Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
East Coast
Thasos' east-coast beaches can fill up in summer, though less so than the more developed
west coast. The dramatic coastal landscape features thick forests that run down from
mountains to the sea. There are fewer organised activities here, along with a more re-
laxed feel, and the warm, shallow waters are excellent for families with small children.
Sights
Panagia & Potamia
CHURCH, MUSEUM
These inland villages, just south of Thasos (Limenas) are nothing if not photogenic.
Their characteristic architecture includes Panagia's stone-and-slate rooftops and the eleg-
ant blue-and-white domed and icon-rich
Church of the Kimisis tou Theotokou
(Church
of the Dormition of the Virgin). To reach this peaceful quarter, follow the sound of rush-
ing spring water upwards along a stone path heading inland.
Less-picturesque Potamia boasts the
Polygnotos Vagis Museum
(admission €3;
8.30am-noon & 6-8pm Tue-Sat, to noon Sun & holidays)
, devoted to Greek-American artist
Polygnotos Vagis (born here in 1894). It's beside the main church.
Beaches
BEACH
Panagia and Potamia are 4km west of the east coast's most popular beaches: sandy and
sand-duned
Hrysi Ammoudia (Golden Beach)
, tucked inside a long, curving bay, and
gentle
Skala Potamia
, on its southern end. A bus between the two (€1.30) runs every
couple of hours. Both have accommodation, restaurants and a bit of nightlife.
Further south of Skala Potamia is the deservedly popular and nudist-friendly
Paradise
Beach
, 2km after tiny
Kinyra
village.
Alyki
RUINS
This village is Thasos' best place to unwind by the beach - and get some culture, too.
This escapist destination features two fine sandy coves, with small snack shops and a
taverna. The beaches are separated by a little olive grove dotted with ancient ruins com-
prising the
archaeological site of Alyki
. This inscrutable but well-signed site lies allur-
ingly above the southeastern beach and includes the remains of an
ancient temple
where
the gods were once invoked to protect sailors. A now-submerged nearby
marble quarry
operated from the 6th century BC to the 6th century AD.
West of Alyki
BEACH, MONASTERY
