Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands
Three days from Kavala’s old town to ancient marble quarries on Thassos and the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace, with ferries between them.
- Distance
- 141 km (88 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 57 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 3
- Countries
- Greece
- Updated
- May 12, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 141 km (88 mi) with 3 stops, from Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct to Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace. About 1 h 57 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Greece
Route description
Start in Kavala, where the old town of Panagia sits on a rocky peninsula with cobbled lanes, the Imaret, a Byzantine-origin fortress and a lighthouse. The Kamares aqueduct, about 270 metres long, marks the edge of the old town. Sunset at the lighthouse is recommended. Lanes are steep and narrow, so park below and walk up.
Thassos is reached by ferry from the mainland, so check the current timetable and vehicle booking, as services are thinner outside summer. At Aliki, a peninsula on the south-east of the island, marble was quarried from the 7th century BC, leaving cut rock down to sea level beside two sheltered bays. It is about 32 km from Limenas.
The ruins at Aliki include a cult cave, temple ruins and two early Christian basilicas, so allow time to walk the peninsula and enjoy the bays. Wild camping rules vary, so check local rules before stopping overnight near the shore.
Samothrace is a separate ferry journey, again with thinner services outside summer, so check the current timetable. The Sanctuary of the Great Gods was a major Pan-Hellenic mystery-cult site on three terraces of Mount Hagios Georgios, with the Hieron and the 20 m Arsinoeion rotunda. The Winged Victory stood here and is now in the Louvre. The site is about five minutes by car from Kamariotissa port.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct
HistoryKavala, GreeceThe old town of Panagia sits on a rocky peninsula with cobbled lanes, the Imaret, a Byzantine-origin fortress and a lighthouse. The Kamares aqueduct, about 270 metres long, marks the edge of the old town; sunset at the lighthouse is recommended.
- 257 km
Aliki, Thassos
HistoryAliki, GreeceA peninsula on south-eastern Thassos where marble was quarried from the 7th century BC, leaving cut rock down to sea level beside two sheltered bays. Remains include a cult cave, temple ruins and two early Christian basilicas; it is about 32 km from Limenas.
- 384 km
Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace
HistorySamothrace, GreeceA major Pan-Hellenic mystery-cult sanctuary on three terraces of Mount Hagios Georgios, with the Hieron and the 20 m Arsinoeion rotunda; the Winged Victory stood here and is now in the Louvre. The site is about five minutes by car from Kamariotissa port.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct → Aliki, Thassos · 57 km · 0 h 47 minOvernight nearby, for example: Golden Village (13 km); Camping Pefkari Beach (12 km).
- Day 2: Aliki, Thassos → Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace · 84 km · 1 h 10 minOvernight nearby, for example: Βαράδες (9 km); Κάμπινγκ Πλατιάς (8 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct → Aliki, Thassos. Ferry crossing needed
- Aliki, Thassos → Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace. Ferry crossing needed
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
Themes
FAQs
How long is Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands?
3-day road trip of about 141 km (88 mi) with 3 stops, from Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct to Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace. About 1 h 57 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 57 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands start and end?
It starts in Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct and ends in Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace.
Which countries does Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands pass through?
Greece.
Where can you camp along Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands?
OpenStreetMap lists 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Golden Village, Camping Alexandros and Camping Pefkari Beach.
When is the best time for Kavala, Thassos and Samothrace: northern Aegean coast and islands?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
More like this
Photo by STEFANOS KERAMARIS on UnsplashHalkidiki: Kassandra, Sithonia and the Athos coast
© Geraki · CC BY-SA 4.0Pelion: mountain villages between two seas
Photo by Nils Bogdanovs on Unsplash