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Xanthi is the westernmost prefecture of Thrace, stretching from the Aegean coast and the lagoons of Vistonida to the forested Rhodope mountains on the Bulgarian border, a region where different cultures and faiths have lived side by side for centuries. Its capital, Xanthi, has one of the most charming old towns in northern Greece: on the slopes above the modern centre, cobbled lanes wind between nineteenth-century mansions built by wealthy tobacco merchants, painted houses with wooden balconies, churches and mosques, and a fine folklore museum is housed in two twin mansions. The town's Saturday bazaar and its carnival, the largest in Thrace, draw visitors from across the region. West of the city, the river Nestos cuts a spectacular gorge through the mountains between Stavroupoli and Toxotes, where a riverside path, kayaking and rafting reveal its emerald waters, and a viewpoint looks down on the river's famous meanders. In the Rhodope mountains, Pomak villages such as Echinos and Glafki keep their own traditions, and the Livaditis waterfall drops through a beech forest. On the coast, ancient Abdera, birthplace of the philosopher Democritus, lies near long beaches, while at Porto Lagos the small monastery of Agios Nikolaos stands on an islet in the lagoon. Xanthi suits road-trippers, hikers and culture lovers.
Quick facts
LOCATION
Eastern Macedonia & Thrace
KNOWN FOR
Old town & Nestos meanders
BEST FOR
Old town, Lakes & rivers, Hiking, Traditional, Off the beaten path
Beaches
Mandra (Xanthi) Beach
Religious Sites
Monastery of Panagia Archangeliotissa
Church of Agios Nikolaos (Porto Lagos)
Museums & History
Old Town of Xanthi
Central (Xanthi Clock Tower) Square
Folklore & Historical Museum of Xanthi
Other
Stavroupoli Village
Echinos Village
Nature
Nestos (Stavroupoli) Gorge
Nestos Riverside Path (Toxotes)
Lake Vistonida
Shopping
Xanthi Saturday Bazaar
By air
Kavala International Airport, near Chrysoupoli, is about 40 minutes from Xanthi, with summer flights from Europe and flights from Athens. Thessaloniki airport, with more international routes, is about two and a half hours away via the Egnatia motorway.
By ferry
Xanthi is inland, with no ferries. Keramoti, about 40 minutes away, has frequent ferries to Thasos, about 40 minutes, and Alexandroupoli, about an hour and a quarter east, serves Samothrace.
Getting around
Recommended. Xanthi’s old town is best on foot, but the Nestos gorge, the Pomak villages of the mountains, Abdera and the Lake Vistonida coast are spread out, with limited buses. A car makes exploring the area much easier.
