Chalkidiki

Halkidiki - Macedonia (Greece)

Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) is one of the most beautiful areas in the district of Macedonia in northern Greece. This unique prefecture of Greece consists of three peninsulas that extend into the blue Aegean Sea. The three peninsulas are Kassandra, Sithonia and Agion Oros (Holy Mountain). Although they look alike, they are very different. We visited all three and had a fantastic time.

Kassandra Chalkidiki:

Kassandra is the first leg, as Greeks call the peninsulas of Halkidiki. It is the first peninsula you reach when driving from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki. Kassandra is only a thirty minute drive from the airport of Thessaloniki. It is the busiest leg of Halkidiki because of its close proximity to Thessaloniki. It has rich history, archaeological sites, excellent sandy beaches, beautiful forests, hotels and apartments, hot springs, a good nightlife and plentiful watersports. Even the most demanding tourist will be totally satisfied here.

Destinations Kassandra: Afytos, Agia Paraskevi, Chanioti, Fourka, Kalandra, Kallithea, Kassandria, Kriopigi, Nea Fokea, Nea Potidea, Nea Skioni, Paliouri, Pefkochori, Polychrono, Posidi, Sani, Siviri

Sithonia, Halkidiki:

Sithonia is the middle peninsula of Halkidiki or "the middle leg." This area is much quieter than Kassandra in terms of tourism. This peninsula is similar in character to Kassandra. The greatest difference is the nature, which here mainly consists of beautiful pine forests. There are also large vineyards and olive groves, but forests cover the largest surface. Sithonia is also known for the Porto Karras area, 18,000 hectares (69 sq. mi) of territory, where vineyards, luxury hotels, pine forests and marinas are located. Last but not least, Sithonia is also known for its rugged coastline with beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise sea.

Destinations Sithonia: Aghios Nikolaos, Gerakini, Kalamitsi, Neos Marmaras, Nikiti, Ormos Panagias, Porto Karras, Porto Koufo, Psakoudia, Sarti, Sykia and Paralia Sykias, Toroni, Vourvourou

Agion Oros, Chalkidiki:

Agion Oros (Holy Mountain Athos) is the easternmost peninsula of Halkidiki. This peninsula is unique. It is situated just below Ouranoupolis, a tourist town with beautiful beaches. When you pass the town, you enter the world of Agion Oros that literally means the Holy Mountain. This is a monastic state that is autonomous, within Greece and the EU. The inhabitants are all monks, and women may not enter this area. In the territory are twenty monasteries where monks live in isolation. North of the border, from Ouranoupolis, starts the tourist world where luxury hotels, beautiful beaches and lots of sights and villages are found.

Destinations Agion Oros area: Arnaia, Holy Mountain Athos (Agion Oros), Ammouliani, Dafni (Agion Oros), Gomati, Ierissos, Karyes (Agion Oros), Megali Panagia, Nea Roda (and Trypiti), Neochori, Olympiada, Ouranoupoli, Paleochori, Stageira, Stratoni, Stratoniki.

Η Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Χαλκιδικής είναι μία από τις 74 περιφερειακές ενότητες της Ελλάδας. Αποτελεί τμήμα του γεωγραφικού διαμερίσματος της Μακεδονίας και υπάγεται διοικητικά στην Περιφέρεια Κεντρικής Μακεδονίας.

Η Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Χαλκιδικής συνορεύει Βόρεια - Βορειοδυτικά με την Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Θεσσαλονίκης και ανατολικά με το Άγιο Όρος, ενώ βρέχεται από το Αιγαίο πέλαγος στις υπόλοιπες διευθύνσεις. Περιλαμβάνει γεωγραφικά την χερσόνησο της Χαλκιδικής με το χαρακτηριστικό σχήμα των τριών χερσονήσων ('πόδια της Χαλκιδικής'), πλην του μεγαλύτερου τμήματος της ανατολικότερης χερσονήσου του Αγίου όρους, που είναι διοικητικά ανεξάρτητη με πρωτεύουσα τις Καρυές.

Τα Νέα Μουδανιά είναι η μεγαλύτερη πόλη της Χαλκιδικής με πληθυσμό 10.342 κατοίκους και αποτελεί οικονομικό και εμπορικό κέντρο. Δεύτερη μεγαλύτερη πόλη είναι η Νέα Καλλικράτεια με 7.238 κατοίκους. Πρωτεύουσα και διοικητικό κέντρο της Π.Ε. είναι ο Πολύγυρος με 6.121 κατοίκους ενώ άλλες σημαντικές κωμοπόλεις είναι η Ορμύλια, η Ιερισσός, η Κασσάνδρεια, η Νικήτη, ο Νέος Μαρμαράς η Μεγάλη Παναγία, Αρναία και η Ουρανούπολη.