The beautiful Halkidiki, one of the most popular summer destinations in northern Greece, is a region with three peninsulas near Thessaloniki. The first peninsula (or finger) is Kassandra and it is one of the most popular choices of our tourists who mostly choose places like Pefkohori, Hanioti and Paralia. The second finger of Halkidiki is Sithonia, which is less crowded with tourists and hides turquoise bays, fairy-tale villages in the mountains and long, isolated beaches. On the third peninsula of Athos is Mount Athos and most of the peninsula is a region dedicated to monastic life, but at the very beginning of the finger there are quiet, idyllic places for summer vacations. However, if you've never visited Halkidiki or are hesitating whether to spend your summer here again this year, read our 10 reasons why you should definitely visit Halkidiki (again).
The most beautiful beaches in Greece (and beyond)
The beaches of Halkidiki are considered the most beautiful beaches in Greece - and for good reason. With over 70 blue flag beaches and 550 km of sandy coastline, it is not difficult to find the perfect beach for everyone's taste. The beaches generally have fine golden sand that is not too fine and long shallows, which is why many compare them to those on the islands or Thailand. The coast is full of greenery and you can find natural shade on the beaches, and the clean, turquoise water has a pleasant temperature, so you won't freeze while swimming. The beaches on Kassandra are mostly organized and part of certain hotel resorts, while there are fewer tourists on Sithonia, so you can enjoy hidden coves or even go camping.
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Photo: Vasilis Kritos - Pixabay
Great bike tour
Halkidiki offers endless opportunities for an active vacation throughout the season, especially for those who enjoy cycling. The cycling paths are mostly well marked and interesting routes, and the experience is completed by the unreal beauty of the nature of Halkidiki, where the blue of the Aegean Sea is in perfect contrast with the green of the forests. If you like adventure, Halkidiki is also great for those more extreme bike tours, but if you are interested in this, we advise you to contact local guides because these routes are driven in very isolated places.
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Exciting mountain landscapes
Due to its moderate climate, Halkidiki is an ideal travel destination not only during the summer but also throughout the year. And as the whole region is full of wonderful, green landscapes and protected areas, it is ideal for activities such as hiking, climbing, mountaineering or camping. Halkidiki has several roads that are ideal for longer walking routes, such as mountains Holomontans and Stratonico where there are also climbing options. You can also choose to explore the lagoon of Agios Mamas or go on a hiking tour to Mount Iramos where you can observe rare species of birds or organize a picnic at Lake Mavrobara.
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Magnificent Athos
The peninsula with the same name (also known as Sveta Gora) and the place where Mount Athos is located is the only autonomous monastic state in Europe, where there are 20 Orthodox monasteries and is currently home to about 2000 monks. Our most famous monastery, Hilandar, is located here, built on the initiative of Saint Sava, where everyday life continues to this day according to the pattern he left behind. By the way, only monks are allowed to live on Mount Athos - it is forbidden for women to enter the monastic part of the peninsula, but even men have to struggle to set foot on this ground because a visit to Mount Athos must be announced several months in advance in order to get permission to enter. Regardless of the strict rules, you can admire Athos if you decide to take a boat trip along the coast of the peninsula, because several monasteries are also visible from the sea.
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Photo Tabelaprv - Pixabay
The mysterious cave of Petralona
Among other archaeological sites, Halkidiki also preserves the secret cave located on the western part of Mount Katsika. The cave was accidentally discovered in 1959 and is full of red stalagmites and stalactites, so it is also known as the cave of red stones. But this is not just another ordinary cave, because in 1960 Dr. Poulianos discovered the remains of the skeleton of a young woman that is almost 700 thousand years old and this is considered one of the oldest human remains in Europe. Later excavations led to the discovery of other human remains as well as animal fossils.
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Near Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is only a 1-2 hour drive from Halkidiki so you can easily visit this beautiful city while on vacation. With several monuments from the Byzantine era, great places to go out, delicious food and a good cultural scene, Thessaloniki is definitely a must-visit city. For our detailed guide to what to see in Thessaloniki, click here.
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Interesting festivals
Apart from being the best holiday destination, Halkidiki is definitely a place for those who enjoy food and drink. Every year in June, the Sunny Gourmet festival takes place within the Sunny resort on Kassandra, where chefs from the best Michelin restaurants from all over the world come to prepare various delicious dishes and delicacies. Participants can discover new tastes, attend workshops and presentations and participate in new taste testing. In the same place, from July to August, the Sani Music Festival is held, where a magnificent view of the medieval fortress and the Aegean Sea can be seen from the hill of Sani. Also, Cassandra Music Festival takes place in July and August in Siviri where you can hear traditional and modern music from all over the world. On the other hand, for all lovers of Greek music, at the festival in Poligiros in August you can hear traditional, folk music as well as bands from Greece. In Sithonia there is also a local fair that moves to a different place every two weeks during the summer season, which can be interesting for tourists. If you are interested in more details on how to spend time in Halkidiki, see our suggestions for going out here.
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A rich culinary heritage
Halkidiki is known for good food with a long culinary tradition influenced by the flavors of Constantinople and Asia Minor. This region is rich in delicious products grown under the sun as well as many wines produced in local wineries. From the diverse offer, you can enjoy fragrant breads and pies, spicy meat dishes and pastas, strong cheeses and, of course, fish specialties. If you are not sure what to try, we recommend cheeses that are mostly a mixture of goat's or sheep's milk (eg kefalotiri), in the tavern order pasticcio which is something like lasagna, buđurdi (baked cheese) or their moussaka with eggplant. Of course, don't forget to buy a bottle of domestically produced olive oil.
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Greek wine
For those who enjoy a glass of good, quality wine, Halkidiki is an ideal destination with local wineries located throughout the region. We recommend you stop by Agios Pavlos (near Neos Marmaras) and try their famous Meliton red wine, which is produced on the lush slopes of Mount Meliton in Sithonia.
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Photo: Rosen Dimitrov - Pixabay
Unreal Amulians
If you are looking for something completely different, we advise you to visit Amouliani, the only inhabited island in Halkidiki with 600 permanent residents throughout the year. This island is not so popular among tourists and is a real piece of paradise with small coves and beaches that are never overcrowded. Apart from its fairytale landscapes, the island is also perfect for exploring its rich cultural heritage as the inhabitants hold fast to traditions dating back to the time of their ancestors in Asia Minor.
