It is built around a small Byzantine fortress of the 4th century B.C. The first habitats came here after the ravage of Mosinoupolis (14th century) and named the place Koumoujina or Komotina.

It is the headquarters of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, of the County of Rodopi and of the Dimocritus University.
It was populated by Greeks, Muslims, Armenians, Jews and Gypsies and presents a wide diversity in its residential image. Narrow alleys with old houses and Muslim mosques, old and contemporary churches, wide streets with modern buildings, all coexist in a perfect way. Famous sightseeing site is Ermou Street and the streets around it with the old shops, the mosque, the clock, the old church of Panagia with the wooden screen, the neoclassic building of the Tsanakleio School – where the deanery of the university is located. The archeological museum exhibits the best of what was found in excavations all over Thrace and among the exhibits is the golden bust of the roman emperor which was found in Didimotiho. In the part which is devoted to the church old pictures, ritual books and sacred utensils are exhibited.

The folklore museum is housed in a traditional mansion and exhibits costumes, jewellery, embroidery, agriculture tools and church utensils as well as documents, photos and books regarding the history of Thrace.

The big park gives the visitor the ability to rest whereas the Municipal Theatre of Komotini offers quality entertainment all over Thrace.

The road which ascends to Rodopi starts from the Administration Building of Komotini, crosses the surrounding forest – with all the recreation facilities – goes through the Byzantine fortress of Nimfaia, with the magnificent view, and ends up in the fortress itself.

It is very interesting to visit the villages that produce cherries in the foot of mount Rodopi, during spring and the season of florescence. In one of these, Simvola, an impressive Macedonian grave is preserved. Eastern of Komotini, in the village of Gratini, the ancient fortress of Gratianous, which was an important centre for Thrace in the 14th century, is preserved.