Samothraki Island Things to Do Tips by StefanosS

Fonias beach

For the less adventurous, the riverine forest that is at the mouth of Fonias, full of perennial plane trees and matchwood, as well as its Medieval Tower (one more of the Gattilusi fortifications), is a small but characteristic idea of the beauty that Fonias river has to offer.

Paleopoli

To the north of Chora is Paleopoli, the Archaic and Hellenistic center of the island, where there are still ruins of the ancient city and the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. This is where the Kabeirian Mysteries took place, probably aiming to secure life after death, even though there is no precise information, since the initiated were not allowed to talk about these ceremonies. Unfortunately, the island’s jewel for centuries, the statue of the Victory of Samothraki, is for the last 150 years in the Louvre Museum, a fact that the islanders seem to not have gotten over yet. The Archaeological Museum in Paleopoli which containts findings from excavations on the island, is worth a visit.

You should definitely visit the Sanctuary of the Great Gods (Hiero) at Paleopolis, which is 'hidden' behind dense flora, as well as the museum, located nearby. It keeps a copy of the statue of "Niki of Samothraki" (Victory of Samothraki, winged woman's statue) and other ancient artifacts. A bit further you can see the ruins of another Gattilusi castle (1430 AD).

Tis Ghrias ta Pania

This is a strange geological formation on the rocks, just next to the Kremastos waterfalls. A legent says that a poor old woman hunged out her ragged clothes on the rocks to dry after washing...

Kremastos waterfalls

Kremastos means "Pending". It is a waterfall of 180m height whose waters are discharging all year round directly into the sea. You can access it only by boat. It is difficult to describe it in words. Just look at the photo. They say that in winter the waterfall is much more magnificent.

Vatos beach

Accessible only by boat, to the east of Pachia Ammos, is Vatos, a beach of unique beauty, surrounded by high rocks with caves. There you can find a sandy beach and a ravine with plane trees, coolish waters, "vathres" and waterfalls. At the last 200m before reaching the sea, the waters disappear, continuing underground.

Some people chose to stay there for a night or more, in tents or sleeping bags, after an agreement with the boat. If you stay there for more days, the boat can bring you some necessary things like bread, water, beers etc. During summer, boats come everyday, except in case of stormy weather.

Perhaps Ionas Dragoumis had in mind the enchantment and calmness of these places when he said of Samothraki "In the infinite quietness of this island, it seems you can feel eternity passing by".

Boating around the island

Since roads have not tamed all of the scenery of the island, there are places of almost exotic beauty that you can visit only by boat. The inaccessible area is the south-east part of the island. If you are lucky, boatinng is the only way you can see the few, unfortunately, Mediterranean seals that have found a haven in the sea caves of Samothraki, and the only way to see the most astonishing landscape of the island, Vatos, a beach of unique beauty and the waterfall of Kremastos, that falls straight into the sea from a height of about 180 meters.

Ghria Vathra

From Therma the hiking path begins to peak Fengari, as well as the paved road that leads to Ghria Vathra.

When the residents of Samothraki talk about the "vathres" they mean the small natural pools created by the waterfalls of the mountain streams, which in turn lead to new waterfalls. The 1st "vathra" is the lowest one and counting goes on upwards.

Fonias

The next stop is of course the ravine of Fonias. Also springing from the peak of the mountain and creating many "vathres" and dangerous crossings on its way down, the gorge of Fonias is a challenge for every daring explorer, offering as a reward the dramatic view from the peak. Fonias (=killer) derives its name by its deadly impact on adventurous people exploring its beauties. After heavy rainfalls it flushes water from the mountain unexpectedly and it has killed some people. It is also much steeper and more dangerous than Ghria Vathra.

Climbers need special climbing gear, good shoes and of course experience. Take into account that along the ravines of the island mobil-phones do not have contact with the antennas, due to the morphology of the ground. River water comes from the mountain and is drinkable and of good quality, the only problem is people swimming in the "vathres".

A special municipal effort has started to protect Fonias ravine beauty and keep it clean, as day after day visitors become more and more. There is a low fee of 1 euro to enter the ravine, just for supporting the municipal effort.

Opposite to the entrance of Fonias ravine there is a small cool tavern-canteen for light meals and refrechments.

Christos Monastery ruins

To the east of Ghria Vathra, walking up on the path for less than 1km, you can find the ruins of the Monastery of Christ. It is believed that it was built in the 14th century AD. We know that it had monks until at least 1756. In 1771 it became property of the Iviron Monastry of Athos, as it had a lot of debts and could not manage them. We can see a lot of ancient marbles of Paleopoli built in its walls.

If you continue the road up, in a short distance you can find the Kardelis "vathres" (or vathres of Christos). They are smaller and not well known but equally beautiful and refreshing as Ghria Vathra and Fonias ravine.

Aghia Paraskevi chapel

Between Fonias and Ano Meria, on the beach, there is the nice chapel of Aghia Paraskevi.