At the edge of Xanthi’s Old Town, the Path of Life brings together the city, forest and flowing waters of the Kosynthos. The path lies close to the historic centre and is considered a special place for walking and relaxation. According to the municipal authorities, access may be temporarily restricted during periods of increased fire risk; check whether this currently applies before visiting.
Routes between the Old Town and nature
The Cultural and Folklore Route passes through Xanthi’s Old Town. It is about 2 km long, takes approximately 60 minutes and is described as moderately difficult. The route leads to buildings and places associated with cultural and artistic activities, as well as squares where folkloric customs connected with religious ceremonies continue to be observed. Cultural sites and traditional customs are therefore at the heart of this route, while the forest and river form part of the setting described for the Path of Life. The two routes have different focuses, so you do not need to plan them as a combined programme.
Art and collections in Xanthi
The Xanthi Municipal Art Gallery is named after Christos Pavlidis in honour of the local painter. Pavlidis donated about 30 of his works for the future gallery. The Xanthi Folklore Museum was founded by the Progressive Union of Xanthi (FEX). Its murals date from 1880 and are the work of Bavarian and German artists. Exhibits include agricultural tools, jewellery, textiles and traditional costumes of the Thracians, Sarakatsani and Pontians.
The Costume Museum of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women has a different focus: in six rooms, it displays authentic costumes and faithful reproductions from various parts of Greece, along with the jewellery worn with them. The collections therefore have clearly distinct profiles: the Folklore Museum brings together objects and costumes from several communities, while the Costume Museum focuses on Greek clothing and jewellery from different parts of the country.
Bazaar history and range of goods
According to its historical tradition, the history of the Xanthi bazaar dates back to the Ottoman period; the earliest accounts cited in that tradition are from the 15th century. The municipal authorities describe the bazaar as one of the most important open-air trading places in Northern Greece. Stalls offer fruit and vegetables, other food products, carpets, blankets, clothing, shoes, household goods and toys. Here, you can therefore encounter a wide range of goods alongside the historical tradition.
The surrounding area and beyond
North of the present-day city, in the area around Xanthi, the Byzantine Castle of Xantheia stands on a hilltop. Its ground plan is an irregular trapezoid, with the acropolis located on the hilltop. The castle offers a different historical focus from the collections within Xanthi: here, the structure and its form take centre stage.
The Kosynthos connects the local cityscape with a wider regional course. It rises in the Koula peaks of the Central Rhodopes, passes through the Pomak villages, flows through the traditional settlement of Xanthi and onward across the plain before emptying northwest of Lake Vistonida. Along the Path of Life, you encounter the flowing waters of the river at the edge of the Old Town; its course continues beyond the city through the region.
If you are looking for a hotel in Xanthi, you can plan your trip around the subjects that interest you most: the cultural route and museums, the bazaar’s history and range of goods, or the nearby castle. Check the location of a specific accommodation against your own plans.
Discover more destinations: Koutso, Kimmeria, Drosero, Toxotes, Selino, Pigadia, Lagos, Stavroupoli
For the main travel overview: Xanthi.
