The coastal road of Thassos is well-travelled. The villages above it are a different matter entirely. The Old Villages Tour in Thassos by Real Holidays leaves the beaches and the waterfront behind and heads inland, into the part of the island shaped not by tourism but by six centuries of mountain life, local mythology, and the kind of hospitality that has its own word in Greek.
The tour begins in Theologos, the island's historic capital, where white marble and grey slate meet in an architecture that belongs to nowhere else. A short walk from the village leads to Kefalogourna, a hidden spot of twin waterfalls and emerald ponds tucked into the hillside. Local animals wander the area, and nearby stand 19th-century mansions, among them the former home of one of the leaders of the 1821 Greek Revolution.
Along the route, the tour makes a stop at the Crown of Limenaria, a circle of man-sized stones each engraved with one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, arranged in a formation that echoes the logic of ancient celestial calendars. It is an unusual and quietly striking landmark, and one that most visitors to the island never come across.
The climb continues to Kastro, the highest settlement on Thassos, built of stone and wood at an altitude that gives it the most sweeping panoramic views of the sea on the island. The village square dates back six hundred years. Here the group stops to try traditional Greek yogurt with Thassian honey, and the guide introduces local brain-teasers and riddles that have been passed down through the villages for generations.
The final stop is Sotiras, a preserved mountain village built into the slope with a natural spring running next to the square. This is where the tasting begins in earnest: premium Thassian olive oil, Throuba olives, and a glass of local tsipouro. For those who want to stay longer, an optional traditional lunch is served under the shade of 200-year-old trees at a local tavern, with local wine included.
Pickup and drop-off from your hotel are included, along with a knowledgeable English and Greek-speaking tour leader and driver, a comfortable SUV or nine-seater van, and a coffee or yogurt during the tour. The optional lunch at Sotiros is available at an additional cost, paid on the day.
The interior of Thassos is older, quieter, and more layered than the coastline. This tour is the way into it.
By Real Holidays.
English 
Ελληνικά 
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