Xanthi (Greek: Ξάνθη) is in Western Thrace. It's the capital city of Xanthi Prefecture.
The changeful history of Thrace, characterized by attacks by neighboring peoples, catastrophes, ethnic conflicts and civil wars, prevented a normal development of villages into cities. When the Ottomans conquered the region in 1361, they devastated the few settlements and infrastructures that had developed up to that point, settling populations from Asia Minor into the almost deserted region of Thrace. Hence the high proportion of Muslim population in this part of Greece.
- Folk Art Museum, 7, Antika St. The museum is housed in two three-story buildings, built next to each other and dating back to 1860. They were the private residence of two tobacco tradesmen and still have their inside walls decorated by remarkable paintings
- Public Paint Gallery, Orfeus & Pindaro St.
- Old town. Xanthi is famous for its old town with many pubs and restaurants. A walk through the old town combined with pub visits along the streets or in the backyards is a really worthwhile experience. Once a year, in the end of summer, the Old town Festival takes place, with music, food and drinks everywhere along the old streets.
- Monastery of Taxiarchon & Kaliva Castle. The Byzantine castle ruins are uphill of the Taxiarchon monastery. The drive on the dirt track is worthwhile because of a small chapel on the hill, above the ruins. The view of the surroundings is more beautiful than the ruins itself.
- Monastery of Panagia Archaggeliotissa.
- Monastery Panagia Kalamou.
- House of Shadow. Very worth seeing art museum, in which the shadow cast of the exhibited objects creates fascinating impressions.
- Rock chapel of St. Georg. Interesting chapel at the end of the trail along the river.
Outside the city:
- Thracian Meteora. Rock formation at Iasmos, which reminds of the well-known Meteora near Kalambaka.
Folk Art Museum, 7, Antika St. The museum is housed in two three-story buildings, built next to each other and dating back to 1860. They were the private residence of two tobacco tradesmen and still have their inside walls decorated by remarkable paintings
Public Paint Gallery, Orfeus & Pindaro St.
Old town. Xanthi is famous for its old town with many pubs and restaurants. A walk through the old town combined with pub visits along the streets or in the backyards is a really worthwhile experience. Once a year, in the end of summer, the Old town Festival takes place, with music, food and drinks everywhere along the old streets.
Monastery of Taxiarchon & Kaliva Castle. The Byzantine castle ruins are uphill of the Taxiarchon monastery. The drive on the dirt track is worthwhile because of a small chapel on the hill, above the ruins. The view of the surroundings is more beautiful than the ruins itself.
Monastery of Panagia Archaggeliotissa.
Monastery Panagia Kalamou.
House of Shadow. Very worth seeing art museum, in which the shadow cast of the exhibited objects creates fascinating impressions.
Rock chapel of St. Georg. Interesting chapel at the end of the trail along the river.
Thracian Meteora. Rock formation at Iasmos, which reminds of the well-known Meteora near Kalambaka.
- Walk along the river. next to the pedestrian bridge, which connects the old town with the district to the east of it, begins the approximately 500 m long promenade and plant path called "Monopati tis zois". Plants are labeled in Greek. The path leads along the river through beautiful countryside.
- Carnival of Xanthi. A two-week-long event held every year since 1966. It features a vast array of concerts, dance, drama and visual arts. The parade and the traditional puppet burning takes place to end the carnival event.
- Old town festival. In the first week of September, the Old Town Festival takes place with a lot of music, dance performances, food and drink.
Walk along the river. next to the pedestrian bridge, which connects the old town with the district to the east of it, begins the approximately 500 m long promenade and plant path called "Monopati tis zois". Plants are labeled in Greek. The path leads along the river through beautiful countryside.
Carnival of Xanthi. A two-week-long event held every year since 1966. It features a vast array of concerts, dance, drama and visual arts. The parade and the traditional puppet burning takes place to end the carnival event.
Old town festival. In the first week of September, the Old Town Festival takes place with a lot of music, dance performances, food and drink.
- Kariokes - A tasty praline with walnuts and chocolate, one of Xanthi's specialties, which can be found in all the sweets shops around the old town.
Kariokes - A tasty praline with walnuts and chocolate, one of Xanthi's specialties, which can be found in all the sweets shops around the old town.
- Fanarakia tavern, Georgiou Stavrou 18 (1 minute walk from the central square of the city, +30 25410 73606. Traditional tavern since 1948
- Xanthippi, 1st km Xanthis-Stavroupolis (northern part of the city. Xanthippi is a modern restaurant with traditional flavours from Greece and the Balkans. It offers a spectacular view of the city and the valley of Xanthi.
- Palia Poli.
- To Vareli.
- O Kipos. Nice seats in the shade of tall trees
- Melathron. In the summer with beautiful seating under tall trees
- Taverna Kottani. Exceptional local cuisine in a 200 year old traditional house in the Rhodope Mountains. Worth the very arduous approach
- To Pilima. popular restaurant destination in beautiful surroundings about 10 km north of Xanthi
Fanarakia tavern, Georgiou Stavrou 18 (1 minute walk from the central square of the city, +30 25410 73606. Traditional tavern since 1948
Xanthippi, 1st km Xanthis-Stavroupolis (northern part of the city. Xanthippi is a modern restaurant with traditional flavours from Greece and the Balkans. It offers a spectacular view of the city and the valley of Xanthi.
Palia Poli.
To Vareli.
O Kipos. Nice seats in the shade of tall trees
Melathron. In the summer with beautiful seating under tall trees
Taverna Kottani. Exceptional local cuisine in a 200 year old traditional house in the Rhodope Mountains. Worth the very arduous approach
To Pilima. popular restaurant destination in beautiful surroundings about 10 km north of Xanthi
Because of the relatively high proportion of young people through the university, Xanthi has a good nightlife relative to its size. In and around the old town is the center of the nightlife. Many very nice bars are either directly in the streets or in backyards.
Most pubs and restaurants in the old town have free WIFI
- Nestos: natural reserve area of special beauty in landscape, and archaeological site such as Abdera.
- The villages and ancient ruins, such as Anastasiopolis (Peritheorion), around lake Vistonida
- Stavroupoli - Traditional village set on a scenic valley among forests and waterfalls. Some 30 km northwest of Xanthi by scenic Drama road or by train and gate to the Rhodope Mountains
- Kavala: one of the most beautiful towns of Greece
- Komotini: provincial town with strong influence of Muslim architecture
- Alexandroupolis: Harbour town with ferries to Samothrace Island