I-Heart-Mykonos-tank-top.jpg
Greek-flag-socks.jpg
Santorini-luggage-tag.jpg
save-water-drink-ouzo-t-shirt.jpg

Best Things to Do on Thassos

The best things to do on Thassos in the North East Aegean islands of Greece include enjoying its beaches, doing mountain hikes, and visiting its ancient archaeological sites.

Potamia on Thassos

Thassos is in the group of islands in the North East Aegean Sea and is easily reached on a short ferry ride from the mainland city of Kavala. To read more about how to get to Thassos and some more information about the island, visit our main Thassos page.

Meanwhile, to help you plan a visit or decide whether to put Thassos on your Greek itinerary, here are...

The Best Things to Do on Thassos

Thassos Town

Thassos Town (Limenas)

You can read about Thassos Town, also known as Limenas, on our main Thassos page but here's a reminder of some of the things you can do there.

Ancient City of Thassos

We recommend visiting the Archaeological Museum (see below) before visiting the remains of the Ancient City, as it helps put the site into perspective. The two are right next to each other. The site of the Ancient City spreads over a large area and includes the remnants of a marketplace. There's a temple to Artemis, beyond which a narrow road leads up towards the acropolis where there are terrific views and a theatre which is still used today.

The Theatre in Ancient Thassos

Archaeological Museum

The Thassos Archaeological Museum was established back in 1934 and is a large and spacious building, with a lot of natural light to show off its exhibits. Admission is inexpensive. There's a courtyard outside with sculptures and other ancient objects. The most precious item in the archaeological museum is a 6th-century BC sculpture of a young man carrying a ram. It was found on the island in 1911 and at 11.5 feet (3.5 metres) high it is undeniably impressive. Some of the oldest items date from the Palaeolithic Age and include tools from an ochre mine discovered near Limenaria.

Around the Island

Aliki

Although it's tiny, Aliki has a lot to recommend it. The nearby site of Ancient Aliki is one of the best archaeological sites on the island, with the remains of a temple and the remnants of some ancient quarries. It's also convenient for the Archangelos Monastery and the little lagoon at Giola (see below). There's a small beach and a handful of tavernas and places to stay.

Archangelos Monastery

Perched dramatically above a cliff between Aliki and Giola, this is one of the most important monasteries on the island (although it's actually a nunnery). It's very scenic from a distance and provides you with panoramic views when you get there, as far as Mount Athos in the distance.. No-one knows for sure how old it is but there was a reference to the monastery in papers dating from 1287, though most of the present buildings date from the 18th century. Its most prized possession is what is said to be part of a nail from the cross on which Christ was crucified.

Beaches

There are good beaches all around the island, too many to list, but one of the best has to be Paradise Beach on the east coast and about 15 miles (24 kms) south of Thasos Town. There are no fewer than three different parking areas, which tells you (a) how popular it is, and (b) how big it is. Its size usually means you can find your own patch of beach. The sand is beautifully soft, there's a scenic backdrop of forest, and the beach shelves gently so is good for children. There's also an offshore island which adds to the scenic nature of this spot.

The longest beach on Thassos is Golden Beach, which runs for 1.25 miles (2 kms) and is 7.5 miles (12 kms) south of Thassos Town on the east coast.

Giola

Giola

About 6 miles (9.7 kms) west of the little beach village of Aliki on the south coast is this unusual phenomenon where rock formations create a natural swimming pool adjoining the sea. It does get very busy as it seems a lot of people like jumping from a height into the water.

Limenaria

Limenaria on the south coast is the second-largest town on the island after Thassos Town, and is an attractive holiday resort with plenty of places to stay and to eat. There are lots of good beaches, both in the town and within easy walking distance, which is one of the reasons it's so popular.

Thassos Has a Mountainous Interior

Mountain Hikes

Thassos is a fairly small and fairly round island with a mountainous interior. This means it's ideal if you want to combine a bit of beach laziness with some hiking. No matter where you stay on the coast, you can head inland and start climbing, and getting scenic views. The most challenging walk is naturally to the island's highest peak, Mt Ipsario (3953 feet/1205 metres), which takes at least three hours so it does need some planning. There's a mountain hut for shelter at the top.

Olive Oil Mill and Panagia

The Sotirelis Olive Oil Mill is in the traditional village of Panagia, about 4.5 miles (7.4 kms) due south of Thassos Town. It's fascinating to tour the water-powered mill and learn how this family business used to produce its olive oil. It's no longer operational but acts more as a museum, but it's still an interesting place to visit. Panagia itself is beautiful and very photogenic. While there, don't miss the lovely Church of the Kimisis tou Theotokou.

Where to Stay on Thassos

Other North-East Aegean Islands pages

  • Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

    Thassos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    Thassos is in the North East Aegean and on this page from the Greece Travel Secrets website you can also see information about flights and ferries to Thassos.

  • The A-Z Thassos travel guide, including Kavala and Philippi, is newly updated for 2022 and is the most comprehensive guide to Thassos available.

    Thassos Travel Guide

    The A-Z Thassos travel guide, including Kavala and Philippi, is newly updated for 2022 and is the most comprehensive guide to Thassos available.

  • Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

    Samothraki

    Samothraki (Greek) or Samothrace (English) is a small island in the north-east Aegean Sea with the closest Greek islands being Thassos and Lemnos.

  • Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

    Samos in the NE Aegean Islands of Greece

    Samos is in the NE Aegean islands of Greece with attractions including Heraion and Pythagoreio, and this page tells you what to see and how to get there.

  • The North East Aegean Islands include Lesvos, Thassos, Chios, Samos, Fourni, Ikaria, Limnos, Samothraki and here are tips on ferries, flights and what to do.

    North East Aegean Islands

    The North East Aegean Islands include Lesvos, Thassos, Chios, Samos, Fourni, Ikaria, Limnos, Samothraki and here are tips on ferries, flights and what to do.

  • A visit to the Museum of Samos Wine to learn about the muscat grapes that produce the best dessert wines in the world and also the Greek spirit, Metaxa.

    Museum of Samos Wine

    A visit to the Museum of Samos Wine to learn about the muscat grapes that produce the best dessert wines in the world and also the Greek spirit, Metaxa.

  • The island of Lesbos or Lesvos is in the North East Aegean Islands in Greece, and on this page you can see information including flights and ferries.

    Lesbos or Lesvos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    The island of Lesbos or Lesvos is in the North East Aegean Islands in Greece, and on this page you can see information including flights and ferries.

  • The island of Lemnos (or Limnos) is in in the North East Aegean Islands and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries,

    Lemnos or Limnos in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece

    The island of Lemnos (or Limnos) is in in the North East Aegean Islands and on this page you can see information about flights and ferries,

  • Ikaria (or Icaria) is an island in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece between Samos and Mykonos and is truly one of Greece's travel secrets.

    Ikaria

    Ikaria (or Icaria) is an island in the North East Aegean Islands of Greece between Samos and Mykonos and is truly one of Greece's travel secrets.

  • The Greek island of Chios or Hios is a large island in the North East Aegean close to the Turkish coast, south of Lesvos and north of Samos, and famous for its mastic trees.

    Chios

    The Greek island of Chios or Hios is a large island in the North East Aegean close to the Turkish coast, south of Lesvos and north of Samos, and famous for its mastic trees.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Athens Airport: New Curbside Pick-up Rules Take Effect June 7

    In efforts to improve the passenger drop-off and pick-up experience and in view of the expected increase in international traveler arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) announced that it would…

    Read More

  2. Study Reveals the Tourist ‘Types’ that Pick Thessaloniki for Holidays

    Art lovers, active types and foodies are among the ‘travel tribes’ that select Thessaloniki, as their holiday destination, found a visitor profile study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels A…

    Read More

  3. Greece to Protect Historic Athens Cinemas Ideal and Astor

    The Greek Environment Ministry’s Central Council of Architecture (KESA) has decided to protect Athens’ Astor and Ideal cinemas designating the two historic landmarks as cultural monuments, said the Gr…

    Read More

  4. Thessaloniki Metro Almost Ready, Greek PM on First Test Run

    Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro, to serve almost 250,000 commuters a day once completed, is almost ready with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking a test ride this week. Mitsota…

    Read More

  5. Thessaloniki Food, Nightlife Winning Over More Tourists

    The nightlife and food are two of Thessaloniki’s strong points attracting more visitors to the northern port city, found a satisfaction study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels Association…

    Read More

  6. Air Passenger Traffic to Greece Continues to Mark Sharp Rise

    Passenger arrivals across all airports in Greece marked a sharp increase in the first four months of the year up by 7.4 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 and by 38.4 percent over the same period in 2…

    Read More

  7. Greece Among Top Choices of British easyJet Flyers this Summer

    British holidaymakers flying on easyJet are picking Greece this year, according to a poll conducted by the budget carrier. More specifically, according to the survey carried out on 2,000 British adult…

    Read More

  8. Uber Launches On-demand Boat Service on Mykonos Island, Greece

    Ride-hailing company Uber recently announced that it will launch a new seasonal private charter boat service on the Greek island of Mykonos. Available from mid-June to October, “Boat” will be an on-de…

    Read More

  9. Mykonos Tops Airbnb’s Most Searched Int’l Destinations by US Travelers in Q1

    The Greek island of Mykonos is the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer re…

    Read More

  10. Greece’s Regional Airports Outdo Pre-Covid 2019 Traffic Levels in April

    Greece’s 14 regional airports exceeded pre-Covid 2019 levels last month handling a total of 1.6 million passengers, said managing company Fraport Greece. More specifically, according to Fraport data…

    Read More