Nestled in northern Greece, about an hour from Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is a surprising peninsula recognized for its crystal-clear waters, miles of gorgeous shoreline, and wealthy historic heritage. I went for just a few 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 totally different, however primarily, gorgeous seashores and blue waters.
I explored as a lot as attainable 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 very best Greek delicacies Halkidiki has to supply these are the actions in Halkidiki I loved probably the most.
Right here’s what I obtained 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 should you’re in search of the very best 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 resort at The Dolphin, the truth is we have 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 subsequent eight hours.
We moored up at two and had just a few hours at every to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Leaping in was non-compulsory however undoubtedly advisable!
Or, you may take the little boat to shore at every cease they usually’d take your stuff.
The surroundings on this tour is gorgeous. Stroll over the rocks and across the bay, away from the drop off level, to seek out your individual seashore to loosen up on. It was fairly busy on the first seashore and we have been thrilled we’d made the trouble to get away from the gang.
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 completely stocked bar to make your manner by.
The journey completed at about 5pm and after a brief stroll (up a steep hill) we obtained 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 just a few effectively positioned bars and eating places to benefit from the views.
I strolled across the little cobblestone alleys, wanting within the present outlets 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 just a little sit down exterior 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, somewhat than ingesting.
Go to and also you’ll get to stroll by the vineyards to get to understand how the well-known Marianna’s Vine leaves are made. It’s an amazing 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 attainable, and so attempt to use the whole lot 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 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 instructed I used to be visiting a winery that day!
4. Petralona Cave
We visited Petralona Cave – one in every of 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 enchanting place to look spherical although, stuffed with stalagmites and stalactites.
It’s superb to consider the one who found it in 1959 – think about moving into to seek out all this!
5. Village of Arnea
In the event you’re in search of one other cultural expertise for a calming afternoon, how about strolling spherical the standard settlement of Arnea?
The flower embellished balconies and vibrant homes are nice for some charming footage of your Halkidiki vacation. One of many high spots is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephen with its glass flooring. You possibly can stroll above the archaeological web site 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 tough to know which one to purchase to take dwelling. Good job that they had a variety field to strive.
6. Go to Stagira
Among the finest 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 bear in mind learning in A Stage Spiritual Research – my instructor can be proud). However, with plenty of creativeness wanted to make sense of the archaeological ruins right here, my eyes have been drawn to this superb view over the seashore close by.
Take a look at it!
It was noon and so highly regarded 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 – a should go to in your holidays to Halkidiki.
7. Pattern the Agrovision Vineyard
Subsequent up on what was changing into a little bit of a wine tour of Halkidiki (excellent) was the Agrovision Vineyard. We went to strive a few of the domestically 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 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 enjoyable!
8. Discover historic Olynthos
The archaeological web site of Historical Olynthos was subsequent on our checklist of issues to do in Halkidiki. They’ll date the positioning again to 650BC – it’s had a wealthy and fascinating historical past. Among the most placing 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 believe it’d rely what you need out of your vacation as as to if the resort fits you or not. It was only a few steps from two beautiful seashores, which was nice. The grounds have been additionally fairly in depth, with loads of rooms for various budgets. It was a bit out from the whole lot else although, particularly should you don’t wish 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 primary spot by the beds on the seashore. Wasn’t too certain on the souvlaki, however the Margarita was fantastic!
Jet2 prides itself on their sustainable resorts and The Blue Dolphin was an amazing base to discover the peninsulas from.
In the event you’re in search of a resort that has all you want on web site, and also you don’t have to go anyplace, this can be a nice alternative. I wish to have just a little discover round on vacation, and never be sure to at least one place, so I’d want a automobile right here!
Greece with Jet2 Holidays
I had an amazing 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 effectively too recover from there from Portsmouth.
Examine in was fast and simple 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!