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 causeway. It's a beautiful natural spot, and a minor pilgrimage destination; there's a gift shop for all your icon needs. The churches are lovely, but don't miss the uncannily realist mosaics in the parking area.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.65 MILES
Looking like an alien creature from the sci-fi movie Avatar, a 5m-tall 6th-century-BC kouros (male statue of the Archaic period) carrying a ram greets…
10.52 MILES
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…
6.44 MILES
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…
15.56 MILES
Across Orfeos north of Plateia Eirinis, Komotini’s Ottoman-era neighbourhood, still predominantly Turkish, has old homes, barber shops and teahouses. Its…
16.32 MILES
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…
29.08 MILES
This inland village just south of Limenas is nothing if not photogenic. Its characteristic architecture includes stone-and-slate rooftops and the elegant…
16.32 MILES
Triandafyllos Vaitsis works scrap metal and other findings into surprising sculptures that cast contradictory shadows. It's a relatively short visit, and…
Archaeological Museum of Abdera
10.18 MILES
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…
Nearby Thrace attractions
6.44 MILES
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…
2. Archaeological Museum of Abdera
10.18 MILES
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…
3. Archaeological Site of Abdera
10.52 MILES
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…
15.19 MILES
Visit here for information on the ancient Thracians, plus Roman coins, clay figurines, delicate gold wreaths and glazed ceramics. The street address is…
15.34 MILES
Komotini’s 4th-century-AD Byzantine fortress was built by Emperor Theodosius. Remnants include one of 16 original towers and a portion of the wall…
6. Church of the Assumption of Mary
15.37 MILES
Built in 1800 on a Byzantine shrine site, the church contains 16th-century icons and wood carvings.
15.41 MILES
Closed for renovation at the time of research, this museum occupies Komotini’s early Ottoman imaret (poorhouse), the brickwork and layout of which…
15.56 MILES
Across Orfeos north of Plateia Eirinis, Komotini’s Ottoman-era neighbourhood, still predominantly Turkish, has old homes, barber shops and teahouses. Its…