There are places in Greece that, having visited once, we can no longer get rid of the desire to come here again and again, changing only the seasons of stay, routes or methods of transportation to complete the impressions. And time after time, studying them on our own, alone, or as part of cheerful friendly companies and tourist groups, and some of us going on a romantic or even honeymoon trip, with each subsequent visit we certainly discover new colors there, shades and subtlest nuances of these amazing, seemingly familiar and at the same time unknown corners of beautiful and ancient Hellas.
Such places, without a doubt, include the famous Poseidon’s trident of the resort gem of Northern Greece - the Chalkidiki peninsula. As the ancient legend tells, the sea king dropped his formidable weapon during the mortal battle of the Olympian gods with the giants who rebelled against them for the right to own the beautiful land of Hellas.
Personally, however, contrary to the famous legend of Gigantomachy, this “three-legged” peninsula resembles a trio of huge ancient Greek ships moored on the shore, which once brought settlers here from Euboean Chalkis and first stayed here, amazed at this paradise, and then forever frozen in the stone of coastal cliffs, creating for us this unique miracle of nature. The embodiment of the nostalgic memories of the new inhabitants of the peninsula about their former homeland became its unusual name - Chalkidiki.
How to get there
From personal experience I can say: before planning a travel route to Halkidiki, you should not only have a good idea of the geographical features of the peninsula, which is similar in appearance to a huge three-pronged comb when viewed from above, but also clearly define for yourself the purpose of your trip. After all, each of its three “prongs” - Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos - being strikingly different from the other two, provides the traveler with completely different conditions of stay, recreation, cultural and spiritual enrichment.
Directly on the Halkidiki peninsula itself, apart from the road network, there are no other types of transport links. But the closest, practically adjacent, large settlement with a complete and modern transport infrastructure is the second largest city of Hellas and its “northern capital”, as well as the administrative center of the province of Macedonia - Thessaloniki.
That is why, when developing a route for a trip to Chalkidiki from Russia, Europe, or from other provinces of Greece itself, its beginning should always be set at the arrival in Thessaloniki, from here making further progress towards the given goal.
By the way, in Greek it is more correct to pronounce something between Thessalonica and Thessalonica, similar to the sound of the English diphthong ‑th‑. But we will still stick to the established Russian-language name.
By plane
Thessaloniki is connected by air to many Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Krasnodar, Voronezh, Samara, Ufa, Yekaterinburg, Tyumen, Novosibirsk and others. You can compare ticket prices from any city at.
From Moscow
Daily flights on Airbus A320 from Thessaloniki Airport "Macedonia" to Domodedovo and back are operated by the Greek airline Aegean Airlines - usually this is one of the most budgetary, the cost of which starts from 90 EUR, the option of all. Although, from personal experience I can say that the price range can be significant and logically inexplicable.
For example, last year I flew with this airline at the end of May, at the beginning of the tourist season, from Moscow to Greece for 95 EUR, and back in October, when the high price season ended, for 210 EUR, and on neighboring days the cost was even higher one and a half times higher.
Of the Greek air carriers, the Ellinair airline, based in Thessaloniki and owned by one of the largest tourism holdings in Greece, the Mouzenidis Group, certainly deserves mention, also operating regular flights from Thessaloniki to Sheremetyevo and back. The air carrier's ticket prices are also one of the lowest and comparable to Aegean Airlines.
So, on May 15, at the beginning of the tourist season, a flight from Moscow to Thessaloniki is offered by Ellinair for 75 EUR (4500 RUB), an Aeroflot ticket for the same day costs 165 EUR (9900 RUB).
From Saint-Petersburg
Russian Aeroflot also operates daily flights to Greece and back not only from Moscow, but also St. Petersburg. The cost of a ticket at the beginning of the tourist season is approximately 200 EUR, or about 12,000 RUB.
In addition, a small local airline, Astra Airlines, operates charter flights to St. Petersburg, whose flight schedules and ticket prices are highly variable and irregular. But, as an option, it is also worth taking into account when planning a trip.
From other cities in Russia and Europe
Here I can mention such domestic companies as S7, Utair, Ural Airlines, as well as the largest European ones: Luftgansa, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Swiss, SAS, whose flight schedules and ticket prices depending on the season should be clarified when directly planning your trip , on airline websites or.
At the height of the tourist season, you can find fairly cheap tickets for flights from many other charter and low-cost airlines, but, as a rule, they involve many hours, sometimes even daily waits for transfers in Istanbul, Kiev or anywhere else, which is not always convenient.
From cities in Greece
Aegean Airlines, Ellinair, Astra Airlines, as well as the national Greek airline Olympic Air, connect Thessaloniki with the country's capital Athens, the largest cities of mainland Greece and all the more or less significant islands: Crete, and others. The local airline Sky Express also operates flights from Crete. Therefore, those traveling around Greece always have the opportunity, having arrived at one point of the country, then, using other types of transport, move to another, or even a third, and from there return home.
Airport in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki has the Macedonia International Airport, where numerous flights arrive daily from different countries in Europe and the world, as well as domestic airlines from Hellas.
Its international identifier code is SKG, time zone is +2 GMT. It should be taken into account when ordering air tickets and calculating flight time.
I will tell you how to get from the airport to Halkidiki by bus or car in the relevant sections below.
By train
There is a large railway junction in Thessaloniki, however, there is no direct connection with Russia, but regular trains run from Sofia and Belgrade, and in the summer season there are weekly flights to. These routes are suitable for travelers to Greece from Europe.
In addition, railway lines connect with Athens. Considering that in the summer season, charter flights for specific dates can be much cheaper than regular flights, it may make sense to plan a trip to Halkidiki through the capital of the country.
By the way, in 2018, a worthy alternative to connecting and air travel should appear on a regular basis - a high-speed train express train that will cover the distance between two megacities in 3.5 hours. Considering the total travel time to the airport, check-in, boarding, deplaning and transfer to the city at the end of the flight, this option for travelers from Athens is well worth considering.
By bus
There are international bus services to Thessaloniki from Sofia, Belgrade, and even Istanbul.
Also, the northern capital of Greece is connected with the rest of its territory by an extensive internal network of ΚΤΕΛ, the stations of which are available in all major settlements of the country.
Municipal routes of the province of Macedonia also begin from here, by buses of which you can reach almost any destination directly on the Chalkidiki peninsula.
So, by traveling from Thessaloniki Airport on city route No. 79 to the IKEA stop, and then by transferring to bus No. 36, you can get to the central station of the KΚΤΕΛ Chalkidiki bus network, from where you can board flights throughout the peninsula.
The cost of tickets depends on the distance and, on average, is in the range of 5-15 EUR.
By car
Until recently, traveling from Moscow to Thessaloniki by car was a fairly popular destination for auto tourism. The most convenient two-day route for this purpose, about 2,500 kilometers long, passed through Kyiv-Chisinau-Bucharest-Sofia. But after the well-known events in Ukraine, it is unlikely that anyone will now dare to repeat it.
There is, of course, a detour route through Belarus-Poland-Slovakia-Hungary-Serbia and, but it is much longer, longer and more tiring, requiring two overnight stays along the way, crossing more borders and quite significant costs for paying for toll roads, fuel, food and etc., so only the most incorrigible adepts of road trips will risk going there.
For the vast majority of tourists, the best way to get to know the amazing country of Hellas and its wonderful, hospitable people is to travel around it in a rented car. Moreover, it is most convenient to take it at the airport, so that you can return it there when returning home.
How to get to Kassandra or Sithonia by car?
When leaving the airport on highway No. 25, you should follow the signs for Nea Moudania - the nearest settlement to the entrance to Kassandra, near which there is also an interchange to Sithonia. The distance to it from the airport is 51, and from Thessaloniki - 61 km. To enter Kassandra, you need to continue straight ahead following the sign for Nea Potidea, and for Sithonia, turn at the junction in the direction of Polygyros-Gerakini-Nikiti.
Based on personal experience, I can say that car travel, in addition to freedom of movement, provides an amazing opportunity, having discovered something absolutely amazing in the most inconspicuous corner, which guidebooks are silent about and tourist guides do not tell, to feel like a real discoverer.
By ferry
A significant part of the territory of Greece is located on several marine archipelagos of more than two thousand islands. Due to the country's geographical location, its maritime communication network has become one of the largest and most developed in Europe. It is almost impossible to describe it within one small section of our article. But there are no large seaports in Halkidiki: the nearest one is in Thessaloniki, which can be reached by large ferries from almost anywhere in Greece.
It is worth mentioning such an opportunity as arriving in Greece by ferry from the Italian port of Bari to the Greek city of Igoumenitsa, which is connected to Thessaloniki by the modern Egnatia Odos highway. This route has become increasingly popular recently among tourists traveling by car due to the unrest associated with Arab refugees in Greece's northern border neighbors.
Directly to the small estuaries of the Halkidiki peninsula itself, you can arrive by hydrofoils or small caique boats from nearby islands - for example, Euboea, Skiathos, Thassos or nearby mainland seaports.
Clue:
Halkidiki - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 0
Kazan 0
Samara 1
Ekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season? When is the best time to go
The climate in Halkidiki is typically Mediterranean. The weather is mostly sunny, with rare rainy days.
Despite the fact that the peninsula is located in the northern part of Greece, where frosts and snowfalls occur in winter, the proximity of the sea creates a unique microclimate in Halkidiki: winters here are warmer than in the surrounding areas, and summers are cooler.
Snow, which occasionally falls in winter, can linger for a relatively long time only in mountainous areas.
Such climate features create ideal conditions for recreation on the peninsula over a fairly long period of time.
Halkidiki in summer
Summer here is a rather relative concept, since the six-month dry and warm period from May to October fully deserves this name, and by the standards of the inhabitants of northern Russia, the weather, which is no less worthy of the name summer, is here all year round. However, it is the period of the hottest weather from June to August that is called the high summer season here and, accordingly, the most expensive.
This is the most favorable time for lovers of beach holidays, sea and sunbathing, and the culmination of the Greek summer is considered to be August 15, when the whole country celebrates the Orthodox holiday of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary - one of the three, along with Easter and Christmas, the main church holidays of Hellas.
Halkidiki in autumn
Autumn on the peninsula is marked by the beginning of a rich harvest of grapes, vegetables and fruits, olives, citrus fruits and, as a result, low prices for all this abundance. At this time, festivals of new wine and then local grape moonshine - tsipura - take place everywhere.
In combination with this feast, the period of the velvet season on the beaches, when the sun is no longer so hot and the sea is still warm enough for comfortable swimming, is an ideal time for those who cannot stand the sweltering heat and crowded crowds, preferring a calm and serene holiday to the bustle of summer days.
Halkidiki in spring
After a short, but rather dull, deserted and gray winter, the period of spring flowering begins, when nature here is painted with all possible shades of the colorful palette. This period is most suitable for those who prefer active and educational tourism to doing nothing on the beach.
Spring in Greece is the ideal time to get acquainted with the historical, architectural, religious and natural monuments of this great country, engage in sports, mountain tourism, horse riding, golf, mountaineering, and mountain biking.
Halkidiki in winter
The short Greek winter cannot at all prevent you from getting to know the amazing country of Hellas.
After all, the soul of the people is revealed most of all on the days of happy holidays, and there are many of them at this time: Christmas, New Year, Epiphany, Clean Monday, Carnival. Each of them has wonderful original traditions, both national and local. And, besides, even in this cool time of year, sometimes there are sunny days when you can laze on the beach, and for those who are especially seasoned, take a swim.
Halkidiki - weather by month
Clue:
Halkidiki - weather by month
Conditional areas. Descriptions and features
As I already said, the Halkidiki peninsula, as if deliberately cut into three by nature, consists of a central part and absolutely dissimilar and completely independent “fingers” from each other.
At the same time, we should not forget about the integral northern part of the peninsula, adjacent to the mainland, but distant from the sea, from which the three famous “fingers” grow: it is no less original and interesting to visit, offering fascinating and educational routes.
What are the prices for holidays?
The price of a holiday in Halkidiki differs little from the general Greek prices. Here everyone can find what suits them best, for every taste and budget: a royal room in a five-star hotel for 3000 EUR per day, ascetic apartments or a studio for 30 EUR.
For those traveling by car, the peninsula offers several campsites conveniently located to the sea coast at a very reasonable price, starting from 15-20 EUR.
It is almost impossible to stay hungry in Chalkidiki, as in Greece in general, with even a very small amount in your pocket. In every village, even the tiniest one, there is always a small family tavern that will offer a fairly satisfying lunch or dinner for a very reasonable fee. Even in tourist areas on the coast you can have a quite filling lunch, starting from 10-12 EUR per person, not including wine or beer.
To simply satisfy your hunger on the go, you can take small Greek souvlakia kebabs on wooden sticks, which will cost only a couple of EUR apiece, or fried meat gyro wrapped in a pita flatbread - an analogue of shawarma. In fast‑food establishments such as Everest, Goodies, Γρηγόρης you can order sandwiches, and in any bakery you can order very tasty traditional pies with cheese - tiropita or spinach - spanakopita.
In Greece they drink coffee from early morning until late at night - for coffee lovers this is a real paradise, but tea, and even then not everywhere - only from bags. A small cup of traditional Greek coffee will cost 1-1.5 EUR, and the popular iced coffee drinks here: Frappe and Freddo - 2.5-3 EUR.
During the summer season, the most popular and necessary drink in Greece is drinking water, for which there is a single price, no matter where it is sold - a 0.5 liter plastic bottle costs 0.5 EUR.
The cost of the most popular one-day excursions offered by most tour operators to the attractions of the Halkidiki peninsula and surrounding regions is on average:
- Petralona Cave - 40 EUR.
- Thessaloniki - 40 EUR.
- Sea cruise around the Athos peninsula - 50 EUR.
- Edessa Waterfalls - 50 EUR.
- The spiritual center of ancient Macedonia Dion - 60 EUR.
- Holy Meteora - 70 EUR.
Some tour operators also offer longer, and even multi-day excursions, for example, to the island, to the fur capital of Kastoria, etc.
Main attractions. What to see
Picturesque villages with distinctive architecture, seemingly endless beaches with golden sand and crystal clear water, idyllic coves and islets, magnificent archaeological sites and grandiose natural caves and grottoes, countless restaurants, taverns, pastry shops, vibrant nightlife in youth clubs and bars - here just that little that makes up the unforgettable image of the Halkidiki peninsula and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists here every year.
Archeology lovers will lose peace and sleep by visiting the ancient stones of Olynthos, Stagira, Potidaea and Toroni. Romantics will find something to do in sublunar walks through the streets and alleys of traditional Greek towns and villages. Adherents of active recreation will have the opportunity to engage in all types of water sports imaginable, as well as tennis and golf, cycling or hiking the ascent to Kholomonda.
Top 5
Beaches. Which ones are better
Near, distant, accessible by car, on foot or by boat, sandy, pebble, rocky, small, large... There is no shortage of beaches in Halkidiki, the total length of which exceeds half a thousand kilometers.
Choosing the best one from them is a thankless task not only for ordinary tourists, but also for Eurotourism functionaries, who annually assign blue flags of the European Union based on 32 criteria, including: cleanliness of the sandy surface and water, organizational and information infrastructure, safety and security, to most of the beaches of the peninsula. The most famous of them are located, of course, in Kassandra, but in Sithonia you can find no less worthy and attractive ones.
Most of the beaches in Halkidiki, as in the rest of Greece, are publicly owned and there are no fees for using them. But the sun loungers and umbrellas on them, as a rule, belong to coastal bars, cafeterias or taverns and you will have to pay for them. Usually, all you need to do is order yourself a drink or coffee, which will cost a small amount from 4 to 10 €.
Nea Moudania
This fishermen’s village at the very entrance to Kassandra has been mentioned more than once in my story. It is worth mentioning in the section on beach holidays.
It is quite well equipped for all types of water sports and entertainment, has equipment rental points and sports schools, umbrellas and sun loungers, and a beach bar.
Agios Mamas
Located on the opposite bank of Kassandra from Nea Moudania, the long sandy beach is usually less crowded and is ideal for quiet, idyllic relaxation.
Kallithea
Crowded, noisy, with everything for an active holiday, this one of the most popular beaches in Halkidiki in winter and summer, however, is characterized by crystal clear sea and dazzling white sand.
Nea Fokea
One of the many sandy beaches in Halkidiki, worthy of mention for the nearby attractions, as well as excellent taverns serving the freshest seafood to gourmets.
Aya Paraskevi
A beautiful and calm two-kilometer beach, which is worth mentioning here thanks to the nearby spa resort with thermal hydrogen sulfide springs.
Kriopigi
This stretch of a narrow strip of sand under a steep coast surrounded by coniferous trees, the beach near the village of the same name, being one of the most picturesque in Halkidiki, is also worth mentioning for lovers of motor tourism, thanks to the campsite located nearby.
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
Perhaps the most beautiful and, accordingly, the most popular temple among tourists in Halkidiki can be called the Church of St. George in Nea Moudania.
Among the many other temples that are countless in the Orthodox land of Hellas, I will name them in random order:
- Zografou Monastery. It is located at the very beginning of Kassandra, between the villages of Nea Silata and Nea Moudania. On its territory you can find a Byzantine tower from the 14th century, the main church built in 1842 and a fountain from 1853.
- Church of the Virgin Mary. Once the courtyard of the Athonite monastery of Hilandari, this church, located a kilometer from the village of Kalandra, is interesting for its exquisite frescoes dating back to 1619.
- Church of St. Nikita and St. George. The small church of St. George, three kilometers from the village of Nikiti at the entrance to Sithonia, was restored on the site of an early Christian basilica of the 5th century, destroyed a century later. And in the central square of the village itself, the Church of St. Nikita, built in 1867, is of interest for inspection.
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
The list below is just my personal opinion and should in no way be considered binding. I have no doubt about only one thing - everyone will be able to find here what best suits their interests and needs.
- Historical and Ethnographic Museum of Arnea. Another similar museum in the picturesque town of Arnea on the Chalkidiki peninsula, housed in a two-story building of the 18th century, presents its collection of folk items, crafts and creativity of local residents.
Here you can see exhibitions dedicated to baking, beekeeping and woodworking, but the greatest interest among visitors is usually a 200-year-old fire pump, the operating principle of which was invented by ancient mechanics. 
Parks
Despite the relatively small territory, the Halkidiki peninsula is distinguished by a variety of landscapes: the mountain forests of its central region, where there is often snow in winter, smoothly transition into the flat part and the beach coast of Kassandra and Sithonia with fairly warm winter weather, thereby creating climatic diversity.
Holomondas mountain range
The central part of the peninsula, not connected to the sea, is dominated by the Cholomondas mountain range, covered with dense coniferous and deciduous forests, with its highest point at 1165 m, the landscape of which is characterized by steep rocky gorges, high mountain valleys, turbulent river streams and icy water springs and snowy winter. And the air here is so clean that it takes your breath away.
The variety of dense vegetation contributes to the development of populations of wild animals and birds, so hunting for wild boar, hares, and deer is common in the region, and in local villages you can always taste freshly prepared game.
In addition, this area is known as a place of replication of many species of rare birds of prey: griffon vulture, peregrine falcon, honey beetle and short-tailed hawk, golden eagles, and black stork.
The mountain range is interesting in every season: there are marked hiking and mountaineering routes of varying difficulty for hiking, horseback riding and cycling, as well as controlled hunting and rock climbing areas.
Varvara Waterfalls
When visiting Ancient Stagira - the birthplace of Aristotle, you should definitely take the opportunity to take a walk to the waterfalls hidden in the dense forest between the villages of Olympias and Varvara.
There are two of them, and the place where they are located has long been called “angelic”. For a better view, the paths here turn into wooden bridges decorating the landscape. Children are usually the most delighted by a fabulous walk along winding forest paths among lush beech and chestnut trees.
Lake-reserve Mavrobara in Polychrono
A freshwater lake with an area of more than 2,000 square meters of extraordinary beauty and great ecological significance, hiding in its waters rare species of aquatic turtles, the population of which, thanks to the measures taken to create a protected area here, has been increasing recently.
The green array of deciduous trees, shrubs and other plants surrounding the lake attracts with its beauty, and, in addition to them, rare species of fauna live here: thrushes, snipe, salamanders, water snakes and frogs.
Spa springs of Ayia Paraskevi
Five kilometers south of the village of Ayia Paraskevi in the settlement of Loutra there are famous thermal spa springs.
Sand, rocks, pine trees and the sea, dominating everywhere here, give the natural healing baths, which help heal problems of the spine and musculoskeletal system, skin diseases, as well as women’s diseases, an additional therapeutic effect.
Neighboring regions
Constituting a quarter of the territory of Hellas, Macedonia is one of the most interesting Greek provinces from a tourist point of view, where ancient history intersects with modernity at every step, civilized Europe neighbors archaic Asia, and warlike steep mountains peacefully descend to the sea. All kinds of climatic zones and natural landscapes are mixed here. Here the West and the East openly look into each other's eyes.
Thessaloniki
As already mentioned, for most vacationers on the Halkidiki peninsula, a visit to it begins with their arrival in Thessaloniki, the proximity to which provides tourists with a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the ancient capital of Macedonia. In addition to simple curiosity, such a walk can also have considerable practical interest. After all, now ancient Thessaloniki, with a rich history contained in architectural monuments and museums, is a modern European city with a lot of entertainment and vibrant not only daytime, but also nightlife.
Here, both gastronomic gourmets, who are always looking for unique culinary delights from various cuisines of the world, and fans of traditional Greek and Mediterranean culinary culture will certainly find a worthy occupation. Incurable shopaholics will not be left out on the city's shopping streets, especially in the shopping paradise of Tsimiski Avenue. Fans of musical night entertainment should take a closer look at the Ladadika and Valaoritu areas.
Asprovalta
Bordering the Chalkidiki peninsula in the northeast and even serving as its continuation, the Asprovalta region is also the most important tourist area in the entire region.
It is especially famous for its 11 km of sandy beach - the Riviera and its proximity to many archaeological, cultural, historical, environmental and religious attractions throughout the region of North-Eastern Greece. From here you can start many large excursions, as well as short, but extremely useful and educational trips.
So, in the east it passes into the town of Amphipolis, formerly famous for the grandiose ancient statue of a stone lion, and now famous throughout the world for the sensational archaeological finds made here several years ago.
Nearby Islands
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Anything to add?
It is impossible to determine how much truth the ancient myths contain, but it is the shape of the Halkidiki peninsula that attracts the attention of legend lovers. According to mythology, Chalkidiki arose exactly where the sea god Poseidon lost his trident, throwing it in anger at the titans Athos and Siton. The three points of this trident formed three small peninsulas - Athos, Sithonia and Kassandra.
The peninsulas bathed in the Aegean Sea have become popular resort destinations, attracting fans of family holidays, Orthodox pilgrims, and active regulars of nightclubs or casinos. Geographically, the Halkidiki peninsula begins southeast of the second largest Greek city of Thessaloniki, where the international airport is located. Hot summers and moderate winter temperatures of around 12°C have a beneficial effect on vegetation, allowing the peninsula to be surrounded by greenery almost all year round. Vast olive, beech, fir and pine groves and orchards abound here.
Halkidiki is rightly called the best resort in Greece. The entire coastline, for about 500 km, consists entirely of sandy beaches, small bays and coves. Everyone can choose a holiday destination at their own discretion - from numerous hotel complexes and comfortable five-star hotels to cozy inexpensive apartments. The services provided include golf, surfing, night shows and casinos, and discos. No less attractive are the interesting landscapes, quiet corners of nature, colored by local color and the rhythms of Greek folk music.
The rich history of the peninsula has given contemporaries many interesting and important archaeological finds. In the settlement of Petralona, the remains of the oldest European who lived there more than 700 years ago were found. Nowadays the Anthropological Museum is located not far from the excavation site. Also of interest to lovers of historically significant places is the archaeological reserve of Olynthos and the world's richest Byzantine Museum. A sacred place not only for the Greeks, but also for all Orthodox people is Mount Athos. The Athos peninsula itself is a closed monastic republic, which has 20 active monasteries. More than two thousand brothers living in monasteries carefully preserve not only traditions, but also ancient manuscripts, icons and other valuables. Free visits to monasteries are not allowed; only men can see them and only with special permission; everyone else ends their journey in the city of Ouranoupolis.
Athos is a traditional place of pilgrimage for those who want to feel the amazing power and touch such revered ancient shrines. Sithonia is a cozy place for lovers of luxury holidays. There is a fairly large complex called Porto Carras, which is not only famous for its casino and winery, but also has a bay for yachts.
Flight time:
(charter flights)
from Moscow - 3 hours 15 minutes.
from St. Petersburg - 4 hours 40 minutes.
from Kazan - 4 hours 50 minutes.
from Yekaterinburg - 6 hours 10 minutes.
from Novosibirsk - 9 hours
Current time in Thessaloniki:
(UTC +3)
A wonderful holiday can be complemented by getting to know the art of the best winemakers in Greece, tasting pleasant drinks and even purchasing special gift wine sets. Kassandra is famous for its picturesque landscapes, many famous hotels, modern rhythms and vibrant resort life. This is a favorite vacation spot for young tourists from different parts of the world. Despite the fact that Kassandra is the most densely populated area, it boasts ecologically clean beaches, and residents are careful about the surrounding nature and resources. There are enough cozy places, sandy beaches and hotels for a comfortable stay.
How to get there
The most logical way to get to the Chalkidiki region is by plane, which lands in Thessaloniki.
Direct flights include Turkish Airlines with a transfer in Istanbul (fly from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Rostov, Ufa, Sochi, Novosibirsk) and Austrian Airlines with a transfer in Vienna (fly from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don) Don, Krasnodar). You can also use Aegean Airlines flights connecting in Athens. In summer you can fly directly with the same Aegean Airlines.
Transport
The geographical border that defines the beginning of the Halkidiki peninsula begins southeast of the large city of Thessaloniki, which is only 18 km from the Macedonia international airport, has its own railway junction and developed sea connections. It is the second most important and largest city in Greece, proudly bearing the title of the northern capital. That is why both international and domestic flights are distributed quite conveniently here. Like any major transport hub, Thessaloniki is connected with the cities of the Halkidiki peninsula by frequent bus routes; during the peak tourist season, public transport in the direction of Thessaloniki - Halkidiki runs every hour. Additionally, you can use the services of numerous taxis or car rental companies, this will significantly reduce the waiting time and travel. For example, a road trip from Thessaloniki to the middle peninsula of Sithonia to the city of N. Marmaras will take less than an hour.
Airplane
The fastest way to get to Thessaloniki and, accordingly, to any of the cities of the Halkidiki peninsula is by air. Among the most active Greek destinations is Athens - Thessaloniki; at the height of the season, about 15 planes of the largest Greek companies Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines fly between these cities. The flight from Athens to Thessaloniki takes about 50 minutes. The flights connecting Thessaloniki with other major cities, such as Rhodes, Heraklion, Lesbos, and Lemnos, are somewhat less active, but there are enough of them to make such a flight if necessary. Air travel from the largest city of Crete, Heraklion, to Thessaloniki lasts just over an hour and a quarter. Prices and flight schedules can be found on the websites of the relevant airlines. Tourists landing at Macedonia Airport are offered shuttle buses to the city of Thessaloniki. You can immediately take a taxi and get to any point on the Halkidiki peninsula in less than an hour.
Ground transportation
For those who prefer to travel by land, transport companies offer train and bus routes.
Rail transport in Greece is divided into three main categories. The first place in terms of speed and convenience is occupied by intercity-express (ICE), with a minimum of stops and the most expensive tickets. The second category was given to intercity trains (IC), which are somewhat cheaper than ICE. The third category includes the most ordinary and cheapest trains. Accordingly, from any city in Greece that lies within a railway stop of one of these categories, you can get to Thessaloniki and then by bus or car to the Halkidiki peninsula. The railway line from Athens to Thessaloniki is very busy and features regular train services. Considering the difference in ticket prices, speed and ease of travel, traveling by this type of transport attracts many. And yet, the extensiveness of the railways does not allow for as free movement as bus transport.
Bus
Bus service in Greece is organized in a somewhat unusual way for us. The international operator KTEL, which manages the majority of flights, is represented in each city by a separate company, responsible for transportation only in its own direction. In order to get to Thessaloniki from another city, you need to use the services of KTEL Macedonia, and tickets must be purchased at the kiosks of this particular company. Bus connections to major cities are sufficiently developed. For example, comfortable flights from Athens to Thessaloniki by KTEL Macedonia run at intervals of approximately one and a half to two hours, and the travel time is about 6 hours. This is quite convenient if you go on the road overnight. The Thessaloniki - Chalkidiki route is operated by the transport organization KTEL Chalkidikis, which has its own bus station and ticket kiosks. Unfortunately, the Internet resources of these companies do not provide complete information, so you always have to check the schedule and availability of tickets on the spot.
Rent a Car
For those who do not want to be tied to a schedule, we can recommend renting a car. For a day, such a service costs approximately the same amount as a bus ticket from Athens to the city of Thessaloniki, but to this, of course, the cost of fuel will be added. The Athens - Thessaloniki route is one of the best in Greece and will bring a lot of joy to those who like to ride with the wind. However, most companies prefer to rent a car for a longer period and often provide a small selection of both cars and possible services. So sometimes it is still preferable to travel from Athens to Thessaloniki by public transport.
Sea transport
The port of Thessaloniki receives all sea vessels plying in the area. Regular ferry services connecting major ports (Athens, Kavala) and Thessaloniki allow easy access to this region. If you are planning a sea voyage from the eastern side of the Aegean Sea, you can use the port of Kavala. In summer, the port of Kavala has developed shipping connections with all the islands of the Aegean Sea, including the Halkidiki peninsula. The ferry schedule indicating the specific landing location and destination can be viewed at. Traveling from Kavala to Chalkidiki by land will take between 2.5 and 3 hours. However, more convenient transport links, developed due to the many international transport routes, make Thessaloniki an optimal transfer point when traveling to the Halkidiki region from other regions of Greece.
Districts
The peninsula of Halkidiki is shaped like a trident. Its three protruding parts, the so-called “fingers” - Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos - crash into the Aegean Sea.
Cassandra
Kassandra, the most popular and populated peninsula of Halkidiki, received its name in honor of the ancient Macedonian king Kasandros. This peninsula attracts tourists with its pristine sandy and pebble beaches, amazing landscapes, pine forests, and well-developed infrastructure. There are a large number of hotels and hotel complexes for every taste, colorful taverns that serve delicious and inexpensive local cuisine, as well as numerous night bars and discos.
In the summer, the resort is crowded with tourists, but even at the height of the season you can easily find a quiet, secluded place. Kassandra is an excellent place for a complete family holiday. The resorts are located near small towns, more like villages, with well-kept parks, children's play areas, comfortable beaches and shops located nearby.
Resort villages of Kassandra
The main party center of Kassandra is the village of Kallithea, located in the eastern part of the peninsula. The modern village of Kallithea is the former patrimony of Russian monks from the monastery of St. Panteleimon, which was rebuilt by Greek refugees in 1925. Now it is the busiest resort, offering tourists all kinds of exciting holidays: excellent beaches with white sand, bars, night discos, hotels of various price categories, supermarkets, souvenir shops.
Greek pop stars often give concerts here in nightclubs during the height of the tourist season. Lovers of antiquities will not be left indifferent by walks around the outskirts of Kallithea, here you can explore the ruins of ancient Temple of Ammon Zeus. This ancient temple, which is located on the seashore, was discovered in 1969 during the construction of a new hotel building. Not far from this place is the Cave of Dionysus, a former sanctuary where the ancient Greeks worshiped the god Dionysus. The sanctuary created by the Euboeans lasted from the 8th century to the 2nd century BC. You can also see the Church of St. Panteleimon, made in typical Russian style.
The picturesque Greek village of Dionisio Paralia is an ideal place for a calm, measured holiday. There are numerous taverns and bars along the sea coast. The well-maintained beaches of Dionisio Paralia with the purest sand and emerald waters are ideal for lovers of a traditional beach holiday. Each cafe on the beach offers umbrellas and sun loungers, which you can use all day long, buying drinks or snacks at this establishment. Sea swimming in these waters is safe and suitable even for small children.
In the village, which consists of a small number of small hotels and Greek summer houses, there is not a large influx of vacationers, so living in such an uncrowded place will allow you to feel the atmosphere of real Greece. After sunbathing and sea bathing, you can continue the evening in numerous taverns offering Greek dishes, as well as in a small amusement park, which is located in the center of the village. In the summer, the village hosts an evening market, where you can buy vegetables, fruits, and souvenirs made by hand by local craftsmen. In the morning, a car drives around the village selling freshly caught fish and other seafood.
Not far from the village of Dionisio Paralia there is Water entertainment center Totally Surf, which offers rental equipment for water games, organizes boat trips, water skiing, and also provides lessons in water sports. At the beginning of August, the village hosts a colorful folk festival, where guests are treated to wine and snacks, and a variety of entertainment performances are organized.
The town is located on the shores of the Thermaean Gulf and is a fairly busy commercial center of Kassandra. There is a port in Nea Moudania, so those who want to take boat trips or go fishing in the sea can rent a small boat or boat. There are hotels, restaurants and cafes, nightclubs, many different shops, a post office and branches of large banks. Nea Moudania has excellent organized beaches, with traditional taverns built along the coastal strip, where it is pleasant to sit in the evening and admire the seascape. In mid-July, an annual festival takes place here - the Sea Festival, which lasts a week and is full of various events and spectacles. At the end of the festival there is a grand feast where local wine and fish are offered.
The lively resort town of Hanioti, consisting mainly of hotels, inns, villas and cottages, is located 90 kilometers from airport in Thessaloniki. The resort of Hanioti is a favorite tourist destination, as it is here that there are excellent sandy and sand-pebble beaches, beautiful nature with lush greenery and crystal clear sea. Tourists who want to get the most pleasant emotions from their holiday on the peninsula can find everything they need in Hanioti. The village has many traditional Greek taverns offering local cuisine, shops and souvenir shops where you can buy various locally produced goods. The vibrant night life of Hanioti rages in bars, cafes and discos, falling silent only in the morning.
Another developed and lively tourist town, located 45 kilometers from Thessaloniki. Nea Flogita has a wide coastal strip with clean sand and pebble beaches and clear sea waters. Even the most demanding tourists will enjoy a holiday at this resort. Large and small hotels, taverns, an abundance of bars and nightclubs, excellent organization of children's leisure activities attract many tourists here. In the central part of the village there is a market where you can buy various goods: vegetables, fruits, fish and seafood, olive oil, locally produced cheese and wine, shoes, clothes, souvenirs made by Greek craftsmen.
Pefkohori, translated from Greek, sounds like “pine village” and this reflects reality: the main advantage of this resort village is its marvelous pine groves and crystal clear azure sea. The village is located 93 kilometers from Thessaloniki airport. There is a small port in Pefkohori, from where vacationers have the opportunity to take a boat trip or excursion to neighboring islands. Modern hotel and hotel complexes offer tourists a high-level holiday. During the day, the village looks like a quiet and calm place, ideally created for a relaxing holiday, and with the arrival of night, a hectic life begins in numerous entertainment venues. For children, the village has an amusement park and all kinds of entertainment.
A charming traditional Greek village on the east coast of Kassandra, surrounded by greenery. Polychrono is located 86 kilometers from Thessaloniki and has a local population of approximately 1,000 inhabitants. A resort with a fairly developed tourist infrastructure, there are hotels of different price categories and levels of service, shops, traditional taverns, nightlife venues and a variety of entertainment for vacationing tourists. The beaches of Polychrono are well organized and maintained. A holiday at this resort combines all the advantages of developed infrastructure and a quiet, cozy village.
Sithonia
Sithonia, located between Kassandra and Athos, is the middle “finger” of the Halkidiki peninsula. This part of the peninsula is sparsely populated. On one side, Sithonia is washed by the Toronic Gulf, and on the other by the Singitian Gulf. Unlike lively Kassandra with its vibrant nightlife and crowded resorts, Sithonia is an ideal place for a family holiday in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by the beautiful nature of the peninsula. The landscape of the area is mainly mountainous with an abundance of evergreen resinous pines, and the local Mediterranean climate is extremely beneficial for human health. Rocky shores, excellent sandy beaches, warm, clear sea, many picturesque secluded bays - all this makes for the most pleasant and relaxing holiday. There are campsites and small hotels in Sithonia; the largest hotel complex on the peninsula is Porto Carras.
Resort villages of Sithonia
Neos Marmaras is the largest village, 100 kilometers from airport in Thessaloniki, founded in 1922. Previously, this area belonged to a monastery, as evidenced by the dilapidated monastery buildings and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In the summer, when tourists arrive in Neos Marmaras, the village becomes a busier resort destination. The absence of crowds, wonderful beaches, clear sea and the wild beauty of the rocky mountains makes this place amazing and attractive for tourists.
One of the oldest villages on the Halkidiki peninsula, it is located in the northern part of Sithonia, 90 kilometers from Thessaloniki. Nikiti is located between the villages of Metamorfosi and Neos Marmaras. The local population of the village, divided into two parts, numbers only about 2,500 inhabitants and is mainly engaged in agriculture and the provision of tourism services.
In summer, the village becomes quite lively, thanks to the arriving tourists. They are attracted here by beautiful beaches surrounded by pine groves, rocky bays, olive plantations and picturesque landscapes. The village of Nikiti is famous for its beekeeping products: here you can try about 20 varieties of honey, which is sold in numerous small shops.
Despite the modest size of the village, its tourist infrastructure allows you to fully enjoy a civilized holiday: hotels, apartments with different levels of comfort, transport rental, shops, ATMs and so on. Restaurants and cafes, traditional Greek taverns, and children's entertainment attractions are built along the embankment. The local port organizes excursions and also offers rental of small boats for boat trips. In Nikiti you can see the restored Basilica of St. Zephanius, dating back to the 5th century, the ancient chapel of St. George of the 19th century, the ruined Church of St. Mary with preserved paintings from the end of the 16th century, as well as the old mill tower.
Athos
Athos is the third “finger” of the Halkidiki peninsula, with the majestic mountain of the same name rising 2000 meters above sea level. The name of the peninsula in Greek is Aion Oros, which means Holy Mountain and only monks live here. More and more pilgrims visit the monasteries of St. Athos every year. However, only men, and only those who have received special permission, can set foot on the lands of the monasteries. Everyone else who wants to get to know the holy place can take a walk along the bay, washing the inaccessible coastal cliffs of the Holy Mountain. Among the monasteries built in the mountains and on the rocky shores of the peninsula, the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon stands out as the most significant. Not far from the border of the monastic state is the city of Ouranoupolis, which translated from Greek means Heavenly City.
During the tourist season, in this town, 120 kilometers away from the airport, there are many tourists who want to get to know Saint Athos and its monasteries as closely as possible. Almost all hotels on the Athos Peninsula are concentrated in Ouranoupolis. The place is perfect for a holiday with children of different ages, as many hotels are aimed specifically at family holidays. A well-developed children's entertainment infrastructure includes water attractions, interest clubs for different ages, and nightly children's programs led by professional animators.
The beaches of Ouranoupolis are well-groomed and well-equipped, and the clean coastal waters are safe for swimming. The main historical landmark of the city is the towering Prosphoria Tower- a monument of the Byzantine era. In the tower, built of stones and cobblestones, lived the monks who managed the estate of the Vatopedi Monastery. Currently, a museum is organized in the Prosphoria Tower and various exhibitions are often held.
Rest of Halkidiki Peninsula
The rest of the Halkidiki peninsula, in addition to its three “fingers,” is also worthy of attention. The largest resort in this part of the Halkidiki peninsula is the village of Nea Kallikratia.
Nea Kallikratia is a lively resort located on the seashore, near Thessaloniki, at a distance of 30 kilometers. In the summer season, all the numerous hotel and hotel complexes are filled with tourists.
Nea Kallikratia has beautiful, well-equipped beaches, developed tourist infrastructure: bank branches, post office, police station, medical center, shops, kiosks. Recently, in Nea Kallikratia there have been more “fur” shops selling a variety of fur products, so popular among our compatriots.
Here, resort life is in full swing day and night: on the beaches during the day, and when night comes, the fun continues in bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues that stretch in an endless line along the coastal strip. Not far from Nea Kallikratia there are the famous Petralona caves; tourist excursions are regularly organized there.
Holomond Mountains
This is a special corner of Halkidiki, with the purest mountain air, saturated with the resinous aromas of fir trees. Arriving here along a winding road, you will find yourself in a completely different world. Every year, an increasing number of tourists and Greeks themselves come here to enjoy the amazing nature and healing air. This is a paradise for lovers of hunting, horseback riding and hiking. In the mountains there are a lot of mushrooms and edible chestnuts, which the locals collect and bake on the grill.
In the mountains of Kholomond there are colorful Greek villages, distinguished by their architecture and the lack of tourists. Mountain villages are surrounded by virgin oak and beech forests, not too affected by traces of commercialization, although several small hotels have already been built where you can relax in both summer and winter.
What to see
The third finger of the Halkidiki peninsula, Athos, is a rocky, fifty-kilometer-wide, ten-kilometer-wide mountain strip where you can see a combination of stunning natural beauty and unique monastery architecture. This is the highest point of the Halkidiki peninsula, where monasteries are located in a bizarre manner in the forested mountains and on the rocky shores. There are about 1,700 monks living in these monasteries in communities or in solitude. Today there are twenty monasteries, twelve monasteries and about seven hundred different buildings: isolated cells, hermit huts and other buildings. It is unknown exactly when the first Christian buildings arose here, but monastic formations date back to 963, when the Great Lavra was founded by the brotherhood of St. Athanasius.
The Orthodox monastic state, Holy Mount Athos, has had independent status since Byzantine times. Since the split of the church in 1054, it has been a Christian Orthodox spiritual center. The Holy Mountain is closed to tourists, in particular to women and children. Men can visit monasteries only after receiving special permission - a diamonitirion visa.
Over its long history of existence, the spiritual center of Christian Orthodoxy had a significant influence on the Russian Orthodox Church, religious architecture, and monumental painting. The Athonite school of icon painting had a particular influence on Orthodox art. The monasteries of St. Athos contain a huge number of true masterpieces: wall paintings, small icons, unique objects made of gold and silver, embroidery, ancient manuscripts and many other valuables. Each monastery jealously guards its treasures, passing them on from generation to generation.
The most important relics of Christianity are kept here, on the Holy Mountain: the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary, elements of the Tree of the Holy Cross, the head of the martyr St. Panteleimon. And the main shrine of Athos - the Gifts of the Magi, previously kept in Constantinople, is now in the monastery of St. Paul.
The largest Byzantine museum is located on the peninsula, which contains numerous art objects from the era of Byzantine rule.
The cave in which the remains of an ancient European man were found is located near the village of Petralona, 55 kilometers from Thessaloniki. This is the most significant landmark of the Halkidiki peninsula. A karst cave with bizarre columns - stalagnates (a combination of stalactites and stalagmites), formed by nature, is located on the western slope of Mount Katsika.
The cave has underground galleries that go two kilometers deep into the mountain, open for inspection. In 1960, the skeleton of an ancient man who supposedly lived about 700 thousand years ago was discovered in this cave. Traces of the use of fire by primitive people were also discovered, which are considered the most ancient traces found by archaeologists. Near the entrance to the Petralona Cave there is the Anthropological Museum, which is undoubtedly worth a visit.
Not far from the Chalkidiki peninsula is Mount Olympus, the abode of the ancient Greek gods. The Olympus mountain range with its three peaks is the highest in all of Greece. Stefani Peak, shaped like a throne, has a height of 2909 meters, according to legend, it was here that the throne of Zeus stood, the peak of Skolio rises above sea level by 2912 meters, and the height of the highest peak, Mytikas, is 2919 meters above sea level. In ancient times, the Olympic Games were held here once every four years, in honor of Zeus the Thunderer.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the games were resumed, and now the Olympic flame is lit here and then carried to the next venue for sports competitions. From Olympus there is a beautiful panorama of the endless expanses of the Aegean Sea and the nearby islands, and in clear, cloudless weather, the more distant Greek islands are also visible. At the foot of Olympus stands the dilapidated ancient city of Dion, famous for the fact that from here Alexander the Great began his great campaign to the east. The architectural complex of the city consists of the ruins of the Temple of Isis and Demeter, Roman baths and the Odeon.
In Kallithea there are the ruins of the ancient temple of Ammon Zeus. This ancient temple, which is located on the seashore, was discovered in 1969 during the construction of a new hotel building.
Not far from the ruins of the ancient temple of Ammon Zeus is the Cave of Dionysus - a former sanctuary where the ancient Greeks worshiped the god Dionysus. The sanctuary created by the Euboeans lasted from the 8th century to the 2nd century BC.
The main historical landmark of the city is the towering Tower of Prosphoria, a monument from the Byzantine era. In the tower, built of stones and cobblestones, lived the monks who managed the estate of the Vatopedi Monastery. Currently, a museum is organized in the Prosphoria Tower and various exhibitions are often held.
Where to go in Halkidiki
Attractions
Entertainment
Shops and markets
Private guides in Halkidiki
Russian private guides will help you get to know Halkidiki in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do
First of all, these are the famous beaches of the Halkidiki peninsula. If you are a restless person, you can always take an excursion to the sights of Halkidiki.
The beaches on the Halkidiki peninsula are considered one of the most beautiful in Greece. Many of them are marked with the Blue Flag of the European Union. There are numerous beaches along the picturesque coastline, which is more than 500 kilometers long. Snow-white sand, crystal clear sea waters, lush, vibrant greenery and colorful villages make the Halkidiki coast an ideal holiday destination. All beaches are municipal property; the use of beach equipment is paid everywhere. During the hot period there are practically no jellyfish; they appear in colder times. When the water temperature gets lower. Standing motionless in the water, you can feel the touch of tiny, almost invisible fish, which are completely safe. The beaches of the Halkidiki peninsula are safe for swimming; there are very few rocks under which sea urchins can live.
All beaches are well maintained and have a distinctive sign - the Blue Flag for ecology and cleanliness. Most of the sandy, well-equipped beaches are managed by coastal taverns and cafes. There are plenty of umbrellas and sun loungers, and many cafes have terraces where you can take a break from the summer heat and have a snack. The use of beach equipment is paid - 3.5 euros, but this amount includes a drink of your choice. It can be cold coffee frappe, popular in Greece, beer, mineral water, fresh juice or shake. You can take ice cream instead of a drink. If your choice does not exceed 3.5 euros, you will need to pay the difference. Sun loungers are provided for the whole day, even if you go to the hotel at noon to escape the hot Mediterranean sun. You can safely leave your beach things on the sun loungers, you just need to inform the cafe owner about this.
At the beginning of the season and in August, as well as on weekdays, the beaches are not too crowded, so returning sunbeds is not a problem. During peak season, Saturday and Sunday, this is more difficult to do, as there are many more tourists. On the beach, you can sit on your own in any place convenient for you with your own beach equipment. All beach paraphernalia: umbrellas, towels, sun loungers, tables are sold in local shops and are quite inexpensive. At night, life on the beach does not stop, some coastal cafes are open until the morning, young people have fun at night beach discos.
Kallithea Beach is located in the bay opposite the second “finger” - Sithonia, so there are never strong waves here. The beach is well equipped: sun loungers, umbrellas, an abundance of cafes and bars, cleanliness, a gentle slope into the sea and the absence of large stones. The peculiarity of the beach is its clean and sparkling sand, as if strewn with sparkles, which shines beautifully on the seabed. Children play in delight with this magical snow-white sand on the seashore. Walking along the coastal strip, you can often find beautiful shells. Kallithea Beach is a very pleasant, relaxing place, uncrowded and stunningly beautiful.
The clean and very well-kept beach of the village of Polichrono is not a bay, but a long narrow strip of sand. Along the entire coastline there are cozy small hotels, like most buildings on the Halkidiki peninsula, blending harmoniously and without disturbing the natural beauty. There are a sufficient number of sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach, which are offered by numerous cafes and bars. To rent a comfortable sun lounger with an umbrella and a cocktail table for the whole day, you just need to buy something from the cafe - a soft drink, a snack or just a cup of coffee. The sand on the beach is clean and soft, snow-white, swimming in the local waters is absolutely safe, and various water activities are offered for children and adults.
A popular tourist spot is the beach of the village of Hanioti, located in the north of Kassandra. The beach is not wide, sandy, with some small pebbles here and there, and has all the attributes of a beach holiday. There are many bars and taverns where you can have a snack or quench your thirst with a cold drink. In front of each establishment there are tables with sun loungers and umbrellas that protect from the scorching rays of the Mediterranean sun. After purchasing a drink at the bar, you can safely use one of the standing sun loungers.
Swimming is safe, but you need to be careful and careful: in the area of the central part of the beach, at a distance of about three meters from the shore, there is a large slab under the water. In itself, it does not pose any danger, but due to the algae covering it, the slab is very slippery. In this place you should swim either in special rubber shoes, or go around the slab, since behind it there is an absolutely clean and safe bottom. The central beach is quite crowded, but if you go a little further to the left or right, you will find completely secluded places. For twenty euros per hour on Hanioti beach you can rent a jet ski; a rowing boat or catamaran will cost a little less. Other water attractions for children and adult vacationers are also available.
Just beyond Hanioti lies the beautiful Pefkohori beach. Its length is about three kilometers. The sandy beach, with small pebbles in places, narrows in the central part so much that the sun loungers are located at the very edge of the sea. As you move away from the center, the coastal strip becomes wider and more deserted. The beach has everything you need: cafes and bars, beach equipment, standard entertainment.
The most picturesque beach, one of the most beautiful on the entire Halkidiki peninsula. Translated from Greek, Kriopigi means “cold spring”, since in this part of the peninsula there are indeed many springs from which icy water gushes out. When swimming in the sea, you can feel the cold currents. There are no hotels or inns here, and the pine forest goes straight to the sea. There is only a small campsite on the shore.
On the beach there are umbrellas, sun loungers, changing cabins, showers, toilets - all this is the property of the campsite. Steep green slopes framing a narrow strip of beach, a crystal clear sea, which in this place has two colors - dark blue and azure, snow-white sand and wonderful air make Kriopigi beach incredibly attractive. A little above the beach, on a slope, there is a tavern with a terrace, which offers a magnificent view of the sea and the beach below. On the terrace you can have a snack or drink a cup of coffee while admiring the scenery.
On the east coast of Sithonia there is a small village of Sarti, with a beach of the same name and an extremely beautiful beach. Beautiful trees with their branches almost touch the blue-green gentle sea. Many tourists prefer this beach, as here you can get real pleasure from contemplating its amazing beauty. The combination of picturesque mountains and the sea, well-equipped beaches, souvenir shops and taverns stretching along the sandy beach, and numerous water activities make Sarti quite a lively place, perfect for relaxation.
A few kilometers from the village of Nikiti is the Akti Kalogria beach. In the most picturesque lagoon there is a vast sandy beach with snow-white and soft, as if velvet, sand.
The beach is conventionally divided into two large parts, where on one side there are noisy beach bars and cafes, where young people have fun from morning to night. All kinds of sporting events, concerts and colorful performances take place here.
The other part of the beach is ideal for families and older people, as the calm, quiet atmosphere and lack of noise and fuss are ideal for rest and relaxation. Not far from the beach, in the middle of the bay, there is a small island - a habitat for seabirds, which are very pleasant to admire.
Purchases
The markets and shops on the Halkidiki peninsula offer a varied range of locally produced goods. In numerous souvenir shops you can buy memorabilia made by Greek craftsmen and gifts for family and friends.
The shops of the largest resorts sell pretty decent clothes and shoes, there is a lot of clothing from well-known brands, and from July 15 to the beginning of September, all goods are sold at significant discounts.
In the markets, as well as in smaller shops, there is an abundance of beautiful leather shoes in the Greek style, leather jewelry, and belts from Greek leather craftsmen. In addition to shoes, you can buy wonderful textile items, woolen carpets, and various jewelry. From a trip to Chalkidiki, tourists bring olive oil, which is incredibly tasty here, pickled olives, Greek wine and aniseed vodka, as well as honey, cosmetics and excellent handmade soap based on olive oil, which has a wonderful smell and unusual color.
Shops selling fur products, of which there are plenty on the peninsula, are very popular. Among the huge variety here you can choose the best fur coat at a factory price.
Food markets and supermarkets
The markets, open from seven in the morning to 2 p.m., offer a large selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, fish, milk, cheese, nuts, honey and other products. Prices for vegetables and fruits are minimal, starting from 0.5 euros per kilogram. Three mugs of fresh sheep's matsoni cheese cost 2.5 euros. They also sell wonderful homemade wine from local grape varieties - 2 euros per liter.
Specialized butcher shops have an excellent selection of meat: pork, lamb, beef, rabbit, turkey, as well as goat, which the Greeks love. All types of meat are inexpensive, for example, a kilogram of excellent pork chops will cost 5 euros. If you are going to have a picnic, then they will pickle it for you right away.
All necessary products can also be purchased in numerous supermarkets. The most popular are the Masutis chain stores. Please note that all major stores are closed on Sundays. Small shops and shops are open every day, but at noon they all close for siesta.
Food and drink
You can try unique and amazingly delicious Greek cuisine in traditional taverns, where there is always a large selection of fresh fish, seafood and cheeses. Of course, any hotel or hotel has its own restaurants and cafes, where vacationers receive three meals a day.
But it’s still worth getting acquainted with Greek cuisine, feeling its flavor, and this acquaintance is best done in local taverns. Only in traditional Greek taverns will you be offered the richest selection of dishes, any fish delicacies, grilled vegetables, a variety of cheeses and all kinds of salads.
You should definitely try moussaka - this is a Greek dish, like a casserole, which it is advisable to order in advance, Greek salad, tzatziki - yogurt with herbs, souvlaki - local kebabs, baked tomatoes with cheese. And, of course, try local seafood dishes: octopus, charcoal squid, cuttlefish in tomato sauce.
For a delicious dinner, you will be offered Greek wines from local grape varieties: white, rose and red. As well as stronger drinks, such as cognac or ouzo - Greek aniseed vodka. After a meal, in most restaurants and taverns, hospitable hosts treat their guests to something sweet: various fruits or ice cream.
In the traditional taverns of the Halkidiki peninsula, in addition to a wide variety of delicious dishes, you are also pleased with fairly affordable prices. The cost of main meat and fish dishes, served with a side dish, starts from 6 euros per serving, large sea fish costs more, seafood from 9 euros, a portion of salad from 3 euros, complex salads from 6 euros.
However, when ordering lunch or dinner in Greek taverns, keep in mind that the portions here are very large and heavy. As a rule, one serving of salad is enough for two, or even three, and the same can be said about the main dishes. In any case, you can always make an additional order of dishes.
Typically, Greek taverns, open until late at night, begin their work no earlier than 11-12 am, since most vacationers have breakfast at the hotel. But, if you still decide to have breakfast outside the hotel or just overslept breakfast, you can have a snack in small cafe-bakeries. These establishments sell Greek pastries - pita. Pita, which resembles a pie, is prepared with a wide variety of fillings: sweet, salty, meat, cheese and vegetables. In these small cafes, opening early in the morning, you can order toast, a cup of coffee or some other drink.
A popular drink is instant coffee, to which crushed ice is added - frappe coffee, as well as typically Greek, strong and very aromatic coffee - elleniko. Coffee shops are often found on the streets of large resorts. In some of these establishments you can buy delicious homemade ice cream, small in size in several variations and costing from one to two euros per serving.
Another option for a snack if you missed lunch at the hotel is to order shawarma, which is prepared in specialized cafes. You can eat it right in the cafe, where it will be served on a platter with salad or potatoes, or you can ask to take it with you. Lunch or dinner in such a cafe will cost on average up to 15 euros for two and will include two shawarmas, two salads, mineral or plain water, and beer.
Separately, it is worth mentioning water. Given the rather dry Greek climate, it is necessary to constantly drink water here. The average cost of one 1.5 liter bottle of still water is one euro.
Connection
While relaxing on the Halkidiki peninsula, you can use all types of communication: telephone, cell phone and the Internet.
Cellular and telephone communications
Greece, particularly the Halkidiki peninsula, has the same communication standards as most European countries. Roaming rates vary depending on the season among different operators. However, the most popular local mobile operators (Vodafone, Q-Telecom and Cosmote) provide services at the most competitive rates. All telephone SIM cards can be purchased at the offices of mobile operators.
With the mobile operator Vodafone, you can take advantage of the profitable Vodafon CU contract, worth 5 euros, under the terms of which all calls within the network and incoming calls from other operators are free of charge. To communicate with Russia, it is beneficial to purchase a telephone card, which can be used to make calls from city call centers. The cost of such a calling card is 4 euros, which is approximately 2-4 hours of calls, depending on which number the call is addressed to (mobile or landline). Pay phones are located only in the largest resorts of the Halkidiki peninsula.
For local calls, it is optimal to use a telephone card, which can be purchased at any kiosk with a denomination from 3 to 20 euros, the conversation time is from 100 to 1000 minutes. Small coins of 10 euro cents are also used. Foreign calls and calls within the country after 22.00 hours have a different, lower rate.
Internet
All resorts on the Halkidiki peninsula have a normal Internet connection. Hotel and hotel complexes have Wi-Fi access points. Large resorts have Internet cafes, some of which are even equipped with a Russian keyboard for the convenience of tourists. Almost all modern cafes and restaurants on the peninsula offer free Wi-Fi.
Where to stay in Halkidiki
Booking.com offers more than 3,500 hotels in Halkidiki for booking. You can select a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .
Washed by the Aegean Sea, its shape resembles a trident, consisting of three elongated narrow peninsulas, whose names are Athos (or Agion Oros), Sithonia and Kassandra. On the Greek mainland, Halkidiki is the main tourist and recreational area with a large number of excellent resorts surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation.
The resorts of the Halkidiki peninsula offer a wide range of services. Here you can relax in style in one of the five-star hotels with a full arsenal of services, or you can enjoy a quiet, peaceful holiday in inexpensive apartments. To get to the peninsula, tourists fly to the city of Thessaloniki, and then go to their resorts and hotels.
Being located in the subtropics, Halkidiki can delight holidaymakers with a fairly long holiday season. Already in May, tourists begin to come here, and by July-August, when the air temperature reaches +35 degrees, the tourist flow reaches its peak. Due to the fact that in the summer months the climate in Halkidiki is dry, the heat is tolerated calmly and does not cause any inconvenience to tourists. The sea water temperature at the height of the swimming season is on average + 25 degrees, and there are practically no winds or strong waves. The tourist season is coming to an end at the end of September.
The vast majority of beaches on the peninsula are sandy or consisting of a mixture of sand and small pebbles. In addition to municipal beaches, you can find fairly extensive wild beach areas with pristine natural landscapes and secluded seascapes.
As excursion routes on the Halkidiki peninsula, trips are organized to local attractions - to the birthplace of Aristotle Stagira, to the ancient city of Olynthos, to the ruins of the temples of Dionysus and Zeus Ammon in the cities of Kallithea and Afitis. One of the popular excursions is a visit to a cave in the vicinity of Petralona, in which the skeleton of an ancient European was discovered, and to the Anthropological Museum located here.
No less exciting will be a trip to the city of Potidea, where there is an ancient canal created in the 1st century connecting the bays of Kassandra and Thermankos.
The Chalkidiki Peninsula is one of the most accessible Greek destinations for Russians who travel independently. Company Aegean Airlines operates regular flights (if booked in advance, quite inexpensive - 7000-8000 rubles per person) from Moscow to Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki - the airport closest to the peninsula; the road to the main resorts will take a little over an hour. I advise on the peninsula (from RUB 2,699/night) and (average price - 3600 rubles/day). If suddenly a car is not included in your plans, you can negotiate with the owner of the apartment about a transfer and travel around the island by bus. This option is more complicated, since you will have to constantly check the schedule and clarify routes.
Of course, you can spend your vacation in one place and not use transport at all, but in Halkidiki this is a clear omission. Driving around the peninsula is very exciting: around any turn you can find a wild beach with a breathtaking combination of white sand and azure water or a cozy cove with boulders and spreading pine trees - park your car and jump into the water.
Where to stay
Halkidiki has an unusual shape. It consists of three finger peninsulas: Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos . If you do not plan to sit in one place, it is better to book accommodation between the “fingers” - for example, in, , Agios Nikolaos or in any other village nearby. This will make it easier and faster to move around the peninsula.
The third “finger” - Mount Athos - is only partially accessible to visitors, most of it belongs to the autonomous monastic state of the Holy Mountain. Only male pilgrims can come here with special permission.
Afitos
When driving along Kassandra from the side that faces Sithonia, do not miss the turn to Afitos . This cozy and picturesque village is located on a rocky shore: stone houses gently nestle one against the other, paved paths wind around them, and all this is buried in lush greenery and neat flower beds. You can stroll along the old streets, look into shops with souvenirs, leather goods, clothing, local cosmetics, spices, or relax in restaurants, savoring huge portions of Greek salad, gyros or souvlaki.
The architectural dominant of the central part of Afitos is the stone Church of Agios Demetrius, built in the 19th century, with a dome, bell tower, rich iconostasis and an impressive crystal chandelier.
To get to the main beach you will have to go down the path down the mountain (and back up, respectively), but this is perhaps the only inconvenience. The second beach - Liosi - is located a little further away. Both of them have fine sand.
A traditional lunch on the peninsula necessarily includes seafood (shrimp, octopus, squid - often grilled), stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki (garlic yogurt and cucumbers), and eggplant caviar.
For dinner - new delights: souvlaki (Greek kebabs), moussaka (lamb and eggplant casserole with bechamel sauce), gyros (pita with meat), pastitsio (casserole of pasta, minced meat and tomatoes), stifado (stewed meat with onions) , paydaki (young lamb ribs).
As for wines, in this part of Greece you need to try retsina - white wine with a hint of resin (the wine matures in pine barrels that release resin). Don't forget to take a couple bottles home!
Nikiti
Nikiti - another old village, but this time in Sithonia. The sand on the coast is white and very pleasant, the slope to the sea is gentle. There is also a picturesque promenade - a walking area along the beach. The coast will delight you with all the benefits of civilization: sun loungers and umbrellas, taverns and cafes, showers and changing cabins.
When you get tired of swimming, spend some time getting to know the local landmark - the Basilica of St. Sophronius. This is a monument of the early Christian era (5th century), discovered during excavations in 1981.
If you see sunbeds and umbrellas on beaches that do not belong to hotels, in 99% of cases you can borrow them for free. After a while, a waiter from a nearby cafe will approach you and offer you something from the menu. According to the unspoken rule, all you have to do is take at least a cup of coffee - and you can lie around all day.
Finding the basilica is not very easy, you shouldn’t rely on street signs (I spent an hour and a half looking for it), it’s better to just type it into Google mapsArchaeological Site Basilicata Sophronios .
Be sure to go up to old Nikiti - just not in the very heat. It is located on a mountain, about a kilometer from the sea. The streets wind around ancient churches and stone houses with wooden balconies and tiled roofs. Climb to the very top, to the cemetery, and you will have a view of the entire village, the sea and the Kassandra peninsula in the distance.
Toroni
Almost in the very south of Sithonia there is a huge beach Toroni . It is quite long, wild areas are replaced by developed ones - with sun loungers, umbrellas, beach cafes and taverns. It’s worth coming here if you’re tired of the calm waters at the base of the “fingers.” This part of Sithonia looks at the tip of Kassandra and the open sea, so the waves here are unruly, and the bottom topography is more familiar - it quickly becomes deep. There are a lot of tourists in Toroni during the season, so it’s better to come duringsouthern part of the beach - there are fewer people there.
Jams, marmalade and pine honey are another hallmark of the peninsula. Much is exported, which is not surprising: natural ingredients and unique production technologies are highly valued on the market. As a rule, these sweets are added to soft cottage cheese (and breakfast is ready) or used to prepare gravy and sauces. A wonderful souvenir for friends or yourself.
Local olives are a special pride. These are not those tiny olives on supermarket shelves that we are used to, but olives are aromatic and meaty - so much so that they are served with fillings: for example, peppers, onions, almonds, capers. In the village of Metatsigi they grow an original variety - blue olives, which are not found anywhere else in the world.
Ouranoupolis
Ουρανόπολις
There are more pilgrims on Mount Athos than ordinary tourists. And resort life here is not so busy. Holidays here are calmer and more measured than in the rest of Halkidiki. However, the sea and the beach (Ouranoupolis beach) is nothing They are inferior. City Ouranoupolis more suitable for those looking for a secluded holiday. A Byzantine tower from the 14th century has been preserved here; it stands right on the seashore: you can swim and admire this architectural rarity.
It is in Ouranoupolis that male pilgrims are given permits to visit the Athos monasteries. Women can also touch the shrines: there are many shops in the town where they sell Athonite icons, rosaries, and incense. And the proximity of holy places is really felt.
Vourvourou
Βουρβουρού
Karidi beach in Vourvourou - my undisputed leader among all the Greek beaches that I have been to (and perhaps not only Greek ones). Imagine an absolute seaside idyll: not an ounce of civilization, graceful pine trees, snow-white sand and a blue-turquoise sea. True, it gets crowded during the season. Tourists with children especially like this place: it’s shallow here, you can walk a few tens of meters from the shore and you’ll still be knee-deep. The water and sand on Karidi are simply crazy. I advise you to come for the whole day, walk along the beach, climb boulders and enjoy the views of the surrounding area.
The five beach places I talked about are only a small part of the natural wealth of the peninsula. Beach holidays in Halkidiki are truly phenomenal. If you haven’t decided on your vacation plans yet, I advise you to take a closer look and plan a week or two in this Greek paradise.
Halkidiki is a real Garden of Eden in Greece, which tourists love for its combination of luxurious beaches, clear sea, developed infrastructure and historical monuments. Nature has endowed the peninsula with lush forests and a variety of herbs that fill its air with healing aromas. Chalkidiki also owes its popularity to its favorable location and well-established flight program. This allows the peninsula to receive hundreds of thousands of tourists in the summer season.
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Geography of Halkidiki and how to get there
The peninsula is clearly recognizable on the map of Greece. Its shape resembles a trident, consisting of three peninsulas - Athos, Cassandra And Sithonia. To get to Halkidiki, you need to get to the nearest large city of Thessaloniki. From May to early October it accepts charters from many Russian regions. There are regular flights from Moscow all year round.
Climate of Halkidiki
The peninsula has a mild climate, and even at the height of summer the heat is easier to bear than on the southernmost islands of Greece. The average temperature in July is +30°C; during the peak season the water warms up to +26°C. You can swim comfortably in Halkidiki from the end of May to the end of September, although in some years the weather allows swimming in early October.
Each of the three “fingers” of the peninsula has its own characteristics:
- Cassandra- the most popular peninsula, which is home to many hotels for every taste, taverns, nightclubs and shops. Despite its popularity, even in high season it is not difficult to find a secluded place or a calm beach for a family holiday on Kassandra. Among the resorts of the peninsula, particularly popular are Kallithea with excellent sandy beaches, Paralia Dionysiou - a place for a relaxing holiday, lively Hanioti and Pefkohori with beautiful pine groves;
- Sithonia- a peninsula that is ideal for a relaxing holiday, including with children. There are fewer hotels here, which means fewer tourists. The beaches of the peninsula are picturesque secluded bays. Among the resort villages of Sithonia, the village of Vourvourou with its exotic coastline, the lively Neos Marmaras and Nikiti, a small but developed town with beautiful beaches, stand out;
- Athos- a peninsula mainly known for the mountain of the same name and the monastic state. However, part of Athos is intended for recreation: there are comfortable hotels, shops and entertainment for children. On this peninsula, tourists are welcomed by the city of Ouranoupolis, with clean, safe beaches and several attractions.
Also in Halkidiki, in addition to the villages on three “fingers”, there is the popular tourist town of Nea Kallikratia. It is located just 30 km from Thessaloniki. Nea Kallikratia is known for its many entertainment venues and variety of fur products.
Attractions in Halkidiki
One of the reasons to visit Halkidiki is Saint Athos, known as the only monastic autonomy in the world. Today, you can count 20 monasteries, several monasteries and hundreds of different buildings here: from hermit huts to separate cells. Among the important relics that are kept on Athos are the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the relics of saints, numerous miraculous icons and the Gifts of the Magi. There are two ways to see all this with your own eyes. Men can obtain a special visa and make a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain. And women are allowed to explore Athos only from the sea - special cruises are organized in Halkidiki.
Also worth seeing on Mount Athos is the Prosphoria Tower. This is the main attraction of Ouranoupoli, built by the Byzantines from stones and cobblestones. It was intended for the monks who managed the courtyard of the Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos. And today the halls of Prosphoria are used for holding exhibitions.
Not far from the village of Petralona is the famous Petralona Cave. This is one of the most important attractions in Halkidiki, created by nature itself. The cave, decorated with stalagnates, has underground galleries - they are open to the public. In the 1960s, archaeologists managed to discover the skeleton of an ancient man and many artifacts in the Petralona Cave. Based on what was found near the cave, an Anthropological Museum was opened, worthy of a visit.
Ancient monuments have been partially preserved even on the territory of modern resorts. So, in Kallithea you can visit ruins of the temple of Ammon Zeus. They are located overlooking the sea and were found during the construction of a new hotel. Nearby there is a cave associated with the ancient cult of Dionysus. And to learn the whole history of Halkidiki, starting from ancient times, it is worth going to Polygyros. The city has an Archaeological Museum with an impressive collection.
Having chosen Halkidiki for your holiday, it will not be difficult to visit the most interesting sights of continental Greece. The journey takes approximately 4 hours to the monasteries of Meteora- a complex built on the top of ancient steep rocks. 6 monasteries are open to the public, each of which is famous for its unique frescoes, relics and mosaics.
It is worth going to the legendary Olympus, where hiking and cycling tours are organized. Nearby is the Franco-Byzantine fortress of Platamon - a majestic structure of the 13th century, perfectly preserved. Popular among tourists in Halkidiki are day trips to Kastoria - here you can buy fur products and admire the architecture of the city, as well as to the thermal resort of Loutraki, whose springs are known for their healing properties.
Shopping in Halkidiki
You can’t return from a holiday without shopping, and in Halkidiki the shopping opportunities are unlimited. Large resort towns have a good selection of shoes and clothing. Those wishing to update their wardrobe should go to Thessaloniki - there are outlets and shopping centers with boutiques of famous brands. As a souvenir, you can bring leather shoes or bags made by local craftsmen, high-quality textiles, lace, aromatic honey or durable tableware made from olive wood.
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