AlexandroupoliMainland Greece · Greece

All About Alexandroupoli

Alexandroupoli (or Alexandroupolis) is a city in northern Greece, right on the border of Turkey. In fact, only the River Evros separates the two countries here and it is an important port and commercial center. It is also the largest city in Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia, with a population of just under 58,000 inhabitants. Once a small fishing village, Alexandroupoli is a relatively new Greek city and not one on the tourist radar although visitors are always delighted by what it has to offer. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Balkans, this place is a potpourri of cultures, traditions, and customs, making it a unique destination.

Steeped in history, Alexandroupoli is said by Herodotus to have been the ancient site of Sale and home to the Cicone who, according to mythology, clashed with Odysseus and his crew on their return from Troy. The city of today boasts unique landmarks, such as the iconic port lighthouse, the archaeological sites of the Mesimvria-Zone, the wonderful waterfront, the Ethnological Museum of Thrace, the thermal springs (Hana) of Traianoupoli, the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus, and the nearby Evros Delta. Filled with lively restaurants, you will find a range of cuisine in Alexandroupolis, from Greek and Armenian to Italian and Turkish, as well as welcoming bars and coffee shops. A visit to this relatively unknown city will leave you pleasantly surprised!
 

Routes And Ferries to Alexandroupoli

You can book your ferry tickets to Alexandroupoli using Ferryscanner and sail from the island of Limnos (also known as Lemnos) in 5 hours 20 minutes with Zante Ferries. You can also buy your ferry tickets to Alexandroupoli and sail from Samothraki, for a journey of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Connecting flights from Athens International Airport to Alexandroupoli Airport ‘Dimokritos’ are available all year-round and take about an hour. The airport is 7 km away from the city center and ferry port. You can also reach the city by road, with buses leaving from Athens, Thessaloniki, and Kavala, and the main road artery runs from Epirus in the West to the Turkish border and Istanbul.
 

Port of Alexandroupoli

The port of Alexandroupoli is an important commercial hub and the only port of its size in Thrace. It serves merchant ships, fishing vessels, and passenger ferries, with daily connections to the island of Samothrace. Originally constructed in the 19th century by a French company, the port also saw the building of the lighthouse in 1880, which still dominates the waterfront. A good railway connection to the port means that it handles a large amount of cargo coming and going to and from Greece and the rest of Europe.
 

Places to Visit

Alexandroupolis is a tapestry of cultural heritage and you can find a point of interest at each corner. Take the time to discover the city’s past while enjoying its vibrant present.

The Churches

 Most of the city’s historical buildings go back to the 19th and 20th centuries, with long narrow streets and small open spaces in between. In many of these, you will find Orthodox Greek churches and other places of worship. Look out for the lovely little Armenian Orthodox Church and the stone Roman Catholic Church of Saint Joseph, a tiny mosque, and the grand Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos.

The Museums

The neoclassical facade of the Ethnological Museum of Thrace stands out in between the concrete apartment blocks and is a great place to learn more about the traditional costumes, textiles, musical instruments, ceramics, and copperware of the region. The Ecclesiastical Art Museum of Alexandroupoli is housed in a handsome listed building and displays over 400 religious objects, icons, and relics from the 15th-19th centuries. Also worth visiting are the Alexandroupolis Historical Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Flora and Fauna Museum of the Evros Delta.

The Lighthouse

The lighthouse of Alexandroupolis on the west side of the port is a symbolic landmark of the city. It stands 17 meters tall and its beacon is said to be visible 44 km away. A popular meeting place for youngsters on hot summer evenings, it is illuminated at night and proudly overlooks the waterfront.

The New Nomarcheio

Just west of the lighthouse sits a grand public office known as the New Nomarcheio; a modern building built in a neoclassical style that is used as a venue for meetings and cultural events. It also houses an art gallery exhibiting works by local artists that you may find interesting.

The Castles

In the surrounding area of Alexandroupoli, you will find the remains of several Medieval castles which tell their own history between their crumbling walls. Visit the village of Avantas 10 km from the city to check out Boz-tepe Hill (grey hill) where 3 towers from the castle of the Gattilusi family of the 4th Crusade still stand. An hour away lies the Byzantine castle of Didimoticho on the hill of Kale. Built at a height of 107 meters, one of the turrets known as the Tower of the Prince is still intact and is said to have been where the daughter of the city governor fell from the ramparts. Northeast of Didimoticho sits the village of Pythio, where a Byzantine castle was once used as a shelter and treasury of Emperor Ioannis Katakouzinos.
 

Things to Do

Swim at the Beaches

The town beach is right across from the lighthouse and has restaurants, hotels, and cafés close by. Further out is an organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, and very shallow water for children. The whole coast to the west is one continuous beach split up into smaller ones like Agiou Markou, Agia Paraskevis, Mesimbrias, Dikela, Skorpia, and Petropon. Most have taverns and cafés although not all provide other facilities so go prepared just in case.

Spend Your Day by the Evros River Delta

The Evros River begins in central Bulgaria and flows all the way down to Turkey, forming the border with Greece. The Delta is 150 sq. km and home to a wide variety of migratory birds such as pelicans, flamingos, and wild geese. Fish is also in abundance, as well as wild boar, cats, and other mammals and reptiles. Take a boat tour along the river and see how many wild animals you can catch on camera.

Explore the Dadia National Reserve and Forest

Internationally recognized for its ecological value, the biotope of the Dadia Forest brings you close to nature in a special beauty spot. Explore the flora and fauna of the area such as old pine and oak trees, and spot the wide variety of birds of prey living in the area from a forest watchtower. Keep your eyes open for black vultures and griffon vultures while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Step Into the Cyclops Cave

This is located near the seaside village of Makri and was discovered during World War I by the archaeologist G. Balakakis. Inside, steps lead into 3 chambers where several statuettes and earthen utensils were found, indicating it was inhabited during the Neolithic period. Perhaps Polyphemus, the Cyclops of Homer’s Odyssey dwelt here, hence the name, and if you like Greek mythology, you will definitely want to check it out.

Visit the Archaeological Site of Mesimvria-Zone

 Located 25 km to the west of Alexandroupoli, this archaeological site is made up of several excavations belonging to the great ancient city of Zone founded in the 7th century BCE. The remains of the Bethel of Dimitra stand at the entrance, while a temple dedicated to Apollo can also be found. A storeroom where traditional amphorae are still kept is truly enthralling with exquisite mosaic floors adding to the experience. A nice long, sandy beach lies at the edge of the site with splendid views of Samothraki island which sits across.

Relax at the Thermal Baths

The thermal baths at Traianoupoli are known all over Greece and abroad as being helpful in the treatment of diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as rheumatism. Founded by the Roman emperor Trajan, the spa has 26 individual hammam-style baths and 8 special baths for hydro-massage. A 14th-century hostel offers a place to stay and the therapeutic waters have been healing weary travelers since ancient times.
 

Transportation Around Alexandroupoli

 Explore Alexandroupoli on foot or bicycle, with pedestrian paths running throughout the city. To explore further afield, you can take one of the local buses or rent a car and plan your own route. Taxis are also available and private tours are organized to the most popular places of interest on a daily basis.