Thassos holidays

Thassos holidays

With stretches of fine golden sands, a rich history, and quaint local tavernas, holidays to Thassos are nothing short of idyllic. It’s the perfect trip for anyone wanting to explore an authentic side to Greece. Known as the ‘Emerald Isle’, you can expect gorgeous landscapes of green forests and olive groves.

Things to do

Fall in love with Thassos’ hidden coves on a boat trip around the Greek island. You can spend your time soaking up the sun on Golden Beach, or if you’re feeling active, visit the watersports centre and hire a jet-ski. Venture into the capital, Limenas, to explore remnants of the island’s past at the Archaeological Museum. Or catch a bus to the ancient village of Theologos, and walk through its cobbled streets to the white-stone Agia Paraskevi church, where you’ll find the famous wax figure of the Virgin Mary. Then end your day by the harbour in one of the traditional tavernas to enjoy classic seafood dishes like liokafto or sea bream.

Where is Thassos in Greece?

Thassos is a Greek island in the north of the Aegean Sea. Right up close to the north-eastern Greek mainland, Thassos sits in a warm part of the Mediterranean and welcomes tourists throughout the summer.

Just a three-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK, you’ll soon find yourself in the sunshine of this beautiful Greek island. With warm, clear water during the summer, Thassos is great for swimming and snorkelling as well as sailing and diving.

With such a short and easy flight from the UK to the nearby mainland, ferries leave regularly to whisk you away to Thassos island and its stunning beaches. Taking a ferry ride isn’t the only time you could be on a boat on your Thassos holiday though. With sea caves, rugged coastlines and secret beaches, this island has the perfect coastline for boat trips.

Explore the beaches and mountains

Thassos is a truly authentic Greek island with its beautiful rolling countryside, mountain views and secluded golden beaches. It’s not defined by any single feature or resort but by its traditional and peaceful natural personality, complete with that casual, laid-back Greek charm. Its mountainous hills are a hiker’s dream with many travellers opting to walk to the ancient Archangelous Monastery and admire the picturesque views of the Aegean seafront. If hiking doesn’t tempt you then take a ride from one of the island’s many equestrian centres, and discover the wonders of Thassos by horse.

Thassos Town’s history

Ancient history tells us that Thassos was a conquest for many empires, including the Romans and Egyptians, who all wanted a piece of that island beauty and the very profitable trade routes. The town still displays many mementos from the past including the Roman amphitheatre and Greek acropolis. After exploring the ancient sites in the capital, don’t forget to check out the tavernas along the waterfront and feast on authentic Greek Mezze.

Limenaria mining town

On the south-western tip of the island you can find the small town of Limenaria, stuffed full of traditional Greek charm and with plenty of tempting seafood restaurants. Limenaria’s past is far more than just a fishing port, as the area used to be an old miner’s town and still has many tunnels and shafts leading underground. Overlooking the settlement is the turreted Palataki building, an emblem to the town’s diverse cultural history.

Map of Thassos, Greece

When you look at a map of Thassos, you’ll quickly see it’s almost completely circular. This surprisingly mountainous island has plenty of history to explore, with many Ancient Greek sites and villages with stunning scenery.

Thassos has plenty of hiking trails and traditional Greek villages that still give a great insight into local life. On the map of Thassos you can see the mountainous centre of the island with the villages of Mairies, Potamia and Theologos and its craggy coastline with the ports of Limenas and Skala Prinou.

On your Mediterranean holiday to Thassos, you’ll be in the ideal place to explore inland, relax on beautiful beaches and swim in the warm, clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

Places to stay

On the east-coast, you’ll find golden stretches of fine sand beaches in Pachis. It offers shallow blue-green waters for kids to enjoy in the day, while parents can make the most of the local beach bars and fish restaurants at night. For those looking for an escape from the bustle of the livelier resorts of Thassos, the smaller village of Gilkadi is perfect thanks to its long beach which boasts a backdrop of a lush green forest.

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Map of Thassos

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The best time to holiday in Thassos is August. The average sea temperature is a delightfully warm 25°C, perfect for a quick dip. Plus, you can enjoy as many as 13 hours of beautiful sunshine. Perfect for taking in all the sights Thassos has to offer.

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It takes roughly four hours to fly here from the UK

You’ll arrive at Kavala International Airport (KVA), which is situated on the mainland just north of Thassos.

Thassos is best for...

History buffs: Take a walk back in time and explore the island’s many historical attractions. From striking 12th century churches to the ruins of the Old Town, you’ll be blown away by how well they've preserved the local history.

Nature enthusiasts: Hike through the green forest adorning the mountains and spot exotic wildlife on your travels. There are tons of fabulous trails for you to enjoy including Marble Bay and around Panagia.

Beach lovers: You’ll be spoilt for choice with the many sandy bays located around the island, and the hidden coves dotted around the place. Be sure to visit Golden Beach. Surrounded by dense, luscious vegetation that reaches right down to the sea; you'll never have seen anything so beautiful. Plus, if you're into water sports, this is a great place to go, making it an all-around must-visit.

Foodies: Thassos is home to culinary delights for you to enjoy. It's a fabulous place for trying authentic Greek foods you've never tried before. Explore the tiny villages and traditional local tavernas and eat alongside the locals.

Fast facts for Thassos

Language: The language spoken in here is Greek.

Currency: The currency used in Thassos is Euros (€).

Local time: It’s two hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Kavala Airport on the mainland. The transfer time to Thassos is approx. one hour, subject to local waiting times. This includes a 15-minute coach to Keramoti Port and a 40-minute ferry journey to Thassos town across the Aegean Sea.

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Troulos is four hours.

Tourist information: Further Thassos tourist information can be found here.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece for recommendations and guidance on both visas and health for Thassos holidays.

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Getting around Thassos

By bus: With frequent services from the bus station, you can take a tour of the island from as little as two euros a ride. You can explore the entirety of the island’s coastline and visit all the inland villages.

By car: Cruise around the island by car. You’ll find plenty of hire companies in your resort.

By taxi: Taxis are great for getting around, especially at night. Head to the taxi rank on the waterfront of Limenas or by the main bus stop in Potos.

By taxi boat: Hop on one of these to travel to the more isolated beaches on the island. These can’t be reached by car, which is where a ride on a taxi boat really comes into its own.

By bicycle: You can hire a basic bicycle from Limenas. Or, if you rather a higher quality model, rent a bike from Velo Bike Rental in Potos. This region is located towards the southwest coast.

Events in Thassos

Carnival: The streets of Thassos come alive during the last weekend before Lent every year. Festivities kick off in the quaint village of Potamia on a Friday evening. This is the first of many delights leading up to the grand parade on Sunday. This rounds off the festivities with a bang. You can expect locals dressed in colourful costumes, serving plates of delicious Greek food well into the night. 

Summer festival: Immerse yourself in Thassian culture and join in the summer-long celebration that captures the entirety of the island. From live music performances by local Folklore musicians to traditional Thassian weddings, you’ll enjoy plenty of events that highlight the best of this island's traditions.

Religious feasts and festivals: August 15th is the most significant celebration in Thassos. This is the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In Panagia village, after the religious procession of the Virgin Mary icon, everyone gathers together in the square to eat local foods, drink freshly brewed wine and celebrate.

Easter: On Easter Monday, the locals of Kalyvia enact an ancient custom named “Yia vrex Aprilim.” This is where they call out to God for rain in April. This is important for ensuring the health of their vineyards; they dance and they pray. It's a beautiful religious spectacle. Then, on the second day of Easter, the people of Theologos move the icon of the resurrection scene from a tiny local church to the beautiful monastery of Archangel Michael. They spend the entire night in the monastery's garden and then proceed to bring the icon back the next day.

Ancient Drama Festival: The Festival of Ancient Drama takes place in the Ancient Theatre of Limenas. Try catching one of the various concerts and old Greek plays hosted here between July and August. They're worth watching if you're after a fun-filled evening on Thassos Island.

Thassos weather

Temperature: you can expect sunny highs of 28°C and lows of 10°C.

Best time to visit: August. You can enjoy a pleasant average sea temperature of 25°C as well as 13 hours of beautiful sunshine every day.

Make the most of the long sunny days during the summer months, and soak in everything this beautiful place has to offer. Go for a swim, try your hand at water sports, or, just lounge on the beach and soak up the sun.

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