Thrace

With relatively few beaches and no blockbuster archaeological sites, Thrace (Thraki) draws few foreign tourists, and not many Greeks, either. What Thrace does have is dramatic natural scenery, from the lush delta of the Evros River to the deeply forested Rhodopi Mountains, and a unique mix of cultures, religions and languages, forged by centuries of various empires and migration flows.

In Thrace, modern national borders are abstractions laid over the stronger, deeper roots of the Pomak people, Slavic Muslims who live on both slopes of the mountains that now demarcate Greece and Bulgaria. The border between Greece and Turkey is likewise arbitrary, cutting down the middle of the vast Thracian plain, with its fertile fields of sunflowers, wheat and tobacco. In many villages, people speak Greek as a second language, and the skylines are studded with church domes and minarets alike.

Explore Thrace

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Thrace.

  • Nature Reserve

    Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park

    This large patch of protected forest is on a major bird migration route and home to three of Europe's four vulture species. Visits are best in spring or…

  • Museum

    Art of Silk Museum

    Located in Tsiakiri House, a silk producer of 60 years' pedigree, this museum is fascinating and informative. Enthusiastic, multilingual staff take you…

  • Museum

    Historical and Ethnographical Museum

    Learn all about the Greek–Turkish population exchange at this excellent museum with an equally excellent and dedicated staff. The exhibits tell the…

  • Nature Reserve

    Evros Delta

    Just southeast of Alexandroupoli, where the Evros River reaches the Aegean, 188 sq km of coastal lakes, lagoons, sand dunes, swamps and reed beds harbour…

  • Archaeological Site

    Archaeological Site of Abdera

    About 6km south of modern Abdera lies the acropolis of the ancient town, inhabited in the 7th century BC but wracked by various invasions, until it was…

  • Islamic Tomb

    Kioutouklou Baba Teke

    Set amid fields of cotton and mustard seed on the plain southeast of Xanthi, this is the burial spot of a dervish of the Bektashi order, the primary…

  • Historic Site

    Turkish Quarter

    Across Orfeos north of Plateia Eirinis, Komotini’s Ottoman-era neighbourhood, still predominantly Turkish, has old homes, barber shops and teahouses. Its…

  • Area

    Old Xanthi

    Stacked up on the hillside on the north side of the city, Xanthi's picturesque historic district is a web of winding lanes and stairs lined with pastel…

  • Museum

    Ethnological Museum of Thrace

    Inside a grand sandstone mansion, this museum with backyard cafe packs its displays with colourful Thracian costumes, musical instruments, oil presses,…

  • Monastery

    Moni Agiou Nikolaou

    In the marshlands between Lake Vistonida and the sea, this monastery, associated with Vatopedi on Mt Athos, is set on two islets linked by a pedestrian…

  • Gallery

    House of Shadow

    Triandafyllos Vaitsis works scrap metal and other findings into surprising sculptures that cast contradictory shadows. It's a relatively short visit, and…

  • Castle

    Pythio Castle

    Set on a tall bluff overlooking the Evros River, two large towers linked by a sturdy wall are the only surviving example of Byzantine defensive…

  • Museum

    Archaeological Museum of Abdera

    This fine small museum exhibits the findings from ancient Abdera, with a focus on daily life: medical tools, for instance, and clay figurines, made in a…

  • Museum

    Ecclesiastical Art Museum

    Next to the custard-coloured Agios Nikolaos cathedral, this excellent museum contains priceless icons, many brought by refugees in 1923, plus early…

  • Museum

    Folk Museum

    Most signage at this museum is in Greek, so consider it more an excuse to poke around two linked 19th-century mansions, built for tobacco-baron brothers…

  • Church

    Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos

    This cathedral houses the miracle-working 13th-century icon of the Panagia Trifotissa, from Aenos (Enez in Turkish) across the Evros River. Villagers with…

  • Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    Visit here for information on the ancient Thracians, plus Roman coins, clay figurines, delicate gold wreaths and glazed ceramics. The street address is…

  • Museum

    Silk Museum

    Although it's not nearly as good as the other industry-themed Piraeus Bank museums around Greece, nor as detailed as the nearby Art of Silk Museum, this…

  • Museum

    Ecclesiastical Museum

    Closed for renovation at the time of research, this museum occupies Komotini’s early Ottoman imaret (poorhouse), the brickwork and layout of which…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Thrace.

  • Activities