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We all know that on the subject of a European summer season 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 marvel that’s the Greek shoreline and that the true beachy gems of the nation are saved hidden distant from the curious eyes of vacationers.
Case in level – Halkidiki.
The gorgeous area that stretches over what locals name “the three fingers” is among the greatest locations in the complete nation to soak up each the pristine seashores and that genuine Greek small-town really feel that’s been misplaced in additional in style 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 unbelievable attract of locations like Mykonos and Santorini – they’re each price a go to.
But so far as seaside high quality goes, neither of those locations holds a candle to Halkidiki, which is the place most Greeks select to spend their summers as an alternative.
Just like I discussed, the area is split into three “fingers,” and for many first-time guests, the primary peninsula, Kassandra, is the only option.
Here, you gained’t solely discover a few of the liveliest cities (extra on that under), but in addition a few of the greatest industrial seashores within the nation – as 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 seaside fans, and the excellent news is that they’re all driving distance from each other.
For these of you keen 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 simple.
Taking In That Authentic Greek Town Charm
I’ve at all times been the form of traveler who seems to be for a superb mixture of pristine shores and vigorous cities when touring through the summer season, and in Halkidiki, I’ve managed to seek out simply that.
And whereas there are a variety of locations all through the area that match the invoice, when you’d ask me to call my favourite, it could be Pefkochori.
The seashores seem like one thing straight out of a postcard, the city itself is vigorous however nonetheless full of that genuine Greek attraction, and there’s a Lemonis Bakery (one in every 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 gorgeous, lack somewhat 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 when you don’t thoughts a quieter summer season retreat, I’d extremely advocate making the 11-minute drive to Nea Poteidaia, a surprising seaside city the place the locals are pleasant, the seashores are one-of-a-kind, and the bougatsas are to die for, particularly when you get them at Μπουγάτσα Kαφές Yammy-Yammy.
A Budget-Friendly Mediterranean Getaway
There’s a motive why so many Greeks flock to Halkidiki through the summer season as an alternative of the overpriced hotspots we get bombarded with on our social media feeds – they get the identical precise views and expertise for a fraction of the value.
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 not like something you’d discover at your run-of-the-mill resort.
Last yr, I booked a 2-bedroom, 2-balcony condominium in Nea Poteidaia for $65 an evening, and the hosts, a stunning aged couple, went above and past, going so far as to go away a selfmade 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 particular person, whereas going for a two-course meal at a sit-down restaurant may cost you one thing nearer to $15-$20 per particular person, and let me let you know, I’ve by no means had a single chew 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 throughout the area itself is remarkably simple, too.
I’d extremely advocate getting your arms on a automotive, 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 aspect of the peninsula to the opposite for underneath an hour – that provides you loads of alternatives to see every thing I talked about up to now and extra.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here 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 throughout the submit.
