Halkidiki
Halkidiki is a peninsula in the Aegean Sea, one of the best resort centers of mainland Greece. It is located in the north of the country, stretching 120 kilometers into the sea and penetrating it with three protrusions – the “daughter” mini peninsulas of Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos. Halkidiki is part of the historical region of Macedonia, and there are many archaeological monuments of antiquity and sights of subsequent eras. But tourists are attracted here not so much by the fascinating history of this land as by its infinitely beautiful nature – marvelous beaches, clear sea, changing its color from azure to emerald, hills covered with centuries-old pine forests, interspersed with olive groves and vineyards.
Video: Halkidiki
Contents- Highlights
- History of the Halkidiki Peninsula
Geography - Climate
- North and center of Halkidiki
- Peninsula of Kassandra
Sithonia Peninsula - Athos Peninsula
- Shopping
Local food - Where to stay
- Transportation
- How to get there
Highlights
The peninsula of Kassandra attracts young people and tourists who like fun, noisy life and democratic prices for accommodation. Here is a large part of all entertainment venues in Halkidiki. In local clubs and beach bars tourists party until morning. The peninsula has preserved ancient monuments, medieval churches and chapels, majestic temples of the mid-19th century.
.On the peninsula of Sithonia, which is called “the park of Halkidiki”, the atmosphere is more respectable. It is famous for its pine and deciduous forests, which fall only at the seashore, fringing its secluded bays with marvelous beaches. There is a nature reserve on the peninsula, where hiking trails and observation platforms are laid out for tourists. In this corner of Halkidiki is built one of the best hotel complexes in northern Greece – Porto Carras. The tip of the peninsula of Sithonia is a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving fans.
.The third “finger” of Halkidiki, the peninsula of Mount Athos, is world famous for its monasteries. The ancient monasteries, which survived the devastation of the Latin Crusaders, centuries of Ottoman rule over Greece and two world wars, for ten centuries have been the greatest spiritual centers of Orthodoxy. It is true that most tourists can only see the monasteries from the sea.
.The central and northern parts of Halkidiki, which are called the “palm” of the peninsula, are not too popular among tourists. However, the idyllic landscapes, traditional Macedonian villages with their ancient churches, and ancient monuments are well worth the attention of inquisitive travelers.
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History of the Halkidiki Peninsula
The Halkidiki Peninsula has been inhabited by humans since the early Paleolithic era. Here is the world-famous Petralona Cave, where in 1960 were discovered the oldest human remains in Europe and traces of the continent’s first campfires. Researchers have determined that this cave site is at least 700,000 years old.
.The first Greek settlements began to appear in Halkidiki around the 8th century B.C. During this period, settlers from the island of Evia established colonies here. The colonists from the city of Chalkida named their polis Chalkidika. Later this name spread to the whole peninsula. By the end of the V century, 32 of the strongest polis of the peninsula united in the Chalcidian Union, the leading role in which belonged to Olynthos. The union was gaining strength, the cities prospered, taking control of the sea routes of the region. In 348 the Macedonian king Philip II, unable to establish relations with Olynthos, declared war on it. The Macedonians sacked and burned the rich city. Olynthos was never rebuilt, today there is an archaeological zone in its place.
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The Turks divided Halkidiki into districts, each of which paid taxes separately and in different forms. From the northeastern villages, where the locals developed mines, silver flowed to the Porte. The discontent of the locals, who suffered from the Ottoman arbitrary rule, grew, and when in 1821 the struggle for independence began in Greece, Halkidiki was not left out. A rebellion broke out here, joined by Athonite monks. However, the Turks crushed the resistance, organizing a brutal massacre. A military garrison was stationed on Athos.
Halkidiki was not liberated until 1912, when Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro, united in the Balkan Union, defeated the Ottoman Empire in the First Balkan War. However, because the allies disagreed over the territorial issue, war broke out between the member states of the alliance. Two of them, Bulgaria and Serbia, claimed Macedonia, including Halkidiki, but Greece managed to defend these lands..
In 1919, Greece, inspired by previous victories, went to war with Turkey in hopes of establishing borders within the Byzantine Empire, but was defeated. This led to the Asia Minor catastrophe: millions of Greeks were expelled from Turkish territory and Muslims were forcibly evicted from Greece. Many refugees found a new homeland in Halkidiki, founding 27 towns there. They gave them the names of their abandoned settlements in Turkey, adding the prefix “nea” or “neos”, meaning “new”. The settlers brought their traditions and culture to Halkidiki, and their contribution to the development of the peninsula is called invaluable in Greece..Geography
The peninsula of Halkidiki is located in northern Greece, occupying a vast area of almost 3000 km² at the tip of the Central Macedonia region. It is a plateau-shaped upland with flattened peaks, standing out on the country’s map for its unusual shape.
>The north-central part of the peninsula, approaching the mainland, is dominated by the Holomondas mountain range covered with oak and fir forests, which is part of the network of protected lands in the EU, called Natura-2000. In its foothills lies the main town of Halkidiki, Polygyros (also commonly called “Poliiiros”). It is the center of the prefecture of Halkidiki, which occupies most of the peninsula. Polygyros is located 65 km from Thessaloniki, the northern capital of Greece and the center of the neighboring prefecture. Its southern part geographically belongs to the Halkidiki peninsula, but is a separate resort region.
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The highest point of Holomondas is 1165 meters. The topography of Halkidiki rises gently to the southeast, transitioning to a rocky chain on the Athos Peninsula. It ends with the pyramidal mountain of the same name, soaring up to 2033 meters. The Athos Peninsula is the easternmost tip of Halkidiki, to the extreme west is the peninsula of Kassandra, and between them lies the peninsula of Sithonia.
.Large and small bays of the Aegean Sea cut into the coastline of Halkidiki, forming picturesque bays and capes. From the west, the peninsula is washed by the Gulf of Thermaikos, also called the Gulf of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, and from the northeast by the Gulf of Struma (or Strymonikos). The peninsulas of Kassandra and Sithonia are separated by the Gulf of Toroneos, while Athos is washed by the waters of the gulfs of Ierisou and Ayon-Oros (or Singitikos).
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Climate
Halkidiki is characterized by a temperate continental climate with rather cool winters and hot summers. The beach season here starts later than in the south and center of the country. Only by the end of April the air warms up to +20 °С, but during the whole month the weather is unstable, with cooling and short rains. The sea by this time is still cold: +16…+17 °С, however the first beachgoers already appear in bays with shallow waters, where the water is warmer.
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North and center of Halkidiki
Almost the entire territory of the “palm” of the peninsula is occupied by undulating hills and picturesque wooded slopes of Mount Holomondas. From its summits, where winding country roads, biking and hiking trails lead, perfectly view all three “phalanx” of Halkidiki – the peninsulas of Kassandra, Sithonia, Athos. Picturesque landscapes are drawn by centuries-old oaks, chestnuts, pines and firs, canyons and rivers, glades with colonies of colorful wild flowers.
On a mountain slope, at an altitude of 560 m, amphitheater is located the town of Polygyros – the administrative center of Halkidiki. Around Polygyros are orchards, vineyards, and at its foot stretches green hills with endless olive groves stretching to the sea. The architecture of the city, founded in the XI century, intricately intertwines different styles: modern, neoclassical, traditional Macedonian. There are many beautiful churches, chapels, parks, there are interesting museums – ethnographic and archaeological, where artifacts of different eras from all over the peninsula of Halkidiki are collected.
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Polygyros is not a typical tourist town, but it has good hotels, many restaurants, cafes, bars, working late at night. In February there is a carnival and in summer there is a festival with famous Greek musicians and artists. The nearest beach to Polygyros is about 16 km away, in the village of Kalives.
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If you head east from Polygyros, you will find yourself in the ancient mountain village of Arnea. Here it is pleasant to wander through the streets, admiring the friendly houses built in the traditional Macedonian style. Their stone first floors are quite monumental, while the second floors are made of wood and have charming balconies decorated with flowers. These light superstructures are usually painted in cozy colors – blue, beige, purple, pink. Arnea is full of cute stores and family-run taverns serving local specialties. From Polygyros you can get here by highway or along a marvelously beautiful forest road through the village of Taxiarhis. It is called the “Christmas tree capital of Greece”: 75% of Christmas trees come from this region of the country.
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The highways leading to the beach resorts run through the “palm” of Halkidiki. The road stretching from Thessaloniki will take you to a junction near the town of Nea Moudania. Turning east will take you to the peninsula of Sithonia and going straight ahead will take you to the peninsula of Kassandra.
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Cassandra Peninsula
Further along the east coast, there are villages almost every 5 km. Afitos, which has preserved its identity and original architecture, is definitely worth a visit. The town is located on a hill, the road from its main square leads to the edge of the cliff, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the sea and the neighboring peninsula of Sithonia. This magnificent area is called the “stone balcony of Afitos”. Along it stretches a promenade, restaurants, taverns with panoramic terraces.
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You have to walk down to the beaches, it takes about 10 minutes on foot. One of the beaches is sandy and tiny, equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. It is usually crowded here. The second beach is long and, as a rule, deserted because of the inconvenient entrance to the water: near the sea there are stones and boulders, discomfort is created by sea urchins. Fans of secluded rest head here wearing special slippers.
On a side note: most of the beaches in Halkidiki are public and entrance to them is free. But you will have to pay for the use of sun beds and umbrellas. This can be a fixed amount or the need to make an order at the beach bar or cafe for a certain amount. On different beaches, a comfortable vacation costs from 2 to 10 €.
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Next to the Ammon Zeus Hotel, located right on the beach, stretches an archaeological zone. Here in 1969, during the construction of one of the hotels, were discovered the remains of an ancient sanctuary – the temple of Zeus-Amon, erected in the IV century BC
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Almost at the very tip of the Kassandra Peninsula is the village of Paliuri. Fans of water activities will enjoy vacationing here. In Paliuri popular diving, fishing, underwater hunting, with harpoon gun, mini-cruises to the peninsula of Athos and neighboring islands.
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From Paliuri you can drive through a pine forest to the quiet village of Agia Paraskevi with its secluded church of St. Paraskeva. From here you go down to the coast – to the resort village of Loutra, famous among tourists for its hydrogen sulphide springs. Loutra has a state-of-the-art spa center with swimming pools, sauna and hammam. It offers wellness and rejuvenation treatments.
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Moving from Loutra along the west coast of the peninsula, you will come to the village of Nea Skioni. On the way you should stop at the small church of Panagia Faneromeni (Virgin Mary of the Appearing). It was built in the XVI century right on the seashore. In the church you can see the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God and ancient frescoes. The village of Nea Skioni itself is famous for its beautiful estuary and fish taverns. Not far from it is the popular resort of Posidi, near which you can explore the ruins of the ancient city of Mendi and the ruins of the temple of Poseidon. The sandy spit near Posidi is known for its wide beaches and the amazing phenomenon that when the wind rises on one side of the spit, the other side is completely calm.
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Sithonia Peninsula
South of Ormos Panagias, the coast is riddled with bays fringed with pine trees and resembles lace. The beaches here are shallow, with golden sand and azure sea. They are separated by rocky promontories jutting into the sea. On the coast there are “civilized” beaches with bars and “wild”, where you can spend time all alone.
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Remarkable paradise lagoons and resort Vurvuru, surrounded on one side by lush greenery, and on the other – islands. Boats, boats and yachts take snorkeling and fishing enthusiasts to these islands. Vurvuru has beaches with a gentle entrance to the water, popular with families with children, and active recreation areas with water activity centers.
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A fantastic success is the beautiful sandy beach of Portokali (or Orange Beach), which attracts tourists with its clear blue-green sea and 70s atmosphere. It includes a dozen separate sections nestled in miniature rocky coves. Nudists once reigned here, then they were replaced by hippies, and later romantics with tents appeared on the seashore. Here even today you can stay in your own “bungalows”, but organized tourism is not slumbering: from neighboring resorts here are sent sea excursions, and a small wing of the beach is already occupied by a bar, next to which appeared umbrellas, deck chairs, bio-toilets. For nudists there is a separate corner of “Eden”. To Portokali you will be led by homemade signs installed on the highway, but at high speed it is difficult to notice them.
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Portokali is part of the coastline known as Kavurotripes (“Crab holes”). It stretches 6 km north of the village of Sarti, the center of the most crowded resort on the east coast of the Sartonia peninsula. The village of Sarti itself, amphitheatrically located in the bay under the shadow of the green mountain range Dragoudelis, stands on the site of the ancient city of the same name. Its ruins can be seen to the south of the settlement.
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5 km from cosmopolitan Neos Marmaras is the village of Parthenonas, famous for its history, legends and exceptional scenic beauty. It is situated on a hill, surrounded by lush greenery, near the place where, according to Herodotus, the city of Parthenopolis stood. The origin of the settlement dates back to the IX century. There are a couple of small hotels in Parthenonos, where hospitable hostesses prepare traditional Greek dishes for the guests.
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Very close to Toroni is the village of Porto Koufo, located on the shores of a unique natural estuary, the most extensive and deepest in Greece, protected by rocks from storms and winds. The estuary is connected to the sea by a narrow strait that is barely visible. There are caves in the cliffs, accessible only from the sea.
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Athos Peninsula
The eastern “finger” of Halkidiki is the narrow and mountainous peninsula of Mount Athos, stretching into the Aegean Sea for 50 kilometers. Its end is crowned by the peak of Mount Athos with steep slopes covered with dense forests. The sea waters here are turbulent and dangerous, not far from the coast, the bottom goes sharply downward, reaching a kilometer depth.
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Homer mentions Mount Athos in the Iliad, and Herodotus reports that the abyss of the sea at its foot in 492 BC swallowed 300 ships of the Persian fleet on its way to conquer Greece. After this disaster, King Xerxes ordered a channel to be dug across the peninsula for the safe passage of warships. This incredible for the ancient world construction crossed Athos in the narrowest place. The ancient canal was filled in 2000 years ago, but even today its outlines are still visible on the surface of the earth.
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Most of the peninsula is the autonomous territory of the Holy Mount Athos, separated from the mundane by a mesh fence stretching from the northeastern to southwestern shore. On the “secular” part, adjacent to the “palm” of Halkidiki, are the resort towns of Our
