Panagia is a traditional mountain village in the east of Thassos with cobbled lanes, spring water on every corner and the legendary spring of love. Here you will find a Byzantine church, an olive oil museum and the best home-made waffles.
Thassos hides many surprises in its interior. One of them is the picturesque mountain village of Panagia, which will charm you with its traditional atmosphere, rich history and stunning surroundings. The name Panagia (Greek Παναγία) means “All-Holy” or “Most Holy”. It is one of the titles of the Virgin Mary, used especially in the Orthodox Church.
Panagia is a typical Greek village with narrow cobbled lanes, white houses with blue shutters and balconies full of flowers. As you stroll around, you find yourself in another world where time has stood still. The locals are friendly and hospitable and happy to share their stories and customs with you.
Mountain springs flow through the whole village, and the lanes open up views of the surrounding mountains, the marble quarries and the sea. Nature lovers will be in their element – the surroundings offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling.
The spring of love, a church, a pottery workshop and an olive oil museum
A few hours, ideally with a waffle by the spring
The café by the spring only takes cash
Panagia has a rich history going back to Byzantine times. This is shown by the church of Panagias from 1832, built in the traditional Byzantine style.
If you like handmade pottery, stop at the friendly little pottery workshop right next to the church.
Every year on 15 August the village celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important holidays of the year for Greeks.
Panagia’s main attractions are the spring of love, the church of Panagias and the olive oil museum, with a shop selling oil and olive cosmetics.
A spring on the Three Springs square with a romantic legend attached to it. Bring a bottle with you.
A Byzantine church from 1832 and, right next to it, a small pottery workshop.
Oil production in the old days and today, and the Sotirelis shop with oil and olive cosmetics.
One of the most interesting places in Panagia is the spring that locals call “the spring of love”.
Legend has it that anyone who has not yet met their true love and drinks from the spring will meet it within a year. Those who already have their true love strengthen the bond for ever and ever by drinking.
The area around the spring is nicely laid out and creates a romantic atmosphere. The plane trees on the little square have heart-shaped hollows. And every couple should kiss on the little bridge in the middle of the square so that their love lasts for ever.
You will find all this on the Three Springs square.
Do not forget to bring a bottle. The water from the spring of love is mountain spring water and is drinkable throughout Panagia.
At the spring of love, quantity matters too: the more you drink, the sooner you will meet your true love. Tested and confirmed!
The café right by the little square with the spring of love has the best home-made waffles I have ever eaten! They only take cash.
The café by the spring only takes cash.
In the olive oil museum you will see how olive oil was made in the old days using a water wheel and stones, and how it is made today on modern machines.
Right next to the museum is the Sotirelis shop, where you can buy excellent virgin olive oil and wonderful natural olive cosmetics of all kinds.
There is now also a Sotirelis shop in the capital, Limenas. But it lacks the museum and, above all, the atmosphere of magical Panagia, so for the full experience I recommend the one here in Panagia. The shop in Limenas is handy if you forget something or want to buy more – the range is the same.
Right next to the museum you can buy excellent virgin olive oil and olive cosmetics – an ideal souvenir from Thassos.
By the oil shop there is a stall with handmade bracelets made of olive stones interspersed with different kinds of stones – you can choose, for example, according to your star sign. The bracelet is considered a symbol of Thassos, and you will not find it anywhere else. The same family also runs a shop next door with excellent local produce.
The bracelet is considered a symbol of Thassos – a nice gift for loved ones and a keepsake for yourself.
Panagia is the ideal place for anyone looking for a quiet, relaxed holiday in a traditional Greek village. When you long for some bustle, just drive down to the resort of Skala Potamia with the famous Golden Beach or to the nearby capital, Limenas. Panagia is also a great tip for a day trip – it is one of the most enchanting places on the island.
The spring of love
The church of Panagias
The pottery workshop by the church
The olive oil museum and shop
The stall with olive-stone bracelets
Home-made waffles by the spring of love
You can visit Panagia from any resort on the island. You will find tips on where to stay on Thassos in the article Resorts on Thassos.
In the east of Thassos, a short distance from the capital, Limenas, and the resort of Skala Potamia.
A spring on the Three Springs square. According to legend, anyone who has not yet met their true love and drinks from the spring will meet it within a year, and those who already have it strengthen the bond. The water is drinkable – bring a bottle with you.
The spring of love, the Byzantine church of Panagias from 1832 with its pottery workshop, the Sotirelis olive oil museum and shop, the stall with olive-stone bracelets and home-made waffles by the spring.
The café by the spring of love only takes cash.
Panagia is a hidden gem of the island of Thassos that is well worth discovering. Come to take a break from the daily rush and enjoy real Greek hospitality in this picturesque mountain village.
