Halkidiki Holidays 2026/2027

Kassandra: The westernmost and most developed peninsula, with beach bars, watersports, nightlife, and a strong selection of all inclusive holidays around towns including Hanioti, Polychrono, and Kallithea. It suits first-time visitors who want a lively resort feel with some of the best beaches in Halkidiki. 

Sithonia: Quieter and more naturally beautiful than Kassandra, with pine forests running to the water and coves including Vourvourou and Karidi that consistently feature in best-beaches-in-Greece lists. The right choice for couples and families looking for a calmer pace and a more independent evening atmosphere. Worth considering for your holidays to Halkidiki if you want scenery over nightlife. 

Ouranoupolis: The small port town at the top of the Athos peninsula is the main departure point for boat tours along the UNESCO-listed Mount Athos coastline, home to twenty Byzantine monasteries. Worth a day trip from any base on Kassandra or Sithonia. 

Afytos (Athytos): A village with stone-paved lanes, traditional architecture, and views over the Kassandra coastline from around 100 metres elevation. A reliable half-day stop from the main resorts, around 15 minutes by car. Worth including if your Halkidiki holidays extend beyond seven nights. 

Neos Marmaras: The main resort town on the Sithonia coast, with a working harbour, good dining options, and practical access to the peninsula’s quieter beaches. The primary departure point for sailing day trips and catamaran charters on the Sithonia side. 

Ancient Stagira and Aristotle’s Park: The birthplace of Aristotle sits on the east coast near Olympiada, with the ruins of the ancient citadel and a park featuring working models of his scientific discoveries — a sundial, parabolic reflectors, and a compass. The site dates to the 7th century BC and was rebuilt by Alexander the Great after the Peloponnesian Wars. Pairs well with a beach stop at Olympiada directly below the ruins. 

Boat tours along the Mount Athos coastline: The Athos peninsula is a UNESCO-listed monastic state, restricted to male visitors with a special permit. Daily boat tours from Ouranoupolis run the length of the coastline, giving close views of the centuries-old monasteries. A glass-bottomed boat option operates for families with younger children. 

Watersports across both peninsulas: Jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking are available at the main beaches on Kassandra and Sithonia. Diving centres on both peninsulas offer guided dives to underwater caves and wrecks, with courses available for beginners. 

Sailing day trips from Neos Marmaras and Nikiti: Day sailboat trips depart from Neos Marmaras harbour and the port of Nikiti on Sithonia, typically stopping at Kalogria beach and Kelifos Island. Catamaran charters are also available for private hire by the day for groups and families. 

Petralona Cave: Located in western Halkidiki near the village of Petralona, the cave holds one of the most significant prehistoric finds in Europe — a 700,000-year-old skull discovered in 1960. The cave system itself, with its stalactites and interconnected chambers, is impressive independent of the history.