Greek Thrace, or Western Thrace, is the easternmost part of mainland Greece, between the Nestos and Evros rivers, bordering Bulgaria and Turkey. It joined Greece in 1920. It is home to the Muslim minority recognised by the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, made up of Turkish speakers, Pomaks and Roma, which makes the region unique in Greece: mosques and minarets stand beside churches.
What to see
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| Xanthi | Old town of colourful Ottoman and neoclassical houses, big Saturday market and carnival |
| Komotini | The regional capital, with mosques, an archaeological museum and multicultural life |
| Alexandroupoli | Seaside town with its landmark lighthouse, promenade and port for Samothrace |
| Abdera | The ancient city where Democritus was born |
| Maroneia | Ancient ruins by the sea and a traditional village |
| Evros Delta | Internationally important wetland for migrating birds, with boat trips |
| Dadia forest | Reserve with one of Europe's last colonies of cinereous vultures |
| Rhodope mountains | Pomak villages, forests and rivers; the Nestos valley for rafting and walks |
| Samothrace | Wild island with the Sanctuary of the Great Gods |
Getting there
Alexandroupoli has an airport with flights from Athens and a port for Samothrace and Lemnos. The Egnatia motorway links Thrace with Thessaloniki (about three and a half hours from Alexandroupoli) and the Turkish border. The main crossings into Turkey are in the Evros area; the border zone is guarded and some areas are restricted.
See also Macedonia and the population of Greece.