Thassos, lying in the Aegean Sea, is the most northerly of the Greek Islands. Owing to its northerly position, the island is not affected by the meltemi winds that blow in July and August. This gives higher temperatures, but also the slight possibility of a little light rain which is one of the reasons for the vivid greenness of the island. The tourist industry is not as developed in Thassos as in the other islands, and it is therefore possible to enjoy sparsely populated beaches and uncluttered seas.
Thassos has much to offer the holidaymaker who is looking for sun, sea, food, wine and a little gentle entertainment. The island has all of this packaged in the natural beauty of mountains, the greenest of hills and beaches that can compete with the best in Greece. Its pace of life is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Thassos is very popular with families and couples looking for a place to relax in the sun. The beaches provide wonderful soft sand for children to enjoy and water that is clear and warm. Couples can find secluded spots in the many shingle coves around the coastline.
The season lasts from April to October with the hot and mainly dry summer months being the most popular. The beginning and end of the season are better times for visitors who wish to explore the hinterland and places of historic interest as the heat will not be so intense.
Thassos is a place of great natural beauty with its mountains and hills, wonderful beaches with clear water and its charming cobble stoned villages.
Unlike many of the Greek Islands, Thassos does not rely so heavily on tourism. It is famous for its wonderful white marble which is quarried and distributed worldwide.
There are many archaeological sites from the ancient Greek and Roman periods. Above Thassos town are the remains of the old amphitheatre.
The most popular resorts are found on the southwest coast where there are many quaint fishing villages with good stretches of sandy beaches such as at Potas. Good facilities for water sports are found in Pefkari which also has an excellent beach.
Skala Marion is a small fishing village on the west coast with an attractive harbour complete with tavernas where you can sit and watch the comings and goings of the boats.
In the east is the aptly named Paradiso beach with its stunning stretch of white sand and clear shallow seas. When the east wind blows it produces reasonable waves for surfers.
Festivals are closely associated with the Orthodox Churches calendar and patron saints days are times of feasting, dining and drinking.
Traditional Greek music is often played in the evenings in the tavernas.
The nightlife on Thassos is fairly low key sorts with holidaymakers tending to spend the evenings eating and drinking in the tavernas and small restaurants which overlook the sea. The larger towns of course have pubs and clubs with music for those who enjoy livelier entertainment.
The main centre for shopping is Thassos town where there are many boutiques and gift shops to satisfy most needs. The town of Prinos in the west has a lively market where you can buy your holiday gifts and mementos such as the carvings and figurines fashioned from Thassos marble. The usual pottery, leather and embroidered linens are widely available. Thassos is also well known for its wonderfully tasty honey.
Thassos has many intimate family run restaurants and tavernas where the delicious food is simply cooked and inexpensive. Fish is obviously an important part of an island’s gastronomy but there is also a good variety of meat and vegetarian dishes.
Local wines are pleasant and inexpensive.
The islanders extend a warm welcome to all visitors. They hold the family in high regard and elderly members are shown great respect Children are always given a warm welcome. Restaurants are generally very child friendly.
When visiting churches and monasteries, shoulders and legs should be covered to avoid offence.
The best time to pick up a bargain holiday to the Greek island of Thassos is in April, May or October. Generally, holidays are cheaper just outside of the peak summer period so booking in any of these months will potentially mean not only cheaper accommodation, but cheaper food and drinks too. It might even be beneficial to book room only accommodation, bearing in mind the amount you’ll be saving on meals outside of the hotel.
Thassos is the most northerly of the Greek islands. Because of this, the area doesn’t get the winds which cool down other islands during the summer, resulting in much warmer weather, but this also increases the possibility of rain showers.
Thassos’s tourism industry isn’t as developed as some of the other islands, and as a result you’ll be able to find much quieter beaches and peaceful resorts to spend your time in the restaurants and on the beaches nearby the beautiful mountains and green hills.
Families are very fond of Thassos for it’s peaceful beaches and warm weather. The water is clear and warm, and the sand is soft making it great for young children.
If it’s a cheap holiday to Thassos that you’re looking for, keep a look out for deals in April, May or October time.