Thassos holidays

The island has a wealth of shops, bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as some truly extraordinary archaeology...

Most of the delightful beaches on Thassos have villages or towns set behind the safe and shallow bays in which you’ll find all the facilities required for a traditional beach break. Away from the beaches and bars, meanwhile, verdant Thassos, also known as the “Emerald Island”, boasts enough monuments to keep even real history buffs entertained. From hidden neolithic tombs to the more obvious Greco-Roman ruins, this island north of the Greek mainland is steeped in the past.

This mix of convenience and local interest makes Thassos holidays hugely popular with young families and couples alike – although groups looking for wild parties may be better off on one of the livelier Greek islands. And the range of accommodation available on the island is as varied as its visitors. There are plenty of hotels – including several all-inclusive and offering exclusive access to their own beaches – as well as a good selection of cheaper self-catering or bed and breakfast options.

When it comes to eating, meanwhile, the food at almost all of the eateries in Thassos is local. While there are pizza restaurants and burger bars, fish dishes are a speciality and meat lovers should not leave without trying kontosoyvli – a particularly juicy and delicious form of grilled meat. The welcome in the local restaurants is also warm, with many owners encouraging their clients to try their homemade wine after their meals – before getting up to dance with the staff.

And while you may feel that having to catch the ferry to Thassos, on which there is no airport, is a bit of a drag, the Aegean island is just 7.5 miles from the mainland port of Keramoti, which in turn is only 11 miles from Kavala Airport (KVA).

Book your stay in Thassos today, using the TravelSupermarket search tool to get a great deal on your break in the sun.

Find out about the weather in this part of Greece and when you’re likely to find cheap holidays to Thassos...

Thassos enjoys long, hot summers with plenty of blue skies lasting from May to September. Daytime temperatures will often push the mercury over 31C, while summer evenings are also warm. Winter evenings, on the other hand, can be quite chilly.

Thassos sizzles in the summertime and holidaymakers pack the beaches. It’s easy to find good-value package holidays to Thassos throughout the tourism season, though holidays in Thassos taken in May, June and September are likely to be a little cheaper.

Whether you’re looking for Golden Beach holidays, Potos holidays, or breaks in Pefkari or Limenaria, use the TravelSupermarket search tool and compare the best deals.

Join the locals as Thassos turns up the heat during these annual events...

Carnival; January/February: Greeks know how to have a good time, particularly during carnival. Most towns and villages put on a parade with costumes, games, eating, drinking and dancing galore.

Fair of St George; March/April: This ancient tradition may look like a bit of a party, but the dancing is actually a call to the gods to bless the fields of Thassos with rain in April.

Feast of the Virgin Mary; August: It can seem like the whole island turns out to party at this annual celebration staged in the ruins of the theatre at Limenas. The two-day event also involves a variety of breakaway street parties held across the island.

Thassos is a fantastic family destination, though couples, groups and older travellers also enjoy this laidback island in the sun...

Grown-up families: The island of Thassos is home to many fine museums chronicling ancient times. Older children will no doubt wonder at the antiquity.

Active types: Serious walkers will enjoy the workouts offered by the steep hills, not to mention the glorious views.

Shopping: Head for the weekly market at Skala Prinos to find stalls awash with bargains.