Where to stay in Halkidiki: Kassandra, Sithonia or Athos, and which village suits you
Three fingers, three holiday styles: how to choose between lively Kassandra, green Sithonia and the quiet Athos side.
- Kassandra is close to Thessaloniki and developed, with nightlife and facilities.
- Sithonia is greener and quieter, with bays for snorkelling.
- On the Athos side stay in Ouranoupoli or Ierissos; women may not enter the mountain itself.
For a first Halkidiki holiday with children, Kassandra is the easy choice. For nature and quiet, with a hire car, choose Sithonia.
Where to stay in Halkidiki: Kassandra, Sithonia or Athos?
Halkidiki has three "fingers". Kassandra, the western one, is closest to Thessaloniki and the most developed: plenty of hotels, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Sithonia, the middle one, is greener and wilder, with small bays, pine forests and places for snorkelling and diving. Athos, the eastern one, is mostly the Holy Mountain, where entry is restricted, so visitors stay mainly in villages in the north of the peninsula, such as Ouranoupoli. That is according to GoHalkidiki and The Mediterranean Traveller. A general guide to the area is in our complete guide to Halkidiki and on the Halkidiki page.
A quick comparison of the areas
| Area | Character | Good for | Drive from Thessaloniki airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kassandra | Developed, lively, lots of facilities | Families, nightlife, hotel holidays | About 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 |
| Sithonia | Nature, bays, quieter | Couples, nature lovers, snorkelling | About 50 minutes to 2 hours |
| Athos side | Quiet villages, gateway to Mount Athos | Rest, a trip to Ammouliani | About 1.5 to 2 hours |
Drive times are from The Mediterranean Traveller and vary by village and traffic.
The best villages in Kassandra
- Kallithea: the largest and busiest resort, with all-inclusive hotels, shopping and the liveliest nightlife in Halkidiki. About 55 minutes from the airport.
- Afitos: a small, arty stone village on a hillside, with two small beaches. Good for couples.
- Hanioti and Pefkochori: popular, flat, walkable resorts with lively evenings but no big clubs. Good for families.
- Sani: an upmarket resort area with a long beach. Good for couples and families on a higher budget.
- Possidi: a quiet cape with sunsets. Best reached by car.
- Nea Potidea and Nea Fokea: at the top of the peninsula, fairly close to the airport, with shallow, calm water.
The best villages in Sithonia
- Neos Marmaras: Sithonia's largest town, with the peninsula's main nightlife and boat trips from the harbour. About 1.5 hours from the airport.
- Vourvourou: a pretty village facing the Diaporos islands, with kayaking and walking trails. Good for couples and nature lovers, and busy in summer.
- Nikiti: the first tourist stop in Sithonia, with an old stone village.
- Kalamitsi, Sarti and Sykia: sandy bays with turquoise water in the south of the peninsula, quieter and further away, about 2 hours from the airport.
- Elia and Gerakini: pine-covered hills, clear shallow water and hotels at several price levels.
The Athos side: Ouranoupoli, Ammouliani and Ierissos
Ouranoupoli is the gateway to Mount Athos and has several upmarket hotels. Boats leave from there along the mountain's coast. Women may not enter Mount Athos, and men need a permit in advance, but the coastal cruise is open to everyone. Ammouliani is a small island a short ferry ride away, with white-sand beaches. Ierissos is a larger, quiet town with a long sandy beach.
Where to stay in Halkidiki with children
For families with small children, Kassandra is usually the easy choice: close to the airport, with shallow sea and hotels with children's facilities. In Sithonia, Elia and Gerakini also suit families. Detailed information in Halkidiki with kids, and beach information in Halkidiki's best beaches.
Kosher food and Shabbat in Halkidiki
If you keep kosher or Shabbat, plan ahead, and consider staying close to Thessaloniki. All the details are in kosher food and Shabbat in Halkidiki.
How to get to Halkidiki
Fly to Thessaloniki and continue by hire car or transfer. Details in flights from Israel to Halkidiki. If you plan to move between the peninsulas, a hire car is almost essential.
FAQ
Which is better, Kassandra or Sithonia? Kassandra for an easy holiday with facilities and nightlife, Sithonia for nature, bays and quiet.
Which part of Halkidiki is closest to the airport? Northern Kassandra, such as Nea Fokea and Nea Potidea, about 45 to 50 minutes away.
Where is the nightlife in Halkidiki? Mainly in Kallithea on Kassandra, and in Neos Marmaras on Sithonia.
Can you visit Mount Athos? Women may not enter the mountain, and men need a permit in advance. Everyone can take a boat along the coast from Ouranoupoli.
