Car & Van Hire - Thassos

Thassos has a rich history. Colonised by the Phoenicians and Hellenised in the 7th century BC, Thassos has many ancient ruins and landmarks to explore. Some of this surviving history is maintained at the island's Archaeological Museum, situated just moments from the harbour. Next door, you'll find the Ancient Agora of Thasos. The Roman-era ruins were once the political and administrative centre of Thassos.

Thassos Town itself contains many of the island's best ruins. These include the captivating Acropolis of Thassos. Situated on a hillside overlooking the capital, the Acropolis is accessible via a path from the Agora, which includes ancient carved steps. An ancient theatre can also be found and still hosts performances during the summer season. Sunsets and sunrises, in particular, are magical from the cliffs nearby.

Thassos' dining scene offers a delicious blend of both local and Greek staples, as well as typical international grill options. Most restaurants are found along the harbourfront and downtown, especially along 18is Oktovriou. Look out for delicious dishes like Pitarakia, a golden pastry stuffed with cheese, and Tatarka, a rich stew of vegetables and herbs. Seafood and fish are plentiful, with recommended dishes including Kolios Gouna, a mouth-watering smoked mackerel dish.

Inland from Thassos, the villages of Panagia and Potamia offer a number of sites of note. These include the Sotirelis Olive Oil Museum, an olive oil producer with excellent displays to explain the process, and the Polygnotos Vagis Museum. The latter offers an exceptional collection of the renowned artist's sculptures. Be sure to explore the Church of the Kimisis tou Theotokou, too, with its colourful interior murals. Both villages are also exceptionally photogenic and within 15 minutes from Thannos' centre by car.

Car or van hire in Thassos grants easy access to the island's more rural gems. It takes under an hour to drive the entire length of the country by coast, allowing access to spectacular sites on the south coast. These include the alluring Archaeological Site of Alyki, the island's best-preserved and most photogenic ruins. Further west, Limenaria's Metalia Beach is considered the best on the island. It is quiet, beautiful and sheltered and is flanked by the enigmatic ruins of an old mining factory.

A car is the most convenient means of traversing Thassos. The island is encircled by a road that allows travel to each of its coastal villages. Inland travel is a bit more difficult, with less well-maintained roads and winding, hilly paths in and around Mount Ipsarion. Ideally, you can circle the island in as little as two hours, making round trips worth it from a base in Thassos Town.

Some attractions are accessible "off-road". These consist of unpaved, gravel roads that are recommended for jeeps only. If you are not hiring an adequate 4x4 vehicle, it's always best to park appropriately and walk to the destination to avoid damaging the car. Sites that require such access include Marble Beach, Giola and Ipsarion. Remember, in Thassos and the rest of Greece, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Speed limits in Thassos Town are strictly 50 k/ph, although it's recommended to drive slower due to pedestrian activity. Once you reach rural roads, speed limits increase to 90 k/ph. There are no motorways on Thassos, which consists of two to single-lane roads. Some villages also enforce limited 30 km/h areas, so always abide by signposted limits and be careful of oncoming traffic around single-lane bends.

Parking in Thassos can be tricky. While Thassos Town has ample on-street parking and designated lots, these can become crowded during the peak summer months. A large car park can be found at the marina for easy access to the town centre. Free on-street parking can also be found. Ensure you're parking considerably and not blocking main or private road access. Police do routinely ticket and remove vehicles that are improperly parked.

As with the rest of Greece, seatbelts are mandatory when driving in Thassos. Children and infants must also be properly seated with boosters and belts. Young children are not allowed to be seated in front of a vehicle. Failure to follow these rules will result in a fine if caught. It's worth noting that Thassos' population is small and that most fellow drivers will likely be tourists during high season.

Most visitors pick up their car hire in Thassos after arriving by ferry. As Thassos Town is walkable, this can be done at any time during your stay. Rental cars allow for easy access to the island's less central beaches, hiking points and picture-postcard mountain villages.