Things to do in Chalkidiki: Attractions and places to visit

1. Village Afitos

The probably most beautiful village on Kassandra is the village Afitos. About 100 kilometres away from Thessaloniki, Afitos is not only known for its fantastic beaches. But also the village centre is definitely worth a visit. Here you can find numerous well-preserved stone houses from the 18th century and also the church with its wooden roof is a popular photo motif.

The child-friendly beach of Afitos is only a few minutes walk from the village centre. All in all, Afitos is a small but very idyllic holiday destination that is ideally suited for a relaxing holiday far away from mass tourism. Here you will find only a few hotel castles, but rather small and romantic hotels as well as children’s hotels.

2. Mount Athos

The 2.033 meters high mountain Athos is not without reason one of the tourist magnets in Chalkidiki. This mountain is located in the Athos region of the same name, which is the third and easternmost finger of the Chakidiki region. Athos is absolutely unique because it is an autonomous monk’s republic. This region is especially interesting for pilgrims, because there are many monasteries here.

A special feature: Mount Athos may only be visited by men; women are not allowed here. Nevertheless, it is the second most important place of pilgrimage for millions of Christians after Jerusalem. The oldest monastery in the region is Megisti Lavra, which was built in 962 AD. From this monastery it is not far to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view over the northern Aegean Sea.

3. Marina Sani Marina

Sani Marina is a marina which is not far from numerous popular hotel buildings. If you would like to discover luxury yachts at close range, you have come to the right place. Of course you can also book sailing trips or trips by motorboat from here.

One of the sights of Chalkidiki is the harbour, because there is a noble promenade with numerous shops, bars and cafés. Here you will rather find upscale cuisine and in the shops it is renowned designers such as Calvin Klein or Michael Kors who are waiting for wealthier customers.

4. Trani Ammouda Beach

The Trani Ammouda Beach is another of the most popular sights of Chalkdiki. It is an especially big and long beach, so that one actually always finds a quiet place here. The Trani Ammouda Beach is also very popular with locals.

Turquoise blue and shallow water makes this beach very popular with families, especially as there are parking facilities right on the beach. Equipped with the Blue Flag, the Trani Ammouda Beach also promises first-class water quality. Some bars and cafés, which are located directly at the beach, take care of the physical well-being.

5. Beach of Lagomandra

The beach of Lagomandra is a fine sandy bay and truly a paradise on earth. Situated between Neos Marmaras and Nikitis, you will also find a beautiful pine forest that provides shade in summer. Wonderful white sand and crystal clear water are the two characteristics that make the beach of Lagomandra so popular.

It is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches of Chalkidiki, especially as it is well developed for tourists. A beach bar, toilets and showers are available. It is also possible to rent motorboats or practice various other water sports. This popular beach is about five kilometres away from the town of Neos Marmaras.

6. Bay of Agia Kyriaki

Who visits the bay of Agia Kyriaki will discover one of the most beautiful beaches of Chalkidiki. Situated in a small and protected bay, this beach is primarily captivating with its white sand.

Here, one almost feels like in paradise, especially as one can enjoy a unique view. In good visibility you can see the island of Kelyfos, which is shaped like a turtle.

7. Trip to Meteora

From Theassoloniki a trip to Meteora is worthwhile. This place is primarily known for its floating monasteries. Once there were 24 of these monasteries in the region; today there are still six buildings inhabited by nuns and monks. The monasteries, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seem to float on rocks and are truly impressive to behold.

The most famous monastery is the Agia Triada Monastery, where a James Bond film has already been shot. Most of the monasteries can be visited daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., but you should remember to wear suitable clothes.

8. Neos Marmaras

Neos Marmaras is a small provincial town that extends over a total of four hills of the Itamo massif. Southern flair and the hospitality of the Greeks can be experienced here in any case, as the place is excellently developed for tourism. From the harbour of the small city, one cannot only undertake boat tours to the neighbouring peninsula Athos, also the centre should not be missed.

Here you can buy one or the other nice souvenir or dine in one of the taverns typically Greek. In and around Neos Marmaras you will find numerous beaches with crystal clear water for a relaxing beach day. The centre of Sithonias is also suitable for all those who love water sports of all kinds.

9. Petralona stalactite cave

What a lot of people don’t know: After China, Greece is the country with the largest number of underground caves. During your holiday in Chalkidiki you should definitely book a guided tour through the stalactite cave near Petralona. With a total length of 2,000 metres and an area of more than 10,000 square metres, this is one of the largest in the country and is an important sight on Chalkidiki.

The Petralona stalactite cave is located about 35 kilometres from Thessaloniki and is therefore ideal for a day trip from here. Discover inside not only the typical stalactites and stalagmites, but also extraordinary stone formations. There is also the possibility to visit a Stone Age museum. The entrance fee for the cave and the museum is about seven Euros.

10. Orange Beach

The list of the most beautiful beaches on Chalkidiki is certainly endless. However, the Orange Beach that is located at the east coast of Sithonia on Chalkidiki has to be mentioned unconditionally. To be more precise, there are several small sandy beaches that line up between individual rocky coves.

Here you will find one or the other quiet place even in the high season. This beach does not only impress with crystal clear water, also you look from here directly on the mountain Athos. This beach is also suitable for families with small children, as the water remains shallow for a long time.

Best time to visit Chalkidiki

We recommend the following months as best time to travel for exploring the attractions and acivities of Chalkidiki:

May, June, July, August, and September

You can find more information about the weather, including all climate data, on our climate page for Chalkidiki.