Guide of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace

The Municipality of Eleftheres is located at the southwest part of the Prefecture of Kavala and includes seven villages: Nea Irakleitsa, Nea Peramos, Elefhteres, Elafochorio, Folia, Myrtofyto and Aghios Andreas. These seven municipal districts share a common history in the course of the centuries that begins in the Neolithic Age, passes through the Bronze and Iron Ages, continues through the archaic and roman times until it reaches Byzantium and the Turkish Occupation. Extended references to the area, which has been inhabited by Thracian tribes from the 7th century BC, are found in the works of Homer and Herodotus.
The ancient city of Oisymi, which is cited in the 7th chapter of the Iliad, is the modern city of Nea Peramos, built by refugees from Asia Minor over the ruins of the ancient city that flourished until Byzantine times. Thucydides also mentions this area in his book about the Peloponnesian war, when the Spartan general Vrasidas was received as a Liberator to the east of Strymon river. The natural harbour to the east of the port of Eleftheres is still known to date under the name of general Vrasidas.
Eleftheres is a privileged Municipality with an impressive coastline of 55 km, where visitors can choose among several beaches to spend a nice time by the sea. Either equipped or isolated, idyllic and peaceful beaches with crystal clear water and fine sand can guarantee a pleasant summer. Starting from the easternmore edge of the Municipality, holiday-makers can visit the equipped beach of “Estella”, which continues along the beach of “Alana” and has plenty of beach bars. The coast continues further until Nea Irakleitsa, where many beach bars are also found. At a short distance from Nea Pergamos, the beautiful chain of beaches of “Ammolofoi” can be found with crystal clear and shallow waters.
The beaches at the peninsula of Vrasida, under the shadow of the Byzantine castle, are ideal for swimming; here the trees and the vineyards almost touch the sea. Almyra, Sarakina as well as the beach at the Tower of Apollonia will fascinate any visitor. The beach of Eleftheres is also suitable for both diving into the crystal clear water of the bay under the same name or climbing on the imposing formation of the Kokkinoi Vrachoi.
A special festival called “At the passages of the moon” is held every year at Nea Peramos. Early in autumn, the Tsipouro festival takes place, which is a popular festival with homemade delicacies and a lot of new-made tsipouro spirit. Eleftheres also hosts the Fisheries Research Institute, which is one of the more specialized research institutes in the fishery sector in Greece. In Nea Irakleitsa, one may visit the church of Panaghia Faneromeni with the wonder-making icon that, according to tradition, was painted by Evangelist Luke. Visitors can also visit the beautiful small islands of Fidonisi and Arethousa as well as the Fokiotrypa and the icon of Panaghia formed on the rocks.
Elaiochori and Myrtofyto are surrounded by bright-green vineyards and olive groves. There is a rich production of grapes and wines in the entire Municipality, where most of the cultivators have begun to pay attention to the production and the embattlement of local wine and tsipouro, which is also exported. The Museum of Folklore art is housed in a traditional stone-built house and its courtyard has been converted into a beautiful open-air theatre.
The crystal clear beaches of the Municipality are ideal for visitors who are looking for a relaxing and amusing place.