Thassos is a relatively small and quiet island in the North Aegean Sea, Greece. Visitors and locals love it for its serene combination of crystal-clear waters, lush landscape, and breathtaking mountains. All packed in 380 squared kilometers!

Thassos is opposite the seaside town of Kavala, in northern Greece. The nearest island to Thassos is Samothraki, about 50 miles east. The closest port is Keramoti, where most ferries reach Thassos from the mainland.

Thassos is 380 square kilometers and features a unique circular shape. The main road follows the island’s coastline for a total of 100 kilometers. In other words, you can drive around the entire island with your own car in a matter of hours. That is an excellent way to meet Thassos.

Thassos is a green island that hides unbelievable natural beauty wherever you go. Where you are after exploring its coastline and underwater life or want to view waterfalls and walk through olive groves in the mountains, Thassos will never cease to surprise you.

Thassos has a history that dates more than twenty thousand years. Whether you are interested in classical Greece, Roman times, or more modern history, there is always something new to discover and learn in Thassos. It is no coincidence its archaeological museum is one of the most modern and known in Greece.

If you’re a fan of Greek food, wait until you visit Thassos and taste its delicious cuisine. You will notice that the taste here is even more profound, partly thanks to using the virgin olive oil abundant in the island. Apart from traditional Greek dishes, you will also have the chance to try local specialties such as Piperolahana and Kakavia.

Once you visit some of the beaches in Thassos, you will realize how blessed this island is. Next to its natural beauty and spectacular landscape, you cannot but notice the majesty and variety of its beaches. Whether you are after long sandy beaches with golden sands, isolated enclaves full of pebbles, or even beaches from marble, you have come to the right place.

Thassos is known for its natural beauty and lush landscape. One thing you will love to see is its natural lagoon, Giola. It is the island’s landmark, also known as the tear of Aphrodite due to its unique shape. And yet, this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Once in Thassos, make sure to go beach hopping. There is no way you won’t fall in love with the island after visiting its beaches. It is no coincidence Thassos beaches are the number 1 priority for all package holidays. Three popular beaches are the 2-kilometer-long Golden Beach, the exotic Paradise beach, and the unique Marble beach.

There are hundreds of things you can do in Thassos. Some of the most popular activities are fishing trips, trying out the local cuisine, and visiting archaeological venues. And for the nature enthusiasts, you will love hiking and mountain biking in the exotic mountains of Thassos.

Want to learn more? Check out this super list of 101 things to do in Thassos. Written by a local.

You can get to Thassos only by ferry. There are two ports with daily connections to the island. One is the city of Kavala, from where the voyage takes around 1.5 hours. The other is Keramoti, which has more ferries since it only takes half an hour for the ferry crossing.

Thassos does not yet have its own airport. The nearest international airport is Kavala, only 10 kilometers away from Thassos coastline. In other words, once you land at Kavala airport, it can take less than an hour to reach Thassos through the port of Keramoti. The ferry crossing takes half an hour.

To get to Thassos from Thessaloniki, you need to first reach either the port of Kavala or Keramoti. You can do so using a private taxi, a rental car, or a public bus. The trip from Thessaloniki to Kavala takes around 2.5 hours and then 1.5 hours for the ferry to Thassos.

Once you start exploring Thassos, you will notice that almost half of the village names have the word Skala. That’s no coincidence. Skala in Greek means Stairs. In the past, locals live in the mountains to protect against pirates. Once piracy receded, they started to form new settlements, which they named after their original villages adding Skala to the front.

Thasos is popular with tourists from June to September. Like in most Greek islands, July and August are the busiest months, especially the first half of August. If you want to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit Thassos is September, when the weather is still predictable and the water temperature at its best.

Although you can go around the island in just one day, you won’t give it justice if you spend only a couple of days in Thassos. To discover the hidden beauty lying in its coastline and mountains, you would need at least 5 days, and you could still have a schedule packed with activities and things to see.

Although you will have more than enough options, some beaches in Thassos stand out more than others. Marble beach is known for its white marbles mixed with white sand; Paradise beach looks like it came out of the tropics, while Golden and Pachis beaches are famous for their length and clear waters.

To get to the famous Marble Beach, also known as Saliara, you need to drive through a dirt road from the capital Limenas. Head north following the signs towards the Makryammos resort and keep moving until you see Marble beach on the left. The only downside of this trip is that your car may turn white from the marble dust.

If you ever dreamed of being alone on a spectacular beach in Greece, you have come to the right place. Thassos is packed with hidden and quiet beaches all its coastline. While some are accessible only by sea, other beaches like Agia Anna can easily be reached by car. And if you prefer pebbles, make sure to head to Plaka Beach.

As an island that depended on fishing for a long time before tourism, Thassos is proud to have a rich collection of fish food, such as Kolios Gourna. What is more, vegetable-based dishes have always been a priority for locals, with peppered cabbage and stuffed zucchini flowers being two of the most popular.

In Thasos, you can find restaurants literally right by the water. For example, take the two fish taverns in Klisma, where you can sit at a table only centimeters away from where the waves crush the coastline. Apart from such traditional taverns, you can also visit high-end restaurants or smaller establishments in the mountains.

There are grocery and convenience stores in every village around the island. If you want to go to a bigger store, you can always visit Lidl in Limenas, Masoutis in Potos, or Latsouris in Skala Rachoni. These are all big supermarkets where you can find anything you desire.

Although Thassos is a relatively quiet, family-friendly destination, you will have many options for evening entertainment. There are hundreds of bars that operate around the island and go as late as two o’clock in the morning. You will find most of them in Potos and Limenas, with Karnagio bar being one of the most famous.

Yes, you can find clubs in the capital Limenas and Potos. Although the one in Limenas is indoors, Bolero Dancing Club near Potos is a famous open-air club that operates every Friday and Saturday in the summer months. It only gets busy after 2 am in the morning and runs until the first drops of sunlight and beyond.

Yes, taverns and restaurants regularly organize Greek nights and live shows around the island. For Rembetika music, make sure to visit the mountain village of Theologos. Apart from such independent festivities, you may also come across several community festivals, such as the annual Sardine Festival in Skala Kallirachi at the end of July.

If you want to discover the island’s beauty, make sure to rent a car or drive your own one. Since Thassos attractions are spread all around the island, it makes sense to have your own means of transport. You will love the freedom you will have, especially when you stop in random viewpoints.

There are regular bus connections between the various villages around the island. These public buses usually operate until late afternoon and make an inexpensive way to get around Thassos. You will find the schedule for every village in the central station near the square.

Yes, you can. There are taxi boats that can get you to the most isolated beaches in Thassos and let you discover an often-overlooked side of Thassos. You can also hop on various boat trips, which make an excellent budget-friendly alternative.

In Thassos, you can stay in accommodation right by the water or spend nights in mountain villas. No matter your preference, Thassos always has a match. Whether that is a cosmopolitan village, a traditional settlement, or a remote location in the woods, you have every reason to fall in love with Thassos.

Want to learn more? Here is a complete list of the best places to stay in Thasos.

Best cosmopolitan centers to stay in Thassos

Best seaside villages to stay in Thassos

Best mountain villages to stay in Thassos

Best remote locations to stay in Thassos

Our pick of the top 5 places to stay in Thassos

Stay in the most vibrant place in Thassos

In one way or another, your time in Thassos will pass by Limenas, the island’s capital. It is the largest and most popular settlement in Thassos, with 3000 residents and hundreds of accommodation options. Let alone its elegant restaurants and vibrant bars.

Embrace the local history

Above all, you will remember Limenas for its history, dating as far back as the 6th century BC, when Greeks from Paros first colonized the island. And you can still see remnants of its glory spread throughout the city, with its ancient theatre and Acropolis being some of them.

Walk between ancient monuments

Whether it is the ancient agora, the archaeological museum, the old port, or the Roman theater, Limenas always have something to leave you in awe of its past. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Head to spectacular beaches nearby

If you stay in Limenas, you are close to some of the most popular beaches on the island. To name a few, Saliara and La Skala are less than a few kilometers away. You could even walk there if you want.

Embrace the charming atmosphere

Limenaria is the old capital and second-largest settlement of Thassos. One thing you will love is no other than its vibe. Built in a privileged location on the island, it has a charm like no other village. At the same time, it offers views as far as Mount Athos in Chalkidiki.

Have a romantic dinner

The moment you step foot here, you understand why it has become one of the most popular seaside resorts in Thassos. There are tons of options to dine out, enjoy your drink, or shop in the local stores.

Enjoy the views of the old palace

You will love walking along the shore and overlooking Palataki. This 19th-century building stands imposing on top of a cliff above the port.

Take a cruise

Limenaria is also the starting point for many sea cruises you can take around the island. The most popular route will take you to the famous natural lagoon of Giola and the Archangel Monastery built on the side of a cliff above sea level.

Wanna learn more about Limenaria? Read this post about Limenaria!

Stay in a modern seaside village

If you are after a vibrant and lively place to stay, you can never go wrong with Potos. This small village transforms from a sleeping settlement in winter to a fully-fledged beach resort in summer.

Choose among several options for entertainment

You can find anything in summer here. Large grocery stores, cafe bars that are open until early morning, taverns by the sea, and souvenir shops of any kind create a cosmopolitan setting, unlike anything on the island.

Dance until early morning

And the best part is that Potos, with its many bars, is one of the main places to go out in Thasos, after the capital Limenas. Potos is also home to the island’s only outdoor club, which operates every Friday and Saturday in summer.

Sleep in inexpensive rooms

If you plan to save on your accommodation budget, Potos should be the best option. Hotels, studios, and apartments are more than the number of residences in the village. As a result, it won’t be long until you find inexpensive accommodation.

Wanna learn more about Limenas? Read this complete Limenas Guide!

Sleep in a breathtaking bay

One of the most popular places to stay in Thassos, Skala Potamia, is a seaside settlement surrounding the two-kilometer-long Golden beach. There is nothing like waking up and swimming in the middle of a majestic bay with a spectacular setting.

Walk the 2-kilometer-long beach

If you wake up early, you can have the entire two kilometers of sandy beach for yourself. That is an ideal opportunity for a quick walk or run on the shore of Golden beach.

Choose between several accommodation options

Every year, the village gets grander, with more hotels and resorts popping up by the sea. It is no wonder thousands of tourists prefer it for their Thassos holidays.

Dine right by the sea.

You do not even need to walk far to reach some of the most popular taverns on the island. Everything is in your footsteps and right next to the waves.

Stay in a picturesque village

On the east side of the island, Panagia is one of the most popular places to stay in Thassos. Upon arrival, you will notice the never-ending streams of water that pass through and around the houses.

Enjoy unparalleled views over Skala Panagia

What you will love the most about Panagia is no other than its views. The panoramic scenery of the Golden beach and the entire bay below will leave you in awe. And if you are an early bird, you must not miss the sunrise from this part of the island.

Taste delicious meat dishes

Panagia is also famous for its traditional taverns and delicious meals. It is one of the places of Thasos where tradition has prevailed in the cuisine, using fresh meat and local ingredients.

Discover the creeks of Panagia

Once you leave the restaurants, you can walk and explore the network of creeks running from the mountain through the village down to sea level. There is no better way to digest the food and take in the vibes of Panagia.

Stay close to a modern port

Although it has less than 300 permanent residents, Skala Prinos transforms into one of the busiest ports of Thassos during summer. After all, here, you will find daily connections to the city of Kavala, the region’s administrative capital.

View the traditional boatyard

As you walk out of the port toward the beach, you will notice the traditional boatyard. Fishermen from all over the island bring their wooden boats here for yearly maintenance.

Sleep in luxury resorts

Right next to the port, you will find a series of top-end hotels and guest houses ready to meet your every need. And right in front of them lies a vast sandy beach, a perfect spot for sunbathing or a quick dive.

Walk in the pine forest

If you continue your way to the end of the beach, you will see the start of the lust pine forest of Skala Prinos. Here you will have the chance to walk through nature and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the woods.

Embrace the unique architecture

Theologos is a mountainous village, home to Thassos’ most spectacular Macedonia-style houses. One thing you will motive right away is its sheer size. After all, it is the largest settlement on the island’s mountains.

Stay in a lively village

You can sleep in mansions, hotels, or rental apartments in the heart of the village. Once there, several top restaurants await you for a dining experience you will long remember.

Take amazing photos in the Gourni Waterfalls

Theologos is also home to one of the most unique sites on the island, the Gourni Waterfalls. Coming directly from the source, a stream of water pours down into two separate pools of cold fresh water. Take your camera and prepare for some of the most amazing shots you will take on the island

Hike to the top of the island

If you want to hike Thassos mountains, Theologos is the starting point to one of the most scenic routes to Ipsario, the island’s top. You will walk upon a ridge with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the island – a scenery you will long remember.

Stay close to nature

Maries is the village with the most central location on the island. Despite its proximity to other settlements, getting here can take more time than you may plan. After all, the island’s interior is a dense collection of cliffs, forests, and mountains.

Visit the old chapels of the area

As you walk around the village, you will encounter two important Christian chapels. The one in the center of the settlement dates as far back as 1800, while the other is home to a priceless painting of the Virgin Mary.

Follow a scenic route through Maries reek

One of the highlights of Maries is no other than its artificial lake and waterfall. The latter may be more scenic than the former, but none is as memorable as a walk along the stream that passes near Maries.

Prepare to discover the island with a mountain bike

Thanks to its central location, Maries is the best place to be if you plan to discover the island with a mountain bike. Here, you will find the main crosspoint of the dirt roads that lead to all the island’s peaks.

Choose between two separate settlements

The region of Kazaviti is home to two distinct villages that each bear the same name. For convenience, locals name them after their size: The Small Kazaviti and the Big Kazaviti.

Connect with nature

Although Big Kazaviti is larger, both are famous for their stone mansions, neoclassical buildings, and surrounding vegetation. Although they both faced a massive fire a few years ago, they are still as beautiful as they have always been.

You will love the microclimate

If you desire to stay here, you will feel the difference in temperature from day one. While the rest of Thassos may suffer from unprecedented heat, you may need a blanket in Kazaviti to sleep warm at night. The microclimate here is beyond belief.

Taste delicious local wine

As you walk around Kazavitis, you will notice the many vineyards all around. That is no coincidence. The very name Kazavitis means the House of Wine in Latin.

Enjoy the lush landscape

On the slope of Mount Ipsario, Potamia is one of the greenest villages in Thassos. There are so many trees around that you will feel the fresh oxygen the moment you step out of your car.

Walk around small rivers

The highlight of Potamia is no other than its small rivers, which come from freshwater sources in the mountains. That is also from where the name of the village comes. The very word Potamia means Rivers in Greek.

Visit the local sculpture museum

Panagia is also home to a unique sculpture museum run by a local. Visiting it is one of the best ways to discover the ancient art of sculpturing, which was the primary source of income for Thasians in the past centuries.

Follow the path to Ipsario

Any hiker or adventurer who visits the island has to get to Potamia in one way or another. Here, you will find a challenging yet rewarding hiking path leading to the island’s top. The views you will see along the way will stay in memory for a long time.

Stay in the middle of a large olive grove

Rachoni stands on the northwest side of Thassos mountains and is in the middle of an old olive grove. Apart from the precious olive trees, you will also find various fruit and plane trees.

Celebrate in the local church on the 15th of August

If you plan to be in Thassos during August, you should not miss a visit to the local church in Rachoni. On the name day of Maria, there is a big celebration in the village, with a giveaway of traditional meat dish.

Drink a coffee in the picturesque square

In the tallest part of the village, you will find the picturesque village square. It is the perfect spot to relax, drink coffee, or try the famous spoon sweets of Rachoni.

Follow a scenic route to Kazaviti

If you head southeast of Rachoni, you will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most breathtaking hiking routes in Thassos.

Enjoy unparalleled views of the Aegean

Standing on a steep mountain slope, Kallirachi is the only mountain village with a 180-degree view of the sunset. No matter where you are in the settlement, you only have to turn your face westwards to admire the beauty of the Aegean bay.

Visit the local folklore museum

In the northernmost part of the village, you will find a well-preserved mansion that dates back to 1880. Here, you can witness various exhibits ranging from traditional tools and woven to old pictures and paintings. There is no better way to discover the history, culture, and life of locals.

Experience traditional life

Kallirachi is one of the few Thassos villages that have remained relatively untouched by tourism. You can feel this from how locals talk to you, as they are eager to help and befriend you.

Hike to the mountain of Kakirachi

Kallirachi stands for Good Cliff in Greek, but if you move further up, you will find Kakirachi, translated as Bad Cliff, an excellent place to hike. That was the position locals protected themselves from pirates who gave the bitter name out of frustration for its difficult access.

Do you feel like having too many options? Sure, as you have seen, there are many worthy places to stay in Thassos. To make it easier for you, here are the top picks from Thasos Holidays.

Skala Marion is an ideal place to stay in Thassos for first-timers. You will love Skala Marion for its unique vibe, architecture, lively port, and nearby beaches.

Skala Sotiros is an excellent place to stay in Thassos for beach lovers. You will love the charming beach of the village for its crystal-clear waters and organized facilities.

Skala Kallirachi is a fabulous place to stay in Thassos for families. Its picturesque port, quiet setting, charming beaches, modern bars, and comfortable accommodation options are all you would ever ask for as a family.

Kallirachi is an ideal place to stay in Thassos to experience traditional life in its purest form. It has kept its culture intact while the houses keep their original structure, making Kallirachi the place for all culture enthusiasts.

Plaka is a fantastic place to stay in Thassos for romance and relaxation. Its supreme location between sea, mountain, and forest makes it ideal for all romantics out there.