Halkidiki Tourism (2024) - Greece > Top Places, Travel Guide

Halkidiki Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 2 - 3 days

Best Time: May - Oct Read More

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"Poseidon's Trident"

Halkidiki Tourism

Located in Central Macedonia in Northern Greece, Halkidiki is a trident-shaped peninsula. Home to over 60 exotic beaches, Halkidiki is popular for its lush vegetation, breathtaking landscapes, and cosmopolitan sea resorts. Established as a known summer vacation in Greece, Halkidiki is a perfect blend of fun and culture and most tourists come to relax on a luxury driven vacation and stay in high end resorts.

With vegetation of pine trees and turquoise blue waters, Halkidiki has small bays comprising taverns and bars. The picturesque, quaint villages with mind-blowing sunsets attract tourists to succumb to the charm of these beautiful peninsulas. Halkidiki proves to be a perfect location for hiking enthusiasts as it boasts around 20 marked hiking trails with about 17 cycling routes passing through the Natural protected area and Holomontas. There are a few prestigious diving and water sports centres on the peninsula. Jeep tours are also famous in Halkidiki, as the area comprises forests and secluded beaches. Due to its close proximity to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki can also be a convenient day trip destination.

The main peninsula of Halkidiki extends into three more peninsulas, often called legs, giving it its characteristic trident shape. The first peninsula, Kassandra, is the busiest tourist destination, and the second one, Sithonia, comprises secluded beaches and is popular among campers. Athos, the third peninsula, is an autonomous peninsula where entry is only possible with special permission. It is a holy place for the orthodox Greek religion and houses many monks with more than seven monasteries. Women are not allowed on Mount Athos. Polygyros, The capital of Halkidiki and the island's largest town, Nea Moudania, lies in the centre of the main peninsula.

Public buses are the most convenient way to get around major tourist areas.
Renting a car is a recommended option to get to more remote areas.
Organised tours are an easy way to explore major attractions. They can be taken either from Thessaloniki or from Halkidiki, itself.
Shops are open from 9:00 AM till about 12:00 AM.
Restaurants and cafes open from about 6:00 AM till about 11:00 PM.
Nightclubs, pubs and beach taverns in Kassandra and Sithonia are operational only from May through September.
Women are strictly not allowed on Mount Athos.

Things To Do In Halkidiki

Kavourotrypes Beach

Sarti Beach

Porto Koufo Beach

Kalamitsi Beach

Ammouliani

Paliouri Beach

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Top Hotels In Halkidiki

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Where to Stay in Halkidiki

There are plenty of options for accommodation available in Halkidiki. Halkidiki's main peninsula extends into three more peninsulas ( Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos), giving it a trident shape. These three extension peninsulas are often called legs.

Kassandra, the first peninsula and leg, is popular among tourists for its lively resorts, shops, ecstatic music on the beach and nightlife. Some of the greatest high-standard and luxury hotels can be found on this peninsula. The most convenient and popular places in Kassandra to stay in order to enjoy the life of the peninsula are Kallithea, Sani, Hanioti, Skala Fourkas, and Pefkohori.
Sithonia, the second peninsula or leg, is a better option for those who prefer to stay in calmer and more natural settings or have a family with kids. This peninsula mostly has traditional waterfront guesthouses and marinas along its magnificent coastline. Some of the places in Sithonia to stay include Neos Marmaras and Armenistis, famous for camping. Porto Koufo is among some isolated places in Sithonia, with a beach, taverns and a few hotels and guesthouses.
Athos is an autonomous religious peninsula and has almost no options for a stay without special permissions. Ouranopolis, is a small village on the gates of Mount Athos, which has plenty of chic and boutique hotels.

Shopping in Halkidiki

Halkidiki is a perfect place to buy local products like olives, olive oil, cheese, honey, marmalades, and wines. Polygyros is the centre for shopping. It has several shops scattered here and there in the town. The biggest city in Halkidiki is Nea Moudania which also has numerous options with shops dealing in jewellery, souvenirs, art, and other items.

Nightlife in Halkidiki

Nightlife in Halkidiki is vivid and offers all kinds of party options. Apart from some quaint little quiet taverns with slow music and cocktails in Polygyros, other peninsulas of Halkidiki offer ecstatic nightlife. Kassandra offers the best of nightclubs, beach bars and cocktail bars. Kallithea is the most popular village in Kassandra peninsula and a known party destination. It comprises various nightclubs and cocktail clubs that cater to tourists' needs. For an unforgettable nightlife experience, one can also choose some of the most premium clubs in Kallithea.

Afitos, only 3 km away from Kallithea, offers some of the best options for people who like to have a drink with good music in front of a view of Toroneos Gulf. Pefkohori, 20 mins away from Kallithea, transforms into romantic corners with a sunset. One can enjoy an ultimate party scene in the form of loud music playing all night. Hanioti can be chosen for calmer nights in a lounge or a cocktail club. The most cosmopolitan destination in Sithonia is Neos Marmaras, with hardcore nightclubs, loud music, non-stop parties, amazing beach bars, and camping facilities. Manassu, Talgo, Ethnik and Goa are some vibrant beaches where one can enjoy vibrant beach parties.

History of Halkidiki

In Mythology, the battle between Zeus and the giants happened in Halkidiki. The leader of giants, Enceladus, was buried alive here. And it is a belief that his attempt to get out causes earthquakes in the region. The oldest inhabitants of Halkidiki are believed to be Pelasgoi and Thracians. During the 5th century, Halkidiki participated in the Persian war. After that, Halkidiki became a member of the Athenian Alliance and participated in the Peloponnesian Wars from 431 to 404 BC. This resulted in the fall of Halkidiki. In 348, Halkidiki came under Macedonian rule in 168 BC, it was ruled by the Roman denomination. In the 9th century, Byzantines built several castles and fortresses to save the city from invasions.

The first monastery on the Athos Peninsula was also built during this time, and the peninsula was given the name of 'the Holy Mountain'. In 1430 Turks got their hand on Halkidiki, and the revolution for freedom sparked in May 1821, only to be stopped by the rulers. In the early 20th century, many inhabitants participated in the attempt to get freedom, and the city of Halkidiki got free from the Turks in 1912, coming into Macedonia. Since then, Halkidiki never stopped growing.