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 couple 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 completely different, however primarily, beautiful 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 perfect 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 advocate this should you’re searching for the perfect issues to do in Halkidiki.
Be 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 lodge at The Dolphin, the truth is 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 subsequent eight hours.
We moored up at two and had a couple of hours at every to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Leaping in was non-compulsory however undoubtedly advisable!
Or, you might 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 search out your individual seaside to calm down on. It was fairly busy on the first seaside and we have been thrilled we’d made the trouble 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 individual sauce!) drinks are further and there’s a totally stocked bar to make your means by.
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 lodge.
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 couple of properly positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the views.
I strolled across the little cobblestone alleys, trying within the present 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 procuring 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 checklist was Marianna’s Vine Leaves – a winery that produces vines for consuming, quite than consuming.
Go to and also you’ll get to stroll by the vineyards to get to know the way the well-known Marianna’s Vine leaves are made. It’s an important probability to pattern them too. You’ll be able to 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 gained awards the world over and at the moment retails for round €500 so you may wager 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 after I was instructed I used to be visiting a winery that day!
4. Petralona Cave
We visited Petralona Cave – one in all Europe’s most spectacular and vital 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, stuffed with stalagmites and stalactites.
It’s superb to consider the one who found it in 1959 – think about stepping into to search out all this!
5. Village of Arnea
If you happen to’re searching for one other cultural expertise for a soothing afternoon, how about strolling spherical the normal settlement of Arnea?
The flower adorned balconies and vibrant homes are nice for some charming photos of your Halkidiki vacation. One of many high spots is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen with its glass flooring. You’ll be able to 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 dwelling. Good job that they had a variety field to strive.
6. Go to Stagira
The most effective moments of our Halkidiki journey was arriving at Historical Stagira, and seeing this unbelievable view. We have been right here to expertise the birthplace of the good Greek thinker, Aristotle (who I keep in mind finding out in A Degree Spiritual Research – my instructor can be proud). However, with quite a lot of 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.
Take 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 would have liked to get out of the solar!
Simply across the nook was my favorite restaurant in Halkidiki – a should go to in your holidays to 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 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 – good for 2pm on a Wednesday.
After making an attempt 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 stress-free!
8. Discover historical 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 fascinating 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 lodge The Blue Dolphin. It was a very nice lodge 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 if the lodge fits you or not. It was just some steps from two pretty seashores, which was nice. The grounds have been additionally fairly intensive, with loads of rooms for various budgets. It was a bit out from every thing else although, particularly should you 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 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 fantastic!
Jet2 prides itself on their sustainable accommodations and The Blue Dolphin was an important base to discover the peninsulas from.
If you happen to’re searching for a lodge that has all you want on website, and also you don’t must go anyplace, this can be a nice alternative. I prefer to have a bit of discover round on vacation, and never be certain to 1 place, so I’d want a automotive right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an important expertise with Jet2 Holidays, and never simply because this was a press journey!
If you wish to do the journey, you may ebook flights to Thessaloniki with Jet2. We had flights from London Stansted Airport on a Monday afternoon, which labored properly too recover from there from Portsmouth.
Verify in was fast and straightforward 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!
My journey to Halkidiki was sponsored by Jet2. All ideas my very own!