Positioned 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 seek out out among the finest issues to do in Halkidiki, so as to add slightly journey to your seashore vacation…
Halkidiki has three attribute peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos – every providing one thing totally different, however principally 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 historic ruins to having fun with the most effective Greek delicacies that Halkidiki has to supply, these are the actions in Halkidiki that I loved essentially the most.
This 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 might positively suggest this in case you are on the lookout for the most effective issues to do in Halkidiki.
Be part of the tour and you can be taken to Ormos Panagias in an air-conditioned bus. It was solely 20 minutes from our lodge at The Dolphin, we have been really the final ones in so we have 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 following eight hours.
We docked at two and every had a number of hours to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Leaping in was non-compulsory, however positively really helpful!
Or, you may take a small boat to the shore at every cease and they’re going to 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 seek out your personal seashore to loosen up on. It was fairly busy on the primary seashore and we have 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 deliver your personal dip!) drinks are additional 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 bought on the bus and have been dropped off at our lodge.
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 nicely positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the view.
I walked the little stone streets, on the lookout for items for Reggie and Ben within the memento retailers. Picked up some olives and olive oil (basic), and a duck whistle for Rega.
The village is a well-liked place amongst artists – go to and you will notice why. After buying and sightseeing, I loved slightly sit outdoors this nation bar within the central sq., with a Mythos and free popcorn. Excellent.
3. Marianna’s vine leaves
The primary cease on our listing 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 means of the vineyards to find out how the well-known Marianna vine leaves are made. This is a superb alternative to style them. You may also style different conventional merchandise they produce akin to Marianna’s Grapeleaves, Marianna’s Ntolmadakia and Marianna’s pies. So scrumptious!
I attempted to roll vine leaves for Dolma. I might give myself a 7 out of 10!
The house owners right here need the winery to be as sustainable as attainable and due to this fact attempt to use all the things 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 substances.
We have been handled to a tasting of their whiskey – Abelon. It is received awards everywhere in 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. Petralon Cave
We visited Petralona Cave – some of the spectacular and necessary 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 the most effective issues to see in Thessaloniki, as it’s correctly cared for within the museum. The cave is nonetheless a captivating place to go to, crammed with stalagmites and stalactites.
It is wonderful to think about the one who found it in 1959 – think about going inside to seek out all this!
5. The village of Arnea
If you’re on the lookout for one other cultural expertise for a calming afternoon, how a few stroll by means of the standard 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 possibly can stroll above the archeological web site they discovered when the constructing burned down a number of 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 several types of honey to attempt that it was exhausting to know which one to purchase and take dwelling. Effectively, they’d a range field they might attempt.
6. Go to Stagira
The most effective moments of our Halkidiki journey was arriving at historic Stagira and seeing this wonderful view. We have been right here to expertise the birthplace of the good Greek thinker Aristotle (who I bear in mind finding out faith at A stage – my instructor would have been proud). However, with a number of creativeness wanted to know the archaeological ruins right here, my eyes have been drawn to this unbelievable view of the close by seashore.
Take a look at that!
It was noon and very popular up on the ruins, however you may stroll alongside the coast to get the total expertise. Sadly, we needed to conceal from the solar!
Simply across the nook was my favourite restaurant in Halkidiki – a should go to in your Halkidiki vacation.
7. Style the Agrovision vineyard
Subsequent on what turned a little bit of a Halkidiki wine tour (excellent) was Agrovision Vineyard. We went to attempt among the domestically produced wines in what was a considerably unimaginative tour of their assortment.
My favourite is certainly 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 actually so stress-free!
8. Discover historic Olynthos
The archaeological web site of historic Olynthos was subsequent on our listing of issues to do in Halkidiki. I can date the place again to 650 BC – it had a wealthy and fascinating historical past. A number of the most putting issues you may see now are the epic mosaics that adorn the flooring.
The place I stayed in Halkidiki
I stayed on the Jet2 Lodge The Blue Dolphin. It was a very nice lodge, however I used to be torn concerning the location! I feel it is determined by what you need out of your trip as as to whether or not a lodge will go well with you. It was simply steps away from two stunning seashores, which was nice. The grounds have been additionally fairly giant, with many rooms for various budgets. It was a bit out of the best way from all the things else, particularly when 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 first-rate location subsequent to the seashore beds. I wasn’t positive concerning the souvlaki, however the Margarita was beautiful!
Jet2 prides itself on its sustainable lodges and the Blue Dolphin was an ideal base for exploring the peninsula.
If you’re on the lookout for a lodge that has all the things you want on web site with out having to go anyplace, it is a nice alternative. I prefer to discover a bit on vacation and never be tied down to 1 place, so I would want a automotive right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an ideal expertise with Jet2 Holidays, and never simply because it was a press journey!
If you wish to go on a visit, you may e book flights to Thessaloniki with Jet2. We had flights from London Stansted Airport on Monday afternoons which labored nicely and bought there from Portsmouth.
Examine-in was fast and straightforward at Stansted, with no queuing. The employees on board have been pleasant and environment friendly and the journey was easy. On our approach again, there have been employees 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!
My journey to Halkidiki was sponsored by Jet2. All my ideas!