Alexandroupolis is an interesting city found on the border of Greece and Turkey. Because of this it shares much culture with its Middle Eastern neighbour and has a friendly cross border relationship. Alexandroupolis car hire can be taken into Turkey, but please check for restrictions before you travel.
There’s a lot to do in the area, either by crossing over the border into Turkey or by staying in Alexandroupolis and perhaps doing a little bird watching in the coastal marshes where the rare Sotos lives. Alternatively you can visit the island of Samothrace with your Alexandroupolis car hire, with the domineering Mount Moon rising to nearly 6,000 feet. At the end of the day, enjoy the fish at one of the local tavernas.
Alexandroupolis Mini Guide
Alexandroupolis Looks a bit Remote, why Should I go There?
Its remoteness is part of the charm of the area. The town itself is generally worth avoiding for, as a commercial port and industrial town, there’s not much to see there. Use it as a base for exploring the traditional villages around. There, in the Greek countryside you’ll find the traditional hospitality preserved where mass tourism hasn’t yet reached and a peace and tranquillity that is unrivalled. Further afield you can visit the European part of Turkey or take a ferry ride out to the island of Samothrace.
How do I get to Alexandroupolis?
There are flights into the city’s airport which is only a couple of miles outside the city. Most of the flights are domestic so you may have to fly into Athens and catch a connecting flight. The only international flight is from Larnaca in Cyprus, a good alternative for a connecting flight depending on price.
What Must I see or do When I’m There?
In the town, the only place of note is the ancient lighthouse which has protected ships coming to the town for over a thousand years. Another good trip if you’re a birdwatcher is to the delta of the Evros River, about nine miles from town. Many ‘twitchers’ come here to look for migrating wetland birds or the rare ‘sofos’, more common in this area. For a little more charm, the fishing villages of Makri and Dikella, to the west are worth visiting. A place you must visit is the island of Samothrace off the coast of Alexandroupolis. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area, the villages of Samothrace are an excellent choice. Tourists rarely visit and the locals do their utmost to make the occasional traveller feel at home. There are two excellent beaches at either end of the island’s only road and the archaeological site ‘the Sanctuary of the Great Gods’ is said to rival Delphi.
What Should I buy Whilst There?
On Samothrace, there are dozens of goats for every person and a favourite souvenir is the goat bell or wind chimes made from bells of various sizes. Remember though, they sound idyllic there but back home??? The Greek pine resin wine, retsina, is made locally, but again, remember it may lose its attraction when drunk at a party in your lounge!
What is the Local Delicacy?
The northern part of Greece favours more spice in its cooking and you’ll find several casserole dishes which have a bit of a kick to them. Mezes or starters may well include little peppers stuffed with feta cheese but be warned they may be a little piquant.
What About Festivals and Parties?
The area’s attraction is based on the serenity of life there but the annual festival of Greek music gets everyone celebrating. For the rest of the year, partying means sipping ice cold retsina or ouzo with a bowl of nuts watching the waves lap on the shore.
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