If you are in Thessaloniki and are planning to vacation for several days, it would be a great omission not to visit nearby Chalkidiki. In half an hour you are already in the first resorts in beautiful Chalkidiki.
Emerald beaches, sculpted beaches, dense pine forests, comfortable rooms for rent, guest houses and hotels, small settlements by the sea with fish restaurants and cafes, dozens of beach bars along the coast and in coves, archeological sites with a long history, traditional villages. The beaches on Chalkidiki’s third foot are so many and so different from each other that they leave even the most demanding and imaginative tourist without anything to complain about. All you have to do is choose one and every time you will face a wonderful surprise. I start by mentioning the favorites Kavourotripes, Mikro and Megalo Kavouri in Vourvourou, Akti Kalogrias in the second foot, Kriopigi in the first, Agios Mammas, Akti Sani in the first foot to continue with the very popular Glarokavos in Pefkochori, Paliouri’s all beaches, Ai -Gianni beach and Spathies in Sithonia, Tristinika and Toroni, as well as the rest of the 52 beaches that have been awarded the area’s blue flag.
-For nightlife, go to Kallithea in Kassandra. Lively nightclubs are waiting for you to have fun until the morning.
-For good food. Everywhere without reservation. Mediterranean food and award-winning restaurants can be found in almost all of Chalkidiki. Fresh fish, ouzo and sea breeze.
-For camping, you will find organized campsites in many areas and especially in Sithonia.
-For luxury hotels. There are many with excellent facilities and service. Visit Sani and Pallini Beach on foot or Porto Carras in Neos Marmaras and the historic Villa Galini.
-Visit the Petralona Cave with stalactites and stalagmites. One of the most beautiful caves in Europe where the skull of a 700,000-year-old man was discovered, who was already “old” at the age of 30-35.
-Visit Stageira, the birthplace of one of the greatest Greek philosophers, Aristotle. Near the village of Olympiada you will find the compass, pendulum and prism in the grove of Aristotle. The instruments mentioned in Aristotle’s “Physics” can be found here.
-Visit the ancient Olynthos where you can see the famous urban planning of Hippodamus, which is the basis for today’s urban planning around the world.
-Swim in the deepest sea, in Porto Koufo in southern Sithonia. It is the ancient port of Toroneo, the largest and safest port in northern Greece, mentioned by Thucydides. It was called Kofos harbor, because in the bay the sea is not heard.
-Visit the traditional settlement Parthenon which lies at an altitude of 320 m and has 6 people permanently resident, but there are cafes and taverns as well as a Folklore Museum.
-Visit Afito’s traditional residence with stone houses and excellent architecture. Small squares, cobbled streets and traditional taverns. Wonderful nights with nightlife for all tastes.
-Don’t forget the island of Ammouliani. With an area of 4.5 square kilometers, it is simply fantastic.
At the third foot of Chalkidiki lies the monastery state of Athos, a blessed site that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. More than 2,000 monks live here in the 20 monasteries that have existed since the Byzantine era. Entrance to Mount Athos is only allowed for men, with special permission. But if you want to get a taste of the wild beauty of the landscape and see some of the monasteries in the distance, you can travel with the excursion boats that sail around Mount Athos and admire them.
Marni Hatziemmanouil
