Xanthi

An ancient ruined city with a special "lost place" atmosphere on Lake Vistonia, not far from Porto Lagos.

The picturesque ruins of an Ottoman stone bridge across the river Kossinthos. The bridge was built in 1903 and exploded by the retreating Greek army in 1941.

The Tekes Kioutouklou Baba is an Ottoman tomb that is estimated to date from the 15th to 16th centuries. Today only the mausoleum (Tourbes) is preserved. It is an octagonal stone building with a domed roof. Inside is the hermit's grave, which is covered with a green cloth. The visitor can see the carved symbols of Bektashism such as ax and kioulachi. The monument was probably erected on the ruins of an earlier Christian church. It is a religious space for Muslims and Christians today. For the Muslims the tomb (Tourbes) of Kioutouklou Baba, while the eastern part of the monument was converted by Christians into a provisional church of St. George.

It is a remarkable medieval stone bridge over the Kompsatos river. The two large arches of the bridge are 21.8 and 17 m wide and the height of the arch is 12 m. The western of the original three arches has collapsed. From the parking lot on the street, a footpath goes uphill for about 10 minutes to the bridge.

Amazing rocky peaks that remind of the famous Meteora on a smaller scale, in a remote area full of abandoned settlements. Requires driving on dirt roads and hiking. Getting onto the rocks themselves is possible only to experienced rock climbers. There are also some nice caves nearby, next to Políarnon village.

Was a major ancient Thracian port city and home to the philosophers Democritus and Protagoras. However, it lost its importance in Roman times. The reason for the settlement of this area was, on the one hand, the strategically important location on the Via Egnatia, the most important trade route from Rome to Constantinople until Roman times. The city was also on the important shipping route to the Black Sea: the Roman Empire obtained part of its grain from what is now Ukraine. On the other hand, the Thracian hinterland contributed to the prosperity of the colonists and the city of Abdera with fertile arable and pasture land, rich forest in the valleys of the Nestos and its tributaries, fish-rich waters and precious metal deposits in the mountains. Today there are some must-see ruins and an archaeological museum in the modern village of Avdira. In addition, the nearby beaches are among the best in the region.

A common umbrella for several disjointed protected areas known for their natural beauty and animal wealth. It includes the area around the scenic Nestos Gorge (near Toxotes, about 12 km south-west of Xanthi), the river banks going south, the wetlands of the Nestos Delta about 20 km further to the south of the Gorge, and the large Lake Vistonida about 20 km south-east of Xanthi, with the village Porto Lagos on the bar that separates the lake from the sea.

At Toxotes and of particular natural beauty. Breaking through the limestone mountains the river Nestos meanders and shaped a unique landscape. Along the ravine a trail of about 10 km in length leads along high cliffs with beautiful views of the river. In hot summer it's a pleasure to have a refreshing bath in the ice cold river.

next 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.

A three-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.

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