My Guide to Samothraki Island (Samothrace) in Greece

I visited this somewhat remote island in the Northern Aegean a couple of times, and it left me wanting more both times. Today, we can’t wait to go somewhere, but we are trying to stay safe at the same time. I guess a week exploring the overlooked Samothraki island in Greece is a perfect social distancing holiday.

About Samothraki Island

Samothraki is a small Greek island closer to Turkey than mainland Greece. The total population on the island is under 3000 people, so it’s a good place to practice social distancing. Also, if you need an active holiday, there’s enough to explore on this mountainous island.

The islands’ name, Samothraki or Samothrace, probably means High Trace. Its highest summit is at more than 1600 meters above sea level. In ancient times, it was also named The Sacred Island because a Sanctuary of the Great Gods was here. The ruins of the sanctuary can still be visited today.

How to get to Samothraki – ferry info

Now, that’s the tricky part. The only ferry going to Samothraki comes from Alexandroupoli on the mainland. That is in Eastern Greece, close to the Turkish border. The journey is quite a pleasant one. However, the journey from Alexandroupoli to Samothraki by ferry is an expensive one and you do need to secure your bookings ahead of time.

You can get to Alexandroupoli driving on the highway from Thessaloniki in about 3 hours. Another option is to fly from Athens to the small Alexandroupoli Airport.

The ferry ride to Samothraki takes less than two hours, and you will get to Kamariotissa port. There is only one ship every day on this route, so you need to plan your trip. To help you do that, you can look at the daily schedule and book your ferry tickets here.

Of course, if the ferry leaves in the morning, you can choose to spend the night in Alexandroupoli at 31 Doors Hotel, for instance.

Things to do in Samothraki, Greece

I chose 7 things you shouldn’t miss on Samothraki island, but of course, there are many others to discover.

1. Greek Breakfast

First of all, you should start your day with a Greek breakfast. My favorites are on this table: Feta cheese pie, Bougatsa (a vanilla cream pastry), and Spanakopita (a pastry filled with spinach and cheese).

I recommend the small pastry shop just across from the church in Kamariotissa. Everything is fresh, and you can choose between sweet or savory pies to go with your morning coffee. However, a few other places serve omelets and sandwiches on the waterfront.

2. Chora

If you didn’t come with your car, you can always rent one, as well as a scooter, in Kamariotissa to explore the island. There is some public transport on Samothraki, but it’s much easier to explore in a car.

Chora is the capital of Samothraki, a few kilometers inland. It is a traditional village at the foot of mount Saos but with a great view of the sea.

You can visit the ruins of the medieval castle here and the folklore museum or just find the most instagrammable traditional houses of the village. Also, you should visit the crafts shops in the village.

This is also where a few hiking trails to Feggari (Moon Peak, the summit of mount Saos) start.

3. A Traditional Dish

There is a traditional dish on this island, the slowly roasted goat. It’s not a surprise since there are more than 10 goats for each person on Samothraki island.

The best place to try this local dish is O Vrachos Tavern in the small village Profitis Ilias. The meat is served cut on large plates that you can share, and it goes well with the other Greek specialties served here.

Don’t forget to finish your lunch with a traditional dessert, Greek yogurt, and fruit in syrup. That is usually offered on the house at the end of a large meal.

4. Ruins of the Sanctuary

To visit the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, you need to head north from Kamariotissa to Paleopoli. The sanctuary was an important spiritual center at one point in history, and initiation rituals performed here were a mystery.

This is also the place where Nike of Samothrace was found, the representation of Victory. The winged and headless statue is now at the Louvre. Nike of Samothrace inspired the Rolls Royce symbol.

The site is open every day except for Mondays from 8:30 to 15:30, and the entrance ticket is 6€.

5. Samothraki Beaches

Samothraki may not have the most spectacular beaches in Greece, but they are the right choice if you’re looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds.

Keep in mind that Samothraki is a pretty rugged island. There isn’t even a road around the whole island. Some of the beaches are hard to access, even impossible by car. The best way to discover some of them is by boat.

6. Therma

Therma is a village in northern Samothraki, about 15km from the port. It has the second harbor of the island, and its name comes from the natural hot springs here. There are some baths here where people come for treatment, but I can’t stand the sulfur smell, so I kept away from them.

7. Fonias River and the springs

On the northern part of the island, a few springs come down the mountain, forming small waterfalls. The natural pools they form are too cold to bathe in but beautiful. Several trails start by these springs, where you can hike to the top of the mountain. You should have a local guide if you plan to do that and also wear proper boots.

Fonias is the largest of these springs, and its name means ‘The Killer’ because of the floods it causes from time to time.

Bonus – Fonias Beer

Talking about Fonias, you have to try the local beer made by a microbrewery on the island. It is a great pale ale called Fonias, almost impossible to find elsewhere since they only produce small quantities.

Where to stay in Samothraki, Greece

Depending on your taste, the accommodation you can choose on Samothraki is quite diverse.

My personal favorite is Traditional Houses Atzanou in Chora, a unique place to stay with your family but not exactly close to the sea.

A good option to stay close to the harbor is Niki Beach Hotel, an updated hotel with a pool in Kamariotissa.

Samothraki Village is a small complex with two pools, close to the sea and about 4 km from the port.

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What are your plans for this summer? Are you looking for more remote destinations or waiting impatiently to go to a popular beach? Tell me all about it in the comments below.