Halkidiki is an unmissable vacation destination for many, but this peninsula hides much more than fantastic beaches. Here are our suggestions on how to smartly complete your vacation and get to know as many sights and beauties of this rich region as possible.
Aristotle Park
At the northwestern entrance to Stagira-Akantos, near the site of the Olympics and next to the historic village of Stagira, you will find the famous Aristotle Park at an altitude of 500 m. This beautiful location is considered the birthplace of the famous philosopher, and the park itself is not a classical monument to Aristotle, although his statue from 1956 is located here.
Photo: frimufilms - Freepik
This is a theme and interactive park that gives visitors the opportunity to get to know his works from his book Physics. Entrance to the museum costs 1 EUR, working hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and in addition to this open-air museum with a sundial, concave plates and optical illusions, there is also a beautiful viewpoint and a restaurant.
Mount Holomontas
Mount Holomontas is located near Thessaloniki, in the very palm of Halkidiki and although it is only 1165 meters high, it offers an incredible view as well as the opportunity to observe rare birds. In addition to rich flora and fauna, the slopes of this mountain hide the traditional settlement of Mantemohoria, and the mountain itself is covered with oak and pine trees that occasionally interrupt fields with wild flowers and aromatic herbs. Holomontas is a protected nature reserve and has about 30 hiking trails, and you can find a mountain guide at any hotel and walk to the top. If you go further, you can try traditional wild mushrooms in the nearby village of Taxiarchis, and then the road takes you further to Arnea, a picturesque mountain town.
The village of Arnea
Arnea is one of the most picturesque villages in the mountainous part of northern Halkidiki, located at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, at the very foot of Mount Holomontas. Arnea has an important traditional heritage and has been declared a settlement of historical importance by the Greek Ministry of Justice. During the tour of the village, be sure to visit the historical folklore museum in Villa Karsandelos (one of the oldest houses in Halkidiki), the old school built in 1871, as well as the temple of Agios Stefanos which is built over 3 older temples that can be seen through the glass floor. Stories are circulating about this village that it is the place with the most centenarians who owe their longevity to the spring water that springs from the centenary plane tree in the main square. After Arnea, you can continue to Megali Panagia, the oldest village in Halkidiki famous for the icon of the Virgin Mary discovered in 1860 after a local woman dreamed of her. You can end the trip in Pirgadikia, a resort with a great beach that stretches a few kilometers to the east.
Patralona cave
The Patralona Cave is located 1 km east of the village of Petralona, ie 50 km northeast of Thessaloniki at an altitude of 300 m. The cave itself was discovered by chance by local villagers in 1959, only to find out a little later that there are remains of a female skeleton over 700 thousand years old. In addition to this discovery, fossils of bears, panthers, elephants, rhinoceroses and many other animals are found in the cave. Visitors can tour the cave and admire its red stalactites and stalagmites from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter period or from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer. The cave is 2 km long and the entrance to the cave costs 8 EUR.
Cassandra Peninsula
If you are in the mood for some relaxation on the most beautiful beaches in Greece, you should definitely visit the first finger of Halikidki, Kassandra. The northern part is considered a bit quieter, and the other side of the finger is reserved for those who enjoy going out and like tourist spots. The ancient name of Cassandra was Phlegra, which means "place of fire" and according to mythology, this area is the birthplace of the Titans, and is considered the area where the Titans tried to overthrow the Olympian gods from Olympus. By the way, Kassandra is the most populated peninsula of Halkidiki and one of the most visited regions for vacations, with incredible, turquoise beaches and intense nightlife, so no matter where you stop, you will certainly not go wrong.
The capital is Poligiros
If you want to see how Halkidiki lives all year round (and not just during the summer), get to know the local culture and habits of the people in the heart of Halkidiki, definitely visit Poligiros. Poligyros is the capital of Halkidiki prefecture and is characterized by a rich history, a picturesque old center and a charming atmosphere. The Polygyros Archaeological Museum exhibits exhibits from the entire peninsula dating back to prehistoric times, as well as the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Folklore Museum displays exhibits that include traditional clothing, agricultural tools and a representation of a typical urban house from Poligyros at the beginning of the 20th century.
Ancient Olynthos
Olynthos is a place with a rich history that dates back to the Neolithic period and which, according to mythology, was founded by the brother of Olynthos, the son of the mythical king of Thrace, Strymonas; Olynthos was killed by a lion and Strymonas built a city and named it after him, in memory of his brother. However, it is also believed that the city got its name from the wild figs, which in ancient Greek were called olintos, and which can be found in this area. Olynthos is located between Kassandra and Sithonia, and throughout the year you can visit the remains of the ancient city of Olynthos. Numerous archaeological investigations contribute to the importance of this area, such as the discovery of a large part of ancient Olynthos in 1938 when an ancient residence was found with some of the oldest known ancient mosaic floors and paintings. There is also an Archaeological Museum here, which provides an insight into the history of the ancient city and its cultural development. If you stop by from July 20, you will be greeted by a three-day olive festival held in honor of the prophet Elijah.
Place of Sikkim
Sikia is one of the oldest and largest villages in Halkidiki, located 90 km from Poligyros, but in the immediate vicinity of Sarti, in Sithonia. In the center of the old part, you can see the temple of Agios Athanasios, which dates back to 1819, and during the Byzantine era, the whole area belonged to the monasteries of Agios Oros. The place itself is not on the sea, and the beach with the same name is located 3 km from here. Above the place itself, whose architecture is quite reminiscent of Athos, there is a stone hill on which are the remains of a former fortress that played a significant role in the famous uprising against Turkey. Sikija is considered a paradise for campers, and in its vicinity there are certainly the most beautiful beaches in Sithonia, such as Klimataria, Kriaritsi, Linaraki and Tigania. If you want to complete the event, from here you can easily visit the bay of Toroni, the fishing village of Porto Kaufo or the beautiful Kalamici.
Vourvourou Beach
Vourvourou is an ideal summer destination, combining a crystal clear sea with a forest of dense vegetation and nine small islands. Vourvourou is located only 10 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos in Sithonia, and above all it is a quiet place that offers the possibility of a peaceful vacation in one of its unreal bays surrounded by pine forests.
In addition to exploring the old fishing village, you can walk along the imposing Itamos road, where you will enjoy an incredible sunset. It is certainly easy to find a room next to the beach itself through our website, where there are small taverns nearby that offer fresh fish and complete the landscape of this beautiful place in Halkidiki.
The place of Ouranopolis
Ouranopolis is one of the quietest resorts in the north of Halkidiki, at the very entrance to Athos, which offers many amenities such as quality restaurants and well-appointed apartments for rent. During the summer period, daily cruises are organized that bring you closer to the western side of Mount Athos and give visitors the opportunity to see some of the monasteries of Mount Athos. Also here you can get organic local products like olive oil, wine, honey and tsipur (alcoholic drink), and enjoy relaxing moments in the small fish taverns of the area. We hope that we have given you a broader picture of what you can visit in Halkidiki, and if you need more ideas of what to see, feel free to also read our article on why you should visit Halkidiki where you will find more interesting suggestions.
