Thassos

Greek Experience: 8/10
Weather: 10/10 (Visited in August)
Nightlife: 7/10
Beaches: 8/10
Thassos in one word: Lush

Highlight: Greek island feel without feeling over touristy - you can drive around the island in 60 minutes
Lowlight: Watch out for the barrage of pesky wasps that occur every couple of years

Thassos Town Harbour

 

Thassos is the 12th largest greek island with an impressive 147 square miles in an almost perfect circular shape. Located in the Aegean Sea, it is one of the North Aegean islands, and is actually the most Northern island is Greece, It is grouped with Chios, Ikaria, Limnos, Lesvos, Samos and Samothraki.

I visited Thassos in 2004, as a single traveller, and if I thought I was going to a quiet sleepy island, I was wrong. I visited during August, and the island had a bright and vibrant atmosphere, but like anywhere in Greece the season is seasonal, so you can expect most islands to be busy in July and August.

The adventure to Thassos begins when you land at Kavala airport on the mainland. There is about an hour and a half transfer from the airport to the island by coach/taxi and ferry. I found the website http://www.go-thassos.gr/ very useful and has information of the ferry times etc. I am slightly anti-tour op this days, as it is nice to have the flexibility to go where and when you like instead of rigid flight dates and schedules, but I understand some people prefer to travel this way.    

I truly believe that location is everything, so I stayed near Thassos Town at the Makryammos Bungalow resort. I was far enough away that I felt I could relax in the day, but close enough that I could walk there in the evening. As I was travelling alone, I was concerned about late night returns on my own. However, I needn't have worried, as although it was a 1.6km walk back to the hotel, I befriended some people there and we shared the walk back, or a local bar own Christos was always happy to ensure that I got back safely on the back of his scooter.     

Thassos Town itself is located in the North of the island and is main source of nightlife, and if you are not looking for total relaxation, I would recommend staying near here. There are also historic sites within the town, complete with ancient acropolis and make a good day out for wandering around. I can vouch for the wonderful views from the climb up to the acropolis, and remember feeling quite elated when I reached the top as this is the first time that I had travelled here alone. You can still see remnants of the old marble walls that were built to fortify the town, as well as the obligitary amphitheatre and temples dedicated to Apollo and Athena. In fact, Thassos earned itself a reputation as 'the Athens of the North'.

Skala Prinos is the main port on the island and can be found in north-west Thassos. You will find a well bred selection of hotels and tavernas, and this would be my second choice of resort to stay on the island.

Pefki and Potos are more scenic and typical greek village resorts and are prettier and quieter than the previous places I have mentioned, along with Aliki, one of the most picturesque villages on the island.

Mount Ipsarion is the highest point on the island - standing proud at around 1204m tall, around 3360 feet above sea level. Unfortunately, I did not visit the peak on the island on this visit, but now as a keen mountain walker, we will definitely be returning here. There are plenty of mountain trails to walk along if this is your thing.

Psili Ammos beach was arguably the best beach for me on the island - the fine white sand and crystal blue seas were among the best I have seen, and is also said to have healing/curing properties, but don't quote me on that!

I would put Thassos on my list of recommendations to anyone - so if you have not been, check out those flights to Kavala for this year, and remember to pack your sense of adventure!