Day Trips from Kavala: Thassos Island, Philippi, Drama Wine Region, and Keramoti

Kavala is positioned in eastern Macedonia with an excellent set of day trip options: a major island accessible by ferry, one of the most historically significant Roman sites in Greece, a wine-producing region with good tastings, and a string of beaches along the local coast. Here are the best day trips, with practical details.

Thassos Island

Ferry from Kavala port: 1 hour 20 minutes to Limenas (Thassos Town). Ferries run throughout the day; approximately EUR 12–15 return as of 2026. First departure typically around 7:30am; check current schedules at the port.

Thassos is the northernmost Greek island — a forested, mountainous island covered in olive groves and pine trees, with some of the clearest water in the northern Aegean. Unlike many Greek islands, it is green throughout the year and well-watered.

Limenas (Thassos Town): The main town has ancient ruins integrated into its modern streets: a well-preserved ancient theatre (used for summer performances), the ancient acropolis above the town with polygonal walls, and an archaeological museum with finds from the island spanning the 7th century BCE onwards. The museum entry is approximately EUR 4 as of 2026.

Golden Beach (Chrysi Ammos): 20km south of Limenas — the longest beach on Thassos, with fine sand and clear water. A car hire on the island (available in Limenas, approximately EUR 40–60 per day as of 2026) allows you to reach it within 25 minutes and explore the coast.

Alyki: 32km south of Limenas. A small beach with ancient marble quarries and a Byzantine basilica ruin on the headland — one of the most photogenic spots on the island. Ancient Thassos marble was quarried here from the 7th century BCE.

Practical note for a day trip: The ferry schedule means you typically have 5–6 hours on the island. Hire a scooter or car on arrival in Limenas for maximum flexibility. The island road circuit is about 95km total — doable in a day with stops.

Ancient Philippi

Distance from Kavala: 16km northwest. Approximately 20 minutes by car; local bus from the KTEL station (several per day, approximately EUR 2 each way as of 2026).

Philippi is one of the most layered historical sites in Greece. Founded in 356 BCE by Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great), it became a Roman colony after the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE — the decisive confrontation in which Octavian and Mark Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius, the last Republican conspirators. Then, in approximately 49–50 CE, St Paul visited Philippi and preached the first Christian sermon on European soil — beginning the chain of events that would eventually bring Christianity to Europe.

The site contains: the ancient theatre (one of the best in northern Greece), the Roman forum, a Roman road (via Egnatia), the cell where St Paul was supposedly imprisoned, and the remains of three major early Byzantine basilicas (Basilica A, B, and the octagonal church at the core of the early Christian community here).

Entry: Approximately EUR 8 as of 2026. Open daily approximately 8am–5pm.

Allow 2–3 hours for a thorough visit. The combination of Macedonian, Roman, and early Christian layers makes this one of the more intellectually interesting sites in Greece.

Drama and the Wine Region

Distance from Kavala: 55–60km northwest. Approximately 50 minutes by car.

Drama is a city of about 45,000 people with good access to the wine region that has been producing some of the best white wines in Greece over the past 30 years. The Drama appellation (PGI Drama) covers estates on the slopes below the Falakro and Menikio mountains.

Wineries open for visits:

• Ktima Biblia Chora (near Kavala, at Kokkinohori, 25km from Kavala): One of the most highly regarded wineries in northern Greece. Produce includes Assyrtiko whites and red blends from Cabernet-based varieties. Tastings and tours available; book in advance. Tasting session approximately EUR 15–20 per person as of 2026.
• Costa Lazaridi Estate (near Drama): Large estate producing a wide range of wines under the Oenotria Land label. Visits by appointment.
• Kechri Winery (near Thessaloniki, 150km west): Further afield but worth the detour for its Retsina and sparkling wine production if you are combining a Drama visit with Thessaloniki.

Drama city itself has a pleasant centre and good cafés; it also has a thriving short-film festival in September (Drama International Short Film Festival — one of the oldest in Europe).

Keramoti and Local Beaches

Distance from Kavala: 45km east. Approximately 40 minutes by car.

Keramoti is a small coastal village with a 3km sandy beach and a shorter ferry crossing to Thassos (35 minutes vs 80 minutes from Kavala port). The beach at Keramoti is good for families and generally less crowded than the Kavala city beach. The nearby beaches of Nea Karvali (9km east of Kavala) and Batis (6km east of Kavala) offer similar quality closer to the city.

Amphipolis

Distance from Kavala: 62km west. Approximately 55 minutes by car.

Amphipolis was one of the most strategically important cities of ancient Macedonia — a key crossing point on the Strymon River that controlled the route between Thrace and Macedonia. Thucydides was exiled from Athens for failing to prevent the Spartan general Brasidas from capturing it. Alexander the Great’s generals used it as a capital. The famous Lion of Amphipolis — a reconstructed monumental lion sculpture from the 4th century BCE — stands on the roadside.

In 2012–2014, excavations revealed a large Macedonian tumulus tomb nearby (the Kasta Tomb) — the largest tomb ever found in Greece, with a mosaic floor of extraordinary quality depicting Persephone’s abduction. The site is ongoing; access is limited but the museum in Amphipolis town (free entry) shows finds and a model of the tomb.

---

For what to see in Kavala itself — the Panagia old town, Byzantine aqueduct, and harbour — see our things to do in Kavala guide. For where to eat, see our Kavala restaurants guide.

Book Kavala tours with GetYourGuide. Compare car hire options in Greece — essential for exploring beyond the main towns. Pick up a Greece eSIM before you fly — keeps you connected without roaming charges.

See Also

• Kavala Travel Guide — city overview and base for day trips
• Things to Do in Kavala — attractions within the city
• Best Restaurants in Kavala — where to eat before setting out
• Thessaloniki Travel Guide — the regional hub, 160km west
• Day Trips from Thessaloniki — Vergina, Pella, and Mount Olympus
• Getting Around Greece — transport in eastern Macedonia and Thrace
• Greece Car Rental Guide — essential for reaching the Drama wine region