Alexandroupolis

“Where to find Halal food or a Halal restaurant in Alexandroupolis, or perform Salat in a mosque in Alexandroupolis?“ “Those are some of the questions Muslim travelers often ask when traveling to Alexandroupolis.“ Alexandroupoli customs building - The Custom House in the harbor of Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis (Greek: Αλεξανδρούπολη, Alexandroúpoli) is based in Western Thrace, northeast of Greece.

Introduction

Alexandroupolit is a little city with a harbour and an airport. Though some guides describe it as "dusty", it has a rocky beach and a typical Greek nightlife. and is the last major Greek town before the Turkey|Turkish border on the highway to Istanbul.

Travel to Alexandroupolis

Travel by plane to Alexandroupolis

GPS 40.8566 ,25.9450 |zoom=15 Alexandroupolis International Airport "Dimokritos" -IATA Flight Code: AXD content= There are four flight every day linking the city to Athens by Olympic Airlines and Aegean Air. There are three flights every week from Alexandroupolis to Heraklion or Sitia (Crete) by [ Sky Express.

Travel by train to Alexandroupolis

There are several trains from Thessaloniki. Slow trains take 6h (9€), fast ICs take only 4 1/2h (16€). Train connections are relatively frequent to the rest of the nation, though the rail link to Bulgaria via Dikea has been canceled until further notice. Trains are running only to Dikea, 15km short of the Bulgarian border. There are no buses from Dikea to the border city of Svilengrad, with taxi and hitchhiking being the only options to access Svilengrad and the extensive Bulgarian train network for the time being

Alexandroupolis train station - Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός Λιμένα Αλεξανδρούπολης, Sidirodromikos Stathmos Limena Alexandroupolis | 40.845029,25.878618 Alexandroupoli train station -

National Network of Buses or KTEL operates a frequent schedule of buses to all the major city's of the nation. Shuttle buses depart twice daily to Athens (roughly 8–9 hours) and there are hourly connections to Thessaloniki. OSE and the national train operator, has set a daily bus shuttle to Istanbul that departs the main station early (around 7AM) every morning. Tickets are easy to find and can be booked in the ticket office.

Travel by boat to Alexandroupolis

The most important connection is the ferry to Samothrace. For sailboats the harbor is also well suited. The number of berths is very limited.

Get Around in Alexandroupolis

GPS 40.84916|25.87608 Since the city and mainly the center is small and flat, you can easily walk to explore the city: for the sights outside the city, a vehicle is crucial.

What to See

Ottoman Baths at Traianoupoli Greece - Ottoman Bath,Traianoupolis 20100626 Mesembria lanscape Thrace Greece 1 - Mesembria Monastery of Panagia Kosmosotira, Ferres, Evros - Panagia Kosmosotira,Ferres Panagia Krimniotisa, Samothrace - Samothraki Didymoticho Castle Hill - Didymoticho Castle Hill Didymoticho Castle.jpg Byzantinische Burgruine in Pythion - Castle Pythion

Alexandroupolis Gothic Church - Church of Saint Nicholas | Metropoleos Plaza 40.847416,25.876725 - Inaugurated in 1901 and dedicated to the patron of sailors. Beside the church a museum displays sacred artifacts dating back to the 16th century
Agii Theodori Cave Church 40.9307,25.8651 - The rocky church of Agioi Theodoroi, with frescoes of the 10th century AD, is in a magnificent location after the Byzantine fortresses of Potamos and Avanta.
Kastro Avanta & Potamos - Boz-Tepe | 40.9062,25.9010 outside the village of Avanta, 10 kilometers from Alexandroupolis - The climb to Avanta Castle, from the west side of the hill, takes about 20 minutes. A grandiose gate is preserved, with two tall towers on both sides and the ramparts of the castle, with the stairs leading up there. The view of the whole plain from the warriors fully justified the construction of the Avanta Castle at this point. The ruins that the visitor sees today date back to the 13th century, although there are findings from the Mycenaean period. The whole area has scattered castles on hillsides and rocks that allow the field and the passage to be monitored by Rodopi and Komotini. Potamos Castle is also on the provincial road that connects Alexandroupolis with Avanta. From far you can see the three impressive medieval towers of the Potos River. They are square and neighbored by a double wall. It is thought to have been built in the 13th century by the Gatelouzos and the Genoese conquerors of the area, on a site occupied on prehistoric, Ancient Greek and Byzantine periods.
Tsepel Kagia Hill , - In Hill Tsepel Kayan, now called Mytero or Monastery Hill, 4 kilometers north from the village of Avantas to Aisymi and there are rocks carved in the shape of chairs and tables, as well as murals depicting constellations. Ruins and traces of buildings have been discovered, that it is probable to be a place of worship of the Kikonon tribe of the ancient Thracians. The climb up to the hill, is easy and can be walked following the old trail.
Agios Theodoros Church 40.9330,25.8613 The 10th-century frescoed church of St. Theodore is in a unique location, after the Byzantine castles of Potamos and Avanta. Not only the rock church itself and the way there is well worth the trip.
Traianoupolis - Λουτρά Τραϊανουπόλεως | 40.8652,26.0339 The city was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan (reigned 98-117) and was famous in Roman times for its baths. In the 4th century, it became the capital and metropolis of the Thracian Roman province of Rhodope. Despite a chequered history and the city remained the metropolis of the ecclesiastical province of Rhodope until its decline in the 14th century. The area was destroyed in 1322 by Bulgarian raids and 1329/30 by Turkish troops. On display are ruins of former bathing facilities and parts of the city wall. You should definitely combine a visit with a visit to the modern bathroom, because even today and the place is a health resort.
Mesimvria 40.8630,25.6382 Mesimvria was a colony of the inhabitants of the island of Samothrace, built at the end of the 7th century BC. The city flourished in the 5th and 4th century BC, however during the period of the Macedonian and later Roman rule began to gain importance, as the construction of roads in the hinterland lowered the importance of the coastal city. On the excavation site and the remains of the fortress wall with towers, private houses, a road network, public buildings, a sanctuary of Demeter and an Apollo temple were found. The most important monuments of the excavation site are: The Shrine of Demeter. Inside the building, silver, Gold, silver and gilded relief panels were found, all connected to the Demeter cult. Dated to the 4th century BC. The archaic temple of Apollo. It was part of a larger building complex (35 x 45 m) with a central paved courtyard, neighbored by a stoa. Many ceramic fragments with engraved inscriptions were inside the temple from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Found.
Panagia Kosmosoteira 40.8940,26.1703 The remarkable former monastery Panagia Kosmosotira was built in 1151 by the Byzantine emperor Isaas I Komnenos according to the plans of the Hagia Sophia and survived wars and turmoil for 900 years in very good condition.

Top Must Do Travel Tips to Alexandroupolis

Birdwatching - You can go birdwatching for sotos, a rare speciment of a bird that has resided for years in Balkans.
Beaches Fromn the west of the city to Panorama are almost continuous beautiful sandy beaches with many beach restaurants, but also areas without management, for those who prefer a quiet bath.

Muslim Friendly Shopping

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Alexandroupolis we had no local Muslim/a that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/a and have been to Alexandroupolis or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Alexandroupolis, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io or email us your updates.

Along the promenade by the harbor and in the area between Promenade and Leof.Dimokratias street are a great variety of restaurants and fast food.

Macdonald 382, Dimokratias Av 40.844116,25.871543 - Due to the university and the many young people and the nightlife is quite good for the size of the city. Most of the cafes and bars are located in the neighborhood at and above the promenade and in the city park
Thema 8, Souliou Street 40.84458,25.87353 ☎ +30 2551 025255 - Wine-bar
Kybernio 2A, "Nikiforou Foka" Street 40.8440,25.87303 ☎ +30 2551 037160 - Night bar

Where to sleep in Alexandroupolis

There are no affordable youth hostels, but a lot of 1-star hotels and a couple of upscale hotels by the seaside. Backpackers often just stay at the beach near the train station. There is also a {{Marker* GPS 40.8465 ,25.8544 municipal campsite located right on the beach.

Mazestic Hotel Eleftherias Plaza 40.8456,25.8772 ☎ +30 25510 26444
Mitropolis Hotel 11, Athanasiou Diakou Str 40.84518,25.87643 ☎ +30 25510 26443 1-star hotel 22 rooms.
Lido Hotel 15, Konstantinou Paleologou Str 40.84641,25.87470 beside bus station ☎ +30 25510 28808, +30 25510 34004 1-star hotel 43 rooms
Erika Hotel 110, Dimitriou Karaoli Str 40.84504,25.87788 ☎ +30 25510 34115 1-star hotel 23 rooms with balcony. Buffet room, dry cleaners, vehicle hire, Free Wi-Fi.
Marianna Hotel - Malgaron Str & Dimokratias Av. 40.84638,25.87876 ☎ +30 255 108 1455, +30 697 604 351 11 (Mobile) 2-star hotel 14 rooms.
Dias Hotel 13, Troados Str 40.84380,25.86863 ☎ +30 25510 81934 2-star hotel 16 A/C rooms
Plaza Hotel 2nd kilometers of Alexandroupoli - Komotini National Road right on the municipal plage 40.8487,25.8417 ☎ +30 25510 21266, +30 25510 29112-3 2-star hotel Built in 1984, renovated in 1996. 25 sea view-rooms. A/C, sound proof, bath or shower, Minibar with alcohol removed, hairdryer, Internet access, telephone, TV.
Park Hotel 458, Dimokratias Av 40.8459,25.8619 ☎ +30 25510 28607, +30 25510 28647, +30 25510 35800, +30 6942-463196 (mobile) 2-star hotel built in 1977 and renovated in 2010. 30 A/C rooms with balcony. Central heating, open-air Swimming Pool
Oceanis Hotel okeanis1@ 20, Paleologou Street 40.8466,25.8745 Near the bus station ☎ +30 25510 28830 2-star hotel 24 rooms.
Santa Rosa Beach Hotel 1st kilometers of Alexandroupolis - Nea Chili National Road 40.8493,25.8470 ☎ +30 25510 25551, +30 25510 332061, +30 6946-332061 (Mobile) 1-star hotel 28 A/C rooms with bath or shower.
Hera Hotel 179, Dimokratias Av 40.8464,25.8786 ☎ +30 25510 25995, +30 25510 23941 2-star hotel 32 A/C rooms. Bath or shower, Wi-Fi.

Luxury

Alexander Beach & Convention Center 2nd kilometers Nat. Road 40.84808,25.83617 next to Casino Thraki ☎ +30 25510 39290 A 5-star hotel built in 1985 and renovated in 1998. 41 Executive rooms, 36 Superior rooms, 10 Family rooms, 7 Deluxe suites, 1 Presidential suite. Services: private beach, restaurant, poolside bar, hamam, beauty salon, spa, fitness centre.
Astir Egnatia Hotel - Near the stadium, right on the beach - 40.8435,25.8623 ☎ +30 25510 38000 5-star hotel 125 standard rooms with balcony, 36 superior rooms with sea view, 36 maisonettes, 17 suites with veranda, 2 deluxe suites. Hamam, Jacuzzi, heated indoor swimming pool, etc

Telecommunication

Where to go from Alexandroupolis

Ferries to the island of Samothrace just to south of city leave mostly twice daily—but irregularly. There is a fast one (taking an hour and costing €17.70 pp) and a slower one also for cars (taking 3h and costing €8.80 pp). Tickets have to be bought in a travel agency near the port.
One of the reasons to visit Alexandroupolit is to take the train to the border station of Pythion and change to train to Istanbul there.
The nature reserves of Evros Delta and Dadia are known for their profusion of birds.
Didymoteicho
Rhodope Mountains
Komotini