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    Chalkidiki
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    Chalkidiki

    The Chalkidiki peninsula, southeast of Thessaloniki, extends into three narrow fingers: Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos. Pine forests here stretch to sandy beaches and clear bays.

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    9. Chalkidiki
    The Chalkidiki peninsula, southeast of Thessaloniki, extends into three narrow fingers: Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos. Pine forests here stretch to sandy beaches and clear bays. Additionally, there are the Monastic Republic on the Holy Mountain, the Petralona stalactite cave, and Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle.
    Three Fingers, Three CharactersChalkidiki juts southeast of Thessaloniki into the Aegean Sea, extending into three peninsulas. Kassandra in the west is the most developed, with the majority of hotels. Sithonia in the center is more mountainous, with pine forests stretching to the coves. The eastern "finger" belongs to the monastic republic of Athos and is only accessible with permission.Beaches and HinterlandAlong the coast, sandy beaches and rocky coves like Karydi and Kavourotrypes line up; the water is mostly calm and shallow. In the hinterland lie olive groves, beehives, and villages like Afytos with old stone houses.History Along the WayBetween the resorts are the Petralona Cave, the ruins of Stagira (Aristotle's birthplace), and the Byzantine Tower of Ouranoupoli. As the distances between the peninsulas are long, it's best to allow several days and a rental car.
    Chalkidiki comprises three peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia, Athos – and the mountainous interior around Polygyros and Arnea. Each peninsula has its own resorts and beaches. To switch between them, you always have to return to the mainland.

    Sights in Chalkidiki

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Afytos
    Stafylis / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    1Afytos

    The village on the east coast of Kassandra stands on a steep cliff about 50 meters above the Gulf of Toroni. Afytos is known for its well-preserved stone houses and cobbled streets; from several viewpoints, you look across to Sithonia. In the center are the Church of Agios Dimitrios and a folklore museum, which has displayed everyday objects from the region since 1980. Even in antiquity, the city of Aphytis was located here, which provided ships during the Persian Wars. Below the village, paths lead to the beaches.
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    Kassandra Peninsula
    Petar Milošević / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    2Kassandra Peninsula

    Kassandra is the westernmost and most developed of the three fingers of Chalkidiki, and the quickest to reach from Thessaloniki. At the narrow neck near Nea Potidea, a canal separates the peninsula from the mainland; adjacent to it stand the remains of the ancient and Byzantine city walls of Potidea. Along the coast, resort towns such as Kallithea, Pefkochori, and Chanioti are strung out, featuring long sandy beaches and fragrant pine forests. Inland, you'll find villages nestled amidst olive groves, which remain wonderfully tranquil outside of peak season.
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    Kavourotrypes Beach
    kallerna / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Attraction

    3Kavourotrypes Beach

    Along Sithonia's east coast, numerous small coves are strung between light, water-sculpted granite rocks. Its name, Krabbenlöcher (crab holes), refers to these eroded formations. Pine trees reach down to the sand, and the water is typically calm and clear. Parking is found along the coastal road, with short paths leading to the coves, which can get crowded in peak summer.
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    Karydi Beach
    Eleroja / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
    Attraction

    4Karydi Beach

    The small cove at Vourvourou's south end is edged by smooth, light rocks. The sand is fine and white, the water so shallow and turquoise it resembles a pool, ideal for children. Off Vourvourou are several small islands, reachable by kayak or pedal boat. The car park is small, so come early in summer.
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    Sithonia Peninsula
    LucT / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    5Sithonia Peninsula

    Chalkidiki's middle 'finger' is more mountainous and less developed than Kassandra. A ring road circles the peninsula, past pine forests, granite rocks, and many small coves. Neos Marmaras is the largest west coast town. South lie the protected natural bay Porto Koufo and Toroni (ancient fortress remains). For east coast beaches, like Kavourotrypes, your own vehicle is needed.
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    Ancient Stagira
    Dimitris Siskopoulos / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    6Ancient Stagira

    On a small peninsula near Olympiada on the east coast lie the ruins of Stagira, where Aristotle was born in 384 BC. The city was founded in 655 BC by settlers from Andros, destroyed in 348 BC by Philip II, and later rebuilt by Alexander as thanks for Aristotle's teachings. Visible are sections of the city walls, residential houses, remnants of the Agora, and two Demeter sanctuaries. A circular path leads through the grounds with sea views. In the modern village of Stagira further inland, the Aristotle Park, with a statue and physical instruments, commemorates the philosopher.
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    Restaurants in Chalkidiki

    1

    Bubo (Chalkidiki, Vourvourou)

    Bubo is the restaurant of the Ekies Resort in Vourvourou on Sithonia. Chef Dimitris Pamporis cooks modern Greek cuisine, reinterpreting classic recipes. Many ingredients come from the resort's own organic garden.
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    2

    Armyra (Chalkidiki, Ouranoupoli)

    Armyra is the fish restaurant at the Eagles Palace Hotel near Ouranoupoli on the Athos Peninsula. The menu features fish and seafood. Ouranoupoli is also the port for ships along the coast of Mount Athos.
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    3

    Sousourada (Afytos)

    The restaurant is located in the old village center of Afytos on Kassandra and has been open for over 25 years. The Mediterranean cuisine is based on simple Greek recipes.
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    4

    Kritikos (Ouranoupoli)

    The family restaurant is located one street behind Ouranoupoli's waterfront and has been operating for over 40 years. The menu features grilled fish and seafood, Moussaka, and salads, such as with crab meat. The establishment also includes a shop with regional products and a small gallery.
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    Food and Drinks

    Chalkidiki is known for olives, honey, and wine; along the coast, fish and mussels are served.

    Green Chalkidiki Olives

    The large green Chondrolia olives are hand-picked and exported to many countries as a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). They are almost always on the table with Mezedes and Tsipouro.

    Pine honey

    Around a third of Greek honey comes from Chalkidiki, much from the pine forests around Nikiti, Neos Marmaras and Taxiarchis. The honey is dark, spicy and not very sweet.

    Wine from the slopes of Meliton

    On Sithonia, above Neos Marmaras, is the Plagies Melitona wine region, a PDO since 1982. Red wine is mainly from the old variety Limnio; white wine from Athiri, Roditis, and Assyrtiko.

    Mussels from Olympiada

    Large mussels are cultivated in the Strymonic Gulf near Olympiada. Taverns serve them steamed, as Saganaki with tomato and feta, or with rice.

    Tsipouro

    Pomace brandy is the typical drink with small appetizers in northern Greece; on Chalkidiki, it's distilled, for example, in Vrastama.

    History and Culture

    Ancient ColoniesThe peninsula gets its name from settlers from Chalkis on Euboia, who founded cities here in ancient times. Aristotle was born in Stagira in 384 BC; the largest city in the area was Olynth. Both were destroyed by Philip II of Macedon in 348 BC, though he later had Stagira rebuilt.The Holy MountainMonks have lived on Athos since the 10th century, today spread across 20 large monasteries. The Monastic Republic is self-governing but belongs to the Greek state and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. Women have been forbidden to enter for centuries.Refugee VillagesAfter 1922, many Greeks from Asia Minor settled on Chalkidiki. Places like Nea Moudania, Nea Fokea, or Nea Roda therefore carry the word for 'new' in their names and commemorate the cities from which the families came.

    Getting There & Around

    Getting ThereHalkidiki does not have its own airport; you will land at Thessaloniki International Airport. From there, you continue by rental car or taxi, or you can take a taxi to the KTEL Halkidiki bus station in Pylaia, about ten minutes from the airport. From here, buses run to all three peninsulas; Ouranoupoli is approximately 140 kilometers away.Getting AroundFor exploring, a rental car is most practical, as the peninsulas are large and many bays are off the main roads. KTEL buses connect the larger towns; key hubs are Polygyros, Neos Marmaras, and Nea Moudania. In summer, a ferry runs from Tripiti to Ammouliani Island. From Ouranoupoli, ships depart for Dafni on Athos and excursion boats travel along the monastic coast.

    Outings

    Island Ammouliani

    Reach the small island off the Athos Peninsula by ferry from Tripiti. It has a fishing village and shallow sandy beaches.

    Ancient Olynth

    The ruins of Chalkidiki's largest ancient city are located near Nea Olynthos in the west. They reveal a rectangular street grid with residential buildings and pebble mosaics from the time before its destruction by Philip II.

    Thessaloniki

    Greece's second-largest city is one to two hours away by car. Byzantine churches, the White Tower, and the markets in the center easily fill a whole day.

    Accommodations in Chalkidiki

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    Nearby

    Ano Poli
    Eugene Zagidullin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Ano Poli

    Ano Poli is the Upper Town of Thessaloniki, situated on the slope below the Acropolis and within the Byzantine walls. As the only district spared from the 1917 fire, it features cobblestone alleys, small squares, and houses of Greek and Ottoman architecture.
    Central Macedonia

    Central Macedonia

    Central Macedonia stretches from Olympus' peak to Chalkidiki's three peninsulas, hosting Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city. In between are Vergina's Royal Tombs, Pella's mosaics, and a coast where Greeks themselves summer. Antiquity, Byzantium, and bathing coves lie here as close as almost nowhere else in the country.
    Thessaloniki

    Thessaloniki

    Welcome to Thessaloniki, the vibrant metropolis of Northern Greece! Dive into a city that blends its rich history – from Roman ruins to impressive Byzantine churches – with a modern, laid-back vibe and one of the country's best cuisines. Here you'll experience authentic Greek seaside living, coupled with an unparalleled culinary scene and a vibrant nightlife.
    Ladadika
    Mister No / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

    Ladadika

    Ladadika is the old merchant quarter by the port of Thessaloniki, named after the oil shops that once stood here. In the low 19th-century warehouses, tavernas, bars, and restaurants are now located around Morichovou Square.
    Pilion (Pelion)

    Pilion (Pelion)

    The Pelion Peninsula in Greece captivates with its unique blend of densely forested mountains and picturesque coasts. You'll find traditional villages here like Makrinitsa, often called the "Balcony of Pelion," with its impressive views and characteristic architecture. Other highlights include Tsagarada with its ancient plane trees and Milies, known for its frescoes and the historic Pelion railway station. The region, considered the home of the Centaurs in Greek mythology, also offers hidden coves like Mylopotamos and Fakistra. Explore the numerous hiking trails that lead between the villages and to secluded beaches. A rental car is essential to discover the peninsula's diversity, with spring and autumn being ideal travel times to enjoy the mild climate and blooming nature.