Xanthi

The Old Town of Xanthi

The noble lady of Thrace!

The town is built amphitheatrically at the foot of the Rhodope mountain range. The Kosynthos River divides Xanthi into two parts: the western part, which encompasses the Old Town and the New Town, and the eastern part, with the "Samakov" quarter and the stadium area.

The Old Town of Xanthi was designated a traditional settlement in 1976 and is one of the best-preserved architectural ensembles in all of Macedonia and Thrace. Cobbled lanes and traditional houses, historic neoclassical buildings and small gardens transport you to another era. Many mansions and notable houses of tobacco merchants, as well as workers' houses, survive to this day.

Major sights include the Folklore Museum, built in 1870, which belonged to the Kougioumtzoglou family; the old Town Hall of Xanthi; the Municipal Art Gallery; the house where the great Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis was born and spent his early years; the Metropolitan Mansion on Mitropoleos Square; and the Stalios mansion, which today houses the local kindergarten.

Once you have explored and wandered through the narrow streets of the Old Town, you can enjoy your coffee and a meal in the modern town, which is bursting with life. You should know that you will need several days to see all the sights and beauties of the area, and you certainly won't regret choosing it for your trip. If you happen to be here in September, you will also have the chance to experience the Old Town Festival.

Natural environment

The town of Xanthi is one of the few in Greece fortunate enough to be surrounded by such a beautiful and varied natural environment, with small but lovely peaks so close to the town centre. In addition, the many old and new trails that start from the town make it possible to enjoy outdoor activities in this setting without needing a car.

In less than an hour along the provincial road network we can reach the Rhodope Mountain Range National Park, with the Drymos (Haidou) forest, the Leivaditis waterfall, the forest village of Erymanthos, the highest peak in Thrace and many more impressive sights in the area!

The Nestos with its delta and its gorge and Lake Vistonida are landscapes of unparalleled natural beauty and important ecosystems with rich flora and fauna.

Adventure lovers can choose from a wealth of activities, sending their adrenaline sky-high if they wish. Hiking, cycling, climbing, canoe-kayak and birdwatching are some of the activities one can enjoy in the town of Xanthi and the wider area of the Nestos, Vistonida or Leivaditis.

If you love tradition, nature, good food and entertainment, Xanthi is the destination that will meet all your expectations