Travel coverage this year has repeatedly singled out Kavala as an alternative to Greece's busier island destinations, pointing to its mix of Ottoman, Byzantine and neoclassical architecture and its position on the Bay of Kavala facing Thassos. Writers highlight the city's Old Town, its working harbour, and the ease of combining a Kavala stay with day trips to Thassos or the Philippi archaeological site. Local tourism officials say interest from international visitors has been rising steadily over the past few seasons.