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Samothrace (Greek Samothraki, Turkish Semadirek) is the island where the Winged Victory, the Nike now in the Louvre, was found. It is mountainous, wooded and lightly built up, known for an ancient sanctuary, medieval villages, stream beds with waterfalls and hot springs. On paper it is one of the 12 islands on the visa-on-arrival list for Turkish citizens, but as of 15 October 2026 there is no practical way to go there on a visa on arrival: no direct ferry runs from Turkey, and there is no customs unit operating at the island’s port to process visas. To reach Samothrace today, a Schengen visa is needed.
Short answer
- Can you go on visa on arrival? Not as of October 2026. The Enez–Samothrace route has not started, and the Greek press writes that the island could not use the visa-on-arrival scheme in 2026 either, with 2027 as the target.
- How do people get there today? By land to Alexandroupoli, then a ferry of about 2 hours to Kamariotissa port. Because you cross the Greek mainland, a Schengen visa is required.
- What to see: the Sanctuary of the Great Gods and museum (Paleopoli), Chora and the Gattilusi castle, the Therma hot springs, the natural pools at Fonias and Gria Vathra, the Fengari summit, Pachia Ammos and Kipi beaches.
- Getting around: The island is large and buses are infrequent; renting a car, or driving over from Alexandroupoli, is the most practical option.
- How many days: two for the sanctuary, Chora and a beach; one or two more for the waterfalls or the Fengari hike.
- Money: The euro is used; ATMs on the island are few, so carry cash.
What to see
The ferry docks at Kamariotissa in the northwest of the island. Distances below are from there.
| Place | Distance from the port | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chora | About 5 km | Island capital, castle |
| Paleopoli (sanctuary and museum) | About 6.6 km | Around 10 minutes by car |
| Therma | About 13 km | Hot springs, Gria Vathra, Fengari trail |
| Fonias | About 5 km east of Therma | Waterfall and natural pool |
| Pachia Ammos | About 15 km | The island’s sandy beach |
| Kipi | Southeast tip of the island | Pebble beach, sunset |
Sanctuary of the Great Gods (Paleopoli)
At Paleopoli on the island’s north coast, right next to the ancient city. According to the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s site, the area covers about 5 hectares and was a major religious centre where the mystery rites of the Kabeiroi were held. The rites promised purification and rebirth, and people came from all over the ancient world to be initiated. The same source says Philip II of Macedon was initiated here and met Olympias, the future mother of Alexander the Great, here.
Visitors walk among the remains of ritual buildings, the Arsinoeion rotunda, the altar court, the stoa and the Ptolemaic Propylon. The site of the monument on which the Nike stood is also within the area.
Hours and fee (as of October 2026): The Visit Greece page gives the site as open daily 08:30–15:30 with general admission at 3 €. Wikivoyage gives closing as 15:00; the sources disagree, so confirm before you go. Under the Ministry of Culture’s winter hours decision (ΦΕΚ Β’ 6405/22.10.2026), from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 the sanctuary and the museum are open 08:30-15:30 but closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the castle in Chora and the Monastery of Christ are closed (our report).
The story of the Winged Victory
The Nike of Samothrace, or Winged Victory, is a Parian marble statue dated to around 200–190 BC. With its wings it stands 2.75 m high, on the prow of a warship carved from grey Rhodian marble. The body of the statue was found on 13 April 1863 by Charles Champoiseau, then acting for the French consulate in Adrianople (Edirne), at the sanctuary. It is now displayed in Paris at the top of the Louvre’s Daru staircase. The palm of its right hand was found at the same site in 1950.
The original is not on the island. Wikivoyage and Wikipedia say the archaeological museum on the island holds a plaster copy of the statue, and a 2022 guide from travel.gr notes there is also a copy outside the museum. The statue also appears on the seal of the Municipality of Samothrace.
Archaeological Museum of Samothrace
Next to the sanctuary. The building was put up between 1939 and 1955 by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, with the north wing added in 1960–61. Four galleries display architectural pieces reassembled from the sanctuary, sculpture, coins, pottery and finds from the cemetery, and inscriptions in the courtyard. Alongside the plaster copy of the Nike is a separate, smaller winged Nike statue found in 1949. Under the ministry’s winter decision the museum is open 08:30-15:30 from 1 November to 31 March, closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays; we could not verify its summer hours from an official source.
Chora and the Gattilusi castle
Chora, the island’s capital, lies about 5 km east of Kamariotissa, a protected settlement built like an amphitheatre on the southeast slope of Mount Saos. It is made up of narrow lanes, steps and small squares overlooking the sea; Wikivoyage says the village was built on this slope to hide from pirates.
At the village’s highest point, at about 240 m, are the remains of the castle. The first medieval fortification dates to the late 10th century; in the 14th century the Genoese Gattilusi family, who ruled the northern Aegean, enlarged it. One inscription on the wall names Palamede Gattilusio as “lord of Ainos (Enez) and Samothrace”. So the Enez–Samothrace route, which is expected to open someday, would reconnect two coasts that were under the same rule in the Middle Ages. The castle is reached on foot from within the village along a paved path; there is little parking nearby.
Therma (Loutra) hot springs
The village of Therma, about 13 km from the port, is known for its sulphurous hot water. According to travel.gr, the municipal hydrotherapy centre in the village has indoor and outdoor pools and single-person baths. All Over Greece writes that the water comes out very hot and measures around 38–41 °C in the pools, and that the facility is open from June to October. Wikivoyage adds that there are also two free open-air pools in the village. The smell of sulphur is strong; one source warns it can stain light-coloured swimwear and silver jewellery.
Therma is the island’s hiking hub: the trails to Gria Vathra, Fonias and Fengari start here. The village has two campsites, a shop and cafés.
Gria Vathra
Natural pools linked one to the next in the stream right by Therma, among ferns and plane trees. According to travel.gr, the first pool is about a 10-minute walk from the village; the first two pools are easy to reach, but moving from the third to the fourth means clinging to the rock beside the waterfall. If you do not feel safe, stay at the first pools. On the island such pools are called vathra (plural vathres) in Greek.
Fonias waterfall
The Fonias stream is reached about 5 km east of Therma by a trail that starts at a sign on the main road. For the first waterfall and the large pool, sources give 30 to 45 minutes of walking; Wikivoyage puts the waterfall’s height at about 12 m. The way to the second and third pools is hard and only partly marked; travel.gr recommends a guide for those sections.
The stream’s name means “murderer” in Greek. Wikivoyage advises that phone signal is absent in the remote sections, that nobody should go alone, and that you should stay out of the stream bed on days when rain is possible. Wear suitable footwear for slippery rocks.
Fengari (Mount Saos)
The island’s summit, Fengari, meaning “moon”, is one of the highest points in the Aegean islands. Most sources give its height as 1,611 m, while Wikivoyage says 1,660 m. The classic route starts from Therma; travel.gr gives the climb as about 8 km and 6 hours, while Wikivoyage gives about 6 hours round trip from Therma, so the times conflict. The upper section turns into a rock scramble marked only with red dots. If you are inexperienced, go with a local mountain guide, start very early in summer heat and take plenty of water. There is also a longer but easier route from the village of Profitis Ilias in the south.
Pachia Ammos
About 15 km from the port, on the south of the island, Pachia Ammos (“thick sand”) is Samothrace’s best-known and busiest beach. Wikivoyage says it is about 800 m long, that sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar are available in summer, and that you can get there by bus. Travel.gr finds the beach suitable for families with small children. Because most of the island’s coast is pebbly, this is the first stop for anyone looking for sand.
Kipi beach and the south coast
Kipi, at the island’s southeast tip, is a pebble beach of about 1 km with a volcanic look, recommended for sunset. Vatos bay, east of Pachia Ammos, and the Kremasto waterfall that drops into the sea are easiest to reach by boat. Travel.gr writes that the day boat trips around the island stop at these points. Ask about boat trips at Kamariotissa.
How to get there
As of October 2026 there is no direct ferry from Turkey to Samothrace. The situation is as follows:
- The Enez–Samothrace route has not started. The Edirne Governorate was aiming to open the route within 2026. News from June 2026 said that the customs port infrastructure at Enez was largely complete but that the customs gate had not formally opened and there was no firm start date. We found no news or official announcement after June showing that the route has started or that the Enez gate has opened.
- No customs unit operates at the island’s port. According to a question put to the Greek parliament in April 2026, the Samothrace customs office is closed for lack of staff and the existing building is inadequate; the planned new building is said to be likely to take more than 18 months. Evros News wrote on 26 August 2026 that the island could not use the visa-on-arrival scheme this year either, with 2027 as the target.
- A suggestion via Lemnos exists, but no implementation. In September 2026 the Turkish shipowner who runs the Çanakkale–Lemnos route proposed that passengers’ passport formalities be completed on Lemnos before continuing to Samothrace. Elthraki writes that this initiative is open for spring 2027. Under today’s rules a visa on arrival is valid only on the island where you land; you cannot enter Lemnos on a visa on arrival and then cross to Samothrace. For Lemnos, see our Çanakkale–Lemnos ferry guide.
The only route today: via Alexandroupoli
The regular ferry to the island leaves from Alexandroupoli. The route is run by Fast Ferries; the company says the journey takes about 2 hours and that there is a sailing every day. As of October 2026, Ferryscanner lists the crossing as 1 hour 45 minutes, with foot-passenger one-way tickets starting from 9 €. The ship also carries vehicles. Fast Ferries says ships fill up in July and August, especially on Fridays and Sundays, and recommends that those travelling with a vehicle buy tickets 10–15 days ahead. In winter there can be timetable changes because of the weather. Fast Ferries also runs sailings between Samothrace and Lemnos.
Winter 2026-2027: The previous contract ended in late October; on 30 October 2026 Greece’s shipping ministry signed a new contract with Fast Ferries. It runs from 1 November 2026 until the route’s tender is completed, and no later than 31 October 2027, and provides for 7 round trips a week Alexandroupoli-Samothrace and 3 connections a week Samothrace-Lemnos (one of them via Agios Efstratios). The company has announced a timetable to 28 February 2027; we could not verify the exact times, so check the booking screen (our report).
From Turkey to Alexandroupoli you go by land through the İpsala border crossing. Because you enter the Greek mainland this way, a valid Schengen visa is required; visa on arrival does not apply on this route. If you plan to take your own vehicle, see taking a car to the Greek islands for the documents.
You can see all routes and their status on our ferry map.
Getting around the island
The island is about 178 km² and mountainous, with settlements and beaches far apart. According to Wikivoyage, in summer buses run between the port, Chora, Therma and the campsites about every two hours, with two services a day to Therma. Buses also go to Kipi and Pachia Ammos, but ask for the timetable at the bus stop at the port.
- Car hire: There are rental offices on the Kamariotissa waterfront. It is the easiest option if you want to see several places in one day.
- Your own vehicle: The Alexandroupoli ferry takes vehicles; buy tickets early in summer to get a place.
- Fuel: Wikivoyage says the island’s only petrol station is on the Kamariotissa–Chora road; fill the tank before heading to remote beaches.
- Boat: For Vatos, the Kremasto waterfall and the coves on the south coast.
Watch for goats on the mountain roads; according to a report cited on Wikipedia, there are roughly 15 times as many goats on the island as people.
Car hire: Samothrace
DiscoverCars compares offers from several rental companies in one search. Check the pick-up point, deposit and insurance terms before you book.
Visa on arrival and entry
Samothrace was added to the visa-on-arrival list in summer 2025 and remains on it. However, the programme only works with scheduled ferries running directly from Turkey to the island and with a customs unit on the island to process the visa. As of October 2026 neither exists. So today you cannot go to Samothrace on a visa on arrival.
If a route opens, the rules from the other islands should apply here too: the visa is single-entry, valid for up to 7 days and only on Samothrace. You cannot cross to Alexandroupoli, Lemnos or another island. To go today you need a valid Schengen visa or a special (green) passport. The programme itself was extended by a year from 1 April 2026; Samothrace staying on the list does not mean the island can be entered this way today. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is applied at the external border, with fingerprints and a photo taken. For documents, fees and the other islands, see our visa on arrival guide (in Turkish). Travellers who are not Turkish citizens should check the entry rules for their own nationality.
Where to stay
The ferry docks at Kamariotissa. Because the island is large and buses are infrequent, choose where to stay according to whether you will hire a car: without one, stay near the port; with one, the island’s other villages are options too.
Hotels and rooms on Samothrace
See which hotels, guesthouses and apartments on the island are free for your dates, with a map view, on Booking.com. On small islands rooms run out early in high summer.
When to go
- June–September: The best period for the sea, the beaches and the hot springs. The spa facility at Therma is open from June to October. In July and August the ferries are full, so arrange accommodation and vehicle tickets early.
- May and October: Cooler for hiking and the sanctuary; some beach businesses may be closed.
- Winter: The ferry runs (7 round trips a week under the 30 October 2026 contract), but there may be cancellations or changes because of the weather.
- Rainy days: Stay out of Fonias and other stream beds.
Greece puts its clocks back an hour on 25 October 2026; Turkey stays on UTC+3. After that date the island is one hour behind Turkey.
For which islands reachable from Turkey are served in which months, see our ferry season calendar. If you want a North Aegean island you could visit on a visa on arrival this summer, see our Lemnos guide or the which island suits you page.
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FAQ
Can you go to Samothrace on a visa on arrival?
Not as of October 2026. Although the island is on the list, there is no direct ferry from Turkey and no customs unit is operating at the island’s port. The Greek press writes that the aim is to start the visa scheme in 2027; there is no firm date.
When will the Enez–Samothrace ferry start?
It is not known. The Edirne Governorate was aiming for 2026, but as of October 2026 we found no announcement that the Enez customs gate has opened or that the first sailing has taken place. We will update this page when the route starts.
Can I go to Lemnos on a visa on arrival and cross to Samothrace from there?
No. A visa on arrival is valid only on the island where you enter. Crossing via Lemnos came up in September 2026 only as a proposal.
Is the Winged Victory on the island?
No. The original statue has been in Paris, in the Louvre, since 1863. The museum on the island has a plaster copy; the site of the monument where the statue stood can be seen in the sanctuary.
How many days should you spend on Samothrace?
Two days is enough for the sanctuary, the museum, Chora and a beach. Add at least one or two more for the Fonias, Gria Vathra and Fengari hikes.
Do you need a car on the island?
Not strictly, but it helps a lot. Buses are infrequent even in summer; if you want to see the sanctuary, Therma and Pachia Ammos on the same day, hire a car or bring your own.
Ferry times, fares and entry rules can change; check an official source before you travel.
Sources
- Visit Greece (Greek National Tourism Organisation): Sanctuary of the Great Gods (accessed October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Winged Victory of Samothrace (accessed October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Archaeological Museum of Samothrace (accessed October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Samothrace (accessed October 2026)
- Euronews: A marble copy of the Nike (July 2018) (accessed October 2026)
- All Over Greece: Chora castle (accessed October 2026)
- All Over Greece: Therma hot springs (in Greek) (accessed October 2026)
- Hot Springs Guides: Therma Samothraki (accessed October 2026)
- Travel.gr: Samothrace guide (in Greek, September 2022) (accessed October 2026)
- Travel.gr: Samothrace’s natural pools (accessed October 2026)
- Wikivoyage: Samothrace (accessed October 2026)
- Fast Ferries: Samothrace ferry tickets (accessed October 2026)
- Fast Ferries: Things to see on Samothrace (accessed October 2026)
- Ferryscanner: Alexandroupoli–Samothrace ferry (accessed October 2026)
- Evros News: Samothrace sailings continue, new contract (in Greek, 31 October 2026) and the contract text (PDF, 30 October 2026) (accessed 1 November 2026)
- Thrace News: Fast Ferries timetable changes (in Greek, 24 January 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Feribotseferleri: Enez–Samothrace/Taşoz ferry (in Turkish, June 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Memurlar.net: Enez–Samothrace route (in Turkish, 4 June 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- ANKA: Edirne to be linked to Greece by sea too (in Turkish) (accessed October 2026)
- Hellenic Parliament: Question on the Samothrace customs office (3 April 2026, PDF, in Greek) (accessed October 2026)
- Evros News: Samothrace and visa on arrival (in Greek, 26 August 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Elthraki: New proposal for a Samothrace–Turkey link (in Greek, 5 September 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Medya Lokum: The customs gate on Samothrace unused for 14 years (in Turkish, 21 August 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- Euronews Türkçe: Visa on arrival extended by another year (in Turkish, 31 March 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System (EES) (accessed October 2026)
- timeanddate.com: Greece 2026 clock changes (accessed October 2026)
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