Getting from Santorini to Samothrace

Samothrace is one of the wildest and most remote islands in Greece, rising dramatically from the northern Aegean close to the Turkish and Bulgarian borders. The mountain at its centre, Mount Fengari, is 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 Santorini to Samothrace. The only ferry connection to Samothrace departs from Alexandroupoli, a port city in Thrace on the northeastern mainland, with Fast Ferries running daily crossings in summer taking around 1 hour 45 minutes. Getting to Alexandroupoli from Santorini means going through Athens first. There is also a summer connection via Limnos but the total journey by this route takes the better part of a day.

What about flying?

Samothrace has no airport. The closest airport is Alexandroupoli, which has domestic connections from Athens. The journey from Santorini goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Alexandroupoli, followed by the ferry to Samothrace taking 1 hour 45 minutes. Total travel time is around 6 to 7 hours. It is worth knowing that in Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights. Almost all island to island travel goes through Athens.

Your best option

Fly to Alexandroupoli via Athens and take the ferry across to Samothrace. It is the most time efficient 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.