The prefecture of Xanthi is in north-eastern Greece in the region of Thraki (Thrace), close to the Bulgarian and Turkish borders. Both Christian and Muslim communites live in this area and this adds colour and interest to this part of Greece. It was tradtionally a tobacco growing region. The principial town, Xanthi, is a modern town, punctuated here and there with the old mansions of tobacco merchants and humble tradtional houses in narrow streets. The town is set upon the foothills of the Rodopi mountain range and, higher up, monasteries such as Panagia Archageliotisa perch amongst the forested mountains. Further up the slopes lie the remains of the Byzantine castle Xantheppe.

To the north, water from the Rodopi mountains feeds the Nestos river and Lake Vistonis. In the winter the lake is home to a quarter of a million birds and the Nestos delta provides a natural environment for wild ducks, herons and cranes. The nearby seaside village of Avdira beach offers bathing and therapeutic baths.

Areas of archaeological interest include Abdera.