Known as the Emerald Isle, Thassos is oozing with the relaxed feeling of Greece. Traditional Greek atmosphere and culture, pulses through the veins of the island. You can‘t help but be touched by its warming character.
Thassos is a relatively unspoilt island located south of the Greek mainland with excellent beaches to suit all tastes. Favourites are Golden beach, Alyki and Paradise beach.
Inland, Thassos has attractive green farmland, gentle hills and rugged forested mountains which mean great terrain for walking, mountain biking, horse riding and fishing. The key to a good holiday in Thassos is to go slow with the locals and blend in. The hidden coves and sandy stretches, historic ruins and homely tavernas – this with sunshine and you’ll feel the tension leave you as soon as you step off the plane.
Things to do
Thassos offers great terrain for mountain biking. Thassos is lush and green with abundant vegetation which is quite unique for a Greek island. There are many scenic coastal trails and many established routes take in medieval monasteries, ancient Greek ruins and traditional fishing villages.
In Thassos you’ll find the world famous pure white marble which is the island’s major export product that has been produced here for over 2000 years. There are opportunities to see the ancient marble quarries and admire centuries of old marble sculptures found in the island museum in Limenas.
It is possible to enjoy the clear Aegean Sea with a trip on board a traditional Greek yacht. A whole day can be enjoyed cruising around the stunning Thassos coastline with fishing and snorkeling which generally are the most popular activities.
Shopping
Supermarkets and souvenir stores tend to dominate the beach resorts, but if you’re looking for more serious shopping, then head to the capital, Limenas. However if you’re looking for authentic Greek retail experience then go to the west coast town of Prinos on a Monday morning. It is market day and you can join the melee of bargain hunters, picking over stalls piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables, clothes, shoes, household items and more.
You can find a range of souvenirs here from the usual ceramics, leather goods, linen to the finest jewelry. As white marble is such a huge export for them, you may find some unusual marble carvings as a souvenir.
Nightlife
The Nightlife isn’t as hard as Corfu or Rhodes, but Thassos has its fair share of bars which have music playing into the early hours. Many of the hotels host special events, including poolside barbecues, beach parties and entertainment, including live music, dancing and folklore shows.
In Limenas and the other major towns, the seaside is the place to find most of the action, with the beach often serving as a dance floor! In Limenaria, the island’s second largest town, the whole waterfront seems to light up after dark into one long bar, with a seemingly endless string of watering holes, all playing different kinds of music from traditional Greek to heavy metal.
If you want to immerse yourself in authentic Greek culture, head for one of the music tavernas or bouzouki bars that are all around Limenas and the other bigger towns.
Eating out
There are many tavernas serving up the usual favourites including taramosalata, tzatziki, dolmades, moussaka, souvlaki and keftedes, as well as dishes which are less familiar such as ‘fasolada’ a thick bean soup and ‘kakavia’, a fish soup with garlic and olive oil.
For dessert there’s everything from calorie-laden pastries to a refreshing bowl of Greek yoghurt and honey, not to mention succulent fresh fruit, including gigantic watermelons, peaches and oranges.
There is no shortage on the places you can eat, relax and enjoy the views on this culturally rich island.