Samothrace

Major archaeological site of the centre of a mystery cult that rivaled Delphi, dating back to the pre-Greek period (Bronze Age). Numerous famous ancient people were initiates, including the historian Herodotus – one of very few authors to have left behind a few clues to the nature of the mysteries - the Spartan leader Lysander, and numerous Athenians. The original Sanctuary had suffered from earthquakes and pirate attacks. It was rebuilt several times and only abandoned after the Romans introduced Christianity as the official religion. In modern times, one can see remains from all eras, including the Hellenistic and Roman. There is also a small, excellent museum, with a plaster cast of the famous 'Winged Victory of Samothrace' statue, a consolation that the original was looted from the site on 1863 and is now at the Louvre in Paris. Much of the "Sanctuary of the Great Gods", at Paleopoli is forfeited, but the location in a wooded gorge is spectacular. There are also remains of a Byzantine fortress, which was built with the old stones of the sanctuary. The round building that once stood here, the Arsinoeion, was built 285 on behalf of Queen Arsinoe of Thrace. It was the biggest round building that was ever built in ancient Greece and was a place held at the victims. The so-called Hieron is the most striking ruin on the site, because of the columns that were built back in 1956.

Kamariotissa, where the ferries arrive, is located on the west side of the island and is surrounded by hills with grass and some trees and with the high barren mountain Fengari (1660 m) as background. Kamariotissa is pretty green and there are several restaurants, coffee shops, banks, post office, supermarket, bakery, greengrocer, pharmacy, a ticket booth for the ferries. Directly at the promenade there are 2 rental companies for motor scooters and cars. The only gas station of the island is on the road from Kamariotissa to Chora. In the small waterfront park is the bus station. It's also the center of “nightlife” in low season.

The capital of the island is Chora (Samothrace), about 5 km east of Kamariotissa. Worth seeing are the small and tightly packed houses. Chora is located at the foot of a hill, almost invisible from the sea. It was built hidden to be protected from pirate attacks from the sea in the Middle Ages. The village with its narrow, winding streets and its Genoese fortress (the original was Byzantine) is the most beautiful village of the island. From the large, central square, where you will find a few taverns, there is a beautiful view over the sea. Somewhat further down the village is Palaiopoli with its characteristic three towers from the 15th century.

Therma is also one of the attractions of Samothrace. Especially in high season it is flooded by young people who camp in one of the camping sites there. The village is in the north of the island 13 km from Kamariotissa in a forest of trees (a bus twice a day). There are healing hot springs with different temperatures for bathing, commercial with massages etc. but also 2 outdoor pools "for free" (most romantic at night with stars). Therma is a small village with few inhabitants, but there are some shops, restaurants and accommodation. East of the village there are also two campsites. The village is situated on a pebble beach with clear water and a small port, from where in high season one can make highly recommended boat trips. Therma is the best place from where you can take walks to the mountain Fengari, composed mainly of granite. The path to the summit and back takes about six hours. Near the summit of Fengari, the hike turns into more of a rock scramble as it gets extremely rocky with no visible dirt path, and the way is marked by red dots spray painted on boulders. A longer but easier route to the summit leads up from the village of Profitis Ilias in the south of the island.

The pool is somewhat hidden, so ask locals. Coming from the beach, turn right directly in front of the bathing house and follow the dirt road about 200 m to reach the larger basins with warm water and sea views. After about 100m on the way to the larger pool, a small path branches down to the smaller, more romantic pool.

A few kilometres from Therma are the natural basins of the creek Platia (Kria Vathra) and Tsumar (Mikres Vathres). Although the walk to the pools is not difficult it's better to wear sport shoes than sandles. Both basins are not deep enough for swimming but enough for refershing. It's the beautiful landscape that makes it worth going there. If you follow the path from Kria Vathra further up, you reach five more pools. The first one comes in about 10 minutes easy footpath. The next 4 pools are also easily accessible, the last difficult. From the parking lot to the sixth pool you need about 1 hour.

East of Therma, are the cold pools and waterfalls of the river Fonias. You can walk from the car park near to the bridge on the main road in about 45 minutes (5 km) along the Fonias Gorge to the first and most beautiful pool with a 12-m waterfall (signposted). Caution and good shoes are recommended. There are 2 more nice pools and waterfalls uphill, surrounded by impressive scenery. The 2nd pool is about 1 hour, the 3rd pool about 2 hours from the parking lot. The passages, especially to the third pool have a high degree of difficulty and are only partially marked by red dots on stones or trees. Especially on the way to the third pool, it always comes back to accidents. Since there is no mobile reception in case of an accident you will rely on another person to get help. Therefore you should never go the way alone! For a reason the stream carries the name “Killer”. As a reward for the climbing, you will be in an almost untouched natural landscape and you can refresh yourself from the strenuous hike with a bath in natural water basins at waterfalls. Most visitors are bathing naked! Bathing here is an ice cold and somewhat eerie pleasure. Near the mouth of Fonia flux there is the Fonias tower which stands on the seafront and is well worth a visit.

Settlement in a remarkable landscape with plane trees and oak trees. A tavern, 1 km above Ano Merida, has good panoramic views of the countryside.