Halkidiki Holidays

Where is Halkidiki?
Set just below the city of Thessaloniki and home to the longest single stretch of coastline in the country, Halkidiki has an unusual geography formed from three peninsulas (shaped like Poseidon’s trident) jutting out into the Aegean Sea in the north of Greece – Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos.

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Kassandra
The three peninsulas of Halkidiki are Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos. The most popular and most developed of the three ‘fingers’ is the westernmost, of Kassandra. This region is family-friendly with long, golden-sand beaches and lots of lively bars and restaurants along the shore. The challenging Koutsoupia-Siviri hike rewards with stunning ocean views and ancient ruins while the Bousoulas bird sanctuary hiking trail is home to over 180 species of birds including migrating mute swans and egrets. Discover charming stone houses in the picturesque village of Athitos and explore the coast’s secluded coves by boat or cruise to resorts such as Potidea and Porto Koufo.

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Sithonia
Sithonia is the quieter middle peninsula, with a laid-back vibe and beautiful beaches on the east and west. Sarti is a windsurfing favourite and the coves of Kavourotipes and Karidi are a dream fro sunbathing. From the east coast you’ll have excellent views across the sea to Mount Athos. Interesting sights on the peninsula include the ancient city of Toroni, dating back to the 8th Century BC, and from here you can also snorkel among ruins.

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Athos
The eastern Athos Peninsula is largely undeveloped and the beaches on the north coast are more popular with locals than tourists. Much of the peninsula belongs to the self-governed Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to 20 monasteries, the first of which was founded in 963 AD. Today, over 1500 monks from Greece and other Eastern Orthodox countries live in Athos. It’s possible to take a boat trip along the coastline to admire the monasteries of Mount Athos, most likely as close as you can get.

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Getting around
Car rental is a fantastic choice for getting around the larger region of Halkidiki and there are some beautiful roads to travel taking you to traditional fishing villages, tinier towns and stunning beaches. In the most central resorts taxis are readily available, boat trips can be taken from Ouranoupolis and Vourvourou to Mount Athos and there is a bus service to Thessaloniki.

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Food & drink
In this region which rich in wine, herbs and dairy, you can expect to feast on delicious fresh cheeses, sweet honeys and amazing oils. Plush hotels house award-winning restaurants with menus overseen by Michelin-starred chefs and traditional villages are home to charming tavernas and seafood restaurants serving the catch of the day and local specialities. You’ll find eateries with spellbinding sea views, fine dining right on the beach and kid-friendly pizzerias and snack bars. At the Sani Resort, the annual Sani Gourmet Festival is a gastronomic celebration bringing some of the finest chefs around the world to the coastline for a few days in mid-May.

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