Beach — Fanari, Rhodope — roughly 1.5–2 hours west of the city
Fanari sits about 30km southwest of Komotini — roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Alexandroupolis by car — but it's a genuine step up in beach infrastructure from anything closer to the city: sandy beaches backed by camping grounds, hotels, apartments, and tavernas that make it one of the busiest summer destinations in Thrace.
What sets it apart is what sits right behind the sand: a cluster of protected lagoons, part of the wider Vistonida wetland system, drawing flamingos, pelicans, and other birdlife within easy walking distance of the beach umbrellas. Molyvoti, a smaller and quieter beach nearby, is the choice for the same coastline without the crowds.
This is a genuine day trip rather than an afternoon add-on — worth combining with Vistonida Lake if birdwatching is part of the plan, since the two sit close together on the same stretch of coast.