Halkidiki
Halkidiki
“There is nothing like Halkidiki,” say the northern Greeks and they know what they’re talking about. Get ready to succumb to the charms of its three beautiful ‘feet’: Kassandra, Sithonia, Athos. The first two don’t discriminate, but the third is off limits to women, as it’s home to the famous monastic state, Mount Athos. What will your holiday in Halkidiki look like?
Turquoise water, dense pine forests, dreamy hotels, small coves with fish tavernas and cafes, beach bars, archaeological sites, traditional villages in Sithonia, the Petralona Cave in Kassandra. A microcosm of miracles. Explore it with all your senses.
Swimming under the pines
Pine trees to the water’s edge, white sand, beautiful bays, crystal-clear water, hidden coves. Halkidiki’s beaches are numberless. You can’t count them all, so just take out a map and mark it: Kavourotripes, Mikro (small) and Megalo (large) Karidi, Kalogria, Kriopigi, Agios Mamas, Sani… Dive into unspeakable beauty.
A five-star stay
Halkidiki tempts you to live a life of luxury at any one of its many luxury, beach resorts. High-end service, activities, spas and a plethora of unique experiences: private dining on the beach, soothing spa treatments, roomy villas right on the water, molecular gastronomy and renowned wines. You can also find private marinas, casinos, boutique shops, high-end bars and restaurants… the epitome of classic 5 star luxury in Northern Greece.
Petralona Cave - Homo Erectus
The Petralona cave was discovered in 1959 by the inhabitant of the namesake community Philip Chantzaridi. Hundred meters south of the current artificial entrance (behind the museum) is a slot of the rock of the roof, from where villagers Uncle Philip descended with ropes and saw it with religious stalactites and stalagmites inside the cavities, instead of some source water they expected to find. World made famous in 1960 when another inhabitant of Petralona community, Chris Sarigiannidis, found the famous skull of ancient man.
Systematic excavations began in 1965 by the founder of SA, Professor Aris N.. Paulianos, who proved that the Arhanthropos Petralona is 700,000 years and that is the archaic form of the modern man (early transitional evolutionary stage of the ancestral Hominid forms the prudent Man – Homo sapiens). Investigations are continuing, despite the occasional holiday, within of SA activities by him and his son, Dr. Nick A.. Paulianos.
Nea Moudania
Nea Moudania is the second largest city of Halkidiki, after Poligiros. The distance from Thessaloniki is 54 km and is located at the start of Kassandra Peninsula. It has 9.500 inhabitants and the main occupations of those inhbitants are tourism and fishing since the fishing area of Moudania is among the largest in Mediterranean. Also in Nea Moudania there is a department of Aquaculture of the Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki.
In Nea Moudania is located a large olive grove with thousands of olive trees that create a stunning landscape. Also in the area of Nea Moudania and mainly in the seaside resort of beach Dionisios, which is 3km away from Moudania, there are many accommodations. From these we suggest you the Luxury Resort Ikos Oceania which is located in the olive grove infront of a great sandy beach.
Kallithea
During the summer months Kallithea is the most popular village in Halkidiki. It is located in the first peninsula of Halkidiki, Kassandra. Kallithea is 85 km away from Thessaloniki and is the most cosmopolitan place in Halkidiki. You have to cross the center of the village in order to visit either the beaches and the villages of Eastern Kassandra such as Pefkohori, Hanioti, Polichrono, Kriopigi and Paliouri, or parts of Western Kassandra such as Fourka, Posidi, Agia Paraskevi. The center of Kallithea is the crossroad that leads to these two directions. Furthermore within a short distance is located Afitos which you should visit at least for one afternoon walk.
Your stay in Kallithea won’t be a problem as there are too many rooms that will allow you find cheap accommodation in the region but luxury hotels as well. One of the most well known luxury resorts in Kallithea is the Aegean Melathron Thalasso Spa Hotel. In the same area are located Athos Palace and Pallini Beach.
Afitos
Afitos or Athitos is a traditional village in Kassandra Halkidiki which is located 83 km away from Thessaloniki. It has an amazing view of Toroneos gulf as the village is built on a hill overlooking the coast. Most houses are built of stone with an excellent architecture. Small squares, cobbled streets and traditional taverns create a beautiful scenery totally harmonized with the natural landscape. Visitors also have the opportunity to admire the unique architecture of the church of St. Demetrius which was built in 1859 and is located in the central square and also mansions and famous sculptures of Vassilis Pavlis. In the village center you will find the folklore museum which houses various art exhibitions and you can see tools and utensils used in the past by local residents.
The village has a long history as there is evidence of settlements from 3000 BC. Afitos which was known as Afitios flourished as member of the Athenian Alliance. In 348 BC was destroyed by King Phillip II and was reoccupied later. During the Roman Period experienced a second major development probably due to the monument of Ammon Zeus.
During the summer months Afitos is “flooded” by tourists. Award winning restaurants, traditional tavernas, café and bars are waiting to offer you unforgettable moments during your stay in Halkidiki. We would highly suggest you and afternoon stroll through the streets of Afitos discovering every corner, a romantic dinner in the restaurant “Sousourada and Sgouros Skantzoxiros” or a refreshing cocktail in the popular Bar Bousoulas which is perched on a hill overlooking the sea. You are not allowed to enter the historic center of the village by car so you will have to park it on adjacent streets. If you find yourself in the village on August 15th don’t miss the feast of Holy Mary, a traditional feast with Greek music, dancing and food. However throughout July and August take place artistic events within the Afitos Festival.
The sandy beach of Afitos extends in a long way and there are several beach bars which can offer sunbeds. Inside the sea there are a few places where there are stones and the water deepens abruptly.
Pefkochori
Pefkochori or Kapsochora is a big village locate in Kassandra of Halkidiki which is the first peninsula. It is 105 km away from Thessaloniki and you will find on the Southeastern part of the peninsula of Kassandra, only 19 km away from Kallithea after you pass through the villages of Kriopigi, Polichrono and Haniotis.
Pefkochori has 1.600 inhabitants but in summer period attracts tens of thousands tourists. It is perhaps the second most cosmopolitan place in Kassandra during the summer months after Kallithea. In Pefkochori you will find organized hotels, luxury villas and rooms to rent.
During the summer months you can party until early morning hours in the rhythm of Greek and foreign-Serbian music in the numerous clubs andbars of the area. You can also enjoy traditional Greek and Mediterranean food in luxurious restaurants and fish taverns. Furthermore there are a lot of organized Beach Bars alongside the village coast.
During the summer the streets below the main road through the village and up to the each are pedestrian, allowing guest to enjoy a stroll on the coastal road and the small roads with the shops inside the village. However pedestrian creates a slight congestion on the main road because of frequent transit tourist Busses serving tourists.
Also in the village of Pefkochori you will find ATM, post office, Internet Café, big Super Markets, private clinic and a dental clinic.
Pefkochori apart from the beautiful sandy beach which is within the village, is located close to excellent beaches which attract many visitors of Halkidiki. Glarokavos the lagoon is only 3 km away from the center of the village. Also there is the famous beach to young people called Chrouso and the beach Xenia in Paliouri where the famous beach bars Navagos and Koursaros are located in a distance of 7 km from Pefkochori.
Hanioti
Hanioti is situated in the first peninsula of Halkidiki, in Kassandra, and is about 101 km away from Thessaloniki. It is a picturesque tourist resort with pedestrian streets, a great beach and many green parks where you and your children can play and enjoy moments of peace and tranquility.
In the area of Hanioti the accommodation options vary. You can find cheap apartments, small hotels, great hotel complexes, luxury estate and villas which can satisfy even the most demanding visitor.
During the summer months the center of Hanioti becomes sidewalk and in the narrow streets there are many shops, bars, cafes, taverns and restaurants. One afternoon or evening walk in the center of Hanioti will impress you. It is one of the busiest regions of Halkidiki and is ideal for family vacations, though there are a lot of bars and clubs where you can party all night. Besides, Hanioti is within a short distance from Kallithea the famous nightlife village in Halkidiki.
In the big beautiful beach of the village which extends down from the coastal park there are a lot of beach bars which offer free sunbeds but also some water sports for which you have to pay. On the right side of the beach is the famous beach bar Molos which is a destination for many since in almost a daily base are organized parties with dance music by famous DJs. We suggest for your swimming apart from the beach in the village, to also visit Glarokavos near Pefkochori but the famous beaches in Paliouri with the crystal waters and the full of people beach bars as well. Hanioti is an ideal destination for your stay as the distances to many places of interest in Halkidiki are short and the village is not so noisy as Kallithea or Pefkochori.
In the village there are all the necessary amenities such as public and private health center where you could be provided primary health care, supermarket and ATM machines in order to withdraw money.
Sani
Sani is one of the most famous and unique areas in Halkidiki. It’s located 83 km away from Thessaloniki, in Kassandra Peninsula. In order to get there you have to turn right after passing Nea Potidea and before arriving in Nea Fokaia. There is a large sign on the road on your right hand that will guide you.
In ancient times the area was the acropolis of ancient Sani, a city flourished until the Roman Empire. During the following centuries in Sani created dependencies of the Monasteries of Mount Athos. One of those was the monastery of Stavronikita, which was protected from the tower on the hill of Sani. The tower whose construction dates back to 1543 has been preserved in very good condition. Every year on the hill, around the tower, takes place during the summer months the famous Sani Festival which brings together artists from around the world. The Sani Festival is one of the most popular arts festival in Greece and happens since 1982.
In the area of Sani, next to the hill Sani and the tower dominates the luxury Sani Resort which will offer you a unique holiday experience with a view of the mountain of gods, Mount Olympus. The resort extends to a private area of 4500 acres, surrounded by the pine forest of Kassandra and behind the golden sands and crystal blue waters of the Aegean. This harmony of nature and quality, luxury and comfort, will offer you the chance to escape completely from the stress and anxiety of everyday life.
Nea Skioni
Nea Skioni is a coastal tourist village spread along the sandy coast in the southern part of Kassandra peninsula in Halkidiki. It has a harbor where boats tie up and which give a completely traditional Greek touch to the village and supply the whole area with fresh fish. Nea Skioni is only a few kilometers away from the hot springs of Aghia Paraskevi and is a point of attraction for tourists in the area.
The beach of Nea Skioni with its long sandy beach has been awarded for many years with the blue flag and has a large playground for your children, but also tennis beach volley.
It is worth visiting the seaside church of Panaghia Faneromeni, which is 2 km away from the village and lies in the area of the Ancient Skioni. The church is built on the seashore and has frescoes from the 16th century.
Nea Skioni is located 24 km away from Kallithea and 78 km away from Polygyros. If you’re on the east coast of Kassandra and want to get to Nea Skioni, you can follow the road from Hanioti and which leads over the mountain.
Nea Skioni got its name from the ancient Skioni, which was one of the earliest settlements-colonies in Halkidiki. During the Roman Empire the region had flourished.
Neos Marmaras
Neos Marmaras is the largest seaside village in second peninsula of Halkidiki, Sithonia. It is the most cosmopolitan place in Sithonia and every year thousands of tourists visit and are enjoying the beautiful beaches, the beautiful scenery, the nature of the surrounding mountains, the nightlife and the romantic walks on the streets with a view to small island Kelifos, the first peninsula of Halkidiki and the mountain of Gods, Olympus.
Neos Marmaras is approximately 120 km away form Thessaloniki and has 3.500 permanent residents who are mainly engaged in tourism, fishing and beekeeping. In Neos Marmaras you will find police station, post office, banks, private clinics, public regional clinic, pharmacy, port authorities, fire brigade abd other services. The commercial center of Neos Marmaras has many shops as Super Market, fish markets, fur shops, stationery gifts, etc. from where you can buy what you may need. During the summer months the floating port of Neos Marmaras is operates and serves the needs of many vessels and boats. Also from Neos Marmaras there are daily boats to Mount Athos. The area is visited by many nature lovers as the flora in Itamos or for the locals also called Dragoudelis, the mountain over Neos Marmaras, is rich and rare. You may encounter deer, roe deer, foxes, wild boars and other animals.
Porto Karras
Porto Carras is the most prestigious hotel complex in Northern Greece and one of the most well known throughout Greece. It is built on a pine-covered area of 17000 acres. It has been awarded nine times by the Conde Nast Traveller, and consists of two five star hotels, Porto Carras Sithonia and Porto Carras Meliton but also of the historic Villa Galini. Porto Carras is 111 km away from Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport.
Porto Carras features and a modern conference center that meets the needs of the most demanding events and conferences.
Apart from the beach of Porto Karras, in a short distance, there are other beaches worth visiting, starting from the crowded beach of Ai-Giannis with the famous beach bars. Just a few kilometers away are located the unique beach Spathies beach, Akti Koviou beach and Akti Kalogrias beach, Lagomandra beach, Akti Elias beach, Paradisos beach, and Tristinika beach.
Sykia
Sykia is one of the biggest villages in Sithonia, and it’s located 160 km away from Thessaloniki. It is situated on the southeastern side of the peninsula and is famous for its long beach and its history as well, since in Sykia have been excavated findings from the 11th century BC. The old settlement is an excellent example of traditional architecture of the 19th century. The 2300 inhabitants are mainly engaged in tourism, fishing, agriculture and stickraising.
The beach in Sykia is a long sandy beach with shallow waters which is 3 km away from the village. It is awarded with blue flag and is ideal for families and nature lovers. There are also many smaller beaches separated by creeks. In the main beach of the village there are two old windmillsthat are worth visiting and take a closer look. Also on the beach there are restaurants where you can eat fresh fish and drink coffee.
The village has a clinic, supermarket and several shops where you can buy anything you need.
Nearby, there is a hill named Cuckos as there is also an old settlement and cemetery, which was built during the Bronze and Iron Age. Many manuscripts mention Sykia with the name Longos. During the Byzantine Empire, the whole area belonged to the monasteries of Mount Athos (Aghion Oros).