Halkidiki
Three Fingered Peninsula Of Pine Backed Beaches, The Summer Coast Of Northern Greece And The Balkans; Boat Cruises Along Mount Athos Leave From Ouranoupoli · Nikiti, Central Macedonia
Halkidiki is the three-fingered peninsula south-east of Thessaloniki and the summer coast of northern Greece: hundreds of kilometres of shoreline where pine forest runs down to clear, calm water. Each finger has its own character. Kassandra, the western one, is the busiest, with big resorts, package hotels and the nightlife of Kallithea and Pefkochori. Sithonia, the middle one, is wilder and greener, with rocky coves, campsites and small bays such as Kavourotrypes, Karidi and Porto Koufo. The third finger is Mount Athos, the monastic republic that women may not enter and men visit only with a limited permit; everyone can see its monasteries from the cruise boats that leave Ouranoupoli. Add Aristotle's birthplace at ancient Stagira, the Petralona cave and very good seafood. It suits families, campers, drivers and anyone who wants easy swimming. Honest caveats: July and August are crowded with Thessaloniki and Balkan holidaymakers, weekend traffic is heavy, and it is a beach region, not a sightseeing one.
Halkidiki peninsula south-east of Thessaloniki: the Kassandra and Sithonia prongs, and Ouranoupoli at the start of the Athos prong; Nikiti at the entry to Sithonia, Nikiti, Central Macedonia, Greece
Beaches are open and free at all hours; sunbeds and umbrellas at organised beaches are rented roughly from late May to late September, and many hotels, campsites and tavernas close from about October or November to April. The Athos cruise boats from Ouranoupoli run roughly daily from spring to autumn, usually leaving in the morning for about three hours (confirm times). Petralona cave and ancient Stagira keep seasonal daytime hours, shorter in winter - confirm. The Mount Athos men-only permit must be booked months ahead through the official Pilgrims' Bureau. Reach the region by car or KTEL bus from Thessaloniki; its airport is about 1-2.5 hours away depending on the finger.