A PHOTO-DIARY OF OUR HOLIDAY TO THASSOS, GREECE
The Secret Island Of Thassos, Greece
Thassos… The most Northerly Greek island there is. A little green gem tucked away in the Aegean Sea, that nobody seems to have heard of and even fewer seem to have visited. It’s late May and the temperatures are perfect for our pasty British skins. A kind and thoughtful 27 degrees with warm breezes that shake the olive trees gently, making their pale leaves twinkle like a dancers leotard.
As you approach by sea, it has the landscape of a Hawaiian island. Sloping green peaks, much lusher than many of the other Greek islands, and with sandy beaches peeking out like white petticoats from their jade skirts. The shallow waters are turquoise and clean, and teaming with fish. The locals are sweet-tempered and happy, pleased that they can show off their home and proud of their ancient history.
Our Thassos Holiday
We managed to explore pretty much the whole island during our stay, it’s not that big and neither of us sits still that well unless anchored by a good book. So, with our little car we went in search of everything Pinterest had promised us, with the mission of finding a hotel in the perfect spot for our final three nights here.
Under strict instructions from rent-a-banger to only stick to asphalt roads, we, erm, absolutely definitely did not venture onto mud tracks at all and eventually found our way to hidden natural pools and waterfalls with only the help of blue arrows painted on rocks and a few broken twigs to say someone had tread there before. Tourism just hasn’t hit Thassos yet, save for a few Eastern Europeans and some cockneys that have been coming since the 1990’s boom-time. But that’s great! The beach towns are quiet but the amenities are there if you need them.
Where We Stayed on Thassos
We stayed at the beautiful Island View (read review) on the slopes of Golden Beach and we were very content with our panoramic breakfast views from the most nurtured terrace garden you’ve ever seen. Damn Germans stole the best table each morning though.
The beaches have enough sun loungers for everyone, all 12 tourists, and they’re free if you buy from the beach bars they’re attached to. Make sure you try the Gyros from Beba’s. Golden Beach is definitely one of the nicest on the island to stay at but the East and North West coasts have some gorgeous small resorts too. Some with only one hotel or restaurant if reclusiveness is your thing and you wanted to talk to only ten people on your whole holiday. A special favourite of mine was a beach just around the corner from Skala Rachouni on the West, they’re all so rustic and sleepy the beaches around there but this one has a little wooden pier and that, in my books, makes it nicer!
Due to the sheer ridiculousness of 5* hotels only costing £45 a night though, we booked 2 nights at Ilio Mare. It’s a bit further around from the little wooden pier beach and we spent 3 days in complete luxury at the type of hotel we wouldn’t usually be able to afford in any other country! I became quite accustomed to receiving my morning frappe on a beach-bed, complete with muslin curtains and embroidered scatter cushions. I may never rough it with the 4 star’s ever again!
What We Did In Thassos
We ventured inland up the hills and discovered some of the prettiest villages in Thassos, which go by an even slower pace of life than the beach towns.
Further south the hills sing with the hum of a million bees, naturally, since the island’s livelihood is in honey, and olive oil too. As you approach the villages the hives stand out among the olive groves, lines of wooden boxes painted in rainbow colours, and when you reach habitation old couples sell you their produce from their front steps.
The squares are Greek by stereotype, full of tavernas and stray cats, and decorated with floral vines to keep the sun off their restaurant terraces. I hope I’m replicating a perfect picture of this wonderful island for you but don’t tell everyone because right now it’s just the right level of rustic to holidaymakers which allows for happy locals and amazing memories.
Read more about where we ventured in our post : The Best Things To Do In Thassos
Where To Eat In Thassos
Among our highlights were a few great tavernas and restaurants, one of which we nearly didn’t try based on the fact it’s nicknamed the Wedding Cake (real name La Terrasse) because of its obnoxious architecture. It’s probably mock-Italian and wouldn’t look out of place on Lake Como or Garda but here on Golden Beach, Richard felt it looked a tad ridiculous. Enough to put him off his Stiffado, but we’re so glad we tried it – nice one Trip Advisor! We even returned a second night.
I’ve also got to mention the taverna we chose on our last night in Thassos town, Tavernaki, traditional Greek food home-cooked to perfection and served with more than a smile by all the staff, a lovely, lovely place on an equally lovely street.
We were sad to leave but it’s left within us a quest to find some more of these unspoilt Greek islands. We figured the ferry ride from the island probably puts many off because of the extra it adds to your journey, but, in our opinion, it’s definitely worth it!
Don’t forget – if you’re still in the planning stages for a Thassos holiday we have reviewed our 2 favourite Thassos hotels HERE – very strong recommendations!
We have since visited another ‘off the beaten track’ quiet Greek island – Skopelos.
Skopelos Greece – The Mamma Mia Island
Pin For Later…
….sorry Alex, but I forgot to also ask which other islands have you visited in Greece?
Oo lots but I’ve got to say my three favourite are Thassos, Rhodes and Paxos. We’ve been to Thessaloniki in mainland Greece too and that’s also so beautiful – very rugged.
Thank you Alex for your fantastic insight!! Thassos I’d definitely on my list for my “off the beaten path” Greek Island extended tour next summer. I have been to Paros, Naxos, Mykonos (and Delos), Ios, Santorini and Rhodes on previous trips and really looking forward to spread my wings next time around!!
You’ve been to some fab places! You’ll definitely love thassos then, its just a bit more unspoilt than other islands! Have fun and thanks for dropping by!
This place looks amazing, I love Greece but I have never been here. I am going to pin this and come back to you when I go. Great pictures.
I can thoroughly recommend it Mel, it’s sooo beautiful and rugged. Proper Greece 😉
Alright, I’m sold. What a beautiful place, with just the right amount of things to do. And your hotel is stupidly nice – £45 a night!? Insane. We went to Santorini earlier this year and it was pretty, but so packed full of tourists (and expensive!) that I actually didn’t end up loving it as much as I thought I would. Next time I’ll try Thassos 🙂
It’s a shame about tourists sometimes right!? 😉 thanks for connecting.
Looks great! I love places with few tourists – who doesn’t, right? 🙂
It looks absolutely stunning – and I can’t believe what awesome value the 5* hotel was!
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday!
Wow it looks beautiful!! #KCACOLS
What a lovely place! Sunshine, places to see, friendly faces and good food. Perfect! #kcacols
I so want to go there now… Not expensive and so idyllic
Looks so idyllic! And not too expensive , far from the rainy UK. The dream…I want to go there now #KCACOLS
Oh it looks amazing! I would love to go. I love Greece, we went to Corfu back in March x #KCACOLS
How long is the ferry ride? Looks beautiful 🙂 #KCACOLS
50 minutes but it’s not a bind-you can sit outside and it’s a big ferry so there’s room to get up and walk around. Plenty of beautiful things to see 🙂
It’s a half hour if you go from Keramoti to Limena. Those ferries run on the hour from 0530 until 2300, as opposed to the twice daily ferries from Kavala.
Thank you for this info.
Oh I want to go I want to go!! I’ve been to a few Greek islands, but nothing as beautiful as this. And £45 a night for a 5 star hotel is bonkers. This is going on my list for next year 🙂
Yay!! Go for it! How we booked it so cheap is in my blog Last Minute Dot Com if you need ideas! I’m currently trying to find a 5 star hotel in London for our anniversary and you’ve got to add another zero on there!
Great blog, we are off to Limenaria at the end of August. We haven’t been to Thasos before, a little nervous of the crossing as I’m not very good on water! Very excited and definitely in countdown mode 🙂
Ar, thank you- glad you enjoyed it! Don’t worry about the crossing-it was so smooth. Just watch out for the seagulls (you’ll see what I mean)! I hope you get to explore a bit because it’s a gorgeous island!
Also forgot to mention, Keramoti is about 20 miles east of Kavala, but only about 5 miles from the airport if that’s how you’re coming in. If you get to Kavala after the last ferry leaves, you can take a cab to Keramoti for the hourly boats. A little pricey, but cheaper than an overnight stay in Kavala, although that town’s worth seeing too.
Thanks so much for the info – you’re a star!
Loved your blog………but what makes you think Thassos is unheard of?……..many different nationalities have been holidaying there for years…….the difference is, it just hasn’t been spoilt in the process and, this year, it is uncannily quiet, as is much of Greece compared with a ‘normal’ year. Great photos too by the way!!
Thanks for your comment, I’m glad you share my affection for the Island. It seems like Thasos gets overlooked by many of the package holiday companies from the UK which probably helps it remain unspoilt. We certainly found many people hadn’t heard of it or knew much about it but that’s not to say it’s completely unknown. It’s certainly spurred us on to find some more quieter Greek gems too! 🙂
Glad you liked the photos!
SOooooo looking forward to it now you have painted the perfect picture of everything that we love about Greece and its people thank you so much for sharing’
I know you will have a fab holiday-it’s impossible not too! Enjoy.
Amazing! I want to go!!! I might even take the rest of the family. I love the fact that when we do book a holiday abroad o can just pop to your website and copy you rather than bother with brochures!!
You definitely should take the kids! I’m just writing a blog about the pro’s and con’s of last minute booking so look out for that one! 😉