Traianoupoli: Thermal Baths, History, River and Platanotopos

A short excursion from Alexandroupoli combining history, hot springs, old baths and lush green scenery. The Traianoupoli area is ideal for anyone who wants to leave the city and the sea behind for a while and discover a different side of the Municipality, with archaeological remains, Ottoman monuments, water and outdoor recreation areas.

Ancient Traianoupoli

Traianoupoli was founded by the Roman emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century AD and grew into an important administrative, military and ecclesiastical centre of Thrace. Its position on the route of the ancient Via Egnatia contributed significantly to its development. Its hot springs were already, since antiquity, one of the main reasons the area attracted visitors.

Parts of the archaeological site and remains testifying to the city's long history survive in the wider area.

Also of particular interest is the ancient Via Egnatia itself, sections of which are preserved in the Traianoupoli area and further east, offering a glimpse of the route travellers followed almost two thousand years ago.

The Han of Gazi Evrenos

One of the area's most distinctive monuments is the Han of Traianoupoli, also known as the Han of Gazi Evrenos Bey.

It is an Ottoman caravanserai, a place where travellers and merchants moving along the Via Egnatia could stop and be accommodated. The building dates to around 1370-1390 and ranks among the oldest Ottoman monuments in the Balkans.

The large stone structure is today one of Traianoupoli's most recognisable landmarks and is worth including in a visit even when the modern baths are not operating.

The Old Baths

Behind the Han lie the remains of the old bath facilities. The area is linked to the long tradition of the hot springs and their use during both the Roman and Ottoman periods.

The surviving bath structures include vaulted buildings and remains of the facilities once used for bathing.

So, within a relatively small area, you can see Roman remains, the Han of Gazi Evrenos and the old baths, essentially tracing the area's history across the centuries.

The Thermal Springs

The hot springs remain Traianoupoli's best-known feature. The natural spring of the Traianoupoli Baths has been officially recognised as therapeutic, and the spring water reaches a temperature of around 51°C.

The modern facilities include a hydrotherapy centre with individual tubs, as well as hotel accommodation.

Today, however, the Thermal Baths are out of operation. In 2026, TIEDA (the Municipality's development company) began a process for the operational and energy upgrade of the hydrotherapy centre, aiming to bring it back into service.

The area is therefore worth visiting even without the option of a spa treatment, though it's worth checking whether the baths have reopened before a future visit specifically for that purpose.

Nature, Water and Plane-Tree Groves

The excursion in the wider area can continue with a stop in nature. The flat lands around Traianoupoli and the neighbouring settlements offer a very different picture from Alexandroupoli's coastal scenery, with water, plane trees, greenery and outdoor recreation spaces.

For a more organised stop in nature, especially if you want to pair the trip with food or a picnic, Platanotopos Maistrou stands out.

The site is particularly popular for outings and family activities. For May Day 2026, the Municipality of Alexandroupoli announced that Platanotopos was ready to welcome visitors, with picnic tables, public taps, football and basketball courts, chess, table tennis and outdoor gym equipment.

It is therefore a spot better suited to those who want a more relaxed excursion, with time in nature, play for the kids, or a picnic under the trees.

An Excursion for Every Season

The area can be approached differently depending on the season.

In spring, the green spaces and outdoor areas are great for picnics and family outings, with May Day being a classic day for a trip into nature.

In summer, the plane trees and areas with water offer a pleasant change from the heat of the city, and a visit to the historic monuments can be combined with a longer stop in nature.

In autumn and winter, the historical side of Traianoupoli becomes more appealing, as you can spend more time at the Han, the old baths and the archaeological site without the summer heat.

What to See and Do

A complete excursion can combine:

Traianoupoli archaeological site → Han of Gazi Evrenos → old baths → hot springs → a walk in nature → Platanotopos Maistrou → picnic and outdoor activities.

If the Thermal Baths have reopened by the time you visit the area, you can also add a spa treatment to the plan.

Traianoupoli is thus more than just a destination for therapeutic waters. It is a short excursion that combines almost two thousand years of history with nature and outdoor recreation, offering a different experience just a few kilometres outside Alexandroupoli.