In the north of Greece, Ottoman and Byzantine heritage with the deep blue waters of the Aegean Are you ready to discover three wonderful cities that combine? Alexandroupoli, Xanthi and Kavala, with their historical texture and delicious cuisine, The tranquillity and lively atmospheres of the seaside towns promise an unforgettable trip.
In this guide, Enjoy the beach in Alexandroupoli, The colourful streets of Xanthi and the history of Kavala We will talk about a wonderful route among the beauties. Architectural artefacts from theOttoman period, delicious seafood, These three cities are full of clean beaches and friendly people, One of the most beautiful discovery points of the North Aegean!
Bakeries in Alexandroupoli:
Coffee
There are many pleasant places to drink coffee, but generally the coffee is not of good quality, two suggestions anyway:
Bar/Restaurant:
Taverna:
City of Sea and Taste
Why Visit?
Alexandroupoli, one of the largest cities inWestern Thrace , has along coastline , It is famous for its delicious seafood and lively nightlife. It isalso one of the closest Greek cities to Turkey . is quite popularfor weekend getaways.
Alexandroupoli, as it was called in Ottoman times, is the capital of the Evros region after crossing the border from Edirne. For this reason, it is ideal for a break, especially if you wait in long queues at the border crossing. We have travelled through both Pazarkule and Ipsala. Pazarkule is further north and there is much less density. It is also useful to come early in the morning. If you are travelling with a pet, you can only enter Greece from Ipsala.
Once established as a quiet fishing village Alexandroupoli has turned into an important coastal city over time. Due to its proximity to Turkey , you may encounter more tourists from Turkey than locals.
The city’s landmark is the lighthouse built in 18 80. For those curious about the cultural history of the region , there is the Ethnographic Museum, Mesimvria archaeological site, The ruins of Traianoupolis with remains from the Roman period (especially If you have not come in the summer ) the main places you can see nearby.
We stayed in an airbnb in Makri in this region. The house we stayed in was called Calypso. Our landlord was once the mayor of Alexandroupoli, a producer of olive oil and soap.
Makri, Dikellon and Agia Paraskevi beaches are mostly preferred for swimming. We went to Makri where the airbnb house we stayed We preferred Fish Eye Beach Bar in Paralia Dikellon , which is close by. As we arrived early in the morning we were not asked for a reservation. The sea in the area is not spectacular, especially compared to Halkidiki. The days after it rains can be cloudy but it is clean and calm.
The most common choice for breakfast is pastries prepared in small bakeries. Kevrekidis, Mougatsa O Soufliotis, Breadroom, Zafra, Μέλι Γάλα and Άρτος are the four bakeries we tried. The products are usually sold out around noon.
In these bakeries, the experience can be a little different depending on how recently the product was released. Bougatsa at Zafrawas heavier and a bit thicker dough than the ones we ate later. Our favourites were the spinach pies at Kevrekidis, Soufliotis and Breadroom. The traditional savoury bagels (koulouri) at Άρτος were delicious.
If you don’t want to start the day with a pastry , you can try Zopyron like us. Try pancakes or porridge for breakfast It can be preferred if you want , but do not expect an impressive flavour.
For coffee, you can choose The Shot, which only serves take-away service, or Caffeine Roasteryif you want to sit.
We preferred Kellari Pro in the wine bar concept for a drink before/after dinner. It is a pleasant place. You can find good wines under 40€.
We tried three places for dinner. Nisiotiko Fish Tavern, Ai Giorgi Tavern and Salih Usta’in Yeri.
– Nisiotiko was the place we were most satisfied with the flavour. We savedthis place from Onur Ziya Demir’s recommendations, We tried exactly the dishes he recommended on his last trip. Mussels with lemon sauce, spicy octopus, We can say that all three of the truffled seafood noodles were delicious.
We had some problems with the service. Our drink came after the food. The service is really chaotic here, there is a person who speaks Turkish who takes all the orders, but you wait for him to come even for a communication that does not need to speak the language. Especially since there are a lot of tourists from Turkey, it is very possible to encounter Turkish speaking staff. In our opinion, Nisiotiko is a place that makes dishes that Turkish tourists will like rather than good food.
– Ai Giorgi Tavern is a tavern on the Makri side with a beach in front of it. We chose this place for lunch and again there were some problems with the service. Sardines in vine leaves and ceviche were delicious.
We paid an average of 30 euro per person for food + drink in these two places.
– Salih Usta’nın Yeri is a restaurant in Mesimvria that serves more meat products unlike the other places. We actually came here to eat goat tandoori and kokoreç, but since there was no more, we tried meatballs, cutlets and sausage. To be honest, we did not find these products very tasty. This is a shabby and affordable taverna, but it should be said that there is a serious fly problem.
While you are in Alexandroupoli, don’t miss the island ofSamothraki (Samothraki) ! This island is famous for its wild nature, waterfalls, natural pools (vathres) and hidden beaches. You can reach the island by ferry in about 2 hours.
Places to visit:
Carnivals and Ottoman Legacy
Why You Should Go?
Xanthi is one of the most interesting cities in Western Thrace with its narrow stone streets, colorful Ottoman houses and famous carnival. If you visit especially during the Xanthi Carnival, you can enjoy music, dancing and entertainment in the streets. It reminds us of the small squares we are used to seeing on the islands, where locals gather under the plane trees.
The City Where Ottoman and Byzantine Meet
Why You Should Go?
Kavala is one of the impressive coastal cities of the North Aegean with its historical port, Ottoman-era structures and magnificent beaches. Also known as the city where Kavalalı Mehmet Ali Pasha was born, Kavala bears traces of both the Ottoman and Byzantine. Although it is not as cute as Xanthi, it is one of the stops you can visit. Historical structures such as the Imaret, which was built during the Ottoman period and is now used as a hotel, the House of Kavalalı Mehmet Ali Pasha, the Acropolis and the aqueduct are all within walking distance from the port.
Thassos Island, about 35 minutes away by ferry, It is famous for itsolive trees, turquoise bays and untouched nature.
Places to visit:
