Xanthi

History

The changeful history of Thrace, characterized by attacks by neighboring peoples, catastrophes, ethnic conflicts and civil wars, prevented a normal development of villages into cities. When the Ottomans conquered the region in 1361, they devastated the few settlements and infrastructures that had developed up to that point, settling populations from Asia Minor into the almost deserted region of Thrace. Hence the high proportion of Muslim population in this part of Greece.

By plane

The closest airport is "Alexander the Great" airport in Kavala, about 20 km away. Planes, mostly touristic charters, fly all over Europe.
Aegean (Flights to/from Athens daily)

By regional coach

The
Interurban coaches ("KTEL" buses) are by far the most convenient way to travel around Greece, as well as for intra-regional travelling. There is frequent bus service from Athens Kifisos Station to Xanthi, as well as from Thessaloniki bus terminal "Macedonia" to Xanthi.

By train

- Trains OSE connect Xanthi to other cities in Greece. Travelling with ordinary trains can be cheaper, although a little bit slower, whereas choosing a fancy faster Intercity train will cost the same amount of money, or even more than a KTEL bus.

As Xanthi is a small town, it's easy to explore it on foot.

• Folk Art Museum

  address: 7, Antika St
  The museum is housed in two three-story buildings, built next to each other and dating back to 1860. They were the private residence of two tobacco tradesmen and still have their inside walls decorated by remarkable paintings

• Public Paint Gallery

  address: Orfeus & Pindaro St

• Old townXanthi is famous for its old town with many pubs and restaurants. A walk through the old town combined with pub visits along the streets or in the backyards is a really worthwhile experience. Once a year, in the end of summer, the Old town Festival takes place, with music, food and drinks everywhere along the old streets.

• Monastery of Taxiarchon & Kaliva CastleThe Byzantine castle ruins are uphill of the Taxiarchon monastery. The drive on the dirt track is worthwhile because of a small chapel on the hill, above the ruins. The view of the surroundings is more beautiful than the ruins itself.

• Monastery of Panagia Archaggeliotissa

• Monastery Panagia Kalamou

• House of ShadowVery worth seeing art museum, in which the shadow cast of the exhibited objects creates fascinating impressions.

• Rock chapel of St. GeorgInteresting chapel at the end of the trail along the river.

Outside the city:

• Thracian MeteoraRock formation at Iasmos, which reminds of the well-known Meteora near Kalambaka.

• Walk along the rivernext to the pedestrian bridge, which connects the old town with the district to the east of it, begins the approximately 500 m long promenade and plant path called "Monopati tis zois". Plants are labeled in Greek. The path leads along the river through beautiful countryside.

• Carnival of XanthiA two-week-long event held every year since 1966. It features a vast array of concerts, dance, drama and visual arts. The parade and the traditional puppet burning takes place to end the carnival event.

• Old town festivalIn the first week of September, the Old Town Festival takes place with a lot of music, dance performances, food and drink.

• Kariokes - A tasty praline with walnuts and chocolate, one of Xanthi's specialties, which can be found in all the sweets shops around the old town.

• Fanarakia tavern

  phone: +30 25410 73606
  address: Georgiou Stavrou 18
  Traditional tavern since 1948

• Xanthippi

  address: 1st km Xanthis-Stavroupolis
  Xanthippi is a modern restaurant with traditional flavours from Greece and the Balkans. It offers a spectacular view of the city and the valley of Xanthi.

• Palia Poli

• To Vareli

• O KiposNice seats in the shade of tall trees

• MelathronIn the summer with beautiful seating under tall trees

• Taverna KottaniExceptional local cuisine in a 200 year old traditional house in the Rhodope Mountains. Worth the very arduous approach

• To Pilimapopular restaurant destination in beautiful surroundings about 10 km north of Xanthi

Because of the relatively high proportion of young people through the university, Xanthi has a good nightlife relative to its size. In and around the old town is the center of the nightlife. Many very nice bars are either directly in the streets or in backyards.

Budget

• Filoxenia Hotel

  address: Toxotes
  Filoxenia hotel is next to Nestos river.

• Xanthi Hotel

  phone: +30 25410 23242
  address: Lefkippou 14

• Xanthipio Hotel

  phone: +30 254 107 7061, +30 25410 77062
  address: 28 Oktovrìu

• Orfeas Hotel

  phone: +30 25410 20121
  address: 40, M. Karaoli

Mid-range

• Elena Hotel

  phone: +30 25410 63901-3
  address: Leoforos Stratou 2
  Elena hotel is a 3-star hotel, a few steps from Emporiou square.

• Nestos HotelA 3-star hotel.

• Le Chalet

  phone: +30 2541 068511
  address: Pigadia Xanthis

Splurge

• Z Palace and Congress Center

  phone: +30 25410 64414
  address: Georgiou Kondili street
  Z Palace is a 5-star hotel.

• Elisso Xenia Hotel

  phone: +30 25410 84400, +30 25410 84888
  address: Vas. Sofias 9
  Elisso hotel is a 4-star hotel.

• Hotel Casino Xanthi

  phone: +30 25410 84805 -84813
  address: Latomia
  5-star hotel.

Most pubs and restaurants in the old town have free WIFI

• Nestos: natural reserve area of special beauty in landscape, and archaeological site such as Abdera.
• The villages and ancient ruins, such as Anastasiopolis (Peritheorion), around lake Vistonida
• Stavroupoli - Traditional village set on a scenic valley among forests and waterfalls. Some 30 km northwest of Xanthi by scenic Drama road or by train and gate to the Rhodope Mountains
• Kavala: one of the most beautiful towns of Greece
• Komotini: provincial town with strong influence of Muslim architecture
• Alexandroupolis: Harbour town with ferries to Samothrace Island