Chalkidiki covers an area of 2,954 km2, a coastal length of more than 500 km and more than 100,000 inhabitants. The peninsula is located southeast of Thessaloniki and has the shape of a hand with three fingers, each with its own names: Kassandra, Sithonia and Agion Oros.
The capital of Chalkidiki is Poligyros and lies in the palm of the hand and has about 7,000 inhabitants. South of the capital Poligyros lies the ancient Olynthos and is the most important political center of Chalkidiki from the classical period and covers two hills. On the South Hill, the city was founded in the 7th century BC and on the North Hill is the classic city with vertical intersecting wide and narrow streets, which form regular architectural blocks. The very impressive mosaics in the houses are unfortunately mostly covered.
Stageira is a mountain village located at a height of 500 meters about 55 kilometres from Poligyros and has been named after the ancient Stageira which was the birthplace of the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle. Upon arrival in the village, the scientific park with the statue of Aristotle stands out. All kinds of scientific instruments can be seen in the park (since 2003). For example, there is a sundial, optical discs, a vortex, telescopes etc. From the park, which is in a beautiful nature, you have a beautiful view to the sea and the town of Ierissos
All three "fingers" are quite different from each other.
Kassandra is the busiest and most touristic area of Chalkidiki. The white beaches with the green pine trees have made this area a tourist attraction. There is plenty to do at Kassandra. Good and luxurious accommodations to stay, traditional tavernas, various water sports facilities etc.
Destinations of Kassandra include Afytos, Chanioti, Kallithea, Kriopigi, Nea Fokea, Paliouri, Pefkochori, and Sani.
Sithonia is calmer than Kassandra in terms of tourists. The very rugged and mountainous landscape is quite pristine, with numerous wooded hills (especially pine trees). There are also many small fishing villages and numerous, sometimes deserted, beautiful (sandy) beaches with often pine trees that grow to the sea. Ideal for some shade on the beach. Sithonia is also known by the Porto Karras area, no less than 18,000 hectares of territory with pine forests, including vineyards, luxury hotels with a golf course and marinas.
Destinations of Sithonia include Aghios Nikolaos, Gerakini, Kalamitsi, Neos Marmaras, Nikiti, Ormos Panagias (from here are day excursion / boat trips to Mount Athos), Porto Karras, Sarti, Paralia Sykias, Toroni and Vourvourou.
Agion Oros (Holy Mount Athos) is the most eastern peninsula of Chalkidiki. This peninsula is unique in the world. Exactly below the tourist town of Ouranoupolis (with beautiful beaches) is a border. When you pass this border (does not just happen), you end up in the world of Agion Oros (Mount Athos).
Mount Athos is an autonomous monk republic (men's republic) with the capital Karyes. Athos has a very rugged mountain country, is densely forested and has the highest peak of Chalkidiki, namely 2,033 meters. The monks (about 1,500) live in 20 monasteries (17 Greek monasteries, 1 Bulgarian, 1 Russian and 1 Serbian monastery) or in separate communities located in an area of 336 km2. The Megisti Lavra monastery is the oldest, most important and largest monastery on Athos. It dates from the year 963.
Women are not welcome on Mount Athos. Men aged 18 and over who want to visit Athos must apply for a visa and can stay for up to four days. 120 applications per day are received from Greeks and 10 from foreigners. From Ouranoupolis you can make a day trip by boat up to 500 meters off the coast of Athos and see the impressive monasteries from the water. As a woman, this is the only way to view the monasteries.
The capital of Chalkidiki is Poligyros and lies in the palm of the hand and has about 7,000 inhabitants. South of the capital Poligyros lies the ancient Olynthos and is the most important political center of Chalkidiki from the classical period and covers two hills. On the South Hill, the city was founded in the 7th century BC and on the North Hill is the classic city with vertical intersecting wide and narrow streets, which form regular architectural blocks. The very impressive mosaics in the houses are unfortunately mostly covered.
Stageira is a mountain village located at a height of 500 meters about 55 kilometres from Poligyros and has been named after the ancient Stageira which was the birthplace of the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle. Upon arrival in the village, the scientific park with the statue of Aristotle stands out. All kinds of scientific instruments can be seen in the park (since 2003). For example, there is a sundial, optical discs, a vortex, telescopes etc. From the park, which is in a beautiful nature, you have a beautiful view to the sea and the town of Ierissos
All three "fingers" are quite different from each other.
Kassandra is the busiest and most touristic area of Chalkidiki. The white beaches with the green pine trees have made this area a tourist attraction. There is plenty to do at Kassandra. Good and luxurious accommodations to stay, traditional tavernas, various water sports facilities etc.
Destinations of Kassandra include Afytos, Chanioti, Kallithea, Kriopigi, Nea Fokea, Paliouri, Pefkochori, and Sani.
Sithonia is calmer than Kassandra in terms of tourists. The very rugged and mountainous landscape is quite pristine, with numerous wooded hills (especially pine trees). There are also many small fishing villages and numerous, sometimes deserted, beautiful (sandy) beaches with often pine trees that grow to the sea. Ideal for some shade on the beach. Sithonia is also known by the Porto Karras area, no less than 18,000 hectares of territory with pine forests, including vineyards, luxury hotels with a golf course and marinas.
Destinations of Sithonia include Aghios Nikolaos, Gerakini, Kalamitsi, Neos Marmaras, Nikiti, Ormos Panagias (from here are day excursion / boat trips to Mount Athos), Porto Karras, Sarti, Paralia Sykias, Toroni and Vourvourou.
Agion Oros (Holy Mount Athos) is the most eastern peninsula of Chalkidiki. This peninsula is unique in the world. Exactly below the tourist town of Ouranoupolis (with beautiful beaches) is a border. When you pass this border (does not just happen), you end up in the world of Agion Oros (Mount Athos).
Mount Athos is an autonomous monk republic (men's republic) with the capital Karyes. Athos has a very rugged mountain country, is densely forested and has the highest peak of Chalkidiki, namely 2,033 meters. The monks (about 1,500) live in 20 monasteries (17 Greek monasteries, 1 Bulgarian, 1 Russian and 1 Serbian monastery) or in separate communities located in an area of 336 km2. The Megisti Lavra monastery is the oldest, most important and largest monastery on Athos. It dates from the year 963.
Women are not welcome on Mount Athos. Men aged 18 and over who want to visit Athos must apply for a visa and can stay for up to four days. 120 applications per day are received from Greeks and 10 from foreigners. From Ouranoupolis you can make a day trip by boat up to 500 meters off the coast of Athos and see the impressive monasteries from the water. As a woman, this is the only way to view the monasteries.