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Xanthi

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City
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Xanthi (Greece)
ℹ️

Practical info — Xanthi

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Walk through the Old Town's narrow, winding streets in the morning to admire the restored tobacco mansions without the crowds.
  • If visiting on a Saturday, the weekly bazaar is a must-see for local color and bargains.
  • Try the famous local syrupy sweets like kariokes.
  • The path up to the Panagia Archaggeliotissa monastery gives a great hike and rewarding views of the city.
  • Parking in the Old Town is nearly impossible; leave your car in the newer part of town.

🍽 Food

🍽
Kariokes and syrupy sweets

Extremely popular chocolate-covered walnut cakes; available at prominent confectioneries in the center.

🍽
Souvlaki and Kebab

Find authentic places combining Greek and Eastern flavors around the central square or market area.

🍽
Saragli and baklava

Traditional pastry shops throughout the town offer these, influenced by the local multicultural heritage.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Saturday Bazaar

An enormous outdoor market offering spices, fresh produce, and clothing.

🛍
Old Town artisanal shops

Find handmade crafts, local sweets, and souvenirs in the cobblestone alleys.

🧘
Kosynthos riverside

Walking paths along the Kosynthos river, especially peaceful in the afternoon.

🧘
Monasteries area

The hills just above the city offer profound silence and nature.

🧘
Municipal Park

A green oasis right in the newer city, good for a short break.

Highlights of 2026

2

Xanthi is a historically significant city in northern Greece and the capital of the Xanthi regional unit in Western Thrace. The city experienced a golden age in the 19th century as a premier center for the tobacco trade, a legacy still visible in the magnificent architecture of its old town. Known as Palaia Poli, the old town is a protected landmark area featuring cobblestone alleys and a unique blend of Ottoman villas and neoclassical mansions. Geographically, Xanthi is situated at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains and is bisected by the Kosynthos River, which separates the historical quarters from the modern urban areas. Culturally, the city is famous for its annual Carnival and the Old Town Festival, which are among the most significant cultural events in Greece. It is also home to several departments of the Democritus University of Thrace, contributing to a lively student atmosphere. Today, Xanthi remains an important commercial hub characterized by its multicultural identity and the peaceful coexistence of different religious communities.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C56913182326262116116
Rain mm685253414945291845565974

Live webcam – Xanthi

See what it looks like near Xanthi right now.

Xanthi › North · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
48,221
Coordinates
41.13490, 24.88800

Facts

  • Xanthi is widely known as the 'City of a Thousand Colors' due to its cultural diversity.
  • The Old Town was officially declared a protected landmark area in 1976.
  • The Xanthi Carnival is one of the largest and most prestigious festivals in Greece.
  • During the 19th century, Xanthi's tobacco was considered among the finest in Europe.
  • The landmark clock tower in the central square was constructed in 1870.
  • The Folklore Museum is located in a mansion built in 1860, originally owned by a wealthy tobacco merchant.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Xanthi (8)

Ethnographic Museum of Xanthi🏛 museum

A museum in Xanthi presenting the traditional life and architecture of Thrace.

Xanthi Castle🏰 castle

The ruins of a medieval fortress offering panoramic views over the city of Xanthi.

Fortress of Avgo🏰 castle

A historic fortification near Xanthi dating back to the Byzantine period.

Cultural Center of the Municipality of Xanthi🎭 culture

A cultural hub in the city of Xanthi that hosts various local arts and events.

Mousafer Bey Konak📍 landmark

A significant historic building and attraction located in the city of Xanthi.

Archontiko Kougioumtzoglou🏰 castle

This historic manor in Xanthi now serves as an insightful museum detailing the local history and culture of Greece.

Kouyoumtzoglou-Kaloudi manor

The Kouyoumtzoglou-Kaloudi manor is a beautifully preserved historic architectural attraction in the old town of Xanthi.

Residences of the Michaloglou family

The elegant historic residences of the Michaloglou family are an important architectural attraction in Xanthi.

Frequently asked questions

Why visit Xanthi?
For its beautiful Old Town and the famous Carnival.
What is special about the Old Town?
The blend of Ottoman architecture and neoclassical mansions.
Are there any markets?
The Saturday market is one of the largest and most colourful in Thrace.
What natural sights are there?
The Nestos Valley provides spectacular landscapes for hiking and rafting.
What sweets should I try?
Kariokas and Saragli are famous local sweet treats.
Xanthi: where is it located?
Xanthi is located in Greece.
Xanthi: what is there to see?
Highlights include Ethnographic Museum of Xanthi, Xanthi Castle, Fortress of Avgo.
Xanthi: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Xanthi: why is it worth visiting?
Xanthi is a historically significant city in northern Greece and the capital of the Xanthi regional unit in Western Thrace.
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