Popular Thassos is a large and beautiful island in the north Aegean sea. It is the most northerly island of Greece and it is mountainous and green. Large parts of the island (about 50%) is covered with cedar, oak and pine forests. The island has 95 kilometers of coastline and good sandy beaches on its shores. Thassos is 435 square kilometres in size and has 13,527 inhabitants. It is located in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and belongs to the Nomos Kavala. The highest point is Mount Ypsario, 1045 meters above the sea level. East of the island is the island of Samothrace, while on the west side there are views on Athos. The island was colonized by the Phoenicians, that were probably attracted by the presence of gold. According to Herodotus the island would derive its name from Thasus, son of Phoenix, the leader of the Phoenicians. The island played a major role in the wars against the Persians. In ancient times it was known for its gold mines, wine, nuts and marble. It was conquered by the Turks in 1462 and belonged to the Ottoman Empire untill 1912, when it was reunited with the rest of Greece.

Limenas or Thassos Town
The main settlement is Limenas or Thassos Town that is situated in a large bay on the north side of the island. From here ferries leave to the mainland which is 12 km away. The town is a mix of modern, ancient and old buildings. Gold- and silvermines as well as marble made Thassos a prosperous place in the ancient period. In the town are also Turkish houses and of course the new buildings. Most of the activity is concentrated around the waterfront. First there is the ferry quay, with most of the shops and services, than the ancient harbour , where you will find the beachboats and excursion-boats, and the last part is the town beach with its taverna's and restaurants.

Skala Prinos and other villages on Thassos
The main port of Thassos is called Skala Prinos and is situated on the north-west part of the island. Skala Prinos is the harbor of the village of Prinos. Here you find some hotels and taverna's, as well as tourist shops and a beach. In Skala Prinos there is a caïque repair yard. I have visited this village and liked it. I stayed at the Hotel Elektra at the waterfront, friendly people, great food. Please note that this was in the year 1981. Going south of Skala Prinos along the road there are a number of villages and beaches until it ends in the main resort of the island, Limenaria, a village with a large beach. Limenaria is the second largest town on Thassos after Limenas (Thassos Town). In the early years of 20th century the area around Limenaria was the site of a mining industry, leaving the landscape damaged, just as some recent forest fires in this part of Thassos have done. This southern part of Thassos, Limenaria and around is the most spoilt part, and visitors looking for scenery would do better to head on to neighbouring villages like Pefki and Potos. Here it is more pretty and the beaches are quieter. The village of Theologos, which can be reached by road from Potos is the island's medieval capital. Makriamos beach at the northeast side of the island, close to Limenas is also quite busy. The rest of the beaches on the east coast are more scenic. The road leads to the picturesque village of Aliki. Some of the best beaches on this part of the coast are Kinari and Psili Amos.

For a large map of the island of Thassos click here.