Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9am-6pm; free;
T
25310 22411) is also worth a visit, giving a lucid overview of
Thracian history, by means of plans and finds from local sites, from its beginnings
up to the Byzantine era.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
KOMOTINÍ
By train
The train station is over 1km to the southwest of
the centre; there are 2 daily trains in each direction:
Thessaloníki (5hr); Xánthi (1hr).
By bus
The KTEL bus station (
T
25310 22912) is some way
to the south of central Platía Irínis, via Énou; there are
hourly
services
to
Alexandhroúpoli
(1hr
15min),
Thessaloníki (4hr 30min) and Xánthi (1hr).
ACCOMMODATION
Chris & Eve Mansion
3km on Alexandhroúpoli road
T
25310 33560,
W
chris-eve.com.
The best hotel in the
area (not saying much), this place has spacious, well-
equipped r
oom
s, a swimming pool and a reasonable
restaurant.
€80
Hellas
Dhimokrítou 31, 250m from main square
T
25310 22055,
W
hotelhellas.com.gr.
A 1950s hotel, a
short walk from the main square. Refurbished in 2008, it's
still on the basic side but all room
s are
now en suite with
wi-fi. Can suffer from traffic noise.
€35
EATING AND DRINKING
Giaxis
Kilkís 8, amid the narrow bazaar lanes
T
25310
32000.
Traditional ouzerí with a wide range of tasty
mezédhes from cheese dips to mussels
saganáki
, plus fine
ouzo and
tsípouro
, of course.
Daily noon-2am.
Inopion
Platía Irínis 67
T
25310 36082.
Conventional,
impeccably prepared dishes such as moussakás and lamb
fricassé for €7.50, served with considerable style and
washed down with good local wine.
Daily noon-1am.
4
Marónia
Not far of the E90 motorway, southeast of Komotiní, lie two archeological sites that
make an excellent break in the journey to Alexandhroúpoli or a refreshingly rural
alternative base for the area. Clearly indicated from the Sápes turn-off is
ancient
Maroneia
, a set of ancient and Byzantine ruins scattered among seaside olive groves. It's
just below the modern village of
MARÓNIA
, which has held onto a few surviving old
Thracian mansions with balconies.
Ancient Maroneia
To get to the ruins
of
ancient Maroneia, attractively situated at the foot of Mount
Ísmaros, follow the signs to Marónia's harbour of
Áyios Harálambos
, taking care not to
enter the air-force camp nearby. The founder of the city is reckoned to be Maron, the
son of the god of wine, Dionysos, and the city became one of the most powerful in all
of ancient Thrace. Mostly unexcavated, the remains can be explored at will but are
badly signposted. Even so, you should be able to track down traces of a theatre, a
sanctuary of Dionysos and various buildings including a house with a well-preserved
mosaic floor. The land walls of the city are preserved to a height of 2m, together with a
Roman tower above the harbour. Over time, the sea has done its own excavation,
eroding the crumbling cliffs and revealing shards of pottery and ancient walls.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
MARÓNIA
By bus
Marónia is served by 7 daily buses from Komotiní via the old road.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Iy Lola
T
25330 41484.
Under the thick shade of plane
trees in the village square, this wonderful traditional
taverna serves up succulent grills for €6-8, some oven
dishes and excellent barrelled wine.
Daily noon-1am.
Pension Petran
T
25330 41564.
Good year-round
fallback when Roxani is closed, this old-fashioned place run
by a friendly old non-English-speaking couple has simple
rooms with distant sea views from the balconies.
€25
Ì
Roxani
T
25330 21501,
W
roxani.com.
Large
complex on the edge of the village whose spacious rooms
look out on fabulous views. Can arrange all manner of
activities, from birdwatching and astronomy to sea-
canoeing and archery. Bre
akfas
t included and other meals
available. June-mid-Sept.
€65
