Thasos

Introducing Thasos

Child friendly, lined with sandy beaches and very green, Thasos is one of the most popular Greek islands for families, though it does attract many 20-somethings, too. Indeed, if you’re tired of meeting the same-old Euro/Anglo travellers, then Thasos, much-frequented by natives of ex-Yugoslav republics, Bulgaria and Romania, is the place to go. And, since it’s just 10km from Kavala on the mainland, Thasos is an easy hop for independent travellers crossing northern Greece to or from Turkey.

While this proximity to the mainland has brought Thasos within the package-tour orbit, the island is only really crowded in July and August, and even then there are numerous empty beaches and hidden coves tucked away on its pine-ringed shores, connected by frequent buses plying the circular coastal road. Further inland, Thasos’ traditional mountain villages, shaded by huge oaks and plane trees, feature old stone-and-slate architecture, crystal-clear mountain waterfalls, and great hiking and mountain biking opportunities.

The island of Thasos has a long and varied history, and the excellent little archaeological museum in the capital, Thasos (Limenas), tells some of the story. A few Greco-Roman remains in the town, a submerged ancient marble quarry, Byzantine monasteries and Neolithic tombs comprise the island’s historical attractions.

In ancient times Thasos became wealthy enough to build a navy, due to its gold deposits. The Parians who founded the ancient city of Thasos (Limenas) in 700 BC struck gold at Mt Pangaion, and started a lucrative export trade. While the gold is long gone, Thasos’ ancient gift of white marble – said to be the second whitest in the world – is still being exploited, much to the consternation of local environmentalists who decry the defacement of mountainsides this mining has caused. At the same time subdued exploration for offshore oil continues in the waters between Thasos and Kavala.

Thasos is part of the prefecture of Macedonia, and though an island, is considered more like an aquatic extension of northern Greece. This perception has resulted in a short high season; travellers coming before or after July and August, therefore, can have this, the so-called ‘emerald isle, ’ all to themselves. Indeed, some of the island’s best activities happen in low season. In early spring Greece’s largest sea cormorant colony, nesting on the islet of Panagia, hatches its young, and in late April there’s the increasingly popular Thasos International Mountain Biking Race.

Last updated: Aug 17, 2011