Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Other ancient remains
Free
From a
temple of Dionysos
behind the fishing port, a path curls up to a
Hellenistic
theatre
, fabulously positioned above a broad sweep of sea. Sadly, it's only open for
performances of the summer festival. From just before the theatre, the trail winds on
the right up to the
acropolis
,
where a Venetian-Byzantine-Genoese fort arose between
the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, constructed from recycled masonry of an Apollo
temple. You can continue, following the remains of a massive circuit of fifth-century
walls, to a high terrace supporting the foundations of the
Athena Polyouhos
(Athena
Patroness of the City) temple, with Cyclopean walls.
From the temple's southern end, a short path leads to a cavity in the rock outcrop
that was a
shrine of Pan
, shown in faint relief playing his pipes. Following the path to
the left around the summit brings you to a precipitous rock-hewn stairway with a
metal handrail, which provided a discreet escape route to the
Gate of Parmenon
, the
only gate in the fortifications to have retained its lintel. From here a track, then a paved
lane, descend through the southerly neighbourhoods of the modern town, completing
a satisfying one-hour circuit.
9
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
LIMÉNAS
By bus
Buses arrive and leave from the KTEL office on the
front, opposite the hydrofoil berth.
By ferry
Ferries from Keramotí dock towards the west end
of the seafront at the New Port. Hydrofoils dock much more
centrally.
By taxi
The taxi rank is just in front of the bus stop.
By bike
Bikes can be rented from Mike's (
T
25930
71820), opposite the
Acropolis
hotel. Car rental is also
available (see p.661).
Services
There is no official tourist office. Thassos Tours
(
T
25930 22546,
W
thassostours.gr) provide various
services. Several banks have ATMs.
ACCOMMODATION
Acropolis
T
25930 22488,
W
acropolis-hotel.com.
Occupying a fine traditional house with flagstone floors,
comfortable rooms decorated in traditi
onal
style and a rear
garden-bar but subject to traffic noise.
€40
Alkyon
T
25930 22148.
Certainly the most pleasant
harbour hotel with cosy rooms; voluble management make
it a home away from home for independ
ent
British
travellers. Breakfast, with English tea, included.
€40
Kipos Studios
T
25930 22469,
W
kipos.gr.
In a quiet
cul-de-sac next to
Iy Piyi
taverna, this has cool lower-
ground-floor
apart
men
ts, plus a small pool in the garden. Late May-
Sept.
€30
Ì
Lena
T
25930 22933,
E
hotel_lena@hotmail
.com.
The best-value budget hotel in town, with
compact but clean and comfy rooms; run by a welcoming
Gree
k-A
merican family and young British in-law. May-
Oct.
€30
Possidon
T
25930 22690,
W
thassos-possidon
.com.
Unattractive concrete block on the seafront with a
spacious lobby café and nicely refurbished rooms.
The
only place absolutely guaranteed to be open all year.
€50
doubles
and
four-person
galleried
EATING AND DRINKING
Iy Piyi
T
25930 22941.
At the south corner of the main
square, this classic
estiatório
has a small terrace and is a
dependable favourite for meaty
mayireftá
at only €6-7.
April-Oct daily 6.30pm-midnight.
Simi
T
25930 22517.
Reliable taverna behind the
ancient port, offering a full menu of fish, meat and
mezédhes, along with memorably good wine.
Daily
11am-2am.
Ì
Syrtaki
T
695 53 04 897.
At the far eastern end of
the town beach, this just edges
Simi
as the town's most
accomplished taverna, dishing up some fine seafood, an
imaginative selection of dips and salads, plus the usual
grills and fine barrelled wine.
Daily 10am-1am.
NIGHTLIFE
Ì
Cheers
T
25930 22689.
Behind the ancient port,
this friendly Brit-run café-bar is open for cooked
breakfasts and all the way through to late-night beers or
cocktails. Decent music and football on TV too.
Daily
8.30am-late.
Vertigo
Popular with trendy young Greeks and
assorted tourists alike for its rocking ambience, with
touches of techno and more dancy vibes as the evening
draws on. Plenty of shots downed every night.
Daily
10am-4am.
