THASSOS
Area: Small Islands
Country: Greece


Location:
In the N Aegean sea, facing the Greek mainland's Macedonian coastline 8 miles N. 10 miles Kavala airport (mainland) to Keramoti, then 35 minutes by ferry to Limenas (Thassos Town).

Telephone code from UK:
30 25930

Description:
Limenas (Thassos Town) is the capital and principal port of the small, almost circular island of Thassos. It was an important cultural and population centre from the earliest of times, when the Greek mythological character Thassos came here to search for his sister, who had been abducted by Zeus. The real attractions were the gold mines of the E coast, and the marble quarries from which the great city was built. Thracians and Phoenicians colonised the island before the Parians, under whose rule Thassos flourished. Today, the island has a resident population of some 16,000 and a 60-mile road which encircles it. (The road has been extensively improved during the mid-1990s.) Limenas has an ancient harbour, centre of the local fishing industry, and around which the older houses are grouped. This area remains partly insulated from the adjoining newer area, spreading inland from the ferry quay (8 sailings daily, more in peak season). The streets of the town are attractive and typically Greek, but lack the intense charm of some of the more famous Greek islands. One or two tiny villages offer some accommodation and alternative beaches, the most notable being Limenaria situated almost 30 miles (by good road) away on the opposite side of the island with its associated beach hamlets of Pefkari and Potos close by. Skala Potamias 9 miles S of Limenas offers little more than a handful of simple eateries and a compact, sand beach. The island is very green, on account of generous amounts of rainfall. Its latitude is slightly higher than that of Majorca and the best time for good weather is July and August. In terms of development, Thassos is where Corfu was in the late 1970s and so it is something of a tourist "find"; very simple and unsophisticated.

Suitability:
Those seeking a quiet island holiday and wishing to experience a little local colour, unspoiled by over-development.

Accommodation:
Mainly small, comfortable hotels. Many pensions, private rooms. Few have pool or many facilities; there are no large, luxury hotels.

Shopping:
Marble is a notable product; quarries will be seen, also, unfortunately, lorries carrying huge chunks. Waste marble, gleaming white, used as breakwaters and road hard core. Honey is another speciality; numerous hives are seen beneath the shade of olive or pine trees. Walnut jam is another. Silver, turquoise and marcasites, leather and general tourist tat including fake icons.

Beach:
Most are sandy and adequate. Smaller pebbly coves dotted about.

Entertainments:
Limenas (Thassos Town), the most lively area, includes remains of ancient wall and ruin site of Agora; a walk uphill from the harbour finds the tumbledown stone amphitheatre and acropolis. Nightlife can be found in the many music bars which open late evening and cater mainly for the 20-40 age range. Limenaria has its own music bars and the odd, unsophisticated disco concentrated around the harbour. Elsewhere is very quiet.

Eating:
Fish is the speciality, but there is a wide choice of local, international and fast food available in the many restaurants and tavernas.

Public-transport:
Around-the-island bus, 5 daily, calling at most villages.

Local-excursions:
Tour of Limenas (Thassos Town), inland villages of Theologos, Panagia, Prinos or Paries; lovely beaches such as Aliki; mainland shopping/sightseeing to Kavala; boat trip to islands of Thassopoula, Panagia, Kinira.