Halkidiki is a peninsula in the northern part of mainland Greece. It is said that the peninsula resembles a hand with three fingers or toes, as the Greeks call them. This unusual shape creates an area of coastline covering almost 560 km.
With beautiful beaches, wild forests and numerous well-located villages and cities, Halkidiki is a rich and beautiful land that deserves exploration. Or, to paraphrase one of the ancient sons of this great land, Aristotle, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
Holidays in Greece in Halkidiki will appeal to everyone, you just need to choose a direction and location.
sights
The forests and mountains of Halkidiki make it an ideal place for walking and hiking, and its beaches have a good selection of water activities, sailing and diving. Many operators offer car rentals and explore the surroundings of the resorts to visit traditional villages and authentic taverns.
Mount Athos, on the easternmost peninsula, has the largest collection of monasteries in Greece, some of which date back to Byzantine times. Although tourists cannot visit the monasteries, they can be seen in the distance from sightseeing boats that run daily from Ouranoupolis.
In Siviri there is an amphitheater where summer concerts are held, and many archaeological sites, such as Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle. For those who want a taste of the islands, some resorts offer boat trips to nearby options such as Skiathos.
No. 1. Thessaloniki They are located about an hour from the main resorts and is the second largest city in Greece. It is a historic city with Byzantine churches, but at the same time very modern. It is a good place to shop.
Its position in Europe over the centuries has been under the control of many different factions. It has churches and mosques - a religious view of the influence of other Balkan states that have been associated with its history, but with a modern attitude that makes it a truly exciting city to explore.
The city has a population of 300,000, and the city has such a diverse architecture, where the old meets the new, and the unique cuisine, in which the influence of Constantinople is still felt, is the gateway to Eastern Europe for the whole world.
No. 2. Sithonia is a peninsula on the peninsula. Many consider Sithonia the most picturesque place. And it's hard to argue with that. Numerous beaches are dotted along its coastline.
According to tourist reviews about holidays in Halkidiki (Greece), Vourvourou is especially popular. This is the perfect beach for relaxation, where there is no rumbling music coming from the bars, or nightlife. Just off the coast of Vourvourou, there are nine small islands that can be reached by sea kayak.
For tourists - adventurers - it is a great idea to gather food for a picnic and find some quiet, deserted bay where you can swim and have a bite to eat.
No. 3. Mount Athos. Tourist information about Halkidiki has a lot of information about Mount Athos. Not only does this refer to the actual mountain, which is the highest point of the peninsula, but it is also the name of the northern peninsula of Halkidiki. It is also next to Uranupoli, where the Eagles Palace resort is located.
This wonderful peninsula, in fact, is a large living religious site, including 20 vast monasteries. These buildings offer a place of contemplation and solitude for the numerous Christian Orthodox monks who live and pray within their walls. The area is considered a monastic republic, and the peninsula can control the movement of people and goods within its jurisdiction.
Interesting cities and villages
The administrative capital of Halkidiki is Polygyros, a city and municipality in the center of the region. The population is about 6000 people. This is a good place to go for a walk and buy some souvenirs in memory of a holiday in Harkidiki in Greece.
It is believed that products from decorative glass with blue eyes used in products from traditional jewelry drive away any evil thoughts.
Ormos Panagias is a gorgeous little port village. This is the place for two regattas that take place in July and late September. The Diaporos regatta allows fans to take part in a hot race along the coast. The winner is awarded at the end of the regatta.
Sailors come from all over the Mediterranean to join this fun event. The whole village abounds with life during these holidays.
Greece has become famous as a country producing excellent wines and is working hard to reconstruct its vineyards and use grapes from around the world to expand and improve its wine offerings. The largest vineyard collection in Greece is located near the village of Neos Marmaras.
Kassandra Peninsula, Halkidiki
Kassandra, the westernmost peninsula of Halkidiki, is known for its nature, nightlife, annual festivals and endless entertainment opportunities.
Crossing the coastline of Kassandra, which is covered with aquamarine waters of the North Aegean Sea, tourists will be fascinated by everything they see between the untouched and wild beauty of northern Kassandra, a sea of greenery in the east and entertainment facilities in the western part. Numerous bars dot the coastline, whose blue flag beaches and wooded caps penetrate the marvelous sea.
The Kassandra Festival, held in Siviri, is another entertaining and educational event. The highlight are concerts and performances based on contemporary and ancient Greek drama.
On the west coast of Kassandra, you can visit beach parties and other nightly entertainment on the beaches of Pefkohori, Polychrono and Fourka, Sit on the east side. Seaside taverns, lounges and clubs are plentiful.
You should definitely visit Afitos, the traditional and most beautiful village of Kassandra. Located on the north-eastern side of the peninsula, overlooking the wonderful sandy bay, Afitos is rich in Orthodox Christian churches, stone houses and cobbled streets.
And the best thing is to end your busy day in Halkidiki (Greece) in 2019 in a spa located on a hilltop with sea views and surrounded by a pine forest. Is this not a fairy tale?
Thermal Spa - Agia Paraskevi, Kassandra
Traditional wellness treatments date back to ancient Greece and to Hippocrates, who is sometimes called the "father of medicine." His famous quote: “Let medicine be your food, and food your medicine” is a statement that people should follow as often as possible. From a cosmetic point of view, the great tradition of using natural ingredients for rejuvenation has been brought to worldwide recognition by the remarkable Greek pharmaceutical and cosmetic brand Korres.
Fine organic and environmentally friendly products of good quality can be purchased at any pharmacy in Halkidiki. Hair care procedures are especially known and can revive even the most lifeless strands.
Reviews about holidays in Halkidiki (Greece) in Kassandra advise you to use all your wellness experience in an untouched environment on this land and go on a recovery day to a beautiful thermal resort overlooking the Aegean Sea. If this is the first visit to the thermal spa, the first thing a tourist can notice is the fragrance. A sharp bouquet of salts and minerals breaks out from a crack in the depths of the earth. The naturally warm waters flowing into large pools and private baths offer guests the perfect opportunity to refresh all senses. The natural heat of the water deeply relaxes the muscles, minerals are absorbed by the softened skin and the balance in the physiological state of the person is restored.
Best travel time to Halkidiki
It all depends on what kind of vacation is preferred. If tourists do not want to see large crowds on the beaches and in restaurants, then September, closer to the end of the tourist season, will be the best time to visit. Those who want more excitement, party atmosphere and higher temperatures, judging by the reviews of tourists about holidays in Halkidiki in Greece, July and August is the best time to travel. It should be borne in mind that many hotels and restaurants close at the end of the tourist season. Exact dates vary by location. You must definitely check this in advance.
In June, favorable weather begins in Halkidiki with the advent of summer. Average temperatures, average highs and lows, average sea temperature and average hours of sunshine - all this has been observed since May, so a vacation in June with a child in Halkidiki, Greece is ideal.
Where to stay
Choosing a place to stay, you should decide what kind of leisure tourists like. Most resorts ideal for holidays in Halkidiki in Greece are located on the western peninsula of Kassandra, while the central peninsula of Sithonia is also relatively tourist. None of the resorts on Kassandra is too lively, and a typical example is Hanioti's nightlife with authentic taste. Fourka is a modern resort with shops, bars, restaurants and one disco.
The eastern peninsula is less developed, although some tour operators offer the Eagles Palace Hotel and Bungalows, which are ideal for clients looking for a relaxing holiday away from the crowds.
For a traditional holiday, reviews of holidays in Halkidiki (Greece) recommend staying at Olymbiada, an unspoilt seaside village in the northeast, with nice beaches and marked hiking trails.
Accommodation
When it comes to housing types, there is something in Halkidiki that fits most pockets. The quality of the hotels is excellent in the upper range, with a range of five-star hotels. But there are also many self-catering villas and family households.
Among the 5 * hotels for holidays in Halkidiki in Greece, there are Eagles Palace and Sani Resort in Kassandra. Sani Resort includes 4 hotels: the 4-star Sani Beach Hotel and three 5-star hotels - Sani Beach Club, Porto Sani Village and Sani Asterias Suites, which are popular with couples. The resort is located on the territory of the ecological reserve with an area of 4 sq. Km. The complex includes a marina, 16 restaurants, 15 bars, an art gallery, sports centers, as well as entertainment and water sports.
There are also many options in the middle category - these are mainly small family-run hotels for holidays in Halkidiki, Greece. They also enjoy good fame, according to reviews.
The two-star Akroyiali Hotel in the Olympics and the neighboring Liotopi Hotel with 17 and 16 rooms respectively offer half board accommodation, where most of the food is organic and homemade. Mountain bikes can be rented here. Hiking maps are also provided.
Self-catering property is also available for budget travelers.
Reviews about hotel Sani Beach Club
The hotel staff is very helpful. The sea is crystal clear and the food is wonderful. Sani Beach Hotel is recommended as an all-inclusive hotel in Halkidiki, Greece.
It has a really beautiful setting, amazing views. The resort offers many activity options - water sports, a marina and many restaurants.
Halkidiki, Greece: holidays with children
Beautiful beaches with games and entertainment, hotels with colorful water slides - a landscape that is ideal for families.
There is a safe and shallow sea with sand, hotels with playgrounds, pools and water slides, beach resorts with shops, cafes, taverns and restaurants serving dishes loved by all ages. Impressive archaeological sites, the famous Petralona Cave, the University Forest of Taxiarchis and Aristotle Park will expand the knowledge of the whole family. Halkidiki is a great place for fun, relaxation and adventure.
Games on the beach
The shallow sea with white sand and crystal clear water, umbrellas, sun loungers, water sports and beach service all day will make your holidays with children in Halkidiki, Greece, unforgettable. After all, here you can enjoy endless hours of fun in the sand. The beaches of Halkidiki will charm everyone. Some of them, in particular, will allow you to play in a safe, paradise landscape: Sani beach, lined with Paliouri, Afitos, Kallithea, Neos Marmaras and Paradisos pines, exotic Kavurotrips with shallow emerald waters, Caridi, fully organized by Nikiti, Ierissos Beach, Kalogria with beach bars, Porto Koufo with its calm waters, Kalamitsi and the bay of Porto Carras. There is plenty to choose from! A beach holiday in Halkidiki in Greece will be filled with joy, relaxation and fun at sea. No wonder there are so many laudatory reviews!
Family hospitality in Halkidiki
Large hotels, luxury resorts, guest houses, rentals, villas. Services specifically designed for children of any age, family suites with all amenities and necessary amenities, water slides and children's pools for swimming all day, just a few steps from the sea. Gardens with playgrounds, beach volleyball and tennis courts, basketball, 5X5, mini-golf. Activities, cooking, dancing and arts and crafts. Food prepared especially for young guests from all over the world, as well as entertainment programs and programs designed for their pleasure ... Literally everything, while you are sitting and enjoying the atmosphere!
Among the hotels for families with children in Halkidiki Greece there are several excellent options: Ikos Oceania Hotel in Nea Moudania, Lagomandra Beach Hotel, Ekies All Senses Resort Porto Carras, Blue Dolphin, Αthena Palace Village Resort και Anthemus Sea Beach Resort in Sithonia, " Porto Sani Village, Sit Out Holidays, Aegean Melatron and Istion Club Luxury Resort in Kassandra, as well as Eagle Palace in Uranupoli.
All Inclusive Hotels
It is not surprising that, given the huge number of tourists who come here every year, there is no shortage of accommodation options in Halkidiki. Among them are several all-inclusive hotels and resorts, which are especially popular among families due to their facilities for children. The best of them are the following.
No. 1. PASHOS HOTEL. This 3-star hotel is a short walk from the sandy beach of Halkidiki. It offers its guests an outdoor pool and separate children's pool, table tennis table, quiet gardens, a classic Greek restaurant and a private bar and terrace. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with satellite TV, a fridge and a private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is available in all public areas. Local excursions can be arranged at the hotel’s dedicated tour desk. The charming village of Kriopigi, with its traditional taverns and shops, is within walking distance, while the vibrant resort town of Kallithea is just less than 3.2 km away.
No. 2. ATHOS PALACE. The modern, comprehensive Athos Palace Hotel combines affordable prices and luxury. It is located on the east coast of the island, a few steps from the beach and has all the amenities: indoor and outdoor pools, a games room, spa and wellness center, as well as an open-air cinema, 6 tennis courts and a special diving school offering various types of water sports. The on-site restaurant serves all-day dining, including traditional Greek dishes, as well as a separate Italian-style trattoria. The rooms are decorated in a contemporary style and include satellite TV and a safe. Many have scenic sea or mountain views. For those arriving by car, free private parking is available. The lively town of Kallithea is a short drive away.
No. 3. THEOPHANO IMPERIAL PALACE. The 5 * Hotel Theophano Imperial Palace overlooking the pristine and picturesque gardens is especially suitable for families. A few steps from Kallithea Beach, there are 6 tennis courts, a minigolf course, several restaurants and a beautiful outdoor pool. There is also a special kids club offering a huge variety of activities for children.
The best beach resorts
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