The best tips for a holiday in Halkidiki

A hand with three fingers – that’s Chalkidiki in northeastern Greece. Located on the Aegean Sea, with beautiful beaches, each “finger” of the peninsula is very different.

Everyone will find what they are looking for on Halkidiki: while everything in Kassandra is geared towards holidays, Sithonia is a bit wilder and rougher. The Holy Monks Republic of Athos, on the other hand, is an exclusive men’s club. But how women can get close to it, where you can find a lake full of turtles and see dolphins frolicking in the sea, I’ll tell you in my very personal Chalkidiki travel tips.

Basically the whole area of ​​Greece for beginners, because there is no culture shock here, but still a lot of surprises to discover. This prepares you well for one or the other Greek peculiarity.

Halkidiki travel tips: The most important things at a glance

Car or public transport? rental car! This is the only way to explore the incredible diversity and nature of the peninsula.
Couple or family vacation? It all depends on what you are planning: Halkidiki is worth a visit for all ages and holiday groups.
Relaxation or adventure? Both are possible! I recommend at least two days at the beach and the rest can be more active.

The most beautiful beaches of Halkidiki / Best Beaches

culture or party? More culture and nature. There are some beach bars to discover, but they are not comparable to those on Mykonos or Rhodes.
Expensive or cheap? As Greece is still struggling with the aftermath of the economic crisis of 2010, rather cheap.
Áfitos: The highlight of Halkidiki

If Halkidiki is your first trip to Greece, you should definitely visit the village of Áfitos on the Kassandra part of the island. Many small, typical Greek houses from the 19th century line a spectacular stone coast. Everything here looks like Greece from a picture book.

The insider tip for a trip to Halkidiki: A lake full of turtles

This place is another highlight of my Halkidiki travel tips. Mavrobara Lake is somewhat hidden in a nature reserve. Mavrobara is Greek and means turtle. Now guess what’s in the lake? Right, lots of turtles. They greet every visitor excitedly on the shore as soon as someone approaches.

But beware: Driving there by car is tedious. It is best to start a six-kilometer hike in Polichrono.

Which area is better to avoid in Halkidiki?

Women are forbidden to enter the monastic republic of Athos. However, men are allowed to visit the part of the island with a dozen monasteries as pilgrims. But here, too, there are strict restrictions and requirements, so pilgrims have to register in advance. Here you can find more information about Athos.

However, there is a loophole for women: pleasure boats are allowed to approach the coast up to 500 meters away – even with female guests on board! A unique experience. The ships depart daily from Ormos Panagias and with a bit of luck you may even encounter dolphins on the trip.

This is the best way to get there:

It is a well-known fact that many roads lead to Rome, the main route to Chalkidiki is via Thessaloniki. If you are planning a trip to the dreamy peninsula from Germany, you can fly to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece.

Flights go directly from Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Berlin and Munich, among others. From there it is best to take a rental car in the direction of Halkidiki, which is a good 55 kilometers away. This corresponds to about an hour’s drive.

World food: You should definitely try this in Halkidiki!

Summer in Greece is hot, even in Halkidiki. The perfect way to cool off: a frappé. This is a shaken, cold instant coffee that the whole of Greece seems to be crazy about. The story behind it is curious: at the international trade fair in Thessaloniki in 1957, Nestlé’s local distribution company presented the chocolate drink Nesquik. This was made with a shaker.

When a sales representative couldn’t find hot water for his coffee at the show, he decided to use the shaker to prepare his Nescafé cold. The drink became a hit and is now available on every corner in Greece. Another bonus tip: A hotel employee in Chalkidiki once recommended a combination with a dash of Baileys liqueur.

Dos and don’ts for Halkidiki

Dos: Enjoying Greek hospitality and cuisine is an absolute must. As well as tasting lots of olive oil! Halkidiki is one of the largest olive-growing areas in Greece.

Don’ts: Running around without a sun hat is a clear rookie mistake. Due to the coastal location of all places on Halkidiki, there is almost always a mild breeze – the sun is still beating down mercilessly. Therefore, a sun hat or a scarf should not be missing in your luggage. From experience I can say that a sunburn on the head is very painful.

I’ve been to many holiday regions in Greece, but the peninsula is my favorite spot so far: the nature here is so diverse and since Greeks often spend their domestic holidays in the region, everything is a bit more down-to-earth than on Crete or Rhodes. And with these Halkidiki travel tips you will be well prepared for a trip.