Samothraki · Beaches

The beaches of Samothraki

Samothraki is not a beach island in the usual way. The mountain drops steeply into the sea on almost every side, so most of the shore is grey pebble and deep, clear, cool water, and there are only a handful of sandy bays. What it has instead is fresh water: rivers that run down from Mount Saos through plane forest and fall into the vathres, the cold rock pools that are the island's real swimming holes. When the north wind blows, the south coast is calmer; much of it has no road and is best seen from a boat.

Our favourites

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SandEasy-going

Pachia Ammos

The island's one long sandy beach, its name means 'thick sand': a wide bay of golden sand and clear water at the end of the road through Lakoma, with cliffs at both ends and the little chapel of Panagia Krimniotissa on its rock above.

Families
Swimming
Shallow water
Sunset

Paved road from Lakoma, about half an hour's drive from Kamariotissa; summer buses

There is one taverna and beach bar on the sand. Bring an umbrella for the rest of the bay, and drive up to the chapel at Krimniotissa for the sunset and dinner on the way home.

The south-westStay in Lakoma

PebblesWild

Kipos

A long beach of big grey and black pebbles at the far eastern end of the island, where the north-coast road runs out. The water is deep and very clear, the cliffs of Mount Saos rise straight behind, and on a clear day the island of Imbros looks close enough to swim to.

Quiet
Snorkelling
Sunrise
Swimming

End of the north-coast road east of Therma and Fonias, about 45 minutes from Kamariotissa

There is a small chapel and a summer beach bar but little shade. It takes the full force of the wind, so pick a calm day, and wear water shoes for the pebbles.

Ano Meria & the east

Pick your kind of day

Every other beach worth the drive

Organised: Sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Easy with children.
Easy-going: A taverna or a few umbrellas, plenty of room for your towel.
Wild: Nothing but the sea. Bring water, shade and snacks.

Sand & pebblesWild

Vatos

A small cove of sand and pebbles between high cliffs on the empty south-east coast, with turquoise water and a stream that comes down to the shore. There is no road and no building, which makes it the beach most people dream of when they think of Samothraki.

Quiet
Snorkelling
Swimming

In practice by boat: day trips in summer from Kamariotissa and Pachia Ammos. A long, rough path along the coast exists but takes hours and needs a good map.

Most boat trips stop at the Kremasto waterfall on the way. Bring everything you need for the day, including shade, and take every bit of rubbish back with you.

The south-west

A waterfall and rock pool in the Fonias gorge on Samothraki

RocksWild

Fonias vathres

Not a beach but the island's most famous swim: the Fonias river falls through a gorge of plane trees into a series of deep, cold pools. The first waterfall and its round green pool are an easy walk from the bridge on the coast road; further up, the path gets steep and rough and the pools get wilder.

Fresh water
Hiking
Families

Marked path from the Fonias bridge, east of Therma, about 15–20 minutes to the first waterfall

The water is cold even in August. Go in the morning or late afternoon, wear shoes with grip, and stay out of the gorge after rain, when the river rises fast. The name means 'the killer', for a reason.

Therma & the forest

A waterfall falling into a turquoise rock pool on Samothraki

RocksEasy-going

Gria Vathra

A chain of small waterfalls and green rock pools in the plane forest just above Therma, the easiest vathres to reach on the island. You can climb from one pool to the next over smooth rock, and the tavernas of the road up are a few minutes away.

Fresh water
Families
Shade

Short walk on a path from the end of the road above Therma

Come early in summer, when the lower pools fill up by noon. Walk up a little further for quieter water.

Therma & the forestStay in Therma

PebblesOrganised

Therma beach

The busiest stretch of the north coast: a pebble shore below the village of Therma, next to its little harbour, with beach bars, umbrellas, fish tavernas and the hot springs a short walk up the hill.

Swimming
Beach bars
Hot springs nearby

Road along the north coast, a few minutes' walk from the village

Swim in the sea in the afternoon, then walk up to the hot springs as the light goes.

Therma & the forestStay in Therma

PebblesWild

Fonias beach

Smooth white and grey pebbles and deep blue water where the Fonias river runs into the sea, beside the medieval Fonias tower. A good place to cool off in salt water after the walk to the waterfalls.

Quiet
Swimming
History

From the Fonias bridge on the coast road, east of Therma, a short walk down

Eat at the taverna by the bridge before you start the gorge walk, then swim here on the way back.

Therma & the forest

PebblesEasy-going

Makrylies

A pebble beach on the sheltered south-west coast below the slopes of olive trees, with clear water and part of it organised with a beach bar, sunbeds and water sports. The calmer choice when the north coast is rough.

Swimming
Families
Water sports

Road south from Kamariotissa towards Lakoma, about 15 minutes

The south-westStay in Lakoma

Sand & pebblesWild

Lakoma beach

A long, empty shore of sand and pebbles below the village of Lakoma, with room to spread out and almost nobody on it outside August. There is a fish taverna by the sea.

Quiet
Long walks
Swimming

Short road down from Lakoma on the way to Pachia Ammos

Bring your own shade. On the way back up, stop at Stavroula's in the village for mezedes.

The south-westStay in Lakoma

Wind and sea change by the day. On windy days swim on the sheltered side of the island, and watch for red flags.

Wake up near the water

Find a room a short walk from Samothraki's best beaches.

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