Situated in Northern Greece, about an hour from Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is a shocking peninsula recognized for its crystal clear waters, miles of gorgeous shoreline and wealthy historic heritage. I went for just a few days to search out out among the greatest issues to do in Halkidiki, so as to add a bit of journey to your seashore vacation…
Halkidiki has three attribute peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos – every providing one thing completely different, however largely stunning seashores and blue sea.
I explored as a lot as attainable on my 5 night time journey, with Jet2 Holidays as my information. Collectively we discovered the must-see locations and actions to make your journey to Halkidiki unforgettable.
From lounging on golden sands and exploring historical ruins to having fun with the perfect Greek delicacies that Halkidiki has to supply, these are the actions in Halkidiki that I loved essentially the most.
Here is what I did in Greece with Jet2holidays…
1. Diaporos islands cruise
My Diaporos Islands cruise was the actual spotlight of my Halkidiki journey. I’d undoubtedly suggest this in case you are in search of the perfect issues to do in Halkidiki.
Be a part of the tour and you may be taken to Ormos Panagias in an air-conditioned bus. It was solely 20 minutes from our resort at The Dolphin, we had been really the final ones in so we had been the primary to go on the finish of the day – excellent!
In Ormos Panagias you’ll board the boat, able to discover the unique seashores of the east coast of Sithonia for the subsequent eight hours.
We docked at two and every had just a few hours to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Leaping in was non-compulsory, however undoubtedly really helpful!
Or, you may take a small boat to the shore at every cease and they’ll take your stuff.
The surroundings on this tour is gorgeous. Stroll alongside the rocks and across the bay, away from the drop-off level, to search out your individual seashore to loosen up on. It was fairly busy on the primary seashore and we had been delighted to take the time to flee the crowds.
Return to the boat and lunch was included – some scrumptious koftas, rice and bread (suggest you convey your individual dip!) drinks are further and there’s a totally stocked bar to undergo.
The journey ended round 5 pm and after a brief stroll (up a steep hill) we obtained on the bus and had been dropped off at our resort.
2. Athitos Village
To get to know the native tradition, we drove to the village of Athitos to see this charming conventional village with stone homes.
The village is constructed on a rock with slopes that supply a panoramic view of the Gulf of Toroneos. There have been a number of properly positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the view.
I walked the little stone streets, in search of presents for Reggie and Ben within the memento retailers. Picked up some olives and olive oil (traditional), and a duck whistle for Rega.
The village is a well-liked place amongst artists – go to and you will note why. After doing my purchasing and sightseeing, I loved a bit of sit down exterior this nation bar within the central sq., with a Mythos and free popcorn. Excellent.
3. Marianna’s vine leaves
The primary cease on our record of issues to do in Halkidiki was Marianna’s Vine Leaves – a winery that produces vines for consuming, not ingesting.
Go to and you can stroll by the vineyards to learn the way the well-known Marianna vine leaves are made. This is a superb alternative to style them. You may as well style different conventional merchandise they produce reminiscent of Marianna’s Grapeleaves, Marianna’s Ntolmadakia and Marianna’s pies. So scrumptious!
I attempted to roll vine leaves for Dolma. I’d give myself a 7 out of 10!
The homeowners right here need the winery to be as sustainable as attainable and due to this fact attempt to use every part they create. The 15 hectares of land they personal additionally produce raisins, firewood, moonshine, bitter sticks, grapes, jam and sultanas. Since 1994, they haven’t used any chemical compounds.
We had been handled to a tasting of their whiskey – Abelon. It is received awards all around the world and at the moment retails for round €500 so you may guess I have been licking the glass fairly a bit. And the spare one after pouring an excessive amount of.
It was actually particular, giving a pleasant heat in my chest because it fell. Not what I anticipated once I was advised I used to be visiting a winery that day!
4. Petralona Cave
We visited Petralona cave – probably the most spectacular and vital caves in Europe due to the wealth of fossils and the invention of a human cranium relationship again roughly 700,000 years.
The cranium is now probably the greatest issues to see in Thessaloniki, as it’s correctly cared for within the museum. The cave is however an enchanting place to go to, full of stalagmites and stalactites.
It is wonderful to think about the one that found it in 1959 – think about going inside and discovering all this!
5. The village of Arnea
In case you are in search of one other cultural expertise for a calming afternoon, how a few stroll by the normal village of Arnea?
Balconies adorned with flowers and colourful homes are wonderful for charming footage of your trip in Halkidiki. One of many first locations is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen with its glass flooring. You’ll be able to stroll above the archeological website they discovered when the constructing burned down just a few years in the past.
One other nice cease within the village is the Georgakas honey store on the principle sq.. That they had so many various kinds of honey to strive that it was exhausting to know which one to purchase and take dwelling. Properly, that they had a variety field they might strive.
6. Go to Stagira
Probably the greatest moments of our Halkidiki journey was arriving at historical Stagira and seeing this wonderful view. We had been right here to expertise the birthplace of the good Greek thinker Aristotle (who I keep in mind learning faith at A stage – my trainer would have been proud). However, with plenty of creativeness wanted to know the archaeological ruins right here, my eyes had been drawn to this unbelievable view of the close by seashore.
Have a look at that!
It was noon and extremely popular up on the ruins, however you may stroll alongside the coast to get the complete expertise. Sadly, we needed to cover from the solar!
Proper across the nook was my favourite restaurant in Halkidiki.
7. Style the Agrovision vineyard
Subsequent on what turned a little bit of a Halkidiki wine tour (excellent) was Agrovision Vineyard. We went to strive among the domestically produced wines in what was a considerably unimaginative tour of their assortment.
My favourite is unquestionably one of many reds with chocolate – excellent for 2pm on a Wednesday.
After tasting the wines at their headquarters, we drove to their picturesque winery overlooking the ocean. I particularly loved spending time with the wine, sitting within the barrel. It was really so stress-free!
8. Discover historical Olynthos
The archaeological website of historical Olynthos was subsequent on our record of issues to do in Halkidiki. The location may be dated again to 650 BC – it had a wealthy and attention-grabbing historical past. Among the most hanging issues you may see now are the epic mosaics that adorn 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 torn in regards to the location! I believe it is determined by what you need out of your trip as as to whether or not a resort is best for you. It was simply steps away from two stunning seashores, which was nice. The grounds had been additionally fairly giant, with many rooms for various budgets. It was a bit exterior of every part else, particularly should you do not wish to drive. There was nowhere to stroll within the night.
Each morning there was a full breakfast, and within the night there was additionally a restaurant. On the final day, we went to a seashore bar for lunch, which was in a main location subsequent to the seashore beds. I wasn’t certain in regards to the souvlaki, however the Margarita was beautiful!
In case you are in search of a resort that has every part you want on website with out having to go wherever, it is a nice selection. I wish to discover a bit on vacation and never be tied down to at least one place, so I would want a automotive right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an incredible expertise with Jet2 Holidays, and never simply because it was a press journey!
Examine-in was fast and simple at Stansted, no queuing. The workers on board had been pleasant and environment friendly and the journey was easy crusing. On our means again, there have been workers at Thessaloniki airport who met us and advised us the place to go within the airport – do not assume I’ve ever had that earlier than!