Why visit the Northern Aegean?

The islands of the Northern Aegean offer an experience rather different to the southern Greek islands. Thassos offers of sandy beaches, forested mountains and minor archeological sites; whereas Samothraki has one of the most dramatic seaward approaches of any Greek island, and one of the more important ancient temple sites in the Aegean. Then there is Limnos with its pretty port town, and the quiet little island of Agios Efstratios.

Map

What is the landscape of the Northern Aegean like?

In the northern Aegean are the four islands of Thasos, Samothraki, Limnos, and Agios Efstratios. The first two are outlying fragments of northeastern Greece. Thasos is a picturesque mountain mass of marble and schist, rising to 1,205 meters (3,453 feet), with steep, fir-clad slopes and a bare crest. There are narrow strips of fertile coastal plain, especially in the northwest. Just twelve kilometres from the mainland, Thassos has long been a popular resort for northern Greeks.

Samothraki (Samothrace) is the most imposing natural feature in this part of the Aegean—with its group of mountains which occupies almost the whole island. The island is chiefly composed of volcanic rock and rises steeply to a rocky peak, 1,611 meters (5,285 feet) in height. The outstanding attraction of the island is Sanctuary of the Great Gods which sits on the north coast of the island with a natural grandeur. It was celebrated throughout Ancient Greece for its Mystery religion

Limnos and Agios Efstratios are the visible fragments of the submarine ridge that runs north-eastwards from the Northern Sporades. The low and rather featureless interior of Limnos is partly offset by the magnificent harbour of Moudros on the south coast. Agios Efstratios is only 20 square miles in area and consists of a low range of wooded hills, divided by well-watered valleys. It has a reputation as the most isolated island in the Aegean, and hence is known mainly as a destination for those seeking peace and quiet.

What is the nature of the Northern Aegean like?

Many of the islands, like Thasos, maintain extensive forest of fir and other trees. Samothraki has valleys of oak and plane trees, thick forests of olive and pine, a density of shrubs, and fields studded with wildflowers. Limnos is gently undulating with little farms and a vibrant display of wildflowers in the spring.

What is the climate of the Northern Aegean like?

The Northern Aegean islands have a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Winters are cool and rainy with occasional snowfall and ground frost, especially in the mountains of Thasos and Samothraki. Summers are hot and mostly dry. Temperatures are a little more moderate than mainland Greece, and sea breezes are common.

Climate data for Limnos
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	10.7 (51.3)	11 (52)	13.1 (55.6)	17.1 (62.8)	22.1 (71.8)	27.2 (81.0)	29.5 (85.1)	29.1 (84.4)	25.3 (77.5)	20.3 (68.5)	15.7 (60.3)	12.3 (54.1)	19.2 (66.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)	7.5 (45.5)	7.9 (46.2)	9.9 (49.8)	13.8 (56.8)	18.4 (65.1)	23.3 (73.9)	25.5 (77.9)	24.6 (76.3)	21.4 (70.5)	16.6 (61.9)	12.3 (54.1)	9.3 (48.7)	15.9 (60.6)
Average low °C (°F)	4.4 (39.9)	4.5 (40.1)	6.2 (43.2)	9 (48)	13 (55)	17.3 (63.1)	20.4 (68.7)	20.7 (69.3)	16.7 (62.1)	12.9 (55.2)	9.1 (48.4)	6.2 (43.2)	11.4 (52.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	72.3 (2.85)	44.1 (1.74)	51.6 (2.03)	32.3 (1.27)	23.3 (0.92)	21.9 (0.86)	10.3 (0.41)	7.5 (0.30)	19.6 (0.77)	35.9 (1.41)	75.4 (2.97)	80.2 (3.16)	474.4 (18.68)
Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service

The official websites

• North Aegean - Visit Greece—Greek National Tourism Organisation