Thassos is the most northerly, 12th largest by area, of the Greek islands set in the northern Aegean Sea, close to the coast but geographically part of Macedonia. Thasos is also the name of the largest town of the island (also known as Limenas Thasou, “Harbour of Thasos”), situated at the northern side, opposite the mainland and about 10 kilometres (6 mi) from Keramoti.

As this is so northerly the temperatures are slightly lower that the more southerly Greek islands. The average temperature in July/August is 31 degrees in Thassos and 42 degrees in Samos which is about 500 miles further south.

Getting There

To get to Thassos we went from Manchester international to Kavala airport. Kavala airport originally was a military airport, then domestic before being opened up to international flights in 1987. The airport is actually called Kavala International Airport “Megas Alexandros”, which translates to Alexander The Great. There is then a short drive to the port of Keramoti and a 40 minute ferry to Thassos.

Our ferry awaits for our final leg of the journey to Thassos.

Unlike many other Greek islands that have a very limited number of daily ferry, Thassos has dozens of crossing a day during the summer plus a number operate in the winter.

After a plane, bus and ferry there is something exciting about seeing in the distance and knowing that the first beer won’t be far away.

Accommodation

We have always stayed at the Aberdeen studios, other accommodation is available as they would say on the BBC. The studios are all single floor bungalow style in pleasant gardens with Olive and fruit trees growing. The apartments are a 10 minute walk uphill from the new ferry port. Anyone with walking difficulties can find lots of cheap Taxis or ask the owner who will come and pick you up.

The owners when we were there are eclectic, Carol hails from Aberdeen in Scotland (hence the name) and her husband Vassilis who is a Greek musician. If you ever go there ask how they met it is very Shirly Valentine.

The swimming pool is set amongst the trees which gives shade in the head of the sun but also makes everything tranquil. The picture is taken from the pool bar which is away from the studios and so it’s quiet. There is nothing like sitting by the pool bar with a glass of Ouzo listening to Vassilis tales or strumming his guitar.

Thassos Town

There is a buzz about the town, like many other “capitals” of Greek islands. In many like Mykonos the whole island seems to there just for tourism and has no indigenous industries. Thassos feels like a working island and tourism is the icing on the cake.

The narrow streets contain small tavernas selling a variety of local as well as international foods and drink. We always think why go somewhere to eat something which you can get at home whether it is food or drink. A good tip is always go for the local house wine as this is invariably cheap and pretty good.

Beaches

Like many Greek Islands Thassos has a lot of beach’s. In many though the beach’s are pebbles or shale whereas in Thassos they are sandy and golden.

Golden Beach

Yep that it’s name, very dynamic in beach naming are the Greeks . This photogenic beach is on the east coast. Many consider the huge, sweeping bay here to be the best on the island and the pine-clad hills backing onto it only add to the picture-postcard scene. The beach is a Blue Flag winner that has 3 kilometres of soft golden sands. The beach shelves gently into clear shallow water which is great for paddling.

Papias Beach

On a different scale is Papias beach which is very small intermate. There are some small bars which allow free use of the sun beds and parasols provided you buy a drink. This is only a short walk from the studios which is particularly great if you are in to watersports.

Thassos Town Beach

There aren’t many capitals in the Greek islands that have a beach as beautiful as this. At the end of the beach are the flood defences, when you are sat on a hot summers day you just can’t imagine that these would ever be used.

Tarsanas Beach

This is a 10 minute or so walk from the Aberdeen studios and is relatively quiet. There are two beach bars, which used to use the one called Africa. each parasol has a number and you order food and drinks to that number whether this is on the beach or in the seated area. If you spend 15 euro per sunbed during the day then the sunbed is free.

Limeneria

This is situated at the other end of the island and is the oldest inhabited place on the island. At one time it was the islands capital but now it is just the second largest on the islands.

It attracts a lot of tourists because on a clear day you can see Mount Athos which is very important in the Eastern Orthodox faith. We never managed to see it because the weather was hot and there was a heat haze.

Panagia

Panagia is a small village on the way from Thassos Town to Golden Beach. It is set in the hill of Mount Ipsario and is 300 meters above sea level.

The streets are narrow and typically Greek with white walls and flowers, and extremely clean.

The village has three natural springs which run through channels in the village from just below the church.

Greek Remains

In line with may Greek islands Thassos has it’s share of ancient ruins. This is a picture of the amphitheatre which is high on the hill above Thassos town.

Simple Life

Thassos seems to have retained some of the simpler things in life which have gone for ever in the UK where our lives are often run at 100 miles (160 Kilometres for our younger and continental readers) per hour. You will find fruit and vegetable sellers driving around the island selling there home grown wares.

When we were last there the island was not massively affected by the Greek economy problems. As one local put it, “if we didn’t have television, radio or the internet we wouldn’t have known there was any problems.

Sunsets

There are some amazing sunsets form

Finally

Sitting as the sun goes down pondering and relaxing.

Or maybe a spot of fishing trying to catch your own dinner.

When you have a visited a place a number of times it can be difficult finding a present to take home. In Panagia they have really nice beauty products which are…..