Things To Do in Halkidiki

Mount Athos is like its own country inside Greece. It's a land of monks, around 2,000 of them, and they live in dramatic mountainside monasteries. It's a no-go zone to outsiders, so the only way to see this place is to do a boat tour around its coast. The port to book a trip is at a town called Ouranoupolis, and it's less than a 2-hour drive from Nea Moudania.

The bay of Gerakini is a 20-minute drive from Nea Moudania. The beach here is backed by pine-tree-covered hills, and in some spots the greenery trickles down onto the sand. There's also an abandoned mine at one end – a throwback from Gerakini's days as a mining village. It's a well-loved place, with plenty of places to grab a bite and a drink, but it manages not to be too touristy.

This mile-long stretch of sand is so popular with the people of Thessaloniki that many of them have their summer houses here. And anywhere the locals pick for their holiday home has got to be good. It sometimes gets a cooling breeze in the afternoons, so it's great if you want to bronze without boiling. To get here, just drive north from Nea Moudania for about 10-minutes.

Polygyros is a half-hour drive from Nea Moudania, and come carnival time, is well worth a visit. On the last Sunday of carnival week there's a big parade through the main streets. People flock from all over the area to watch or take part. To round everything off, there's a feast in Exi Vrisses Square.

Set the sat nav to Waterland – it's less than an hour's drive from Nea Moudania – and be prepared to get wet. You can do it all here, whether it's sliding down high-speed flumes, shooting water cannons on Pirate Island, or splashing around in one of the biggest wave pools in Europe.If you'd prefer a quiert swim, Waterland has a pool just for adults, too.

This folklore festival is unique to Nea Moudania. There's a week-long list of dancing, live music and theatre shows, all based around local traditions. It comes to a head on Sunday when there's a giant feast. The main dish is, you guessed it, sardines, and they're washed down with lashings of local wine.

A trip on one of Halkidiki’s traditional boats is a must. It’s a great way to take in the views of the Sithonia peninsula, and most trips offer stops for snorkelling and swimming. For something a bit different, go for one of the dolphin-spotting excursions, or take a romantic sunset cruise. On the latter, you’re usually treated to a three-course meal, as well as music and dancing.

From Nea Moudania, shoot half an hour down the coast to Afitos, a pretty seaside village. It's got an oldy-worldy atmosphere thanks to the old stone houses and the fountain in the village square. You can wander down cobblestone alleys, past quiet churches and pitch up at a taverna. Or head down to a beach bar and have a drink with a view over the Gulf of Toroneos.

The Petralona Caves were the site of some rare archaeological finds, like pre-human skeletons over 700,000 years old. Amazing, then, to think that the caves were found by accident. In the 1950s, a local shepherd was looking for a spring when he stumbled across them. There's a museum here showcasing what's been found over the years, and it's only a half-hour drive from Nea Moudania.

A local shepherd stumbled across these caves, south of Thessaloniki, in the Fifties, and they’ve caused a stir among the archaeological crowd ever since. Reason being, a 200,000-year-old human skull was discovered here. Since then, more fossils have been dug up, proving prehistoric man lived in the caves some 700,000 years ago.

Nea Poteidaia has a double-act of beaches, both about a 15-minute drive down the road from Nea Moudania. On the eastern side, the sand starts just behind the harbour and rolls on for more than five kilometres – perfect if you want to grab a spot to call your own. Or if you fancy some company, head to the western edge of town. The beach here is smaller but more popular, thanks to a spread of bars and eateries.

Kalithea Beach is lapped by calm waters, and is a favourite with families thanks to its paddle-friendly credentials. A thick band of greenery runs the length of the sand, so shady spots are in good supply. Best of all, if you buy a drink from one of the beach bars, you get a sunlounger for the whole day at no extra cost.

This sandy stretch, which is hugged by storybook pine forests and lapped by blue-green waters, is set in the town of Sarti on the Sithonia peninsula. You’ll find a few tavernas and bars along the sands, and there are loungers and umbrellas for hire. The real talking point, though, is the view, which stretches across to Mount Athos.

White-knuckle flumes and never-ending spaghetti chutes are in store at Waterland, a waterpark just outside Thessaloniki. There’s also a lazy river and a series of swimming pools to chill out in. And the water-based action is just the start of the story. Tennis and volleyball are also on offer, plus there’s a restaurant and a coffee shop for refuelling.

Watersports are ready and waiting for you in Hanioti. The town’s beach offers up all the usual suspects, such as windsurfing, water-skiing and parasailing. If you want to go one step further, you can give scuba diving a go. Or, if you’ve got the kids with you, you can hire out a pedalo for a few hours and enjoy the view from the waves.

Sandy Hanioti Beach boasts some of the clearest waters in these parts, so it’s a top spot for snorkelling. You can hire masks and sign up for scuba trips at the PADI diving centre here. Plus, you’ll find a parade of beach bars and seafood eateries behind the beach for when you’re ready to refuel.

If there was a competition for the prettiest Halkidiki peninsula, Sithonia would win hands down. With its forests, mountains and white shores, it looks like the Mediterranean and the Scottish Highlands rolled into one. Make sure you call in at seaside hotspot, Sarti, while you’re here – it spreads out from two gorgeous bays.

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, is an hour and a half from Hanioti. At first glance, it’s trendy and modern, but take a closer look and you’ll discover there are lots of ancient sites. The quaint Upper City, in particular, is worth a wander, with its cobbled lanes and vine-wrapped tavernas. There’s also a cluster of forgotten riches to explore outside the town, including the tomb of Alexander the Great’s father.

The Kassandra peninsula is a walker’s paradise. Haloed with white-sand beaches and rocky promenades, scenic views are around every corner. Head inland and you’ll find tiny villages where whitewashed houses and family-run tavernas are the only signs of life. There’s a big pine forest here, too, which is ideal for bird-watching.

If there was a prize for the best-looking beach in Halkidiki, Possidi, about a 30-minute drive from Kalithea, would be one of the top contenders. This white ribbon of sand offers up views of the ancient castle of Mende, and a pretty white lighthouse rumoured to be haunted by a former keeper.

Translated, Ouranoupolis means ‘City of the Heavens’ – which is a pretty fitting nickname. The gateway to Mount Athos, this scenic fishing village is filled with narrow lanes that are edged with whitewashed houses. When you’ve finished admiring the place, head to one of the waterfront eateries for some net-fresh swordfish or calamari.

The prestigious Sani Festival has been going strong for a couple of decades. During the two-month-long event, shows are staged in the natural amphitheatre of Sani Hill. The most popular events are the Shakespearean plays and the jazz performances, so it’s a good idea to get there early if you want to catch either.

Don’t be surprised if Meteora looks familiar – it had starring role in the Bond film ‘For Your Eyes Only’. These dramatic rock formations, around an hour-and-a-half’s-drive from Hanioti, are home to six 14th-century monasteries, and they’re as high as the Eiffel Tower. Visitors don’t just come to this place for the history, though. The panoramic views over the countryside are unforgettable.

Mount Athos is up there with the Acropolis as one of the top Greek landmarks. As the world’s only monastic republic, it’s made up of 20 cliff-hugging monasteries, some of which date back to the 9th-century. Nearly 2,000 Orthodox monks still call it home today and, while access is very limited, boats sail past the shores of the peninsula, giving you a sneak peek at this holy site.