On the Thracian coast of the Aegean Sea about 17 km from the mouth of the river Nestos (almost opposite the island of Thassos) near the modern town lie the ruins of Avdira ancient Greek city of Abdera. According to legend, Abdera was founded by the legendary Hercules in memory of his friend Abdera.

It is believed that the first settlement appeared here in the middle of the 7th century and the first inhabitants were immigrants from Clazomenae. In the middle of the 6th century Abdur moved fleeing from the Persians, and the inhabitants of the ancient Ionian city of Teos, among whom was the famous Greek poet Anacreon lyric. Largely due to its strategic location and well-established trade with the Thracians, the city developed and flourished and had its own coinage.

In the 5th century BC Abdera was a member of the Delian League (otherwise known as the Delian League), which played an important role and had a great influence. At the beginning of the 4th century, when he was "independent" city-state, Abdera was hit hard by the invasion of the Thracians and gradually lost its influence, and after the conquest of Philip II of Macedonia and lost its independence. The city continued to exist in the Roman and Byzantine era. Ancient Abdera was the birthplace of the famous ancient Greek philosophers like Democritus, Protagoras and Anaksarh and historian and philosopher Hecataeus Abdersky.

Today, the ruins of Abdera - one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece and a popular tourist attraction (especially for lovers of archeology). Deserves special attention and located in Avdire Archaeological Museum of Abdera. Unique artifacts presented in the museum date back to the 7th century BC - 13th century AD and perfectly illustrates the history and culture of this ancient city.