Bus Hire in Xanthi

Xanthi is one of the most architecturally distinctive towns in northern Greece, its old quarter a dense layering of Ottoman houses, tobacco warehouses converted to museums, and 19th-century merchants' mansions built on the fortunes of the local leaf trade. It sits in western Thrace between Kavala and Komotini, at the point where the Nestos river comes down from the Rhodope mountains and opens onto its coastal delta.

Groups come to Xanthi for two things: the old town, which rewards a long morning on foot through its lanes and courtyards, and the natural country around it. The Nestos gorge to the north cuts through the Rhodope in walls of limestone and forest, and the Vistonida lagoon to the east is one of the most important wetlands on the Greek coast. The winter carnival, the most colourful in Thrace, draws large group bookings in February and March.

The Old Town

Xanthi's old town, Palaia Xanthi, climbs the hillside above the river in lanes of painted timber-framed houses, Orthodox churches, and the remains of the Ottoman market. The tobacco-warehouse district at the edge of the old centre has been partly converted to a folk museum tracing the crop that made the town wealthy, and the Saturday market in the lower town is one of the largest and most atmospheric in the region. Coaches drop near the lower town and the old town is explored on foot; the climb is moderate and the lanes are pedestrianised.

Getting to Xanthi

Xanthi has no commercial airport. Kavala Airport (KVA), also known as Alexander the Great Airport, is around 55 kilometres west, about 45 minutes by coach, and handles domestic flights from Athens and some international services. Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) is around 180 kilometres west, about two hours. The town is also on the Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli railway, so some groups arrive by train. Most touring groups come from Kavala or Thessaloniki on the Egnatia Odos.

The Nestos Gorge and Vistonida Lagoon

North of the town, the Nestos gorge runs some 40 kilometres through the Rhodope mountains, with the river threading between cliffs, dense riparian forest, and the ruins of old watermills. A road follows much of the east bank and is suitable for coaches for the first section; the deeper gorge is for walking. The Nestos delta to the south-east, where the river meets the sea in a mosaic of channels and wetlands, and the Vistonida lagoon further east are protected Natura 2000 sites and prime spots for spring and autumn birdwatching.

Popular Day Trips from Xanthi

What Bus Hire Costs in Xanthi

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Xanthi runs around 250 to 450 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 400 to 700 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 600 to 1,100 EUR per day. Carnival season in winter and the summer Nestos gorge touring period are the busiest stretches; availability is generally good outside those peaks. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your exact details for a free quote.

Services Available in Xanthi