Alexandroupoli has an elegant location along the water to the east of Greece, close to the border with Bulgaria. It evokes an old fishing village charm, with a waterfront of cafes and small sailing boats. A rocky beach spreads out close to an alluring lighthouse, and the local taverns bring a mix of culinary treats from Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. Archaeological sites are dotted around the town and Alexandroupoli can be used as a gateway to other attractions in eastern Greece such as Dadia Forest Reserve.

Alexandroupoli’s leisurely atmosphere emanates from the waterfront, where the outdoor terraces and intimate taverns look out onto the fishing boats. This area mostly dates from the 19th century, with neoclassical buildings and broad pedestrianised boulevards lined with trees. A lively fish auction takes place at the fish market by the harbour and is another opportunity to explore the city’s origins. Local tour companies take visitors to various archaeological sites close by and provide a history of Alexander the Great and his marauding army. For beaches, there’s a good choice of sandy spots to the west of Alexandroupoli.

The capital of the Evros region, Alexandroupoli has always enjoyed excellent transport connections. It was linked by the Orient Express railway line to Istanbul back in the late 19th century and continues to benefit from its convenient waterfront location. There are buses to Turkey and Bulgaria from here, as well as other destinations across Greece. During the summer months, there are regular boats to Samothraki Island while the small Alexandroupoli Airport has flights to Athens.

Although Alexandroupoli had long been a landing place for fishermen, it was only during construction of the international railway line that it evolved from tiny hamlet to major city. Although Alexander the Great regularly passed through the area, Alexandroupoli is named after Alexander of Greece, a king that visited the city immediately after World War I.