Getting from Santorini to Thassos

Thassos is the northernmost island in Greece and one of the greenest, covered in pine and plane forests that run almost to the water's edge and give it a completely different look from anything in the Aegean south. The island has marble quarries that have been worked since antiquity, a well-preserved ancient agora and theatre in the main town, and beaches that range from long sandy stretches on the east coast to sheltered coves in the south. It sits just off the coast of Macedonia near Kavala and feels more like a northern Mediterranean island than anything in the Cyclades. Most of its visitors are Greeks, Bulgarians and Serbians, which tells you something about how little it features on the international circuit.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Thassos from anywhere in the Aegean island network. Thassos is accessible only by short ferry from Kavala or Keramoti on the northern mainland coast, with crossings taking around 30 to 45 minutes and running almost hourly in summer. Getting from Santorini means reaching Kavala first. Note that Thassos ferry tickets cannot be booked online and must be bought at the port on the day.

What about flying?

Thassos has no airport. The nearest airport is Kavala, around 30 kilometres from the ferry port, which has connections from Athens. The journey from Santorini goes Santorini to Athens and then Athens to Kavala, followed by a taxi or bus to the ferry port and the short crossing to Thassos. Total travel time is around 5 to 6 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 Kavala via Athens and take the ferry across to Thassos. The Kavala to Thassos crossing is one of the most frequent and effortless short hops in Greece and you rarely need to wait more than an hour for the next boat.