Nestled in northern Greece, about an hour from Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is a shocking peninsula identified for its crystal-clear waters, miles of beautiful shoreline, and wealthy historic heritage. I went for a number of days to seek out out a few of the finest issues to do in Halkidiki, so as to add a little bit of journey to your seashore vacation…
Halkidiki has three distinctive peninsulas – Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos – every providing one thing completely different, however primarily, beautiful seashores and blue waters.
I explored as a lot as doable 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 historic ruins to savouring the most effective Greek delicacies Halkidiki has to supply these are the actions in Halkidiki I loved essentially the most.
Right here’s what I bought 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 for those who’re searching for the most effective 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 reality we had been the final ones on so first ones off on the finish of the day – excellent!
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 possibly can take the little boat to shore at every cease they usually’d take your stuff.
The surroundings on this tour is beautiful. Stroll over 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 first seashore and we had been thrilled we’d made the hassle to get away from the group.
Again on the ship and lunch was included – some tasty koftas, rice and bread (I like to recommend bringing your personal sauce!) drinks are further and there’s a completely stocked bar to make your method via.
The journey completed at about 5pm and after a brief stroll (up a steep hill) we bought 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 nicely positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the views.
I strolled across the little cobblestone alleys, trying within the reward retailers 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 purchasing and sightseeing I loved somewhat sit down outdoors this village central plaza bar, with a Mythos and complimentary popcorn. Good.
3. Marianna’s Vine Leaves
The primary cease on our Halkidiki actions checklist was Marianna’s Vine Leaves – a winery that produces vines for consuming, somewhat than ingesting.
Go to and also you’ll get to stroll via the vineyards to get to know the way the well-known Marianna’s Vine leaves are made. It’s an incredible 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 doable, and so attempt to use all the things 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 had been handled to a tasting of their ‘whisky’ – Abelon. It’s received awards the world over and presently retails for round €500 so you may guess I just about licked the glass. And the spare one after he poured too many.
It was actually particular, giving a stunning heat in my chest because it went down. Not what I used to be anticipating once I was informed I used to be visiting a winery that day!
4. Petralona Cave
We visited Petralona Cave – one in all Europe’s most spectacular and necessary caves because of 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 sorted correctly in a museum. The cave remains to be an interesting place to look spherical although, crammed with stalagmites and stalactites.
It’s superb to consider the one who found it in 1959 – think about getting in to seek out all this!
5. Village of Arnea
When you’re searching for one other cultural expertise for a calming afternoon, how about strolling spherical the normal settlement of Arnea?
The flower adorned balconies and vibrant homes are nice for some charming footage of your Halkidiki vacation. One of many prime spots is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen with its glass flooring. 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 alternative honeys to strive, it was troublesome to know which one to purchase to take house. Good job that they had a variety field to strive.
6. Go to Stagira
Top-of-the-line moments of our Halkidiki journey was arriving at Historical Stagira, and seeing this unbelievable view. We had been right here to expertise the birthplace of the good Greek thinker, Aristotle (who I keep in mind learning in A Stage Spiritual Research – my trainer can be proud). However, with a variety of creativeness wanted to make sense of the archaeological ruins right here, my eyes had been drawn to this superb view over the seashore 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 (excellent) was the Agrovision Vineyard. We went to strive a few of the regionally 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 – excellent for 2pm on a Wednesday.
After attempting the wines of their HQ we drove out to their scenic winery overlooking the ocean. I significantly loved being at one with the wine, by sitting in a barrel. Was genuinely so stress-free!
8. Discover historic Olynthos
The archaeological website of Historical Olynthos was subsequent on our checklist of issues to do in Halkidiki. They will date the location again to 650BC – it’s had a wealthy and attention-grabbing historical past. A number of the most putting 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 in regards to the location! I feel 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 beautiful seashores, which was nice. The grounds had been additionally fairly in depth, with loads of rooms for various budgets. It was a bit out from all the things else although, particularly for those who don’t need 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 seashore bar on the ultimate day, for lunch, which had a chief spot by the beds on the seashore. Wasn’t too certain on the souvlaki, however the Margarita was great!
When you’re searching for a resort that has all you want on website, and also you don’t have to go wherever, it is a nice selection. I wish to have somewhat discover round on vacation, and never be certain to at least one place, so I’d want a automobile right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an incredible expertise with Jet2 Holidays, and never simply because this was a press journey!
Test in was fast and simple at Stansted, with no queues. The employees on board had been pleasant and environment friendly, and the journey was easy. After we had 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!
