Family Vacation in Thassos - A Magical Greek Island in Northern Greece
General Information
Thassos is the northernmost island in the Aegean Sea and one of the most beautiful and ancient of the Greek islands. It is located only about 13 km from the coastline, with the closest city being Kavala.
The island is especially suited for family trips and vacations, and is highly loved by fans of nature, water sports, and active recreation.
The island offers an abundance of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and jeep tours.
In Thassos, you will find wonderful sandy beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters, many of which feature calm, pool-like tranquil waters.
Thassos is also famous for its world-renowned white marble quarries.
Thassos is considered one of those islands that vacationers return to again and again thanks to its beauty, Greek authenticity, and atmosphere of calm and tranquility.
The island features beautiful traditional villages with narrow alleys, small local shops alongside lively tavernas known for their excellent food, which includes the world-famous Thassos olives, local honey with a unique flavor, and wonderful goat cheeses.
The island abounds with hidden natural pools, waterfalls, and streams, and is considered one of the greenest islands in Greece. Pine, oak, and plane tree groves cover almost all of it, and in many places, the trees reach almost to the water's edge.
Additionally, the island has hundreds of historical sites for those interested. In antiquity, the island held great importance. Hippocrates, the "father of modern medicine," lived there for several years as part of his wanderings among the cities of Greece.
The round island is encircled by a ring road that runs along the entire coastline, making it easy and quick to get anywhere on the island. From this road, there are also several roads leading to the heart of the island.
The capital of the island, located in the northeast of the island, is also called "Thassos" but is known by locals as Limenas (meaning "The Port"). It is successful and convenient to stay in during your vacation.
Accommodation Recommendations in Thassos:
The variety of housing options on the island is large and suits every budget and style, ranging from beachfront resorts to charming, well-equipped vacation apartments.
Especially recommended, all in an ideal location for a vacation on the island, close to the most popular beaches, tavernas, famous tourist sites, and the port:
A high-quality apartment hotel featuring apartments with a bedroom and living room suitable for 3 people, and duplex apartments with 2 bedrooms and a living room suitable for 5 people. The apartments are air-conditioned, with an equipped kitchen. Some have a balcony or garden. The price includes a good breakfast. The hotel has a swimming pool and is located near the beach, about 600 meters from the port of Thassos. Free internet and parking.
A high-quality hotel with double rooms and spacious suites for 3 people. All rooms are air-conditioned. The price includes an excellent breakfast. Some rooms have a kitchenette and some only a refrigerator.
The hotel has a bar, a swimming pool, and is located about 100 meters from the beach and about a kilometer from the center of Thassos.
Free internet and parking.
A 4-star hotel on a private beach inside a pine forest. The beach features umbrellas and sunbeds for the free use of hotel guests. The hotel has double rooms and spacious family suites. All rooms are air-conditioned, with a refrigerator, on a half-board basis.
In addition to the main restaurant, the hotel also has a beach taverna. The hotel has a large swimming pool, a paddling pool for toddlers, and a small zoo. The hotel has many sports facilities such as: tennis, basketball, football, and beach volleyball. A children's playground and mini-club. About 1.6 km from the center of Thassos.
Free internet and parking.
A suite hotel just 25 meters from the beach. The hotel features air-conditioned suites suitable for families of 4. Each suite has an equipped kitchenette, dining area, living room, and a balcony overlooking the sea, mountains, or garden. The hotel has a pool, garden, sun terrace with lounge chairs and garden furniture. 700 meters from the port of Limenas. Free internet and parking.
A hotel with air-conditioned studio apartments in two sizes. Each unit has a separate entrance, 2 bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a dining area. Some apartments have a garden and the rest a balcony. The hotel has a large courtyard full of trees, vegetation, a picnic area, barbecue, garden furniture, and hammocks. Attractive prices. Located about 800 meters from the port of Thassos.
Ways to Get There:
Flight to Thessaloniki (there are direct flights to it from many companies from Israel including scheduled flights, low-cost, and charter), a drive of about two hours to the village of Keramoti from which you sail for about 40 minutes by car on the ferry to the port of Thassos in Limenas. The ferry runs with high frequency in the summer (every half hour to an hour) and it is cheap and convenient. There is no need to book places in advance. There are also ferries from Kavala to Skala Prinos, Thassos (in the northwest of the island) with lower frequency. The cruise duration is about an hour. Much information on the ferries to Thassos on the website: https://www.go-thassos.gr/thassos-ferry-schedules-prices
It is recommended on the way, before boarding the ferry, to stop for a trip of several hours in beautiful Kavala to visit the old city and the beautiful fortress from which a breathtaking view of the city built on a mountain slope and the Gulf of Kavala is revealed. Also, it is highly recommended to taste the traditional Kourabiedes cookies (and also buy provisions for the rest of the way).
Guided Tours on Land and Sea:
Guided electric bike tour in Thassos:
Half Day e-Bike Tour in Thassos Villages and Mountains
Israeli Guide:
Living in Thassos is an excellent Israeli guide named Ofer Ben Ami who organizes diverse jeep tours in Hebrew suitable for any party. His email is:
ofer171161@gmail.com His most popular tours:
Jeep Tour (in Hebrew) to Villages, Waterfalls, and Hidden Streams:
A day trip to the villages: to picturesque Panagia, a mountain village with typical houses with colorful wooden balconies. The village also has an olive oil museum. Another village visited: Theologos – considered the oldest settlement on the island with winding paved alleys and impressive authentic houses built in the Macedonian style. For hundreds of years during the Ottoman period, this was the administrative center of the island. The village also has a folklore museum. Continuing with a walking tour in the amazing nature including swimming in waterfalls and hidden water streams.
Lunch at the famous lamb restaurant in Greece (included in the trip price). For dessert, swimming at a charming beach.
Jeep Tour (in Hebrew) to the "Eye of Aphrodite":
A jeep tour to the natural pool Giola lagoon known as: "The Eye of Aphrodite". This is a natural water pool with a diameter of 15 meters carved into the rock near the sea. Walking tour and swimming in the clear water. On the way passing through the marble mine and marble beach. Lunch at a taverna in Aliki Bay and for dessert swimming at the magical Aliki Beach, an amazing bay.
Day Jeep Tour (in Hebrew) in the Footsteps of the Pirates:
A fascinating jeep tour in the footsteps of the pirates to the pirate monastery and "The Lonely Monk and Thirty Cats", and to Kastro and "The House of Bones". On the way, a tour of the Thassos honey factory. The tour includes lunch and a dessert of homemade ice cream accompanied by honey. The day ends with swimming and cold beer at the beautiful Astris Beach.
Day Cruise on a Traditional Wooden Ship and Beach Swimming:
A magical cruise of several hours around the island including stopping at several famous beaches for swimming such as Marble Beach at the bottom of the marble mine, Porto Vathy beach, a stop for fishing from the ship, and a light barbecue lunch.
Evening Activity (Suitable for the Whole Family):
Authentic Greek Evening in Alexandra
Entertainment and dinner at the popular Alexandra's Taverna for an evening that is all authentic Greece with live music, a full dinner, and dancing into the night.
Sunset and Cocktail Evening
A guided tour to watch the stunning sunset of the island of Thassos including a cocktail at a well-known family bar on the island.
