An abundance of unique and delicious products, wonderful flavors, and excellent wines await visitors in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The rich flora and fauna, beautiful natural landscapes, and the crystal clear sea of the region make it a great destination for foodies and wine enthusiasts.

Among the high quality products of the region, the delicious ‘throubes’ olives and olive oil of the island of Thassos should not be missed. With a Protective Designation of Origin qualification, throubes are one of the most famous types of natural black olives. Thassos’ exquisite extra virgin olive oil is also well-known for its quality even beyond the borders of the homeland.

Thassos is also known for one of the most famous honey varieties of Greece, pine tree honey.

‘Ifkadia’ is a pasta from Thrace similar to the Italian pappardelle pasta and the Greek ‘hilopita’, pasta which can be used in a variety of dishes.

Kasseri cheese produced in Xanthi and the surrounding area is a traditional favorite.

Though couscous came to Greece via North Africa, this pasta made from semolina wheat flour and water is used in a variety of dishes in Thrace including salads and side dishes.

‘Oumats’ or ‘triftaria’, a type of pasta from Thrace, is used in soups.

The city of Xanthi is known for its variety of sweets with syrup including saragli – a rolled type of baklava, touloumbes – a fried dough dessert like churros, and galaktoboureko rolls.

The city of Drama is known for its cured meats and special sausages that draw foodies from miles around. Fresh trout can also be enjoyed at the Kefalari Springs, located next to Drama. Potatoes and beans of the Lower Nevrokopi, the northwest section of Drama, are also well-known for their flavor and quality.

Among the sweet treats to enjoy in Drama is halvah flavored with mastic.

The truly exceptional wines of Drama are also not to be missed. Viticulture goes back thousands of years in the area. According to Greek myth, it was introduced by the god of wine himself, Dionysus, and archaeological finds, including a temple dedicated to the god was excavated and dates back to 400 BC. The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Drama zone was established in 1995 and in the past 20 years the region has become one of the most important winemaking regions of Greece, producing wines that are celebrated and enjoyed all over Europe and in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and China. Local and international grape varieties thrive in the microclimate of the region which has produced many award-winning wines. Varieties include Assyrtiko, Roditis, Malagousia, Muscat of Alexandria, Robola, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Semillion, Trebbiano, Viognier, Agiorgitiko, Lemnio, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Refosco, Syrah, and Tempranillo.

Wine enthusiasts can enjoy the wine-tasting route through the region  which is known as one of the great wine routes of Greece. Wine tasters can enjoy Maroneia wine as they pass through Komotini and Rhodope where Maroneia extra virgin olive oil is also well-known for its great taste and international distinctions.

Soutzouk Loukoum from Komotini is a famous confection which looks like a sausage, hence the name ‘soutzouk’ from the Turkish word for sausage. Usually made with grape must and nuts, it is also available in a variety of flavors as well.

Komotini is also known for its high quality nuts, tahini, and traditional Greek coffee. Roasted chickpeas, almonds, and hazelnuts are just a few of the specialties to try.

The smooth and high quality tsipouro from the Iasmos area of Rhodope in Thrace is another potent potable to be enjoyed along with small plates of food such as olives, cheeses, or cured meats.

The region of Evros produces a traditional and special extra virgin olive oil of exquisite quality that is a ‘must taste’ when visiting the area.

Souflion sausages originated in the region of Evros and are known for their delicious, intense flavor and rich aroma when roasted on the grill or in the oven.

Among the traditional recipes of the region, ‘Gouna’ mackerel is a unique dried or sun-dried fish dish of Eastern Macedonia and especially in the city of Kavala. ‘Gouna’ is the Greek word for ‘fur’ and though various fish can be used in the recipe for ‘Gouna’, mackerel is the preferred fish for the recipe. Another traditional seafood favorite from Kavala is anchovies wrapped in vine leaves, capturing the essence of summer in the freshness of the sea and the local vine leaves.

‘Lachania’ from Evros is a spicy recipe from the region which features lamb or veal cooked with lettuce, small tomatoes, and hot red pepper.

Praousti is a type of fruit similar to a plum that thrives on the island of Samothrace, where it is made into a delicious spoon sweet traditionally served to visitors.

The Wine Route of Dionysus

For those interested in wine-tasting and history, the Wine Route of Dionysus starts from Mount Pangeon and the wineries of Kokkinohori at the Municipality of Orfanos, which are open to visitors. Moving on through the many vineyards of Kavala and Mikrohori, the next stop is the wineries open to visitors in the city of Drama. Surrounded by organized vineyards, wine enthusiasts can take a tour of the production areas, the wine cellars and the tasting rooms to enjoy tasting award-winning wines. Onwards to Mount Falakro and the wineries of Kokkinogia at the Municipality of Prosotsani, the route continues. About 11 km outside of Drama, visitors can tour the historic town of Adriani, renowned for its excellent local wines and tsipouro. Down to the Thracian Sea, the route leads to Thrace and Avdira, where, apart from the wineries, visitors can tour the traditional settlement, the ancient city, and the archaeological and folklore museum.

In Thrace, the route passes through Xanthi with its impressively preserved Old Town, and Vistonida, the vast lagoon famous around the world for its rich bird life. After a stop at the picturesque Porto Lagos, the route reaches the center of Thrace, Komotini and Maronia, Homer’s birthplace of wine, with charming old houses nestling by Mount Ismaros. The ancient wine tradition lives on among the more recently planted vineyards, where Greek varieties like Roditis, Assyrtiko, Agiorgitiko, Malagouzia and the local Moscato Alexandrias, are produced, along with international varieties of white, rose, and red wines, as well as sweet wines, aperitifs or dessert wines, and semi-sweet wines that pair well with fish and seafood. Many distilleries produce tsipouro and ouzo of great quality. Tsipouro of the Georgina variety, with its characteristic strawberry flavor is produced in Thassos, while Samothrace also produces its own tsipouro.

The Wine Route of Dionysus ends at the vineyards of Alexandroupolis and the distilleries of Soufli.