Halkidiki is a trident shaped peninsula located in Greece southeast of the large city of Thessaloniki. Renowned for its harmony with the sea, Halkidiki’s traditional villages as well as the more modern resort areas blend harmoniously and picturesquely with the area’s golden sandy beaches, sheltered bays, small islands begging for exploration and more. In fact, the stunning natural beauty of the peninsula makes a backdrop for the perfect holiday for families, adults and retirees.
Accessed via the main airport near Thessaloniki, the peninsula is most easily reached via car or bus and even if traveling to the coastal areas, the capital of the region, Poligiros, is well worth a visit.
The three prongs of the trident shaped peninsula are named Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos and they each have a unique personality and charm. Kassandra is the western-most finger of the peninsula and is the most popular of the three with vacationers. Luxury hotels, nightlife, cultural festivals such as the Festival of the Sea and the Sardine Festival and world-class entertainment and activities draw crowds of vacationers from both Greece and the world. Kassandra has a variety of white sand beaches to choose from but some of the most popular are those of Ai-Nikolaos, Stefani, Siveris and Kypsa. If one is searching for a lively holiday destination with much to see and do, then Kassandra is the perfect choice.
The middle prong of the peninsula is called Sithonia, and like its neighbor Kassandra, the natural beauty of the area is simply breathtaking. Postcard perfect traditional harbors, olive plantations running to cliffs overlooking the ocean, endless meadows and pine forests that lead right to pristine sandy beaches, Sithonia is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a holiday. This area is truly a delight for those who wish to explore; the traditional white washed architecture of the local villages and churches are a delight to discover. With myriad smaller islands offering virgin beaches and tiny hamlets just off the coast that are accessible via boat from the northern part of Sithonia to the Toroni Castle in the village of Toroni or the monastery of Xiropotamos located in the village of Sarti, you can choose to relax in your resort or venture out to discover and explore.
Athos is the third peninsula and is a self-governed area devoted to religion and as such is not really a viable option for vacations but it is interesting to note that the entire peninsula is divided into distinct territories each with their own communal monastery and is governed by the Abbot of each monastery.
Kassandra and Sithonia present wonderful options for a holiday in Greece where the sky meets the sea in unending vistas and the local people are warm, friendly and eager to share their tiny bit of nirvana with you.
