Every slope and mountaintop take us higher and higher... right up to the heavens! Enjoy the most untarnished nature from up close, by taking a hiking route, but also discover paths that lead to magnificent landscapes, on some of the most beautiful mountains of the Balkans.
The Drama Archaeological Museum was built by the Municipality of Drama and beguested to the Ministry of Culture. In this way the local community managed to speed up the procedure for the founding of an Archaeological Museum in the town. Even though the museum is small, marks the beginning of a major effort to systematize archaelogical research and promote the cultural identity of the ...
The village Ohiro and the surrounding mountains are known from the famous line of forts of the Second World War and the heroic resistance of the few Greek soldiers against the German forces in April 1941. On the hill near the community of Ohiro, you can visit the impregnable fortress Lisse, with the labyrinthine underground tunnels and pill-boxes, and a small museum. The visitor has ...
The settlement of Maronia spread over a vast area, from Ismaros Mountain to the Ptelea Lake. Several monuments are today labeled and countless others are scattered throughout the olive groves and the mountainous landscapes of Ismaro. Worth seeing sights are the fortification of Agios Georgios (the megalithic Gate), the complex of Roman times, the walls of the citadel Agios Athanasios ...
To the east of Paleochora, in the municipality of Pangaio of Kavala, at the top of one of the mountains of the legendary Pangaio mountain, there are the ruins of a castle, which is directly connected with the history and tradition of the region. It is the castle of Palaiochori, which for centuries is known as "the Castle of Alexander"" or ""Vranokastro." The castle was originally built ...
The bridge is located at the exit of Kompsatos, which stems from mountainousRodopi, is crossed Thracian valley and empties into Lake Vistonida. In the surrounding area have identified several sites with pre-Christian and Christian antiquities with main Byzantine castle of Polyanthos and an aisled basilica between the village of Polianthos and the bridge. The three-arched bridge was with ...
Built in a cavity formed between the masses of Falakro Mountain at an altitude of 830 meters, Volakas is 35.5km away from Drama and 24km away from Nevrokopi. The village preserves the valuable deposit of a peculiar cultural heritage. The village has a post-Byzantine three-aisled basilica church with independent stone spire dedicated to the Prophet Elias, which was inaugurated in ...
One of the most visited villages where one can enjoy a hot path in the sanative springs, visit the church of Christ, hike to the Gria Vathra and bathe in the cool podium, but also on terraces of Paradisos . In Therma there is also a beach and two municipal campsites. From here starts the E6 European hiking trail that leads to the Feggari, the peak of the mountain Saos. Therma attract the...
This mountainous town is the center of Muslim Pomaks where mosques, houses, huts, workshops, warehouses and shops are reserved as remnants of an authentic old traditional environment. Special characteristic is there houses with lattice porch, which as a closed or semi-private space, subsumes the family and is used for drying tobacco. The spread of new materials facilitated the lives of ...
The settlement is situated about 40 km from the city of Xanthi in a mountainous terrain. It has about 1200 inhabitants, whose main occupation is agriculture activities and livestock. Thermes is known for its Thermal Springs....
Iasmos is one of the oldest towns in Thrace built at the foothills of the Rhodopes mountain and the cove of Lake Vistonidas. The tradition has it that Iasmiotes are descendants of the inhabitants of Anastasioupolis after its conquest by the Turks in 1360-1400"s. The first historical reference to the village was made by Elvia Tzelepi, a Turkish traveler around 1600. The residents, hunted...
Nymphea is a mountain village (alt. 550 m) and it’s located in Rhodope, 18 km north of Komotini. All the houses in Nymphea are stone coated and have wooden roofs and slate surface mining. The village is well connected to the natural environment. More precisely it’s adapted to it. It uses the physical terrain, the leeward of the location and has good views to the west where is ...
Kazavitia, is perhaps the most picturesque villages of Thassos. With this name we now call the Little and Big Prinos, two beautiful and traditional mountain-villages at a height of 350 meters. The nature in this region is very generous and homes were preserved up today are of Macedonian architecture. Today, somebody can visit Kazavitia and admire what is left of the schools, old mansions...
Sidironero is built at an altitude of 630 m and is 45 km far from Drama. Is built in a green environment in the lap of dense Rodopi Mountains and is a good suggestion for relaxing holidays, while an ideal getaway for nature lovers. Beautiful hotels are ready to accommodate visitors of the area. In the northern section of the community includes the unique beautiful forest of Elatia, known...
It is located 23 km NW of the city of Drama in NE foothills of Menikio mountain across from Falakro Mountain. Built with traditional farmhouses of the late 19th century, among picturesque streets. The area is dominated by the three-aisled basilica of St. Nicholas (1877) that preserves the original pictures in the chancel of the mid-19th century. The villagers mainly deal with agriculture...
In the South of Rodopi surrounded by olive groves that reach to the sea is Maronia, an important historic town built in the area was the synonym of the ancient city, one of the strongest states of the Greek ancient world. The tiled rooftops descend from the foothills of the mountain Ismaros, to the green hills and the Thracian Sea. Maronia remains today a large village which deserves to ...
It is located 14 km northwest of Drama, on the southern outskirts of Falakro, at the edge of the homonymous canyon (Canyon of Petrousas). It is a town with developed animal farms and rich cultural life. In the center of the village are the ruins of great basilica of the 19th century. dedicated to Panagia, with a significant number of Roman and Byzantine sculptures on the walls as ...
Paranesti is a small town of Drama. Located on the road linking Drama with Stavroupoli of Xanthi. Has an altitude of 120 m and a permanent population of about 400 inhabitants. It is 40 km far from Drama and 22 km from Stavroupoli. It is the last supply center for the trip in the hinterland of Paranesti area. The area is characterized by its rich natural beauty, with a great and rare ...
Kato Neurokopi is a town of the Prefecture of Drama in altitude of 558 m, it is situated in the center of the homonymous plateau, northwest of Drama 47km away from the city center.Nevrokopi has a cold mountain climate and continental, where the coldness of winters is quite typical to the point that many times it is greeted as the "Siberia of Greece", because it is on average the coldest ...
Soufli is located in the center of the prefecture of Evros, 65 km north of Alexandroupoli. It was built on the slope of a small hill, under the shadow of the Rhodope Mountain range, near the banks of the river Evros, while the city center is just 500 meters from the river. It is also called “the town of silk”, since for decades the local economy was based on sericulture and the ...
Declared as a preserved traditional settlement and located amphitheatrically on the slopes of Mount Saos, Chora is the capital of the island of Samothrace. Traditional houses, cobbled alleys, flowery terraces and a beautiful sunset render the stroll in Chora a special experience. In Chora you can find the tower of Gatelouza, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary as well as the ...
On the slopes of Menikio mountain at an altitude of 480m and 19 km away from Drama there is the village Kallithea which fully justifies its name, thanks to the amazing view to the plain of Drama and the peaks of Falakro.In the former resort of the region, famous for its abundant streams, we can nowdays see two temples with artistic value (the church of Saint Athanasius on the western ...
The Castle is the oldest settlement on the island an is located 12klm. northeast of Limenaria and at 500m altitude. The name was taken from the ruins of the castle there, the wall of which was built in 1403. Since 1905 it started to be deserted, when the inhabitants were transferred to coastal villages. In recent years the houses were repaired by their owners and are used as holiday ...
Magical itineraries
start from Eleftheroupoli to semi-mountainous or mountainous villages that
embrace nature with all its splendour. There, one comes across samples of
traditional architecture.Eleftheroupoli,
Nikissiani, Paleochori, Moustheni, Messoropi, Podochori and Avli are well
preserved settlements, with architectural styles dating back to the 19th
and to the beginning of the...
Prosotsani is the biggest town of the prefecture of Drama and is also the headquarters of the municipality. It has a population of 3.553 inhabitants (2011) and is located 15 km northwest of Drama in the southern foothills of Falakro mountain, east of the river Aggitis. Due to its location along with the many and regular transport to the western region of the county, continues to present ...
In the Thassos island there is the important forest Icarus, an area with rare flora and rare beauty. The main feature of the region is the presence of a very big mountain for the data of Mediterranean islands, while the biggest threat comes from the roads, fires and logging....
In the Rhodope Mountains, on the border with Bulgaria, there is the Drimos Forest, also known as Chaidou. The forest Chaidou is an earthly paradise with huge centennial beech of over 30 meters height. Apart from the beech forest there is also a large variety of vegetation that grows in the mountains of Rhodope, such as pines, firs, spruces and yellow lilies. It is also a habitat of ...
The Forest of Beech in Tsichla - Chaidou in Xanthi has an area of 18 hectares, and belongs to the Forest Service of Xanthi (FEK 121/D/80). It is a century-old beech forest, an area of 18 hectares and is located in the mountain Chaidou in the Central Rhodope Mountains, north of the city of Xanthi. The height of trees exceed over the 30m and the diameter of their trunk is around 1 to 1.30 ...
It is situated in the northeastern part of the prefecture under the highest peak of central Rhodope, at 1.953m. In 1980 the forest was declared as a Protected Natural Monument, because of its high ecological value, as it is one of the few European forests that are virgin. It characterized virgin because its evolution only followed the rules of nature and not influenced by human activity....
The presence of significant mountains and forests make up the rich natural environment of the prefecture of Drama. The mountain is located in the central and northern part of it and extends along the Greek-Bulgarian border. It belongs to the Central Rhodope mountain range with its highest peak being this of the Virgin forest in 1,953m. The area is characterized by compact forests that ...
The special geological substratum, combined with climatic, soil and topographic conditions, created a significant variety of habitats with special botanical interest. Thus, the Mountain Falakro collects many, rare for Greece, herbaceous plants, forming valuable ecosystems on the peaks, in the meadows and in the rocky outcrops of the mountain. The fauna is also proportional to the ...
It is situated in the northeastern part of the prefecture of Drama, below the highest peak of central Rhodope in 1,953 meters. One of its feature is the existence of a virgin forest that is the only one in the country and is considered as the most important of its kind in Europe. Logged as virgin (area of 11,000 acres.) In 1979 and immediately in 1980 it was declared as a protected ...
The flora that synthesizes high mountain vegetation consists of beech, chestnut, hydrid fir, black pine, cedar, oak, hornbeam, willow, alder, rowan, maple, ash tree, dogwood, wild rose, blueberry etc. Interesting though is the herbaceous vegetation due to the scarsity and the large number of species: the lily, saxifraga, mountain tea (sideritis), wild pink, irises, peony, kentafrees, ...
The Community of Sidironero, just like the whole of the prefecture, has a rich natural environment, which is formed by the massif of the prefecture that belongs to the Central Rhodope mountain range and the existence of protected areas of the network Natura 2000 with important ecosystems. These areas are the following: Rhodope (simida), covering an area of 6,708.90 hectares, Elatia area,...
The special geological substratum, combined with climatic, soil and topographic conditions, created a significant variety of habitats with special botanical interest. Thus the mountain Falakro collects many, rare for Greece, herbaceous plants, forming valuable ecosystems on the peaks, the meadows and the rocky outcrops of the mountain. The fauna is also proportional to the botanical ...
The Sanative Springs are located in the mountainous region of Xanthi prefecture, just 42 km from the city of Xanthi. The geothermal field that exists in the region creates hot springs with beneficial properties. In the valley of Kato Thermes and Loutra Thermes, the water temperature ranges from 18° C and 53° C, while only in the baths the temperature is between 38° C and 53° C. The ...
Samothrace offers various hiking possibilities. Indicatively: Mountain Saos, peak Moon. From the village of Therma, and in a short distance, the path begins and leads to the highest point of Mount Saos, in the peak Moon (1,624 m). According to Homer in this mountain the god Neptune have been sitting so as to monitor the Trojan war. The route to the peak passes through an initially ...
The Mount Ismaros has an altitude of 700 meters and at its foot is built the settlement of Maronia. In the area there is the Wildlife Refuge - "Reforestation Area Ismaros" with area of 800 ha. Is a habitat breeding, feeding, and wintering of wildlife species (birds and animals). There is the possibility of a climbing route. From the region passes the European route E6. There is no ...
Pangaio Mountain is known, from the ancient years, for its rich natural resources: minerals, forest wealth and rare natural beauty. It is located in the west side of the Kavala prefecture, at the boundaries of the Prefecture of Serres. The forest have a total area of 11,239.50 hectares and consists of 5,121.80 hectares of beech, 1,955.92 hectares of mixed stands of beech - oak - chestnut...
It is a habitat “Corine” under the code A00020009. It is mainly a forested mountain except the areas close to the Bulgarian border. Its Residents are mostly herders, who maintain a particular type of forest for grazing purposes. Forests of beech can be encountered over the altitude of 900 m. Overall, the area has significant fauna such as vultures, eagles, Ciconia nigra (black stork)...
The region of Rhodope prefecture is classified into three zones. The first that occupies the southern part is almost flat. The second extends north along the first and occupies the center of the Prefecture’s region to the slopes of the Rhodope Mountains. The third zone is located in the north of the region and the second occupies the mountainous part. The South East part of the ...
With the generic name "Livaditis" is characterized a large mountainous region that includes the Chaidou Mountain, the southern part of Kula Mountain and the surrounding peaks. It is bounded in the north of the village Dafnonas, in the east of the villages Rema and Dimario and in the west it extends to the borders between the prefectures of Xanthi and Drama. It consists of the villages ...
Ο ορεινός όγκος στο Δήμο Χρυσούπολης περιλαμβάνει τις νότιες πλαγιές της οροσειράς Λεκάνης, από το Ποντολίβαδο δυτικά μέχρι τον Παράδεισο ανατολικά. Η χαμηλή / κάτω περιοχή με μικρή κλίση αποτελείται από ...
The most important massif of the prefecture of Drama is the Falakro Mountain, which is one of the largest mountains in the country. It is situated in the center of the prefecture and consists of a cluster of three volumes: the northwest with its highest peak the "Holy Spirit" and altitude 1629m, the southwest with its highest peak the "Saint Paul" on alitude of 1768 meters and the east ...
This forest is a very important habitat. The importance lies in the fact that here there are found countless species of flora of the area but mainly because here, very rare raptor species find a shelter. The Dadia Forest in 2003 was named National Park, where the varied landscape and flora make up a charming landscape on the slopes of mountains that reach 1000 meters in altitude. The ...
At the end of the Eastern Rhodopes is located the famous Dadia forest, in which is maintained one of the foremost breeding raptors. Insects, reptiles and small animals of the forest constitute the food of birds, as well as the objects of observation for the visitor who may be encountered in a landscape of exceptional beauty. - The Saos mountain on the island of Samothrace, with the peak ...
An important massif of the refecture of Drama is Menoikio Mountain, which is located on the western edge of the prefecture and is basically the southward sequel of Falakro. Its highest peak is "Mavromata" which belongs to the prefecture of Serres with an altitude of 1,963m, while the highest peak in the prefecture is the "Thamnotopi", with an altitude of 1,952m. It has significant flora,...
Simvolo
is located to the south – east side of the Prefecture of Kavala. The
west side of Simvolo is divided from Paggaio by the Pieria valley.Because
of its geographical position and its topographical shape, Simvolo has
an excellent view. You can see the Delta of Nestou, Samothrace, to the
east Thassos, Mount Athos and Strimona to the south, to the west Paggaio
and to the...
The monastery is situated north of Xanthi in a gorge that has an altitude difference of 170meters from the area the area. The name of the monastery comes from the finding of the miraculous image of Panagia inside some reeds, in the Kosynthos river area. From the place in which the monastery is built, the faithfull can admire the mountainous region of Rhodope, to the border with Bulgaria ...
In Papikio mountain and particularly the section of the Rhodope Mountains between the rivers Kompsatos and Traos it had been developed the first Byzantine monastic state. After the raids of Francs and the Bulgarian, the state gradually moved to Athos mountain and the last monastery was closed at around 1200 AD. Archaeologists brought to light many important ruins of the monasteries of ...
Just three kilometers away from Kavala, following the highway of Thessaloniki-Kavala, exactly where it is coupled with the surviving parts of the old famous Via Egnatia is located the Monastery of Saint Silas. Literally it dominates in the neck formed by the western hills, which enclose the city of Kavala from the fury of winter boron. Just from the point where the monastery stands, the ...
The Pangaion mountain hosts for 16 centuries the oldest monasterial building of Macedonian land, the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of the Holy Mary Eikosofoinissa. According to tradition, the bishop Philippi Sozon, who took part in the Fourth Ecumenical Council in 451 AD, founded the church and monastic settlement at the place Vigla, 50 meters east of the present Monastery. ...
Northeast of Xanthi, on the outskirts of the mountainous mass of Rhodope in an extremely wonderful position, overlooking the plain of Xanthi, just above the Samakov region, you can find the third monastery of Xanthi, Holy Mary Archangeliotissa. The monastery during the whole year including the 15th of August, becomes a place of pilgrimage for the whole population of Thrace. The ...
The holy church was built on February 20, 1884. A built stone slab located in the narthex of this church informs us about it. In this plate is also indicated that the high priest was the German Michaelides and the architect was the Duke Lazaropolitis. The primary decision of residents was to built the church in the center of the Christian neighbourhood. Ultimately, however, it was built ...
Inside a rocky, uneven but green area surrounding the villages Makrychori, Elafochori, Disvato & Stegno Highland of the river is still a humble workshop of prayer, true oasis in today’s era. This is the Holy Women Convent of the Transfiguration of Sotiros of Winners. It is an outpost of the Metropolis of Philippi, that the spiritual radiation dominates the entire eastern region of ...
The settlement of Prasinada is located northeast of the prefecture of Drama 58 kilometers far away from it, in the triangle of Paranesti (Paranesti-Prasinada 19 km). It is built on the foothills of the mountain Pangalos at an altitude of 713m. The locals are Pontian refugees from Trapezounta, who arrived in 1924 and fought hard to survive in the new homeland.Prasinada is a charming ...
The small church of St. Theodore is modulated inside the cave of Zonaio mountain. The surviving wall painting seems to cover several years, but especially two phases are distinguished, belonging to the 11th and 13th century, when they formed to places of worship. It is basically a cave in which the pilgrim can enter from a metal construction with ladder. In the walls of the cave, despite...
A large number of interesting neoclassical buildings of great importance can be found in large cities of Greece, the architecture of mosques, and specific neighborhoods in cities (the warehouses, the old city of Xanthi, huts of Sarakatsans, etc.). Monuments which are not very prominent and widely known are the following: • The preserved old town, on the hillside of the castle, with ...
The Watermills are located in the mountainous area of Xanthi. They are totally numbered 60 traditional watermills from which only three are operating and are situated in the settlements of Satres, Nice and Dimario, while others have been abandoned and are in danger of collapse....
The famous Vathres of Samothrace are a real monument of nature and they consist of a number of sources, which radiate down from the mountain and form many small waterfalls, which create small natural pools in the rocks and trees. The most famous vathres are those of river Tsivdogianni near Therma, where there is also the starting point for the ascent of Mount Saos. The landscape is of ...
Evros River, the natural border between Greece and Bulgaria and Turkey, has a total length of 530km. of which 230km. belong to Greece. It is the second largest river in the Balkans after the Danube, Evros stems from the Rila Mountains in Bulgaria and flows into the Thracian Sea, irrigating its way across the plain of the prefecture. Evros is characterized by remarkable fish and riparian ...
Nestos river is one of the major rivers of Greece, with great economic and ecological significance. It stems from Rila mountain (2.716m.), in southern Bulgaria, between the Aimos and Rhodope mountain ranges. Its total length is 234km., of which 140km. are located in Greek territory. It enters Greece from the north-central part of the prefecture of Drama between the mountains of western ...
Η δεύτερη μεγαλύτερη οροσειρά της Ελληνικής γης, η Ροδόπη, με το πλούσιο φυσικό κάλλος της και την ακόμα πιο πλούσια πανίδα της, προκαλεί να την επισκεφτείτε και να την εξερευνήσετε. Ζήστε το πάθος σας για ¨βόλτες¨...
Located 2 km away from the Ecotourism Centre within the protected area of Dadia, a closed observatory operates for visitors who have the opportunity to observe vultures and other raptors which come trough. The trough is a selected location within the Dadia Forest in which the guards leave dead animals for vultures as additional food aid. Starting by the Ecotourism Center there have...
Thasos the emerald isle. The poet Archilochos, who came from Paros with his countrymen to try and gain an insight into Thasos, wrote about the island: “And then we saw the island: Motionless like the back of a donkey with a coniferous coat”. This was his way of praising the dense forestation of the island. Today, 3/5 of its surface is covered in forest. Firs, pines which reach the ...
Samothraki, island of the Great GodsThe name Samothraki derives from the prohellenic word ‘samos’, meaning altitude and ‘Thrace’ and translates as High Thraki.Samothraki is a place of exceptional natural beauty with wild un-spoilt nature, hidden rocky slopes, rich flora and fauna, plane forests, which often reach the shore, pine trees, chestnut trees, cedars and Mediterranean ...
16/10/2015 - 18/10/2015Rodopi Advendurun 100 miles (ROUT), is a tough adventure footrace
for experienced runners who compete in semi-autonomy
conditions a distance of 100 miles running along
abandoned paths and trails through the tremendous
scenery of the Rodopi Mountains National Park in...
Old Kavala, every year hosts the biggest festival of outdoor activities in Greece, which is performed on the first weekend of the summer (or last of spring). The environmental path of old Kavala is the space of the events of Wood Water Wild Festival. It is a path that was completed under the Leader program in 2007, with total length of 2.5 kilometers. The stream that runs alongside the ...
The Parcharia have their roots in an old Pontian tradition. It was a celebration for the reception of shepherds from the mountain pastures where they lived during the summer. The reception was mainly by the women. "Parcharia" called the Greeks of Pontus" plateaus stretching to the highest slopes and foothills of the Pontic Alps, at altitudes ranging from 1500 until 2500 or even 3000 m. ...
12/08/2017 - 13/08/2017Events that are usually held in the second half of July. They are musical events and sporting activities aiming to attract visitors to meet with this mountainous region....
09/10/2015 - 11/10/2015In Paranesti of Drama, in October, the Virgin Forest Races of Paranesti are held (Virgin Forest Trail) and include : 1) The 100 miles Ultramarathon Virgin Forest Mountain Race (Virgin Forest Ultra Trail). 2) The 106 kilometers Ultramarathon Nature TrailRace (Nature TrailRace). 3) The 46 kilometers Race Paranesti Path (Paranesti Path). 4) The 10 kilometers Race ...
The bridge of Gerakas is found at the 11th km Xanthi-Stavroupolis, 100 meters from the turn of the village of Gerakas. Another bridge is located at main road Xanthi-Stavroupolis at the 18th km, between the old and the new road. The bridge of Kariofito was built in 1813 and still maintains in good condition. The bridge of Kastanitis is located 200 meters south of the abandoned namesake ...
Συνεχίζοντας το δροσιστικό ταξίδι του ο επισκέπτης, στα υπέροχα νερά της Καβάλας, συναντά λίγο παρακάτω την παραλία της Σαρακήνας. Και εδώ το τοπίο μαγευτικό… Πεντακάθαρα νερά, μαλακή αμμουδιά προκαλούν τη ...
Nisteri Beach is one of the beaches
of Limenas and is located just at 1 kilometer distance of the capital
of Thassos. It is a sandy beach surrounded by forested mountains.
Nisteri Beach is an organised beach with sun beds and umbrellas. Its
waters are shallow and children can play with safety. It is a beach
perfect for sunbathing and swim! http://thassos.gr...
Paradise beach is
considered the best beach of the island!! With its “tropical” waters, it
takes the visitor to exotic places! The white sand is ideal for long
walks, the verdant mountain all around makes the landscape even more
impressive, while if you are lucky enough to get to see the huge waves,
then it will feel like being in Hawaii! It should be noted that half of
...
In Skala Rachoniou there are traditional ouzeries, as well as a long beach.
In recent years, the village has been developed significantly, as has
the entire island, offering an important tourist infrastructure and all
kinds of amenities to visitors. Driving up from Skala, one comes across
two mountainous villages spread along the mountain slopes: Rachoni and
Agios Georgios, ...
Marvellous sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and picturesque taverns complete the beauty of this little village.Driving up the mountainous village of Maries, make a stop at the monastery of Panagia (the Virgin Mary).Out of the village, on the road leading to Ypsario and the Castle, the visitor has the opportunity to visit the lake Gena.
It is worth noticing that this is the unique ...
A beautiful coastal village with the renowned beaches of Trypiti and Metallia. A wide array of hotels, bars, taverns, restaurants and gift shops meet the demands of every guest.Palataki, an edifice of particular beauty due to its
architectural style, is certainly worth a visit and so are the
warehouse of Metallia (= mines) that operate as cultural centres
nowadays. If you are a ...