What is Chalkidiki?
Chalkidiki (also Halkidiki) is a large peninsula in northern Greece, south-east of Thessaloniki. Three long peninsulas – the "three fingers" – stretch from it: **Kassandra** in the west, **Sithonia** in the middle and **Athos** in the east. Between them lie calm gulfs, and the beaches are sandy and backed by pine woods.
Each finger has its own character. Kassandra is the most developed and lively, with resort towns, big hotels and nightlife. Sithonia is wilder and quieter, with coves, white rocks and clear water. Athos is home to the monastic state of Mount Athos, where entry is strictly limited; before its border lie the town of Ouranoupoli and the small island of Ammouliani.
Kassandra: beaches, towns and nightlife
Kassandra is the finger closest to Thessaloniki and the airport, and the most popular. Its coast is lined with resort towns such as **Kallithea**, **Hanioti** and **Pefkohori**, with promenades, restaurants and late nights. **Sani** is known for upscale resorts and kilometres of white sand by a pine forest. It suits families who want everything close by, and couples and friends looking for nightlife.
Sithonia: coves and clear water
Sithonia is greener and quieter, with winding roads through pine forests and coves. The main towns are **Nikiti**, **Neos Marmaras** and **Sarti**. Some of northern Greece's most photographed beaches are here, such as **Karydi** and **Kavourotrypes**. If you come for the sea and nature and don't mind driving between beaches, you will love it.
Mount Athos: what is and isn't allowed
Mount Athos is an Orthodox monastic state with twenty monasteries. There is no road from the mainland; you arrive by boat from **Ouranoupoli**. According to the Mount Athos Center (Agioritiki Estia), the rules are:
**Women may not enter.** The rule, called the "avaton", bars women from the peninsula. Only adult men, and boys under 18 accompanied by their fathers, may enter.
**Men need a permit in advance.** Non-Orthodox visitors get permission from the Pilgrims' Bureau in Thessaloniki or Ouranoupoli. Only **10 permits a day are issued to non-Orthodox visitors** and 100 to Greeks and Orthodox visitors, so book months ahead (up to six months). The permit covers a four-day visit on set dates, and on arrival in Ouranoupoli you collect the entry document, the "diamonitirion", for a fee.
**What can women and families do?** Take a cruise from Ouranoupoli along the Athos coast. Boats keep offshore, but you see the monasteries from the sea. It suits the whole family and combines well with Ammouliani island.
Getting to Chalkidiki from Thessaloniki airport
Fly to **Thessaloniki airport (SKG)**, which has direct flights from Tel Aviv. Details in our flights to Thessaloniki guide.
**By rental car (easiest):** from the airport to Kallithea in Kassandra is about 77 km, around 50 minutes. From Thessaloniki to Nikiti in Sithonia is about 102 km (about 1 hour 20), to Neos Marmaras about 122 km (about 1 hour 35) and to Sarti about 144 km (about 2 hours). Chalkidiki's beaches are spread out, so a car saves a lot of time. Before you book, read our guide to renting a car in Greece.
**By bus:** KTEL Chalkidikis runs services from its Thessaloniki coach station to towns in Kassandra and Sithonia. From the airport, reach the station by city bus or taxi. The ride to Sithonia takes two to three hours; tickets can be booked at eticket.ktel-chalkidikis.gr.
**By transfer or taxi:** simplest with children and luggage. The price depends on the destination; book ahead.
Best beaches in Chalkidiki
- Karydi, Sithonia: white sand and shallow turquoise water, like a natural pool.
- Kavourotrypes, Sithonia: small coves between sculpted white rocks and pines.
- Vourvourou, Sithonia: a calm bay with small islets, great for families.
- Lagomandra, Sithonia: an organised beach shaded by pines near Neos Marmaras.
- Kalamitsi and Porto Koufo, Sithonia: sheltered, enclosed bays in the south of the peninsula.
- Sarti, Sithonia: one of Chalkidiki's longest beaches, about three kilometres of sand.
- Sani, Kassandra: kilometres of white sand by a pine forest.
- Possidi, Kassandra: a sandy spit reaching into the sea.
- Kallithea and Kryopigi, Kassandra: long organised beaches with full facilities.
- Alykes, Ammouliani island: the island's most popular beach, with wide sand and clear water.
When is the best time to visit Chalkidiki?
Chalkidiki's season is summer, June to September. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. In late May, June and September the sea is already pleasant, it is less crowded and prices are better. Chalkidiki is a seasonal destination, and in winter many hotels, restaurants and organised beaches close. Out of season, check ahead what is open. Live weather is at the top of this page.
Where to stay in Chalkidiki
**Kassandra:** a short drive from the airport, lively towns and big hotels. Kallithea and Hanioti are buzzing; Sani suits a luxury break.
**Sithonia:** for beaches and nature. Nikiti and Neos Marmaras make convenient bases; Vourvourou and Sarti are quieter.
**Ouranoupoli and Ammouliani:** for combining an Athos cruise with a relaxed holiday.
Shabbat & kosher in Chalkidiki
Chalkidiki has no Chabad house and we found no kosher restaurant. The nearest Chabad is in **Thessaloniki**, at Salaminos 9, with the kosher Hashalom restaurant and catering. You can also order kosher food and products from Chabad's e-kosher.gr, which delivers across Greece; order 3–5 days ahead. Shabbat times for the area (Thessaloniki) are on Shabbat times & kosher in Greece. All Chabad houses: Chabad in Greece.
Combine it with Thessaloniki
Most people flying to Chalkidiki pass through Thessaloniki, and it deserves a day or two: the waterfront and White Tower, the Byzantine monuments and its rich Jewish heritage. See our Thessaloniki travel guide and the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.
