Hugely popular with visitors, Halkidiki is divided into three peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos – which jut out into the Aegean Sea. With verdant countryside, tempting sandy beaches and an array of historic sights, there’s quite a bit to see around the region, which is easily accessible from Thessaloniki Airport, situated to the north west.
Of the three peninsulas, Kassandra is the most developed for tourism, with plenty of resorts, while Sithonia is quieter and good for nature lovers. Mount Athos is home to an area of 20 monasteries which is complicated to visit (and, indeed, women are not allowed to), but you may like to take a cruise to view it from a distance.
Certainly an impressive sight, you can sail from the resort of Ouranoupolis, to the north of Mount Athos, where you will also find the 14th-century Prosforio Tower. This Byzantine structure was apparently built by monks from Athos to defend the area from invasion. Well preserved, and subject to many renovations over the years, it’s a significant local landmark.
Another popular attraction is the impressive Petrolena Cave with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. You may also wish to visit Petrolena’s Anthropological Museum, where findings from the cave are on display.
Lovers of archaeology can visit sites such as Olynthos. Located north east of the village which shares its name, this site dates back to the 7th century, and more recent excavations have uncovered some the oldest known mosaic floors in all of Greece. Artefacts from this site can also be found at a local museum in the village. This is just one of many archaeological sites found around the Halkidiki peninsulas, with the remains of ancient cities such as Acanthus and Stagira also well worth a visit.
You can appreciate the area’s natural beauty at the Lake of Polychrono, on the western side of Kassandra. One attraction of this pretty nature reserve is the chance to see the Testudinata turtles. You will also find a sandy beach there.
In the village of Stagira you can visit a park dedicated to philosopher Aristotle, as this was his birthplace. Aristotle Park also contains an array of instruments, such as a solar clock and water turbine which demonstrate the power of nature.
The region as a whole offers a wide array of places to eat and drink, with village tavernas and beach bars commonplace, alongside high-end restaurants. You can get to know more about the area’s wine production by taking a winery tour. For a taste of local culture, there are also several annual festivals, with summer’s Sani Festival and Kassandra Festival among those covering art, music and theatre.
The Region
How to reach Halkidiki
The nearest airport is the International Airport of Thessaloniki. This is about 16km from Thessaloniki. From this region of Thermi you can get to Halkidiki by bus or Taxi. There are several domestic flights that run from Athens Airport to the airport in Thessaloniki too.
