Description
East meets west, river meets sea
Walking by the relaxed fish tavernas and cafés on the promenade of this peaceful city with its historical buildings and Balkan air, you wouldn’t think that Alexandroupoli was involved in so many wars and had changed hands so many times among Greeks, Ottomans and Bulgarians. The city’s lighthouse is its symbol, and you can’t miss it. For a deeper understanding of this place, you can enjoy it’s several small museums, starting with the Ethnological Museum of Thrace that unveils three centuries of history in this strategic city and the Historical Museum of Alexandroupolis with its impressive collection of paintings.
Beyond the city limits, the Evros Delta where the Evros River pours into the sea will captivate outdoor types. Fresh water mixes with saltwater to create wondrous wetlands that are home to numerous birds, sea life species, mammals and amphibians. The thermal baths of Evros at Trajanopolis have been offering Zen-like relaxation and healing powers for centuries, so are definitely good to visit. Further away but also worth exploring is the Dadia Forest reserve where hikers and birdwatchers spend many hours enjoying the nature. Lastly, if you feel like exploring more, take a ferryboat from the port to Alexandroupoli to the island of Samothraki and you’ll be charmed by a totally wild landscape and scene, where modern hippie-style explorers and backpackers mingle with nature-loving German families and young Greeks to create a laid-back, often party-like atmosphere.
