Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Administrative region in northeastern Greece.
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is an administrative region in northeastern Greece that spans mainland areas, the islands of Thasos and Samothrace, and several mountain ranges. The territory stretches along the northern border and combines coastal landscapes with mountainous terrain and scattered settlements.
The region was once part of the Macedonian Kingdom under Philip II in the 4th century BC and later fell under Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule before joining Greece in the early 20th century. This succession of empires left layers of influence that shaped settlement patterns and local governance.
Muslim communities, including Pomaks and Western Thrace Turks, have lived here since the 1923 population exchange and continue to shape local life today. You can see mosques, hear different languages, and find food traditions reflecting this long-standing presence in villages and towns.
Kavala and Alexandroupoli airports connect the region, with additional access through national trains and KTEL buses linking towns and villages. The best time to visit is May through October, when weather is stable and services run regularly.
The ancient Via Egnatia, a Roman trade route, crossed through the territory and its path still shapes modern roads and settlement patterns here. This 2000-year-old route once connected Rome with the East, and you can still trace its influence on how communities and transport are organized today.
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