Nestled in northern Greece, about an hour from Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is a surprising peninsula recognized for its crystal-clear waters, miles of beautiful shoreline, and wealthy historic heritage. I went for just a few days to search out out a number of the finest issues to do in Halkidiki, so as to add a little bit of journey to your seashore vacation…
Halkidiki has three distinctive peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos – every providing one thing totally different, however primarily, beautiful seashores and blue waters.
I explored as a lot as potential in my 5-night journey, with Jet2 Holidays as my information. Collectively, we discovered the must-visit spots and actions to make your journey to Halkidiki unforgettable.
From lounging on golden sands and exploring historic ruins to savouring the most effective Greek delicacies Halkidiki has to supply these are the actions in Halkidiki I loved probably the most.
Right here’s what I acquired as much as in Greece with Jet2holidays…
1. Cruise of Diaporos islands
My Diaporos Islands cruise was an actual spotlight of my Halkidiki journey. I’d undoubtedly advocate this in the event you’re on the lookout for the most effective issues to do in Halkidiki.
Be a part of the tour and also you’ll drive to Ormos Panagias on an air conditioned bus. It was solely about 20 minutes from our resort at The Dolphin, in actual fact we had been the final ones on so first ones off on the finish of the day – excellent!
In Ormos Panagias you’ll get on board the ship, able to discover the unique seashores of the east coast of Sithonia over the subsequent eight hours.
We moored up at two and had just a few hours at every to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Leaping in was non-obligatory however undoubtedly advisable!
Or, you may take the little boat to shore at every cease they usually’d take your stuff.
The surroundings on this tour is beautiful. Stroll over the rocks and across the bay, away from the drop off level, to search out your individual seashore to chill out on. It was fairly busy on the first seashore and we had been thrilled we’d made the trouble to get away from the group.
Again on the ship and lunch was included – some tasty koftas, rice and bread (I like to recommend bringing your individual sauce!) drinks are further and there’s a totally stocked bar to make your method by means of.
The journey completed at about 5pm and after a brief stroll (up a steep hill) we acquired on the coach they usually dropped us again at our resort.
2. Athitos Village
For our native tradition repair we drove out to Athitos Village for a go searching this cute conventional stone-housed settlement.
The village is constructed on a rock with sleep slopes providing panoramic views of Toroneos Gulf. There have been just a few properly positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the views.
I strolled across the little cobblestone alleys, trying within the reward outlets for presents for Reggie and Ben. Picked up some olives and olive oil (basic), and a duck whistle for Reg.
The village is a well-liked spot with artists – go to and also you’ll see why. After doing my little bit of purchasing and sightseeing I loved a bit sit down exterior this village central plaza bar, with a Mythos and complimentary popcorn. Excellent.
3. Marianna’s Vine Leaves
The primary cease on our Halkidiki actions listing was Marianna’s Vine Leaves – a winery that produces vines for consuming, fairly than consuming.
Go to and also you’ll get to stroll by means of the vineyards to get to know the way the well-known Marianna’s Vine leaves are made. It’s an important probability to pattern them too. You may style the opposite conventional merchandise they produce like Marianna’s Grapeleaves, Marianna’s Ntolmadakia and Marianna’s Pies. So tasty!
I had a go at rolling the vine leaves for the Dolmas. I’d give myself 7 out of 10!
The house owners right here need the winery to be as sustainable as potential, and so attempt to use the whole lot they create. The 15 hectares of land they personal additionally produces raisins, wooden for BBQs, moonshine, pickled sticks, grapes, jam and sultanas. They haven’t used any chemical compounds since 1994.
We had been handled to a tasting of their ‘whisky’ – Abelon. It’s gained awards the world over and presently retails for round €500 so you may wager I just about licked the glass. And the spare one after he poured too many.
It was actually particular, giving a stunning heat in my chest because it went down. Not what I used to be anticipating once I was instructed I used to be visiting a winery that day!
4. Petralona Cave
We visited Petralona Cave – considered one of Europe’s most spectacular and vital caves because of its wealth of fossils and to the invention of a human cranium that dates again roughly 700.000 years.
The cranium is now one of many finest issues to see in Thessaloniki, being taken care of correctly in a museum. The cave remains to be an interesting place to look spherical although, crammed with stalagmites and stalactites.
It’s wonderful to think about the one who found it in 1959 – think about getting into to search out all this!
5. Village of Arnea
In case you’re on the lookout for one other cultural expertise for a soothing afternoon, how about strolling spherical the standard settlement of Arnea?
The flower embellished balconies and vibrant homes are nice for some charming photos of your Halkidiki vacation. One of many high spots is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen with its glass flooring. You may stroll above the archaeological web site they discovered when the constructing burned down years in the past.
One other nice cease within the village is the honey retailer of Georgakas on the principle sq.. They’d so many alternative honeys to strive, it was troublesome to know which one to purchase to take house. Good job that they had a variety field to strive.
6. Go to Stagira
Top-of-the-line moments of our Halkidiki journey was arriving at Historic Stagira, and seeing this unbelievable view. We had been right here to expertise the birthplace of the good Greek thinker, Aristotle (who I bear in mind finding out in A Stage Spiritual Research – my instructor could be proud). However, with a whole lot of creativeness wanted to make sense of the archaeological ruins right here, my eyes had been drawn to this wonderful view over the seashore close by.
Have a look at it!
It was noon and so very popular up on the ruins, however there’s a stroll you are able to do alongside the coast to get the total expertise. Sadly we would have liked to get out of the solar!
Simply across the nook was my favorite restaurant in Halkidiki.
7. Pattern the Agrovision Vineyard
Subsequent up on what was turning into a little bit of a wine tour of Halkidiki (excellent) was the Agrovision Vineyard. We went to strive a number of the domestically produced wines in what was a little bit of a whistlestop tour of their assortment.
My fave was undoubtedly one of many reds with the chocolate – excellent for 2pm on a Wednesday.
After attempting the wines of their HQ we drove out to their scenic winery overlooking the ocean. I notably loved being at one with the wine, by sitting in a barrel. Was genuinely so stress-free!
8. Discover historic Olynthos
The archaeological web site of Historic Olynthos was subsequent on our listing of issues to do in Halkidiki. They’ll date the positioning again to 650BC – it’s had a wealthy and fascinating historical past. A few of the most placing issues to see now are the epic mosaics adorning the flooring.
The place I stayed in Halkidiki
I stayed on the Jet2 resort The Blue Dolphin. It was a very nice resort however I used to be kinda divided concerning the location! I feel it’d rely what you need out of your vacation as as to whether the resort fits you or not. It was only a few steps from two pretty seashores, which was nice. The grounds had been additionally fairly in depth, with loads of rooms for various budgets. It was a bit out from the whole lot else although, particularly in the event you don’t wish to drive. There was nowhere to stroll to within the evenings.
Each morning there was a full breakfast unfold, and there was a restaurant for the evenings too. We went to the seashore bar on the ultimate day, for lunch, which had a major spot by the beds on the seashore. Wasn’t too positive on the souvlaki, however the Margarita was fantastic!
In case you’re on the lookout for a resort that has all you want on web site, and also you don’t have to go wherever, it is a nice selection. I prefer to have a bit discover round on vacation, and never be certain to 1 place, so I’d want a automotive right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an important expertise with Jet2 Holidays, and never simply because this was a press journey!
Verify in was fast and straightforward at Stansted, with no queues. The workers on board had been pleasant and environment friendly, and the journey was easy. After we had been coming again, at Thessaloniki Airport, there have been workers there to greet us and inform us the place to go within the airport – don’t suppose I’ve ever had that earlier than!
