The north coast beaches of Samothraki, from Kamariotissa to Kipos

Samothraki’s north coast runs for about twenty kilometres from the port of Kamariotissa to Kipos, where the road ends. Its beaches are pebbles and stones rather than sand, with clear water that deepens fast, and many have the mountain rising straight behind them. Here they are from west to east. Bring water shoes for all of them.

Limnidi and Kymata

A few minutes east of the port, the shore at Limnidi has a beach bar, Limnidi. About 5 km from Kamariotissa, in the Katsambas area, the beach in front of the Kymata guesthouse is the most organised on this stretch: sunbeds, umbrellas and a few kayaks, sand brought in every year over the pebbles, a large car park, a playground and the guesthouse’s beach taverna. Sunbeds can also sometimes be found in front of the Samothraki Village hotel nearby.

Palaiopoli

At Palaiopoli, 6 to 7 km from the port, a long, wild pebble beach stretches below the ancient city. In antiquity this cove was the island’s harbour, sheltered and close to the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. The wind blows harder here, and fishermen are often on the shore. Towards the eastern end, past the remains of an old pier, cliffs rise under the ruined Gattilusi towers. By the road, locals swear by a spring with some of the best water on the island, and Delfinia serves fish by the sea.

Kato Kariotes

Further east, the coast at Kato Kariotes has Vasilikos, a taverna with its tables near the waves, an easy lunch stop between swims.

Therma

Therma beach, 13 km from the port and 700 m below the village, is long, wide and covered in stones and gravel, with forest on one side and Mount Saos behind. In July and August it is organised, with sunbeds and reed umbrellas, showers and changing cabins, and Saoki, the island’s first beach bar, opened here in 1997. The small harbour next to it is where boat trips around the island leave; by its car park stands Panagouda, a little white chapel built by a sea captain in 1958. The end of the beach by the forest is popular with naturists. From here the first pools of Gria Vathra are less than an hour away, so you can swim in the sea and in mountain water on the same afternoon.

Fonias to Kipos

East of Therma the road follows the shore past Fonias beach at the mouth of the gorge, with the medieval Fonias Tower and the walk to the Fonias waterfalls. Further on, the chapel of Agia Paraskevi has a cove of its own, and the road finally ends at Kipos, a long beach of dark stones at the island’s eastern tip, with Garden beach bar for shade and food.