS SITES

Greek Orthodox Church Thasos (Credit:Christo Anestev on Pixabay)

Monastery of Archangel Michael: Located on the south-east of the island, about 33 km from the capital of Limenas, the clifftop monastery is notable for its 400-year-old church. Standing on a privileged location it offers stellar views of the Aegean Sea and Mount Athos in the distance.

Church of Agia Paraskevi: Situated in Theologos, a village 55 km from Limenas, the church made of stone and tiles is among the oldest in Thassos. It hosts a unique icon of Virgin Mary made of wax and mastic and believed to be a masterpiece created by the Apostle Luke. 

Saint Panteleimon Monastery: Located at the peak of Mt Ypsario, at an altitude of 770 m above the traditional village of Mikro Kazaviti, the church was built in 1843 from stone and wood, and became a monastery in 1987.

Monastery of the Assumption: In Maries village, in the monastery, there is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, a priceless treasure. The monastery was named after this historical icon

Church of Saint Nicholas: Located in Limenas, the church built in 835 AD, sits on the ruins of an ancient church. The dome is covered with hagiographies (sacred icon paintings).

.MUSEUMS

Archaeological Museum: Located in the capital, Limenas, the museum displays various findings excavated from sites all over the island. The exhibits range from monumental sculptures to delicate gold jewelry, terracotta figurines, potteries, etc presenting the evolution and history of Thassos from the Prehistoric period until the Early Christian times.

Olive Oil Museum: Housed in a 400-meter area, where the Organic Olive Oil Mills of Thassos are also hosted, this thematic museum boasts a large collection of exhibits that proves the olive oil production in Thasos for centuries. The Museum is open during the summer season (May to September).

Polygnotos Vagis Museum: Dedicated to Greek-American sculptor and painter Polygnotos Vagis (1894-1965), the museum is located in the village of Potamia, where the artist was born. In addition to this museum, his work is exhibited internationally and within Greece.

Polygnotos Vagis Museum, Thasos (Credit: Edal Anton Lefterov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Folklore Museum of Theologos: Housed in mansion Hatzigeorgis, a two-storey traditional building in the heart of Theologos, the museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the island. In the first floor shows the visitor can find artifacts, tools, and objects related to the industries and traditional professions. The second floor is a reconstruction of a typical traditional house in Thassos.

Limenaria Folklore Museum: Standing as a beacon of cultural preservation, the museum has an impressive collection of household items, traditional Thassian clothing and professional tools. It is housed in the former community office in the centre of the village Limenaria.

Kouros at Archaeological Museum Thasos (Credit: Jean Housen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

.ACTIVITIES

Water: Thassos has beautiful beaches where you can enjoy a plethora of water sports. Scuba diving, sea kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle (SUP), and many more.

Land: Ipsario is the tallest peak of Thassos, sitting at 1204 meters from sea level. Go hiking, mountaineering, climbing, trekking, mountain biking. The routes and trails on the island will take you to unexpected corners with stunning landscapes, including lakes, waterfalls, caves and beaches. 

.ACCOMMODATION

There are plenty of charming accommodations on the island, from budget-friendly guest houses and apartments to high-end hotels and seaside resorts satisfying all tastes. The choice on where to stay will largely depend on your personal preferences.

.TRANSPORT

Thassos does not have its own airport. The closest one, Kavala International Airport “Alexander the Great”, is located in Kavala, a city in northern Greece, which is also the most important seaport of eastern Macedonia. The island is connected by ferry with Kavala and the town of Keramoti.


TO DO & TO GO