Capital of the region of Evros, with a population of more than 50.000 inhabitants and with more than a century long history, Alexandroupolis is a coastal city which is located 800km from Athens and 310km from Thessaloniki. One of the most important Neolithic settlements of the Balkans has been found in the area, findings from which are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Komotini.  The city’s modern history begins in the mid-19^th century, when fishermen from Eno formed here a small fishing village. The settlement developed and adopted the name Dede-Agats, which means the “Tree of the Hermit”, since, according to tradition, a monk lived here under an oak.  During the Russo-Turkish war, Russian engineers arrived at the area.  The street plans were formed by them in 1878, based on which the modern city was built, while the area developed extensively after the construction of the railway line that connected it with Constantinople.  The permanent incorporation of the city in Greece took place in 1920 and was temporally named ‘Neapolis’.  However, the city became independent, on the 14^th of May 1920, after the visit of King Alexander of Greece and was named in his honor, Alexandroupolis.  Today, it has taken over an important position in the national community due to the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline.
Fully modernized and able to offer all comforts, it is one of the few Greek cities that has an airport, port, railroad and a high quality road network; that of Egnatia highway.  It is an ideal cosmopolitan destination, without disappointing those who look for a place for quiet, family vacations.  With its cool sea breeze, parks and paths for cyclists and pedestrians all contributing to its refined character, Alexandroupolis has nothing to envy from other urban centers.  On the contrary, it provokes its visitors to imagine themselves as its permanent residents.  At the port, the towering lighthouse (the city’s trademark), built in 1880 by the French Lighthouse and Cresset Company stands at approximately 27m in height over the sea.  The road beginning from that point is bustling with life, filled with pedestrians especially at dusk.  People of all ages, locals and visitors, carefree stroll down the road creating that familiar and pleasant atmosphere which characterizes an island. To the right and left of the pedestrian paths you will find scattered taverns ready to welcome you and offer you the area’s famous sea dishes, whereas plenty of shops will take care of your night entertainment, annihilating the long distance separating you from Athens and other urban cities.  In the mornings, the rich coastline of Alexandroupolis, 35km in length, is ideal for diving in the crystal clear waters of the Thracian Sea.  Beaches, most of which are organized and awarded with the Blue Flag of the European Union offer free entrance to the bathers, except from the beach of E.O.T (Greek Tourist Organization), which is also the one closest to the city.  Each visitor can find the ideal beach for him, rocky or sandy, with olive groves reaching up to the point where the waves splash, with the potential of water sports, crowded or not.
If you are an enthusiast of archeological treasures, then you should definitely visit the archaeological site of Mesimvria – Zone which is located 25km to the west of Alexandroupolis.  The Metropolitan Church of Agios Nikolaos, built in the early 19^th century, is the trademark of the city, where the icon of Panagia Trifotissa is hosted, dated from the 13^th century.