Samothrace

Samothrace is not on the main tourist route, but the natural beauty of the island, rivers, forests and mountains, astounds those who come here. The highest mountain is Mt. Fengari (1611m) and is the highest mountain in the Aegean . Samothrace is rich in flora and fauna and ideal for nature lovers. The ancient site of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods goes back in time to when the island was a major religious centre.

Kamariotissa

This town is popular with German tourists who use it as a base to explore the island. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the town. The small pebbly beach is rather exposed.

Hora

The main capital of Samothrace is charming with its meandering lanes and houses tiered on the hillsides. The ruined fortress on the summit of the hill gives excellent views over the area. The town is quaint in it does not pamper to the tourists.

Loutra

Set among trees and babbling brooks the village of Loutra is a popular resort, the village has mineral springs in which one can bathe.

The Palaiopolis Archaeological site

The tour of the site begins at in front of the little Agia Paraskevi Church. A stone-paved walkway leads to the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. To the east, high up on the slopes, we can see the walls (6th-3rd century BC) of the ancient city. In the eastern part of the city, you can still see the remains of an early Christian basilica, built to commemorate the visit of the Apostle Paul (49-50 AD).

Towering above the harbour and basilica are the city’s fortifications, dating from 1431. The visitor to the archaeological site can make use of a specially laid path around the antiquities, inspecting the Palace, the Tholos of Arsinoe II, the Building of the Dancers, the Sanctuary and the Monument of Nike. The museum has artefacts from the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. The star attraction is the copy of Winged Victory of Samothrace, (the original is in the Louvre, Paris).

Therma: is famous for thermal sulphurous springs that have made the spa renowned for its therapeutic qualities since Byzantine times. The rich vegetation encountered all across the island is due to the many watercourses and streams that descend the slopes of Mt. Saos, whose summit, Fengari, is 1,664m above sea level. From the village there is a path to the summit; the climb takes about three-and-a-half hours and offers superb views of the mountain landscape.

Mikro Vouni: south-west of the village of Alonia is the site of an ancient settlement that dates to the sixth millennium. The find of Minoan seals here caused a sensation, as well as some clay ‘documents’ from a Minoan (perhaps Knossos) archive; this was the first time such finds had been unearthed so far from Crete

Fonias River : This is a nice walk along a well-marked path, which runs along the river, it leads to rock pool with a spectacular waterfall. The path leads to a further six waterfalls but the path can be a bit daunting.

Beaches:

Pachia Ammos, (Samothraki)

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