Aegean Melathron Thalasso Spa Hotel
Kallithea Halkidikis - Main Street
The 5-star Aegean Melathron is surrounded by a forest reaching down to a beach by Toroni Gulf.
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Tired of the usual islands, are you looking for new stimuli for a holiday in Greece? The Chalkidiki Peninsula (or Halkidiki) offers everything we normally associate with Greece (sea, culture, good food and friendly people) but is still little known to tourists, making it a great alternative to expensive and crowded destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini and the other popular islands.
The Chalkidiki Peninsula represents one of the most fascinating destinations in northern Greece, an extraordinary territory where mountains meet the crystal clear sea in a perfect embrace. With its three ‘fingers’ extending into the Aegean – Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos – this region offers an incredible variety of experiences for every type of traveller.
The geographical peculiarity of this peninsula, located south of Thessaloniki, makes it a unique Mediterranean destination. While Kassandra attracts families with its organised resorts, Sithonia enchants those seeking unspoilt nature and wild beaches, and Mount Athos holds one of the holiest sites in Orthodoxy. With over 500 km of coastline and a hinterland rich in history and tradition, Chalkidiki offers the perfect combination of seaside relaxation, nature excursions and cultural discoveries.
The accommodation offer is good, the prices affordable, the sea crystal clear and the climate just as wonderful as on the islands: what are you waiting for to book?
Kassandra is the westernmost of the Chalkidiki peninsulas as well as the liveliest and is therefore recommended for those who want to combine sea and fun, but also for families with small children who want to have all the amenities close at hand. Pefkochori, Hanioti and Kallithea are among the most popular resorts, with modern infrastructure and comprehensive services.
The main reason to visit Kassandra is definitely its splendid beaches, the beauty of which is second to none on the islands: fine sand, clear blue sea and lush vegetation in the surroundings will not make you regret coming here. The nightlife is lively, with numerous bars, taverns and discos that stay open until dawn.
Located in the middle of the Chalkidiki Peninsula, between Kassandra and Mount Athos, Sithonia is also in the middle in a metaphorical sense. Much easier to reach than Mount Athos, it has developed a thriving tourist industry but is quieter than Kassandra.
Here, the beaches are often only accessible via unpaved paths, but the beauty is incomparable. Porto Carras, Kalamitsi and the famous Orange Beach offer breathtaking views with crystal-clear waters ranging from turquoise to deep blue.
The central peninsula is characterised by pine-covered hills that slope gently down to the sea, creating picture-postcard scenery. Numerous hidden bays are only accessible by sea, making them perfect for those seeking privacy and tranquillity. The villages of Nikiti and Neos Marmaras retain their traditional character, with whitewashed houses, family-run tavernas and small picturesque harbours where fishermen shelter their nets in the shade of olive trees.
With its charming beaches of fine sand and characteristic traditional villages, Sithonia is a perfect destination for a couple’s holiday or a slow-paced holiday.
Wonderful and difficult to access: Mount Athos, the easternmost of the three peninsulas, is considered sacred territory and access is only allowed to men by means of a special permit called a ‘diamonitirion’, issued in limited numbers each day by the pilgrimage office in Thessaloniki or Ouranoupoli.
For women and those who cannot visit Mount Athos, sightseeing cruises are organised to view the monasteries from a permitted distance of 500 metres from the coast. These tours depart regularly from Ouranoupoli, the last outpost before the border with the monastic republic, and offer spectacular views of the thousand-year-old monasteries clinging to the cliffs.
With more than 500 km of coastline, Chalkidiki Peninsula offers a truly vast amount of beaches, including both sandy and rocky beaches, equipped and unequipped; some are very long, others tiny.
Put it away: it is impossible to see all the most beautiful beaches of Chalkidiki in one holiday. The good news is that there is no need to fret about looking for the best because all the beaches in the area are splendid; the sea has extraordinary colours, it is clean.
Here are a few hints for hunting down your dream beach.
Cape Possidi Beach4 is a must for anyone visiting Kassandra: it is the tip of a promontory in the central-eastern part of the island, and is characterised by kilometres of sand and azure waters.
The best beaches for young people are Kalithea5, Paliouri6, Skala Fourkas7, Hanioti8, Sani9, where some of the most famous and popular beach bars of the Halkidiki peninsula are located.
Karydi Beach10 is the picture postcard beach that has become the symbol of the Chalkidiki peninsula. Situated along the east coast of Sithonia, this narrow strip of clear sand lies along a picturesque bay bordered at either end by piles of rocks polished by water erosion.
As with many beaches on the verdant Chalkidiki Peninsula, there is a lush pine forest behind Karydi Beach. The seabed is shallow and remains so for many metres from the shore.
If you like fine sand but prefer an equipped beach Lagomandra Beach11
might be for you. It is a very popular beach, especially among families and water sports enthusiasts. The name Lagomandra actually refers to two adjoining beaches: the seabed is shallow in the southern beach, while in the northern one it drops rapidly.
Beaches not to be missed along the west coast of Sithonia are Paradisos Beach12 and Kalogria Beach13.
The Mount Athos peninsula is not famous for beaches. It is best to set off by boat from Ouranopoli towards the island of Ammouliani and lay out your towel at Alykes Beach14, a fine sandy beach set in a crescent-shaped bay.
If you choose the Kassandra Peninsula for its legendary nightlife, head straight for Kallithea15, the top beach resort. In the summer months, young people from Thessaloniki flock to the clubs and beach parties of Kallithea; they are joined by droves of international tourists, mostly from neighbouring Bulgaria.
The villages of Polyhrono and Pefkohóri still retain a traditional charm, despite being two well-known and popular seaside resorts.
If you want entertainment but without the excesses of Kassandra, move to Sarti16, the liveliest resort on the Sithonia peninsula. It is a network of delightful little houses on a plain next to a long sandy beach with a view of Mount Athos. Perpendicular and parallel alleys hide small squares with delightful restaurants and bars; the promenade is a succession of clubs, some of which offer live music and DJ sets.
Agios Nikolaos17 is the most populated town, with a centre on a hill just 2 km from the sea: perhaps not the most charming, but it can be convenient. Neos Marmaras18 is instead the location with the highest concentration of hotels and holiday villages.
Other places to sleep in Sithonia are Nikiti and Kalamitsi, the former in the north-western part of the peninsula, the latter in the south-east.
Ouranopoli19 is an almost obligatory choice for those who want to have a beach holiday on the Mount Athos peninsula. Since much of the peninsula is sacred territory, accessible only with special permission, the few inhabited centres are concentrated in the northern part. Ouranopoli is one such town: pretty and lively, it offers a good choice of accommodation, nice beaches, typical taverns and beach trips.
Keep in mind that no matter where you choose to stay, you will need to rent a car to explore the Chalkidiki peninsula. Villages are far apart and infrequent public transport does not stop at all locations.
We offer a selection of hotels at Halkidiki Peninsula to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Halkidiki Peninsula, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Halkidiki Peninsula. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Halkidiki Peninsula are in high demand.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The summer season (June-September) is ideal for the sea, but spring and autumn offer mild temperatures perfect for hiking. The wild orchid blooms in March and April are an unmissable sight for botany lovers.
The beginning of June and the second half of September represent the ideal compromise between good weather conditions and less crowding. During these periods, temperatures are still pleasant (22-28 °C), prices are lower and you can enjoy the beaches and archaeological sites without the August crowds.
During the winter, Chalkidiki takes on a different, more authentic and contemplative charm. Many tourist facilities close, but the villages in the interior retain their vitality, with traditional festivities linked to the Orthodox religious calendar. The Christmas period is particularly atmospheric, with villages festively decorated and the scent of sweet specialities filling the air.
Chalkidiki cuisine combines Macedonian traditions with influences from the sea. Grilled octopus served with local olive oil is a must. Mount Athos honey, produced by monks, is considered among the best in Greece for its intense aroma and creamy texture.
Carras wines are famous throughout Greece, with indigenous varieties such as Limnio, already mentioned by Aristotle, and international ones such as Cabernet Sauvignon, which finds a unique expression in this terroir. The local ouzo has a centuries-old tradition and is served with a variety of small appetisers (mezedes). In inland villages, look for taverns serving spetsiotiko, a meat dish typical of the region, and kokoretsi, a delicacy made from lamb entrails.
Cheese occupies a place of honour in the local gastronomy: kasseri and batzos are PDO products that reflect traditional methods handed down through generations. In the weekly markets, you can buy Chalkidiki black olives, with their elongated shape and slightly bitter flavour, perfect for preserving in oil or brine.
The closest airport to Chalkidiki Peninsula is Thessaloniki, about 100 km away and well connected to the rest of Europe
From here it is advisable to travel by rental car. Alternatively, you can take the KTEL bus company which connects Thessaloniki to the main cities on the peninsula, but we do not recommend this as the local public transport is not efficient and you may have difficulty travelling to other locations or to the most beautiful beaches.
Unfortunately, Athens airport, for which there is much more cheap flights on offer than Thessaloniki, is rather far away (more than 600 km). This may save you money, but it wastes a lot of your time.
Located in the north-eastern part of mainland Greece, Chalkidiki is a large peninsula formed by three smaller peninsulas: Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos.
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