Nestled in northern Greece, about an hour from Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is a shocking peninsula identified for its crystal-clear waters, miles of gorgeous shoreline, and wealthy historic heritage. I went for a number of days to search out out among the finest issues to do in Halkidiki, so as to add a little bit of journey to your seaside vacation…
Halkidiki has three distinctive peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos – every providing one thing totally different, however primarily, gorgeous 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 historical ruins to savouring the very best Greek delicacies Halkidiki has to supply these are the actions in Halkidiki I loved essentially the most.
Right here’s what I received 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 suggest this if you happen to’re in search of the very best 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 have been the final ones on so first ones off on the finish of the day – good!
In Ormos Panagias you’ll get on board the ship, able to discover the unique seashores of the east coast of Sithonia over the following eight hours.
We moored up at two and had a number of hours at every to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Leaping in was elective however undoubtedly really useful!
Or, you may take the little boat to shore at every cease they usually’d take your stuff.
The surroundings on this tour is gorgeous. Stroll over the rocks and across the bay, away from the drop off level, to search out your individual seaside to loosen up on. It was fairly busy on the first seaside and we have been thrilled we’d made the trouble to get away from the gang.
Again on the ship and lunch was included – some tasty koftas, rice and bread (I like to recommend bringing your individual sauce!) drinks are additional and there’s a totally stocked bar to make your means by way of.
The journey completed at about 5pm and after a brief stroll (up a steep hill) we received 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 a number of properly positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the views.
I strolled across the little cobblestone alleys, wanting within the present outlets for presents for Reggie and Ben. Picked up some olives and olive oil (traditional), 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 buying and sightseeing I loved a bit of sit down outdoors this village central plaza bar, with a Mythos and complimentary popcorn. Excellent.
3. Marianna’s Vine Leaves
The primary cease on our Halkidiki actions record was Marianna’s Vine Leaves – a winery that produces vines for consuming, fairly than ingesting.
Go to and also you’ll get to stroll by way of the vineyards to get to understand how the well-known Marianna’s Vine leaves are made. It’s an ideal likelihood to pattern them too. You possibly can 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 every thing 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 have been handled to a tasting of their ‘whisky’ – Abelon. It’s received awards the world over and presently retails for round €500 so you’ll be able to guess I just about licked the glass. And the spare one after he poured too many.
It was actually particular, giving a beautiful heat in my chest because it went down. Not what I used to be anticipating once I was advised I used to be visiting a winery that day!
4. Petralona Cave
We visited Petralona Cave – one in every of Europe’s most spectacular and essential caves due to 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 continues to be an interesting place to look spherical although, crammed with stalagmites and stalactites.
It’s superb to consider the one that found it in 1959 – think about moving into to search out all this!
5. Village of Arnea
In the event you’re in search of one other cultural expertise for a calming afternoon, how about strolling spherical the normal settlement of Arnea?
The flower embellished balconies and vibrant homes are nice for some charming footage of your Halkidiki vacation. One of many high spots is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen with its glass ground. You possibly can stroll above the archaeological website 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 primary sq.. That they had so many various honeys to strive, it was tough to know which one to purchase to take residence. Good job they’d 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 unimaginable view. We have been right here to expertise the birthplace of the good Greek thinker, Aristotle (who I bear in mind learning in A Degree Non secular Research – my instructor could be proud). However, with numerous creativeness wanted to make sense of the archaeological ruins right here, my eyes have been drawn to this superb view over the seaside 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 complete expertise. Sadly we wanted 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 (good) was the Agrovision Vineyard. We went to strive among 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 – good 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 enjoyable!
8. Discover historical Olynthos
The archaeological website of Historic Olynthos was subsequent on our record of issues to do in Halkidiki. They’ll date the positioning again to 650BC – it’s had a wealthy and fascinating historical past. Among the most hanging 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 believe it’d rely what you need out of your vacation as as to whether the resort fits you or not. It was just some steps from two pretty seashores, which was nice. The grounds have been additionally fairly in depth, with loads of rooms for various budgets. It was a bit out from every thing else although, particularly if you happen to 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 seaside bar on the ultimate day, for lunch, which had a first-rate spot by the beds on the seaside. Wasn’t too certain on the souvlaki, however the Margarita was great!
In the event you’re in search of a resort that has all you want on website, and also you don’t must go anyplace, it is a nice alternative. I prefer to have a bit of discover round on vacation, and never be certain to at least one place, so I’d want a automotive right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an ideal expertise with Jet2 Holidays, and never simply because this was a press journey!
Examine in was fast and simple at Stansted, with no queues. The employees on board have been pleasant and environment friendly, and the journey was easy. Once we have been coming again, at Thessaloniki Airport, there have been employees there to greet us and inform us the place to go within the airport – don’t assume I’ve ever had that earlier than!