Thrace in Greece

Greece for explorers...

Thrace is located in East Macedonia in the northeast of Greece and is sparsely populated with only about 370,000 inhabitants. This is where two continents meet (Europe and Asia) and the region can be described as multicultural: The population is made up of Romanians, Balkan Turks, Roma and Muslims (from the osmainic period), and the cultural bond with Bulgaria is also clearly noticeable too.

Scenic, the area is not yet overruned by tourism and shows its full diversity: There are not only many beautiful wild forests (including the Dadia Forest, which is also the largest forest in Greece), but also very remote areas and in turn busy coastal sections. Mountain ranges and peasant villages harmonize with secluded pastures and still form a perfect symbiosis with the large sycamore forests and vast areas of olive trees.

While many residents live on sheep and goat farming, visitors also can see a large kind of wildlife, such as bears and wolves. Especially the bird life is very pronounced and includes flamingos and storks and many pelicans along the rivers. Especially the Dadia National Park is home to many birds of prey.

The beautiful river landscape of Nestos is waiting to be discovered and there are are worthwhile destinations, like many interesting historical sites, as well as archaeological sites (highlight Maroneia).   In addition, you can walk along the border with Asia Minor in the footsteps of the former city of Troy. The Agios Nikolaos-Porto lake enchants with the sight of a very beautiful church on an island in the middle of the lake.
Thrace is thus one of the most interesting destinations for individualists, "discoverers of Greece" and especially for hikers. (Hikers should, however, announce their planned routes, because many parts of the region are very remote and very lonely)

Of course, Thrace also offers another side, namely a very attractive destination for family and beach vacationers. There are many clean beaches that are not yet overruned by tourism and still provide a good infrastructure: In the summer months, life mainly takes place outdoors and on the water and in the many small beach bars. In addition, open-air cinema is often used here.

On the beaches Mangana, Skala Avdiron, Fanari, Mandra Beach and further east at the bays near Lefkippos there are many hotels and also a distinctive nightlife.

In the city of Xanthi, the oriental influences are clearly visible: In this former beauty of the Orient, not only the somewhat confused traffic, or the Muslim quarter, but also the market that takes place on Saturdays (one of the largest in Greece), spreads oriental flair with its volume and his crush, but also with a very diverse range of goods. More contemplative and original, however, are the smaller streets of the beautiful old town with its tea houses, merchants' houses, small coffee roasters, its diverse gastronomy and only a few tourists.