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We all know that in the case of a European summer time getaway, Greece is the final word vacation spot – the sun-kissed seashores of Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini have formally taken over our social media feeds.
What you may not know, although, is that what you see on-line is only a sliver of the surprise that’s the Greek shoreline and that the true beachy gems of the nation are saved hidden far-off from the curious eyes of vacationers.
Case in level – Halkidiki.
The beautiful area that stretches over what locals name “the three fingers” is among the greatest locations in the complete nation to absorb each the pristine seashores and that genuine Greek small-town really feel that’s been misplaced in additional fashionable hotspots.
And now that Halkidiki was formally topped the prefecture with the highest number of Blue Flag Beaches in all of Greece, I figured it was time to faucet into my 10+ years of touring to the area to assist uncover this hidden gem of a vacation spot for good.
A Region Filled With Movie-Like Beaches
I’m not right here to knock down the unimaginable attract of locations like Mykonos and Santorini – they’re each value a go to.
But so far as seashore high quality goes, neither of those locations holds a candle to Halkidiki, which is the place most Greeks select to spend their summers as a substitute.
Just like I discussed, the area is split into three “fingers,” and for many first-time guests, the primary peninsula, Kassandra, is your best option.
Here, you gained’t solely discover a number of the liveliest cities (extra on that under), but additionally a number of the greatest industrial seashores within the nation – compared, Sithonia and Mount Athos, the 2 different “fingers,” are quieter and extra off-the-beaten-path.
Glarokavos, Paliouri, and Sani Beach, specifically, are must-sees for all seashore lovers, and the excellent news is that they’re all driving distance from each other.
For these of you prepared to get adventurous, Kavourotripes Beach in Sithonia and Ammouliani Island close to Mount Athos can be the most effective picks, although be warned that getting there isn’t as straightforward.
Taking In That Authentic Greek Town Charm
I’ve at all times been the sort of traveler who appears for a very good mixture of pristine shores and vigorous cities when touring in the course of the summer time, and in Halkidiki, I’ve managed to search out simply that.
And whereas there are plenty of locations all through the area that match the invoice, in the event you’d ask me to call my favourite, it will be Pefkochori.
The seashores seem like one thing straight out of a postcard, the city itself is vigorous however nonetheless stuffed with that genuine Greek attraction, and there’s a Lemonis Bakery (considered one of my all-time favourite locations to get desserts) proper close to the middle sq..
An in depth second can be Nea Moudania.
The seashores right here, whereas beautiful, lack just a little one thing in comparison with Pefkochori, however this one’s a correct metropolis and Halkidiki’s largest municipality, so there’s extra to do and see right here.
And in the event you don’t thoughts a quieter summer time retreat, I’d extremely suggest making the 11-minute drive to Nea Poteidaia, a shocking seaside city the place the locals are pleasant, the seashores are one-of-a-kind, and the bougatsas are to die for, particularly in the event you get them at Μπουγάτσα Kαφές Yammy-Yammy.
A Budget-Friendly Mediterranean Getaway
There’s a cause why so many Greeks flock to Halkidiki in the course of the summer time as a substitute of the overpriced hotspots we get bombarded with on our social media feeds – they get the identical actual views and expertise for a fraction of the worth.
Let’s begin with lodging.
Most locations within the area are both boutique accommodations or family-run guesthouses that cost anyplace between $40 and $70 an evening, and the general expertise is in contrast to something you’d discover at your run-of-the-mill resort.
Last yr, I booked a 2-bedroom, 2-balcony house in Nea Poteidaia for $65 an evening, and the hosts, a beautiful aged couple, went above and past, going so far as to depart a do-it-yourself cake and a bottle of Raki behind.
Sure, the facilities may not be the identical as what you’d get in a 5-start resort, however the value-for-money ratio is insane.
The meals is fairly moderately priced, too.
Quick meals common $5 per individual, whereas going for a two-course meal at a sit-down restaurant may cost a little you one thing nearer to $15-$20 per individual, and let me inform you, I’ve by no means had a single chunk of meals that was something lower than wonderful.
The Perfect Place For Those Who Want To Explore As Much Of Greece In As Little Time As Possible
Not solely is Halkidiki famously near Thessaloniki, which is one of my favorite cities to go to, however touring inside the area itself is remarkably straightforward, too.
I’d extremely suggest getting your fingers on a automobile, although.
Driving, particularly in Kassandra, is doable by virtually everybody (city streets are very well-maintained and parking is a breeze), and you may get from one facet of the peninsula to the opposite for beneath an hour – that provides you loads of alternatives to see every little thing I talked about thus far and extra.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.
