Where to go on trips away from the beach? Where is the best place to swim in the sea and what else to do on the Halkidiki peninsula?
Beaches and swimming
Halkidiki is mainly visited for its great swimming and beautiful beaches, which are among the best on the Greek mainland. Thanks to the vastness and diversity of the area, with its three elongated peninsulas, you'll find a variety of beach types, from long, flat beaches with full facilities to beautiful beaches on wild rocky shores.
The best beach resorts in Halkidiki
However, the vast majority of beaches in Halkidiki have two common denominators: the crystal clear water and the fine white sand that covers most of them.
The Halkidiki peninsula is also generally known for the very calm waters of all the bays that wash over it, and most of the time the bottom at the shoreline sinks only very gently. It is therefore no wonder that Halkidiki is such a popular place for families with children and not very skilled swimmers.
The best beaches in Halkidiki - where to go?
The area can be divided into 4 units, each offering slightly different beaches.
The main peninsula of Halkidiki
In its widest part, the coastline in the west offers mainly flat, longer beaches, while in the east, the beaches are long but surrounded by green hills and significantly less visited. Compared to the three 'fingers' - the long promontories rising from the mainland - the resorts on the main part of the peninsula tend to be cheaper and less visited. These include, for example, towns and beaches:
Kassandra promontory
The westernmost of the three "fingers" with the largest number of resorts and also visitors. While the eastern coast of Kassandra is almost all flat, the western and southern coast is more rugged and definitely more photogenic, on the other hand you will find (compared to the eastern side) very few resorts.
The eastern side of Kassandra is literally dotted with resorts and is one of the main centres of tourism in Halkidiki. Lovers of long beaches will have fun here, which are lined with lively promenades with tavernas, nightclubs and bars. It is easily accessible both by bus and by car and you can enjoy complete tourist facilities.
The biggest resorts on Kassandra are:
You won't miss the more rugged beaches with more natural surroundings on Kassandra either. In this case, head to these places:
Sitohia outcrop
On the middle peninsula, lovers of smaller and less-visited beaches will enjoy the beautiful rugged coastline, which is reminiscent of Sardinia in places, and even the Seychelles for its white smooth rocks and clear water.
On Sithonia you'll find mostly smaller quieter resorts and much more natural beaches surrounded by hilly countryside. Top spots include:
However, even in Sithonia you will come across the larger resorts of Nikiti and Neos Marmaras, which offer full tourist facilities.
Athos promontory
The last easternmost peninsula of Athos is largely dedicated to the Holy State of Athos with very limited public access. The northern, freely accessible part does not offer the nicest beaches in Chalkidiki, but it is definitely worth visiting the islets of Ammouliani and Drenia, which are accessible by boat from the Athos peninsula, specifically from the ports of Tripiti and Ouranoupolis respectively.
Prices of beach services
On most beaches you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, for which you pay around 15 eur per day. You will also find tavernas and snack bars on all beaches, for lunch menus count between 12 eur and 16 eur.
Sitting in tavernas
Greek tavernas are legendary on the gastronomic map of Europe. Indulge in the calm and relaxed atmosphere by the seaside, savour Greek specialities and stretch your dinner for up to 2 hours. The Greeks are in no hurry to eat and will be happy to indulge you with several courses.
Taverns are ubiquitous, not just on the local beaches, and usually very tastefully decorated. If you have a car, however, don't be afraid to venture inland from the coast and visit a local taverna that tourists only wander into randomly. These are usually the places where the best dining experiences await.
And what specialties in Halkidiki are not to be missed?
- Wine - Halkidiki is literally intertwined with vineyards and most tavernas naturally serve great local wines that are among Greece's top
- Dolmades - traditional Greek grape leaves stuffed with rice and vegetables, rarely with meat. In Halkidiki, dolmades are improved by dipping them in tomato sauce
- Musaka - a typical Greek dish widespread throughout the country of Halkidiki. It is roasted minced meat with eggplant, potatoes, onions and topped with béchamel sauce.
- Bougiourdi - baked feta cheese with tomatoes, in Halkidiki, hot pepper is added
- Seafood - a staple of Greek cuisine, wherever you are in the country
Nightlife
Most resorts in Halkidiki are characterised by peace and quiet, but party-goers needn't worry. Sure, it's not Ibiza or Mallorca, and you won't really find any European-style discos and clubs here, but on the Kassandra peninsula you'll come across plenty of resorts where great bars are open until the early hours of the morning.
The resorts of Pefkochori and Kallithea are best known for their long nights.
Boat cruises
The rugged coastline of Halkidiki invites cruises, often with stops for snorkelling. You can take a boat trip from almost any of the major resorts, but the most popular cruises are from the ports of Ouranoupoli and Ormos Panagias, where boats depart towards the mysterious coastline of the Athos peninsula, where you'll enjoy views of the monasteries of the monastic state of the same name from afar.
Prices for the 3-4 hour cruises are relatively low compared to other Greek destinations and range between 20 eur and 30 eur.
You can also rent a small motorboat at the resorts and explore the coastline on your own.
You don't need any license or licence for the smallest motor boats and a full day's hire costs around 80 eur to 100 eur plus around 30 eur for petrol. One of the most popular places for tourists to hire boats is the rugged coastline with its many islands around the resort of Vourvourou.
A visit to the mysterious Holy Mount Athos
Almost the entire Athos peninsula is filled with the special entity and autonomous region of the monastic state of Athos. The very hilly promontory is home to 20 Orthodox monasteries and is a major pilgrimage site for the Orthodox faithful.
However, the monastic republic of Athos lives a very traditional way of life, so access to its territory is very strictly limited. For example, entry is absolutely forbidden to women and there is a quota of 10 visitors per day for men/non-believers.
For detailed information on the history of the area, as well as practical advice on how and when to get permission to enter, see the details of the Monastic State of Athos site.
Sights and history
Greece has permeated the history of Europe and you can usually find ancient monuments in every corner of the country. However, the Chalkidiki area is generally very poor in monuments and you'll visit them here more as a diversion to some destinations. Unless you're a real history buff, it's definitely not worth travelling to Halkidiki purely for the sights.
Highlights include the ancient Greek archaeological site of the Temple of Ammon Zeus in Kallithea or the excavations of the ancient city of Stagira, where the famous philosopher Aristotle was born.
