Thasos

Limenas by freey boat - Approaching Thasos by ferry boat from Keramoti Thasos town - Thasos town,Old Port

Thasos, sometimes spelled Thassos (Greek: Θάσος), is a Greece|Greek Island tourist destination in the North Aegean Islands group, close to Kavala. - 40.691|24.657

Thasos Halal Travel Guide

Thasos is a green, mountainous island with many picturesque bays and sandy beaches. The landscape is similar to Chalkidiki or Sithonia. It is a ideal holiday destination for families and people who want to relax at wonderful and not overcrowded beaches. There are a number of interesting antiquities to visit and there are enough beach-restaurants for entertainment and night life. A fire in September 2016 destroyed parts of the forests but this does not affect its beauty as a top holiday destination. In general the east side is much more crowded than the west side. People who like to have more space on the beach are better off with the west side, while those who want more action the east side is the better choice.

History

Earliest settlements are known from the Neolithic era. About 1500 BC, Thasos was taken by the Phoenicians, and by their knowledge in metallurgy and they were the first to exploit the mineral resources of the island. The island was then taken over by the Thracians until the Greek Ionian tribe displaced the Thracians in the 7th century BC. Gold and silver mining and trade flourished during this time and brought prosperity to the island. In 492 BC and the Persians conquered the island, which led to an economic decline. In 464 - 404 BC, Thasos was occupied by Athens and served as a colony of wood and metal supplies. 340 BC Philip II, king of the Macedonians, took over Thasos. In the period from 281 - 202 BC, Thasos was independent, until it was connected to the Roman Empire in 196 BC. After the division of the Roman Empire, it belonged to the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) from 330 AD. In 1455 AD, Thasos passed over to the Turks and was freed by Greek troops by 1912 in the Balkan War. In the Second World War, Thasos and larger parts of northern Greece were handed over by the Wehrmacht to Bulgaria, who had to leave these areas with war dead.

Travel as a Muslim to Thasos

Since Thasos does not have its own airport and the connection runs through the airport Kavala (near Chrysoupolis). From there it is 12km to the ferry at the village Keramoti (ferry time Keramoti-Limenas, 45min). By taxi the way from the airport to the ferry costs about 20 €, to Kavala the cost is 40 €. The / bus connection is bad.
From the airport Thessaloniki there is a bus to the KTEL (1 hour), which is the bus station for intercity buses. From there every hour buses go to Kavala (2½ hours). From Kavala you either take a ferry to Thasos or take a bus from the bus station Kavalas to Keramoti (1 hour) and from there by ferry to Thasos. Alternatively go by rental vehicle from Thessaloniki Airport to Kavala/Keramoti (2½-3 hr). Some vehicle hire companies from Thasos also have rental cars at the airport, with which you can also drive to Thasos. Many cars rented on the mainland are not allowed to go on the islands.
Ferries: There are 2 ferries for vehicles and passengers to Thasos 1) Kavala-Scala Prinos (1.5 hours) and 2) Keramoti-Thasos Town (Limenas) (45 minutes). The Timetables vary depending on the season. Since the island is close to the mainland and the ferry costs are comparatively low, so that many weekenders and camper vans visit the island. In addition to normal ferries, a [https://Z4h-nVgNIK9zcPj7gnUJtVixbWhmWxA1UzKl1rqtH4BQSt8 high-speed hydrofoil operates only for passengers between Kavala and Thasos City (Limenas).

Get Around

The island has one primary street which circles the perimeter. There is a [https://%80%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%86%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%AF%CE%B5%CF%82/47-%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BB%CF%8C%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1/161-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B8%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BF-%CE%B8%CE%AC%CF%83%CE%BF%CF%85 bus service during summer. Taxis are common and can be called from most restaurants, bars and supermarkets(taxis after midnight need to be booked in advance). Car and bike hire is feasible from many of the larger towns and villages. To really see the interesting parts of the island, especially the mountain villages, a vehicle or motorbike is needed. Normal cars are not allowed on dirt roads but some of the nice beaches an attractions can be visited on dirt roads only. Hire a 4WD at least for the days you want to go off road.

What to see in Thasos

Must see for short time visitors:

Thasos town
Panagia
Aliki
Giola
Kastro
Megalo Kasaviti

Most tourists rent a vehicle at least for one day to explore the island. As there is only one ring road the villages are described starting from Thasos town clockwise. From the main ring road the mountain villages can be visited via side roads or dead-end roads. If you visit the main attractions only a tour takes from 4-6 hr.

Thasos - Θάσος, commonly called Limenas, Λιμένας - 40.7762, 24.7041 - The largest village on the island with the harbor for ferry boats to Keramoti and is deep enough for sailing boats and offering power connection too. Visit the old fishing harbor with the customs building and a beach with beach bars. Continue the walk to reach the viewpoint called “Karnagio” with an old chapel and a nice restaurant to sit. Nearby the old harbor are the ruins of the ancient city and the Archeology and Ethnology Museum. From the old port take a walk to the Amphitheater and ahead to the Acropolis and a historic castle ruin. The ascent is a bit difficult, but well worthwhile because of the fantastic views. In the center of Limenas are commercial streets with souvenir shops, restaurants, fast food, police, banks, travel agencies and some nightlife.

Scala Potamia - Scala Potamia & Golden Beach Monastery Archeangelos - Monastery Archangelos Panagia, Thasos - Panagia Maries, Water Falls - Water Falls in Maries Kastro, Thasos - Kastro Scala Sotiros - Scala Sotiros Giola swimming swimmingpool - panoramio - Giola swimming pool

Panagia - Παναγία - 40.7307, 24.7288 A romantic small mountain village with old, traditional houses, restaurants and a few souvenir shops in a beautiful location on a wooded hill. The "Dragon's Lair" is a cave near the village and is also worth a visit because of the scenic environment.
Scala Panagia - Σκάλα Παναγία - 40.7278, 24.7571 An agglomeration of hostels, hotels, a camping ground, supermarkets and a lot of restaurants aligned along a long sandy beach (called Χρυσή Αμμουδιά Chrysi Ammoudia, "Golden Beach").
Potamia - Ποταμιά - 40.7157, 24.7289 An old mountain village located high on a wooded hill and is less touristy than Panagia. It is certainly worth a walk through the village. Because of the altitude location, it is getting a little cooler here in summer than at Scala Potamia.
Scala Potamia - Σκάλα Ποταμιάς - 40.7088, 24.7588 Next to Scala Panagia at the Golden Beach - Purely a tourist place.
Kinira - Κοίνυρα - 40.6666, 24.7617 A small, purely tourist place without a real center. It consists of a cluster of hotels, restaurants, etc.
Aliki - Αλυκή - 40.6053, 24.7412 A "must-see location" with a very romantic beach and the remains of an ancient temple. Aliki is not a village. It consists of only a few restaurants but it is one of the main tourist attractions of Thasos. It's the landscape that makes it so unique. In summer it is overcrowded and it may be hard to find a parking space.
Aliki is also an peninsula of archaeological interest where an ancient quarry of marble is situated that was used from the ancient to early Byzantine years and was one of the main Greek areas regarding the mining and exportation of marble. Due to the dismantling and sale of the coveted white marble a relatively large and prosperous settlement and a port suitable for transport was build. Alikes was evacuated abruptly due to the strike of an heavy earthquake in the 5th century AD. This is the reason why today the marble rocks are discernible under the surface of the sea. The residents of Aliki migrated to other areas of the island because their economic basis (the quarry) had disappeared. However, some people continued to live in the settlement on fishing business and merchandising until its total destruction by pirates in 1651.
5 kilometers from Aliki there is the GPS 40.5968,24.7019 Monastery "Archangelos", a very interesting complex on the mountainside. It's a convent with old icons and full of flower pots and it is a good viewpoint over the sea and the south shore of Thasos. A few kilometers after the monastery is another famous spot in Thassos, called GPS 40.5866,24.6787 "Giola"}}. It is a natural swimmingpool overlooking the sea. The descent to Giola is signposted. The trip goes on dirt roads to a parking lot and from there walk down the mountain. The walk is very strenuous, especially in the summer. During high tide and the swimmingpool is clean and inviting, but after days without high tides, no fresh water from the sea enters the pool, and the water gets dark and dirty.
Astrida - Αστρίδα - 40.5894, 24.6551 An abandoned village that had been rebuilt partially for tourist use. It is well worth seeing.
Potos - Ποτός - 40.6110, 24.6085 - One of the touristic centers of Thassos, especially popular in younger people. Its a strong tourist embossed larger village with everything needed for such a place, like good shopping, some Halal restaurants, beaches full with live music and beach parties and appropriate nightlife. It's certainly worth a visit.
Theologos - Θεολόγος - 40.6598, 24.6925 A quiet and beautiful "must-see" mountain village where the houses are predominantly constructed of stone and covered with stone slabs. Also the museum is worth seeing. Going through the village, you will reach the restaurant "Neromillos" (Water mill) after about 500 m after the cemetery. The water mill is a wonderful place to stay, eat and drink. Another attraction is the old stone bridge. Behind the Agios Dimitrios church is a footpath to the photogenic bridge about 200 m away.
Limenaria - Λιμενάρια - 40.6278, 24.5752 - The second largest village on the island and has a lot of tourism. The long sandy promenade is lined with restaurants, gift shops, cafes, pubs, etc. But even in high season the beach is not overcrowded. There are supermarkets, banks, doctors, police station in the center. From Limenaria leads a new paved road to Kastro fillage. 3 kilometers from Limenaria direction Scala Maries is the well-known beach Tripiti. Its famous for its rock with a hollow.
Kastro - Κάστρο - 40.6704, 24.6550 - In the mountainous center of the island, it used to be a dilapidated village. It has been partly rebuilt, but it's more the landscape that makes it worth going there. The environment is more impressive than the place itself. Two small restaurants invite the diner to linger in clean mountain air. A small waterfall is located near the village and can be visited on foot or 4WD from Kastro. To get to the waterfall take the dirt track on the east side of Kastro, which is a 3-4 kilometers journey and goes through a beautiful and pristine forest. It's most impressive to see during the spring as it tends to dry up during the summer. Another option you can reach the waterfall from Theologos by vehicle. The road to Kastro has been paved so the village will get many more visitors now.
Maries - Μαρίες - 40.6911, 24.6214 A very original old mountain village. Interesting is also the location a few miles outside the village with a small lake and a little waterfall. During July/August when there is no rain, that waterfall is just a runlet
Scala Maries - Σκάλα Μαριών - 40.6424, 24.5173 A nice touristy village with a picturesque small fishing harbor.
Kalirachi - Καλλιράχη - 40.6931, 24.5545 - One of the larger mountain villages with narrow streets and is not very touristy.
Scala Kalirachi - Σκάλα Καλλιράχης - 40.7067, 24.5342 A street village with a beautiful small harbor that invites you to linger. The harbour is deep enough for sailing boats and offers also power connection for boats.
Sotiros - Σωτήρας - 40.7171, 24.5747 A small mountain village with magnificent view and is well worth seeing.
Scala Sotiros - Σκάλα Σωτήρος - 40.7285, 24.5483 An elongated street village with a remarkable small fishing port.
Prinos - Πρίνος - 40.7402, 24.5774 A larger village with shops, supermarkets, bakeries, restaurant, pubs but less touristy. A popular attraction of Prinos is the outdoor market (bazaar). It takes place in the town's open square every Monday morning. Visitors can obtain fresh fruits, vegetables, clothing, footwear, household items and at the same time enjoy a unique lively atmosphere.

Kazaviti 3 C - Kazaviti

Mikros Prinos - Μικρός Πρίνος, commonly called Micros Kasavitis - 40.7205, 24.6171 A formerly dilapidated mountain village that has been rebuilt in a touristy way. From here and there is a tortuous road leading to the GPS 40.7074, 24.5989 Monastery "Panteleimonos ' at high altitude in the mountains. The ride and the spectacular views are more worthwhile than the visit of the monastery.
Megalos Prinos - Μεγάλος Πρίνος, commonly called Megalos Kasavitis - 40.7248, 24.6238 A "must-see" mountain village with old, mostly renovated houses and a very beautiful central square under plane trees with restaurants. It is delightfully cool even on the hottest summer days.
Rachoni - Ραχώνι - 40.7570, 24.6371 - Not a tourist village. An interesting sight is a church that is located directly before reaching the village. It is a nice cool place on hot summer days under large trees and with waterways. A tavern is also there. Above the village is the island's only dog sanctuary.
Scala Ragoni - Σκάλα Ραχωνίου - 40.7804, 24.6136 A small quiet harbour village with few tourists. Some kilometers north are several nice and crowded beaches and bays.
Ag. Georgios - Άγιος Γεώργιος - 40.7629, 24.6369 A small old village with almost no tourism.

What to Do

Hiking - Thasos is suitable not only for swimming but also offers many scenic walking tracks. Especially in the fall and in the spring when it is not so hot, many visitors use this alternative to beach life. There are local shops to buy hiking equipment and maps. For those who don't like to walk on their own in the mountains there are also organized tours. Information can be found in the Internet under "walk on Thasos".
Popular trails are:
* From Limenas to Makriamos and further to the Golden Beach (4 hr, 13 kilometers, mostly flat)
* From Potos to Theologos (3 hr, 10 kilometers, slightly ascending)
* From Theologos to Kastro (2 hr, 6 kilometers, steep climb)
* From Maries to the lake and waterfall (1 hr, 3 kilometers, mostly flat)
* From Ag. Georgios for abandoned old village of Ag. Georgios (1½-2 hr, a steep ascent)
Water sports - are available at many organized beaches. There are boats, jet skis, banana boats and water parachutes available.
Cave climbing - jensfrahm64@ - There are many ancient tunnels and mines. Thasos was famous for Gold, iron, manganese mining in older times. The tunnels are just abandoned and should only be entered with extreme caution. There is some special literature about the mines also describing their exact locations. Guided Tours in Thasos by ehalal.io (email for prices) only after registration. Prerequisite are physical fitness and experience in cave climbing.
Boat tours - Tours to the most beautiful beaches or once around the island start from the old port in Thasos/Limenas (10:00-18:30, €30 with stops for swimming and barbeque) or from Limenaria and Potos port. Motor yacht tours from Potos or Limenaria to Samothraki and Mount Athos
Speed boat - Hire in Scala Potamia.
Horse riding - You can enjoy a horse ride with the horse clubs of Thassos in Theologos or Sc. Prinos.
Mountain biking - Cycling has increased in popularity and there are rental stations in Potos and the other larger places.
Jeep Safaris - Starting from Sc. Prinos, Limenaria, Potos. Adventurous tours on 4x4 cars into the mountains on dirt roads.
Enduro-touring - There are many dirt roads in the mountains of Thasos that are perfect for this sport. Organized tours are also available.
Sailing tours - Tours around the island are offered start from Limenas, for example. If you arrive by your own boat you find good ports in Scala Sotiros, Scala Kalirachi, Limenas, Limenaria and some nice bays to to anchor, e.g. in Aliki.
Diving - Aqualung diving is offered by 2 large diving schools in Potos and Pefkari.
Fishing tours - Boat trips for fishing, 2 times daily from Potos port, €35/person.
Parachute – Parapende - With a tandem parachute in 15 minutes from the mountain Ipsarion (1200 m) to Paradise Beach

Ancient sites tour

It is recommended to visit the ancient sites of the island in 2 tours in Thasos town and 1 in Aliki and Thimonia. The first leads up to the Acropolis of Thasos town and is also recommended for people who are less interested in ruin sites, because of the beautiful landscape and the wonderful vantage points. The second tour stays within the village and is less spectacular.

1) Thasos Town

Tour 1: It starts in the immediate vicinity of the old {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7808, 24.7131

war harbor | image = at the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7798, 24.7122
Agora | image = and the economic center of the ancient city, a kind of marketplace with shops, religious and cultural sites. Even if only the foundation walls and a few pillars are present and the agora is the most interesting ancient area in the center. Directly following the agora are the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7802, 24.7147
passages | image, a stone walled access from the residential quarters to the agora and the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7784, 24.7129
Odeion | image, a small 2nd-century theater. and the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7798, 24.7149
Arthemis Shrine | image = from early Hellenistic times. From the agora you go northeast passing the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.78073, 24.71424
District of Dionisos | image = and the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.78150, 24.71435
Sanctuary of the Poseidon and Wagon Gate | image = and the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.78230, 24.71531
eastern residential area and Chariten Tor | image = slowly uphill under shady trees towards the headland. There stands the very photogenic {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.78533, 24.71578
St. Nicholas Chapel | image = on the foundations of a 5th century basilica. The view from there of the landscape and the sea is breathtaking. Below the chapel you can see the beach bar Karnagio. From here and the trail now leads steeper and much more strenuous uphill to the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7821, 24.7177
Theater | image = from the 3rd century with stunning vistas of Thasos. Performances take place here during the summer months. Further above is the {{Marker | type = go GPS 40.7781, 24.7197
Akropolis | image . In 1204 and the Venetians built a historic castle in the eastern part of the Acropolis out of the ruins of the temples there, whose ruins are hidden between trees and barely visible from the village. If one follows the path one reaches the

| type = hotel

Blue Dream Palace | url = lastedit = 2018-02-08 | description =
Enavlion Hotel Batagianni | Golden Beach ☎ +30 25930 58222 +30 25930 58223 Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 12:00
Kallisti Hotel | St. Anthony, Potos ☎ +30 25930 53316 +30 25930 53317 From €60 Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 12:00A 4-star hotel.
Miramare Hotel | Scala Potamia ☎ +30 25930 61040 +30 25930 61043
Sunny Hotel Thassos | @ssos.com Chrissi Ammoudia ☎ +30 25930 58184 +30 25930 58185 From €55

Telecommunications in Thasos

Most hotels and restaurants have Wi-fi.

Stay Safe

There is no danger for tourists, so you can move freely anywhere. Only take care of pickpocketing.
Medical Care: There is no hospital in Thasos, but a "Health Center" in Prinos from the patient will be relocated to the Kavala Hospital for more serious illnesses. Medical trainings (including dentist, orthopedist, cardiologist and general practitioner) can be found in Limenas and Limenaria.
The drinking water quality is controlled, but differs from village to village. It is usually safer to use bottled water for drinking.
Snakes: there is a poisonous snake that lives mainly in the mountains, often on stony terrain or in holes in walls, between rocks etc. (horned viper) It is very poisonous! Therefore, you should pay attention to good footwear and clothing, if you want to go off the beaten track and generally be careful with walls in abandoned houses and land.

News & References Thasos

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Thasos

An advantage of Thasos is the close distance to the main land what makes day trips easy.

Kavala: often visited by ferry boat from Scala Prinos at Saturday morning as a day trip when Kavala's big and colorfull market (bazar) at the promenade is open (07:30-13:00, best visit time before 11:00, as it gets very busy later). The famous archaeological site of Philippi can be visited by bus from Kavala bus terminal /| Ktel, close to the bazaar. The best way to do this day trip is by taking the first ferry from Scala Prinos to Kavala and back on the afternoon ferry or back by bus to Keramoti and from there on one of the many later ferries.
Nestos -Delta and Nestos-Gorge: natural reserve areas of stunning beauty reachable by bus from Keramoti or but better by vehicle as a day trip,
Pangaion Hills: the Pangaio is with almost 2000 m the highest mountain in the Kavala area, with picturesque mountain villages, a multitude of monasteries and impressive vegetation. As a day trip from Thasos a vehicle is necessary to reach the points of interest in a reasonable time.
Drama. Provincial town but a good place to start an excursion to the Rhodope Mountains, wild, almost deserted natural landscape on the Bulgarian border.
Xanthi: famous for its Old Town with many pubs and restaurants and night life
Samothrace -Island: using public transport you go by bus from Kavala /| Ktel to Alexandroupolis where the ferry to Samothrace starts