When most people think of Greece, their mind goes to the white washed buildings of the Mykonos and Santorini, or the ancient wonders of Athens, however, with glorious beaches, ancient history and quaint towns, holidays to Halkidiki are on the rise! Here’s everything you need to know about the up and coming region.
Where is Halkidiki?
Halkidiki is a region in North East Greece made up of three peninsulas and a mountainous region. The two westerly peninsulas are home to hundreds of hotels, restaurants, bars and beaches while the third is closed off to tourists. This peninsula, Athos, is home to more than 2000 monks and is not freely accessible, especially for women.
The most popular area for tourists is the peninsula of Kassandra, however I stayed at the Blue Dolphin Hotel through Jet2 Holidays, which is on the coast between the two accessible peninsulas and this provided a great base to explore the whole region.
How To Get To Halkidiki
The nearest airport to Halkidiki is Thessaloniki which is around an hour and a half away from the coast. Popular flights from London Stansted Airport run frequently throughout the week with Jet2 Flights to Thessaloniki also running regularly from most regional airports in the UK.
It’s worthwhile to book a transfer before you arrive either through your hotel or tour company to save money on getting an airport taxi. It could also be a good option to hire a car as a lot of the activities are sites are fairly far away and public transport isn’t particularly extensive. Alternatively, you can hire a Halkidiki guide and driver to access the best locations!
Best Things To Do In Halkidiki
Go Back in Time To Ancient Greece
History is all around you in Halkidiki and there are many ancient sites to explore. One of the most popular, the Ancient Stagira, was once home to Aristotle. These ruins are perched on a hill offering amazing views of the surrounding towns and coastline.
You can also visit the ancient town of Olynthos where the preserved ruins give a clear idea of the layout of the village, as well as showing some examples of early mosaics.
Take a Boat Trip to Diasporos Island
This uninhabited island is home to incredible blue water and sandy beaches. There are plenty of boat trip available that include lunch and visits to other secluded beaches. There is even a giant pirate ship that runs tours to the area, complete with crazy captain!
Try the Best Dolmades at Marianna’s Vineleaves
This family run vineyard waste no part of the vine, offering a huge range of products from dolmades to vine tops to their own grape liquor. Take a tour of the premises and pick up some delicacies to take home.
Try Wine That Has Been Aged Under The Sea
Agrovision Winery is one of the only places in Greece who age and store some of their wine under the sea! You can visit their production site for a tasting session complete with snacks and, if the weather allows, stunning views over their cliff top vineyards.
Make the Most of the Coast at a Beach Club
With over 550km of beaches in Halkidiki, it would be rude not to make the most of them! Sit back and relax with a cocktail before taking a dip in the Aegean Sea. Mare Nostra was a favourite of mine, complete with a restaurant serving lunch and snacks, but there are plenty dotted along the coast depending on where you’re staying.
Explore the Old Towns of Halkidiki
Due to their locations on cliffs and in the mountains, the old towns of Halkidiki, more closely resemble Swiss ski areas or Mallorcan villages than the white houses of the Greek islands. The three main ones to visit are Athitos, Nikiti and Arnaia.
The former, Athitos, is located on a cliff above a popular beach and is a great place to shop for local art and produce. Nikiti is also close to a popular beach resort and offers a great view of the hills and coast from the grounds of the village church. Finally, Arnaia, nestled in the mountains, has much more of an alpine vibe. Head to the town square for a coffee with the locals before trying some award winning honey at Georgakas.
Indulge in Greek Delicacies
Greek food is one of my all time favourites and it still blew my mind just how good it was! Make sure you try the cheese and filo pies drizzled in honey, olives, koftas, feta dips and fresh seafood. You can also find a great range of Greek wine, beer and Tsipouro, a homemade liquor, as well as the original iced coffee, freddo espresso.
Weather in Halkidiki
Like most of Europe, summers in Halkidiki can get hot with highs in the 30s during June, July and August. For those looking for a cheaper trip, May and October see temperatures in the early 20s and offer lower prices than the summer prices so could be well worth it.
At all times of year though, the evening can get a little chilly so make sure you bring some layers if you’re planning on taking advantage of some of the best outdoor bars and restaurants.
Disclaimer: My trip to Greece with Jet2 Holidays was a press trip provided by the company and Halkidiki Tourism. However, all views and recommendations in this Halkidiki guide are my own.
