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Halkidiki Greece - Travel and Attractions Guide

For those who are very curious about our trip to Halkidiki, we have detailed it and put it in the oven. Let's see if you will like Halkidiki like us.

If you are ready then let's start:)

Topics: Places to visit in Halkidiki, What to do in Halkidiki, Beaches and shores in Halkidiki, Where to stay in Halkidiki, What to eat and drink in Halkidiki, Halkidiki travel guide

Halkidiki is a touristy and popular peninsula located in the northern part of Greece. It is famous for its three peninsulas, also known as the "three legs" - Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos.

Home to many monks and more than seven monasteries, Mount Athos is one of the main places that make Halkidiki famous.

Compared to a thousand islands in Greece, not many people have discovered Halkidiki yet, except for Bulgarian and Romanian tourists from neighboring countries.

We visit Halkidiki almost every year and we can literally call it a place to fall in love with.

This travel guide will inspire you to add Halkidiki to your list of summer vacation destinations in Greece.

Greek Islands Tours

The Greek Islands offer priceless opportunities for those who want to enjoy romantic honeymoons with its peaceful atmosphere, a fun nightlife where live music continues uninterruptedly until the morning, and the sea-sand-sun trio. The historical atmosphere of Rhodes, the fun life of Mykonos, and the natural wonder beaches of Samos wink at visitors on the Greek Islands tour.

Greek Islands tours you can choose to have an extraordinary vacation without going too far;

*Greece Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thassos Tour by Bus from Istanbul

*Thassos Tour

*Rhodes Symi Island Tour

Click now for all Greek Islands Tours you can join from all over Turkey.

How to get to Halkidiki?

Halkidiki is approximately 100 km from Thessaloniki by road and is located south of Thessaloniki.

By Road

-Istanbul to Halkidiki - 650 Km

-Ankara to Halkidiki - 1097 Km

-Izmir to Halkidiki - 855 Km

Instead of explaining one by one, it is best to write the address of the hotel where you will stay in Yandex or Google navigation to provide the shortest and shortest transportation.

By Air

Flights from Istanbul to Thessaloniki

Those arriving by plane first land in Thessaloniki.

To get from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki, you can arrange your car with your hotel or a car rental company such as rentalcars.com.

Once you arrive at your hotel, there are several options for renting a car in the central areas, but it is probably more convenient to pick up at Thessaloniki Airport.

You will need a car anyway to explore the area!

Of course there is public transportation in the area, but the charm of Halkidiki lies in its isolated beaches that are not accessible by public transport. This is why it is important to have a car for the duration of your vacation.

So Where is Halkidiki?

Halkidiki is a peninsula in mainland Greece, with mountains on one side and resorts on the east (from Akanthos to Egnatia Odos) and west (from Thessaloniki to Nea Moudania).

It has three "legs" entering the Aegean Sea.

Kasandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos are three small peninsulas, each with unique features.

Where to stay in Halkidiki?

There are many hotels and villas along the coast offering accommodation.

Booking a 2 or 3 star hotel is not too expensive.

Of course, there are also some big 4-star hotels: Search for hotels in Halkidiki on Booking.com or check out our experience on http://www.thesmallhotels.com/halkidiki-hotels.

Most 5-star hotels are located in the exclusive resort of Porto Carras.

With yachts and boutique shops designed for the rich and famous, it is known as the most luxurious area of Halkidiki.

We've summarized the highlights to help you choose where to stay.

1. Kassandra is the ideal place to stay for those looking for lively resorts, music on the beach, shops and nightlife.

2. Polychronos has one of the most crowded beaches in Halkidiki. The pebble beach has plenty of sun loungers and the hotels and restaurants in Polychronos are very close to the beach. It is also the best place for families with small children.

3. Sithonia is a good choice for those who prefer nature, a quieter environment or families with young children.

4. For those looking for an isolated place to stay in Sithonia, the best choice would be Porto Koufo. It has a long and narrow beach with only limited visitors, a few tavernas and some hotels and villas.

5. Athos is an area accessible from the border between Macedonia and Mount Athos, so there are few accommodation options.

6. Ouranoupolis stands out as the central area in Halkidiki. Here you can stay in a modern village with small boutique hotels and villa-type accommodation.

Food and Drink Recommendations in Halkidiki? What to Eat in Halkidiki and Where to Eat in Halkidiki?

Halkidiki is indeed a great place to eat out.

The restaurants are mostly local tavernas, which are mostly family-run and offer traditional flavors.

If you like Greek cuisine, you might prefer these tavernas because the prices are much more reasonable than elsewhere.

The main dishes are fantastic!

*Gyros (Greek doner with tzatziki sauce instead of mayonnaise)

*Souvlaki (spicy pork or chicken skewers), pastitio (traditional lasagna),

*Kleftiko (Baked lamb and assorted vegetables)

*We think the fish and sea fruits will make it difficult to choose each time you open the menu:.

*For dessert, try the mixture of walnuts, honey and yogurt.

*Ouzo is not one of our favorites, but if you want to try a local drink, that's different.

*On the beach, at almost any spot, you can order a Greek frappe, a combination of coffee and ice cubes that is especially refreshing when the sun comes up.

So when is the best time to visit Halkidiki?

Located in the north of Greece, temperatures in Halkidiki are not as high as in the south of the country. After all, it has the same characteristics as the North Aegean climate.

*June is a great month for sun and beach lovers. It's especially a month to work on our own tan.

*July and August can be very hot, but the water temperature is incredibly nice. For those who like warm seas:

*September was our favorite because of the mild weather, without the scorching heat and crowds of July and August.

*April and October are gorgeous and almost all the resorts are at medium occupancy and the prices are even more reasonable. It's also a great time to enjoy nature and go hiking or cycling.

*The period from November to March is too cold to swim and not all restaurants and hotels are open. The ones that are open are not yet fully serviced.

The high season and the expensive season in Halkidiki is from June to September. There are many activities to do and places to go during this time.

Prices are higher, but more affordable than other tourist islands in Greece.

Let's talk a little bit about what to do in Halkidiki! What to do in Halkidiki?

You can spend a whole summer vacation here and find something different to do in Halkidiki every day.

Visit traditional villages, explore hidden beaches and swim in the clear, emerald waters of the Aegean Sea.

Places to visit in Halkidiki

1. Visit Thessaloniki

The White Tower - symbol of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the central city of the region and the second largest city in Greece.

You can visit one of the many churches, explore the Old Town with its cobblestone streets or take a walk along the promenade.

On Kordon, you will see the White Tower, the symbol of the city.

2. Explore the beaches of Kassandra

Kassandra is the first small peninsula of Halkidiki and the easiest to reach from Thessaloniki.

It is more developed than its neighbor Sithonia, but it also has some isolated beaches.

The best known beaches are Kallithea, Kriopigi or Hanioti, which are popular.

A beautiful isolated beach is Paliouri on Kassandra hill.

3. Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Sithonia

There is a widespread opinion that the beaches in Sithonia are the best in Halkidiki.

In addition to the beach, you can stop at many viewpoints for postcard-perfect views.

Sarti in particular has an excellent view of Mount Athos.

In the southern part of the peninsula, you can see Mamba beach from the road.

For crystal clear waters, head to Vourvourou or Kalogria beach. Both have soft silky sand and emerald green waters.

4. Take a boat trip to Mount Athos

Boat tours are the only way to see the Monasteries of Mount Athos.

Note: Women are not allowed in this area, so if you are traveling as a couple you should keep in mind that only men can visit the Monastery.

The journey starts in Ormos Panagias (Sithonia) and the boat brings you close enough to see the huge monasteries one by one.

In the afternoon, the boat stops in Ouranopolis, a quaint village with old houses and a white tower surrounding it.

5. Visit traditional villages in Halkidiki

Besides the beaches of Kassandra, you can also visit the traditional village of Afitos.

Wander around the Old Town of Afitos, built on a cliff above the Toroneos gulf. It has a breathtaking view of the sea, we're telling you...

You can wander through the narrow streets, admire the traditional stone-built houses and have lunch at a local restaurant with an exquisite view.

Even on rainy days, Afitos is still a good choice if you can't make it to the beach.

Parthenonas in Sithonia is an old town built on a mountain. It's like an open-air village museum, which is why it deserves a visit!

On your way there, look over your shoulder for a view you will remember forever!

Great beaches, amazing views, well-preserved traditional villages and the largest monastery complex in Greece are just a few reasons to come to Halkidiki.

Give it a chance, you will definitely not regret it. You may only regret it when you have to return home. Rest assured that you will miss this place even days later.

Greek Islands Tours

Greek Islands tours that you can choose to have an extraordinary vacation without going too far;

*Rhodes Symi Island Tour

*Thassos Tour

*Thessaloniki - Kavala - Thassos Greece by Bus from Istanbul

Click now for all Greek Islands Tours you can join from all over Turkey.

See you again for next trip...

Happy holidays to all of you...