Things to do
Anyone can have a good time here: budget travelers, well-off vacationers, those who seek a peaceful and quiet vacation, families with children, and party-goers.
Beautiful beaches
The coastline of Halkidiki is diverse and boasts thousands of beaches. It is fairly easy to find your ideal beach; choose either a crowded place to experience the Greek beach atmosphere or a quiet spot to enjoy its tranquility.
Hanioti is a picturesque village on the first “finger” of Kassandra. The Blue Flag awarded beach is located on the outskirts of the village – relatively narrow and well-organized, sandy, but with some pebbles, and crystal clear water. It gets crowded in the summer. Restaurants, bars, and various water sports are available for visitors. Access is provided for people with disabilities.
If you want to diversify your beach vacation, you can visit the beaches of neighboring villages.
Pefkohori Beach is wide, sandy, and also well-equipped with infrastructure.
Polychrono is an old village that has turned into a tourist resort over time and is known for its nightlife. Polychrono is surrounded by beautiful nature, with a landscape dominated by pine forests and olive plantations.
Kallithea Beach is also well-organized with various restaurants, beach bars, and water sports. It is a wide and clean beach. It is recommended for families with children because it is shallow enough.
Kriopigi is a beach of the eponymous coastal village after Kallithea. It is a quiet, family-friendly coastline with clean turquoise waters, shaded by pine trees on the upper hill.
Nikiti is one of the most popular towns in Sithonia. It has an excellent long sandy beach for those who love beautiful clean water. It is awarded the Blue Flag. Everything is nearby: restaurants, bars, and taverns. It is a great place for complete enjoyment and a peaceful vacation.
Not far from Nikiti, Kalogria Beach is a long but narrow coast with clean white sand and calm, shallow, emerald water, making it attractive for couples with children. It is a good choice for those who love water sports and snorkeling.
Metamorfosi is a village with lush vegetation, so the wide, sandy, and crystal-clear beach is surrounded with its flora add fauna
Sailing and boat trips:
However, Halkidiki can surprise not only with its beaches. One of the best ways to explore the region is sailing. To have unforgettable experiences, you can take a 7-hour day trip or a 3-hour sunset cruise in Sithonia on a boat that departs daily from the port of Nikiti. In Halkidiki, there are many companies that specialize in daily cruises and yacht charters for an exciting sailing vacation. They offer daily cruises and weekly yacht charters in Halkidiki and the North Aegean Sea. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a boat cruise is available from the port of Pefkochori, Kassandra (a neighboring village of Hanioti) that travels around both Kassandra and Sithonia peninsulas. Departure is at 09:30 in the morning and returns around 17:30. Starting from Pefkochori, you will see the Toroneos Gulf, spend time on an isolated beach in Toroni, take a walk in Neos Marmaras, continue your cruise to the unique turtle island of Kelifos, and return to Pefkochori. If you are curious and seeking adventure, you must visit Vourvourou Bay (Sithonia). You will have the opportunity to explore nine tiny islands and a larger one called “Diaporos,” see the Blue Lagoon, and of course, swim in the heavenly blue water. Boat trips are also organized there, which take an excursion to all the islands or leave you on one of the island beaches for several hours. In Vourvourou, you can rent equipment and take lessons in windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Diving in Halkidiki
To fully experience Halkidiki, you need to dive and immerse yourself in the rejuvenating power of the water. The underwater landscape varies greatly from area to area, from sandy bottoms to steep cliffs, and from crystal clear waters to dark underwater caves. The flora and fauna of the seabed vary depending on the dive site and the season. The waters in most areas are warm and there are no – at least in the main diving spots – intense currents. Diving takes place in more than 20 locations throughout Halkidiki, and you can receive training in schools and gain unique underwater swimming experience, following experienced instructors.
Jeep Safari. Choose: Sithonia or Kassandra!
A landscape tour around the entire Sithonia peninsula, crossing picturesque villages, green pine forests with century-old trees, vineyards, and beautiful seaside shores. Admire the rare old trees of Itamos, the historic settlement of Parthenonas, one of the most beautiful and traditional villages in Sithonia. The off-road adventure in Kassandra offers you uninterrupted views of the sea: on one side, you can see the Aegean Islands (to the south of Kassandra), and on the other side, Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. This trip includes a scenic tour of the Kassandra peninsula, crossing green forests, olive groves, and beautiful coastal lines, overlooking the Thermaikos Gulf, Toroneos Gulf, and Aegean Sea. You will see a small lake called Mavrobara or Turtle Lake.
Wellness
Halkidiki is an attractive holiday destination where visitors can enjoy its high-quality wellness resorts and luxurious spa hotels. In Kassandra, surrounded by a pine forest in an amazing location on top of a hill with a view of the Aegean Sea, is the natural thermal spa center of Agia Paraskevi. On its southern side, the facilities of “Lutra” stand out. The natural spa center is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its exceptional therapeutic procedures. The waters of Lutra Agias Paraskevis, which come from deep underground, have a strong therapeutic effect. The average water temperature is about 36°C. It is rich in sodium chloride, bromide, and sulfides. Treatment at Lutra is indicated for patients with skin diseases (acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis), gynecological and urological problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and those who need to recover after injuries. The resort’s spa center is located in a seaside location and operates almost year-round: from April to January. For rejuvenation and complete relaxation, everything necessary is available here: saunas, pools, hydro massage, services of experienced specialists, and individually tailored treatment. The clinic has massage rooms and a gym
History
There is something to see for history lovers or those who want to fully enjoy the Greek spirit.
Take a stroll through the streets of the old town of Nikiti, which was founded in the 14th century. The old village has its own architectural style with old stone houses, narrow streets, a small square with a plane tree in the middle, a small taverna, and cafes. Check out the Agios Nikitas church (dating back to 1870) standing on top of the hill. Recently opened, the Historical-Folklore Museum of Nikiti is also worth a visit. Visit the basilica of Sofronios, located 9 km south of Nikiti. Take a walk through the cobbled streets of other traditional historical settlements – Athitos (or Afitos), Arnea, Parthenonas.
Feel the aura of the great ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle in his hometown, Ancient Stagira. Nearby is a beautiful park dedicated to the life and work of this great ancient philosopher. Aristotle Park is an excellent example of a theme park, located amidst lush forests, on the southern slopes of Mount Stratonikos and overlooking the Gulf of Ierissos.
Visit the sanctuary of Zeus Ammon in Kallithea, a place dedicated to the cult of Dionysus, the god of wine and theater, Zeus Ammon, and Asclepius. Get acquainted with Ancient Olynthos, inhabited since the Neolithic era. Visit the Polygyros Archaeological Museum, where the Bronze Age and Roman period of Halkidiki come alive through amazing artifacts. Go back in time to the Byzantine era, looking to the Byzantine towers of Nea Fokea and Ouranoupoli, the Tower of Saint Paul and the Tower of Prosforios. Discover local traditions in the folklore museums of Athitos and Arnea, which depict the daily life of local residents through their tools and everyday objects, even their home decor.
Gastronomy
Enjoy local flavors in restaurants, taverns, and prestigious festivals featuring exquisite or traditional cuisine.
You can immerse yourself in Greek gastronomy by visiting open-air farmers’ markets.
Once a week, these markets appear in different villages, as they are not fixed in one location. Here, you will find fresh and tasty local fruits and vegetables of all kinds, fish and seafood, herbs, honey, eggs, most of which are sold directly by local farmers.
You can taste the flavor of Greek wine by visiting wineries in Arnea, Agios Pavlos, Marathousa, and Sithonia
Nature
Explore the natural environment of the peninsula. There are 20 hiking trails and 17 biking trails located between mountains, forests, and wetlands, most of which are protected by the European Natura network (2000). Take a hike around Lake Mavrobara (Turtle Lake), discover the Varvara waterfalls, probably the best-kept secret of Halkidiki, and stroll through the famous Taxiarhis University forest on Mount Holomontas. Don’t miss the world-famous Petralona Cave and the wetlands of Sani or Agios Mamas.
And don’t forget to enjoy the enchanting, unique sunsets of Halkidiki, with their delicate tones and vivid colors!
For more information on places to visit and contacts for companies offering various entertainment services, visit https://www.visit-halkidiki.gr.
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