Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Car Hire

Find the best deals in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

With a massive choice from the biggest brands, Enjoy the best way to find the best prices for car hire in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

  • Huge choice of cars to suit every budget
  • Save up to 70% compared to buying on the day
  • 10 years experience in car hire

Compare Eastern Macedonia and Thrace car hire with a click

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is one of the country’s lesser known regions, which makes it the perfect destination for travellers looking to get off the beaten path and experience Greece at its most authentic. The region encompasses two major islands (Thassos and Samothrace) and six regional units: Drama, Kavala, Thassos, Xanthi, Rodopi and Evros. Half-western, Half-Anatolian Komotini is the capital. Home to soaring peaks, wildlife-rich national parks, secluded beaches and culture-packed cities, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace offers something for every type of traveller.

To make the most of your time on the ground, you can book your car in advance with Enjoy Travel!

Guide of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Geography

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is situated in the northeastern part of Greece, squeezed between Turkey, Bulgaria, the Region of Central Macedonia and the Aegean Sea. It is one of the region’s most geographically rich and varied terrains. There are vast expanses of wilderness, imposing mountain regions like Rodopi, large lakes and lagoons such as Vistonida and manicured plantations. The area around Drama is Natura-protected due to its unique climatic conditions and rare herbaceous plants. There are some spectacular beaches along the southern coast of Eastern Macedonia too.

Climate in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace enjoys a fairly cool climate compared with the rest of Greece. Cities and towns closer to the sea experience a warmer Mediterranean climate, while those in the north and closer to the Rhodopi Mountain ranges experience a continental climate. In the north of the region, temperatures drop between zero. During the summer, temperatures can reach 30-35°C.

Culture

In ancient times, powerful Greek city-states competed for control over the Thracian and Eastern Macedonian coastline. The region became an important part of the Roman empire and a major route for trade and soldiers. During the Byzantine period, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace gained strategic importance, until the Ottomans invaded in the 14th century. Invasions from the Hun, Goth, Bulgar and Vandal tribes have destroyed most of the region’s pre-Ottoman architecture.

The late 19th and early 20th century signalled turbulent times for the region; Thrace got caught up in the Russo-Turkish war, the Balkan Wars and the First World War. Turks, Bulgarians and Greeks all tried to homogenize the area, driving many minority people out of the region and dramatically altering the region’s demographic. Today, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is home to the majority of Greece’s muslim population.

Things To Do in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Explore Byzantine, Ottoman and Early Christian history in Kavala

This sloping port city looks almost like an amphitheatre. The hilly cobbled lanes around the old Panayia district are crammed full of sights, including the 15th-century castle with sweeping views from its circular tower. The ruby-coloured Halil Bey Mosque and Mehmet Ali Square are well with a visit, as is the spectacular 18-domed Imaret, now the luxurious Hotel Imaret.

Get away from it all in Samothrace

Home to one of the highest mountain ranges in the Aegean, Samothrace is an unspoiled island renowned for its wild and windswept nature. Think cascading waterfalls, crystal clear rockpools and epic hikes through wildlife-rich hills. With its wetlands, soft pebbly beaches and isolated rock chapels, it’s the ultimate alternative tourism destination.

Hit the beach

The whole of the southern coast of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace boasts beautiful beaches, but for some of the best head along the coast from Makri to Alexandroupoli. Lovely cafes and restaurants line the streets and the beaches here are calm and clean.

Get back to nature

The Nestos Forest is best explored by cutting between two steep mountains on a kayak or canoe. There are hiking trails along the banks and into Dadia Forest here too. Birdwatchers should stick around in the Evros Delta, 200,000 sq. metres of wilderness that is home to 316 of the 420 bird species found in Greece. The wetlands at Vistonida and Port Lagos, the last refuge of the rare Black Vulture, are well worth a visit too.

Learn about the Silk Road in Xanthi

Xanthi’s old town is one of the most picturesque places in the region, peppered with aristocratic mansions, Ottoman architecture and narrow, winding streets. The Museum of Silk showcases the history of the Silk Road, starting all the way in China and ending in Soufli.

Stroll around Alexandroupoli

If you were travelling from Asia by land, Alexandroupoli would be the first Greek city you would encounter. The city has retained much of its old fishing village charm, particularly around the grand lighthouse. The fish auction is a must-visit and, if you’re here for the evening, take a sunset boat trip with a local fisherman.

Eating Out in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is a culturally rich and diverse region – and nothing showcases this better than food. The island of Thassos is famed for its olives and olive oil, Drama is renowned for its cured meats and exceptional wines and Xanthi is beloved for its Kasseri cheese and syrupy sweets. In Thrace, cumin and paprika are essential components of any dish. You’ll find them in local sausages, cured meats like pastourma and kouskousi, similar to Moroccan couscous. Komotini is famous for its roasted chickpeas and Alexandroupoli is renowned for its seafood too.

The diet in Eastern Macedonia in Thrace is fairly meat-heavy. Some of its most famous regional dishes include kavourma (boiled beef) and traditional spit-roasted suckling pig. However, the region also boasts a thriving organic food scene, and produce like wild strawberries, mushrooms and smoky aubergines are easy to get hold of.

Transport

Airport

There are two main airports in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: Kavala National Airport and the International Airport of Democritus at Alexandroupolis. Kavala airport offers direct flights to several European cities, as well as daily flights to Athens. Alexandroupoli Airport is a much larger airport, with hundreds of flights arriving and departing every week.

Getting Around Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

The KTEL bus network serves most major cities and Greece’s national railroad network runs through the region. However, if you’re hoping to explore the region’s spectacular scenery and nature, we recommend hiring a car. Public transport can be unreliable and does not connect smaller and lesser-known sights.

Got a Question? Chat with our UK support team

Online chat help is open 08:30am to 17:00 weekdays. Email: [email protected]

ENJOY FAIR FUEL POLICY

FAQs about car hire in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Car hiring prices in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace start at €35.02 per day.
Budget and Europcar are the most popular car hire companies in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The driving distance between Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and Athens is around 229 kilometers.
The average price of a litre of fuel in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace can vary between €1.78 and €1.52.
The budget friendly choices between small cars in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace start at €221.23 for a week, which is about €31.07 per day.
The most affordable car hire options in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace for an entire month go for €904.67, or €30.72 per day.
The best time to travel to Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is from early May to late June and from late August to mid October (according to average temperatures).
Giola lagoon is the best place to start exploring Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Visit more popular places in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Enter your email address for the latest discount codes and special offers across car hire, holiday accomodation and much more!

Get the latest travel news and offers
Thanks for signing up