As we launch our Green Traveller's Guide to East Macedonia and Thrace, Sarah Baxter selects a range of characterful places to stay in this beautiful part of northern Greece.
Places to stay in East Macedonia and Thrace
Anthemion House, Kavala
Built in the 1920s, this three-story neoclassical townhouse, tucked beneath the arches of the town’s enormous aqueduct, once belonged to a Jewish tobacco merchant. Since 2018 it has been the Anthemion, the dream project of two childhood friends who’ve infused this elegant building with their passion for design, hospitality and sustainability while retaining its character. There are seven rooms, slotted into the house’s original layout, ranging from smart doubles to spacious suites with kitchenettes and balconies – Room 5 sneaks an aqueduct view. The aim is to make guests feel calm and refreshed: think soothing colours, organic products in the stylish bathrooms, anatomic mattresses, and bedside snake plants, which emit oxygen at night and are said to improve sleep. Breakfast is a cornucopia of treats from a local bakery, plus creamy Greek yoghurt, seasonal fruits and homemade jams, served downstairs or in-room – good fuel for exploring Kavala by bike, which are free to borrow. anthemionhouse.com
Hotel Koukouli, Soufli
Hotel Koukouli is woven right into the history of Soufli. Built in 1850, this handsome old red-shuttered stone-and-brick building functioned as a koukoulospito (cocoon house), where the cocoons that were so central to Soufli’s once-thriving silk industry were stored. These days it’s been transformed into a characterful retreat, where Tolis Alexoudis and his family welcome you – possibly with a glass of tsipouro or two – to rest up and explore the largely undiscovered village and surrounding area. There’s a lovely garden with chairs and tables and a large ground-floor cafe-lounge, where you can sink into the sofas and, each morning, tuck info breakfasts of bread, fresh-baked pies, homemade jams, and honey from local hives. Upstairs, across the two upper high-ceilinged storeys (which once housed the silkworm beds), there are now 11 guest rooms, simply decorated, with wooden floors, air-con and basic kitchenettes. koukoulihotel.gr
31 Doors Hotel, Alexandroupoli
A good night’s sleep is virtually guaranteed at 31 Doors. This crisp, clean, modern hotel, opened in 2019 in the port city of Alexandroupolis, doubles up as a store for COCO-MAT, which designs quality, hypoallergenic bedding handmade in northern Greece from all-natural materials. Every room at 31 Doors is equipped with comfy COCO-MAT bed systems, sleep products, furniture, linens, and pillows. The rooms also have restful cool-toned palettes, hushed air-con, powerful showers, and big, wide windows; the doubles and suites at the back are impressively quiet; those at the front face the noisier road but have balconies with views to the sea and the island of Samothraki beyond. A sizeable breakfast buffet – hot options, baked goodies – is served in the basement. The lively waterfront and taverna-lined side streets of central Alexandroupolis are only a five-minute walk away. 31doorshotel.com
Elisso Xenia Hotel, Xanthi
The Elisso Xenia straddles the ‘border’ in Xanthi. This modern hotel looks over the new town, home to the University of Thrace and full of buzzing bars and tavernas. But step into the streets behind and you’re in the heart of old Xanthi, an atmospheric hillside warren of neoclassical mansions and stone houses lining tight-packed streets. The hotel itself is sleek and contemporary: rooms – 20 doubles plus two spacious suites – have all the expected mod-cons, sizeable balconies, king-size beds with quality mattresses and neat bathrooms with aromatic toiletries, fluffy towels, and robes. A basic breakfast is served downstairs in the glass-sided café, while the hotel’s funky wine bar, Apothiki (Warehouse), serves up a seasonal menu of fresh, local-sourced produce, alongside a decent choice of Thracian wines. hotelelisso.gr
Apolithomeno Dasos Villas, Lefkimi
A handful of wood-and-stone cottages, each sleeping up to six, sit at the foot of the Rhodope mountains, within Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park and right by the Petrified Forest – trails lead to the 40-million-year-old fossilised trees from the door. Relax in the lounge, cook in the kitchen or fire up the barbecue, then kick back in the rocking chairs on the porch. apolithomenodasos.com
Forest Inn Ecotourism Hotel, Dadia
This simple guesthouse in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park is a retreat from the modern world. There are 20 rooms, with either garden or mountain views, all fully equipped with modern comforts. There’s also a cafe-bar serving traditional Greek breakfasts and evening pizzas, and an event hall hosting music, art workshops and more. forestinn.eu
Castello Kavala, Kavala
Castello Kavala is in a prime location for exploring the city. There’s a touch of class, both to the attentive service and to each of the ten guest rooms, which are smartly furnished and well-equipped, with private balconies overlooking the centre and the old town. castellokavala.gr/index.php/en
Mansion To Archontiko, Stavroupoli
This mansion in the remote village of Stavroupoli feels like staying in a family home. There are just three bedrooms, all traditionally furnished but with mod-cons too – including WiFi and Jacuzzis – and private sun decks. Breakfast is served in the tree-flanked stone courtyard, with views of the Nestos River. toarchontiko.gr
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The google map below shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby attractions and activities in our Green Traveller's Guide to East Macedonia and Thrace:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
