Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
CLIMBING THE MOON
Loutrá is the prime base for the tough six-hour climb up the 1611m
Mount Fengári
(known to
the ancients as
Sáos
, a name found on some maps to this day), the highest peak in the Aegean
islands; the path starts at the top of the village, beside a concrete water tank and a huge plane
tree. Tell your accommodation proprietors that you're going. Fengári is Greek for “moon” and,
according to legend, if you reach the top on the night of a full moon your wish will come true
- most of those foolhardy enough to attempt this will just hope to get back down safely.
Thermá access drive. Loutrá is ghostly quiet for most of the year and its miniature
harbour, built as an alternative to Kamariótissa, is never used at all.
Beaches
on Samothráki's north shore are mostly clean but uniformly pebbly and
exposed. Some 15km from Loutrá along a fine corniche road is
Kípos beach
, a long
strand facing the Turkish island of Gökçeada (Ímvros to the Greeks) and backed by
open pasture and picturesque crags. The water is clean and there's a rock overhang for
shelter at one end, a spring, shower and seasonal
kantína
for refreshments.
The south coast
The warmer south flank of the island, its fertile farmland dotted with olive groves, boasts
fine views out to sea - as far as Gökçeada on a clear day. On the way south, beyond sleepy
Lákkoma
, the attractive hill village of
Profítis Ilías
is worth the brief detour.
From Lákkoma itself, it's less than 2km down to the eponymous
beach
. A further
6km east lies
Pahiá Ámmos
, a long, clean beach. The nearest (meagre) supplies are in
Lákkoma but this doesn't deter big summer crowds who also arrive by excursion
kaïkia
.
These continue east to
Vátos
, a secluded nudist beach, the
Kremastá Nerá
coastal
waterfalls and finally round to Kípos beach (see above).
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
SAMOTHRÁKI
By ferry
The only current connection with Samothráki is
the ferry from Alexandhroúpoli (2hr 30min); frequency
varies from 2-3 daily in July & Aug to 4-5 weekly in winter.
By kaïki
In peak season 1-2 daily excursions run from
Kamariótissa to the south-coast beaches.
By bus
There are plenty of buses from Kamariótissa along
the north coast to Loutrá (6-7 daily; 20min) and inland to
Hóra in season (5-6 daily; 10min), though far fewer in
winter.
By motorbike or car
You can only get to the south and
far east of the island with your own transport. The best
places to rent wheels are Niki Tours (
T
25510 41465,
E
niki_tours@hotmail.com) and Kyrkos car rental
(
T
25510 69728,
E
akis1kirkos@gmail.com), both on the
seafront at Kamariótissa; best book in advance in high
season, as supply is short. The only fuelling station on the
entire island is 1km above the port, en route to Hóra.
Services
There is no official tourist office on Samothráki.
Kamariótissa has two banks with ATMs and the island's
only post office.
ACCOMMODATION, EATING AND DRINKING
KAMARIÓTISSA
Aeolos
T
25510 41595,
W
hotelaiolos.gr.
Samothráki's
most comfortable accommodation has a large pool and
quiet, spacious rooms. Ther
e are
good half-board deals in
the low season. June-Sept.
€50
Iy Klimataria
T
25510 41535.
Towards the northeast
end of the seafront, with a huge summer terrace, this
enduring taverna serves dishes like fried aubergines, oven-
baked goat and
soutsoukákia
, plus palatable barrelled
wine.
June-Sept daily noon-2am.
Kyrkos Apartments
T
25510 41620,
E
akis1kirkos
@gmail.com.
Spacious modern studios with well-
equipped kitchens, in a rural setting 500m from the port,
just off the road to Hóra. April-Oct.
€30
To Mouragio
T
694 58 94 107.
New restaurant at the
southwestern end of the seafront, where you can get pizza,
sandwiches and
souvláki
, as well as a range of typical
taverna items.
Daily 11am-1am.
HÓRA
Ì
1900
T
25510 41222.
Boasting a lovely vine-
shaded terrace with stunning views of the Kástro and
the valley below, this friendly taverna serves stuffed
goat (€8) and spicy aubergines.
Mid-May to mid-Sept
daily noon-1am.