Weekend in Alexandroupolis

Seaside Flavors & Tavern Culture Dining in Alexandroupolis may become the most enjoyable part of your trip. With many similarities between Greek and Turkish cuisine, you’ll find plenty of familiar yet distinctive flavors.

Around the port and along the coast, seafood tavernas serve fresh fish and mezze. Popular spots include Nisiotiko and Nea Klimataria. Daily-caught red mullet, sea bass, grilled octopus, stuffed squid, and mussels grace the menus. Don’t miss the classic starters: vine leaves in olive oil, fava (mashed broad beans), aubergine salad, and Greek salad. Pair them with a glass of ouzo, Greece’s iconic anise-flavored spirit. When mixed with water, ouzo turns milky and offers a refreshing finish. Many places offer a shot of ouzo or mastiha (mastic liqueur) as a digestive after meals.

Meat Dishes & Street Food Not a fan of seafood? No problem. You’ll find delicious souvlaki (kebabs) and gyros wraps in grill restaurants around the city center. Try chicken or pork gyros at Gyroplace or Gialos. Kokoretsi (grilled intestines) is a seasonal specialty available in spring. Grab a tiropita (cheese pastry) or patatopita (potato pie) for a quick snack—freshly baked in the mornings. These go well with ayran, which is known by the same name in Greek.

Breakfast & Cafés Greek breakfast may be simple, but some Alexandroupolis spots cater to Turkish-style breakfasts. Typically, locals enjoy a bougatsa pastry (sweet or savory) with their morning coffee. Try Konstantinidis Patisserie, famous for its bougatsa. Greek coffee is essentially Turkish coffee, and iced options like frappe or freddo cappuccino are popular in summer. Enjoy these at seaside cafés like Element or Drunk Sinatra.

Sweets & Ice Cream Familiar Turkish-style desserts are common: baklava, loukoumades (honey puffs), and kazandibi. Try To Spiti tou Glykou for pistachio-filled baklava or syrupy loukoumades. On hot days, grab a "pagoto" (ice cream) from street vendors, with flavors like mastic, baklava, or ouzo.

Shopping & Local Finds Though not a major shopping hub, Alexandroupolis has delightful local stores. Dimokratias Avenue is the city’s retail heart, lined with fashion boutiques, pharmacies (offering Apivita and Korres), and more. Great souvenirs include olive oil (Evros region’s cold-pressed bottles), local honey, orange jams, and mastiha products—liqueurs, jams, and sweets.

Ouzo & Local Drinks You’ll find famous ouzo brands like Plomari, Mini, and Barbayanni. Keep in mind the customs limit of 1 liter of alcohol per person at the border. Local red wines, like those from Ismaros vineyards, are also worth trying.

Siesta Hours & Relaxing Spots Most shops and some restaurants close for siesta (2:00–5:00 PM). Use this time to relax by the sea instead of shopping. In the evening, cafés reopen and locals gather in central squares. SoHo Absolutely Fabulous and Cafe de Paris are great for people-watching with a cool drink. Alexandroupolis may be small, but that’s what makes bumping into the same smiling faces part of the charm.