Destinations in Chalkidiki
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Chalkidiki is the peninsula south-east of Thessaloniki, shaped like a hand with three long fingers reaching into the Aegean, and one of Greece's most popular summer destinations, famous for pine forests that run down to beaches of fine sand and crystal-clear water. Each of the three peninsulas has its own character. Kassandra, the westernmost and closest to Thessaloniki, is the liveliest, with large resorts, beach bars and nightlife in places such as Kallithea, Pefkochori and Hanioti, as well as the pretty stone village of Afytos perched above the sea. Sithonia, in the middle, is greener and wilder, with a jagged coastline of coves, rocky inlets and turquoise bays such as Kavourotrypes, Orange Beach and the natural harbour of Porto Koufo, and resorts like Neos Marmaras and Vourvourou facing a scattering of islets. The easternmost peninsula is Mount Athos, a self-governing monastic republic of twenty monasteries where only men with special permits may enter; others can admire its monasteries from cruise boats departing from Ouranoupoli. Inland, Chalkidiki has mountain villages such as Arnaia, the Petralona Cave, where prehistoric human remains were found, and Ancient Stagira, birthplace of Aristotle. Local honey, olives and wine are excellent. Chalkidiki suits families, couples and groups of friends.
Quick facts
LOCATION
Central Macedonia
KNOWN FOR
Kassandra, Sithonia & Athos
BEST FOR
Beach, Organised beaches, Resorts, Families, Nightlife
Beaches
Kallithea (Chalkidiki) Beach
Sarti Beach
Porto Koufo Beach
Glarokavos Beach
Kalogria (Sithonia) Beach
Chaniotis Beach
Armenistis (Sithonia) Beach
Pefkochori Beach
Possidi Beach
Sani Beach
Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach) Beach
Karydi Beach
Vourvourou Beach
Lagomandra Beach
Tristinika Beach
Nea Fokea Beach
Ammouliani (Alykes) Beach
Ouranoupoli Beach
Ierissos Beach
Olympiada Beach
Museums & History
Archaeological Site of Ancient Olynthos
Archaeological Site of Ancient Stagira (Birthplace of Aristotle)
Byzantine Tower of Ouranoupoli
Xerxes Canal
Petralona Cave
Agios Pavlos Tower (Nea Fokea)
Archaeological Site of Temple of Zeus Ammon (Kallithea)
Kassandra Canal (Nea Poteidaia)
Toroni Castle (Lekythos)
Other
Arnaia Village
Parthenonas Village
Afytos Village
Mount Athos Boat Cruise
Nature
Aristotle Park (Stagira)
Mount Itamos
Transportation
Port of Ouranoupoli
Port of Nea Moudania
Shopping
Neos Marmaras Waterfront
By air
Thessaloniki International Airport (Makedonia), with flights from across Europe and from Athens all year, is the gateway to Halkidiki. Resorts on Kassandra are about one to one and a half hours away, and those on Sithonia one and a half to two hours.
By ferry
Halkidiki has no regular island ferries. In summer, cruise boats explore the coast, and from Ouranoupoli boats sail along Mount Athos, which only male pilgrims with a permit may visit. A short ferry links Tripiti with the small island of Ammouliani.
Getting around
Strongly recommended. KTEL buses link Thessaloniki with the main resorts, but Halkidiki’s three peninsulas are long, and the best beaches, especially on Sithonia, are spread along winding coast roads. A car is the easiest way to explore.
