Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is Greece's northernmost region, stretching from the Nestos River delta to the Turkish border. It combines ancient Macedonian ruins, Byzantine fortresses, Ottoman mosques, tobacco-scented market towns, dramatic Rhodope mountain scenery and an undiscovered Aegean coastline that sees a fraction of the crowds found further south.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
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1
Archaeological Site of Philippi
Founded by Philip II of Macedon and later a Roman colony, Philippi is where Paul delivered his first sermon on European soil and was later imprisoned. The site spans a Hellenistic theatre still used for performances, a Roman forum, and the ruined basilicas of an early Byzantine bishopric, reflecting its long run as a Christian center.
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2
Kavala Byzantine Fortress (Kastro)
This fortress crowns the Panagia peninsula above Kavala's old town, built on Byzantine foundations and expanded by the Ottomans who held the city for centuries. Its walls and towers give a direct view over the harbor, the aqueduct, and the Thasos strait.
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3
Imaret of Kavala
Built in 1817 by Mehmet Ali Pasha, the Ottoman-Egyptian ruler born in Kavala, this soup kitchen and theological school once fed the poor and housed students under a striking row of domes. It's one of the largest surviving Ottoman civic buildings in Greece and now operates as a boutique hotel.
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4
Dadia Forest Reserve
This pine and oak forest in the Evros hills protects one of Europe's few remaining black vulture colonies alongside griffon vultures and other birds of prey. The visitor centre runs hides where you can watch vultures feeding at a designated site, a rarity for observing these birds up close.
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5
Evros Delta National Park
Where the Evros River meets the Aegean near the Turkish border, this wetland is one of the most important bird habitats in the Balkans, hosting flamingos, pelicans, and migratory species that pass along the eastern Mediterranean flyway. Lagoons, salt marshes, and reed beds make up a landscape shaped entirely by the river's delta.
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6
Xanthi Old Town
Xanthi's old quarter climbs a hillside of narrow cobbled lanes lined with 19th-century mansions built by tobacco merchants during the city's boom as a trading center. The mix of Ottoman-era wooden houses and neoclassical facades reflects the wealth that tobacco trading brought to the town.
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7
Komotini Old Bazaar (Pazar)
Komotini's old bazaar is a working market quarter shaped by the city's mixed Greek and Turkish-Muslim population, with covered lanes of small shops selling produce, textiles, and everyday goods rather than souvenirs aimed at tourists. Mosques and minarets punctuate the district, a visible sign of the region's Muslim minority community.
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8
Archaeological Museum of Kavala
This museum holds finds from ancient Amphipolis and the port city of Neapolis, Kavala's ancient predecessor, including grave goods, pottery, and sculpture spanning the region's Classical and Hellenistic periods. It gives context for the wider network of ancient sites across Eastern Macedonia beyond Philippi.
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9
Nestos River Gorge
The Nestos River carves a narrow, forested gorge through the Rhodope Mountains near Stavroupoli, forming one of the last stretches of near-natural riparian forest in Greece. The valley mixes steep rock walls with dense plane and oak woodland, and the river itself marks part of the historic boundary between Macedonia and Thrace. Most visitors come for a slow drive or walk along the gorge road rather than a single sight.
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10
Maroneia Ancient Theatre
This ancient theatre sits above the small village of Maroneia, on the site of one of Thrace's oldest Greek colonies, founded by settlers from Chios. Maroneia was famed in antiquity for its strong wine, mentioned in Homer's account of Odysseus and the Cyclops, and the theatre is one of the few substantial ruins remaining from the classical and Hellenistic city. Little is reconstructed, so the visit is about the setting and scattered stonework rather than an intact monument.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Philippi worth visiting from Kavala?
Yes – it is only 16 km from Kavala and takes 30 minutes by bus or 20 minutes by taxi. The UNESCO site includes a Roman forum, theatre, early Christian basilicas and an archaeological museum, all for €8 (~$9).
Can visitors enter Dadia Forest without a guide?
Yes; the forest is open to independent visitors. The visitor centre at Dadia village has trail maps. Guided birdwatching tours can be arranged at the centre for €5 (~$5.50) per person.