Getting from Athens to Samothrace

If you are heading to Samothrace from Athens you are going to one of the wildest and most remote islands in Greece. Samothrace rises dramatically from the northern Aegean close to the Turkish and Bulgarian borders, with Mount Fengari at its centre, the highest peak on any Greek island and visible from Troy according to Homer. The island has waterfalls, rock pools fed by mountain streams, ancient plane forests and some of the most extraordinary ancient ruins in the Greek world at the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, where the Winged Victory of Samothrace was discovered in 1863 before ending up in the Louvre. It draws a particular kind of traveller, people who want remoteness, hiking and genuine wilderness rather than beaches and sunsets.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Athens to Samothrace. The only ferry connection to Samothrace departs from Alexandroupoli, a port city in Thrace on the northeastern mainland, with daily crossings in summer taking around 1 hour 45 minutes. There is also a summer connection via Kavala and Limnos but the Alexandroupoli crossing is the most direct and practical.

Getting there by air

Samothrace has no airport. The nearest airport is Alexandroupoli, which has daily connections from Athens taking around 1 hour 15 minutes. From Alexandroupoli Airport a taxi to the ferry port takes around 15 minutes. Total travel time from Athens is around 3 to 4 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Alexandroupoli and take the ferry across to Samothrace. It is the fastest and most practical approach. Check the ferry schedule from Alexandroupoli before booking your flights and build your arrival around the afternoon departure. Samothrace rewards at least three or four nights. Bring good walking shoes and come prepared as facilities on the island are limited.