Halkidiki Holidays

Halkidiki is a peninsula off the Greek mainland that is shaped like a hand, with three green fingers of land trailing into the blue Aegean Sea.

Halkidiki holidays are perfect for sun and beach worshipers, with 250 days of sunshine per year and 550km of coastline (including 96 Blue Flag beaches) to explore. The area is not as touristy as many of the Greek islands like Kos and Zante, so it's a great choice for some peace and quiet during your well-earned time off. With cheap flights and plenty of beach resorts dotted along Halkidiki's coastline, it is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday to Greece as a couple or with the family.

The peninsulas of Kasssandra and Sithonia are super welcoming to holidaymakers, making a great location for your beach break, with their stunning coastlines and natural beauty. Here, you'll find sun-kissed sands, secluded bays, quaint villages, modern resorts, pine-covered hills and crystal clear seas.

July and August is when Halkidiki has most to offer, but we think it's just as great at other times of the year.

When you're in Halkidiki, you can travel around by car or bus, but it's probably easiest to get around with a hire car, so you have more freedom to explore. Flights from the UK/Ireland arrive in Thessaloniki, and here at On the Beach, we've got some amazing holiday deals to make sure you get more holiday for your money!

Thinking of going All Inclusive? Take a look at some of our top All Inclusive properties in Halkidiki here!

Other Greece Holidays:

Popular Halkidiki hotels

Stunning Halkidiki resorts

Weather in Halkidiki

JAN

12^°C

FEB

12^°C

MAR

14^°C

APR

19^°C

MAY

23^°C

JUN

26^°C

JUL

30^°C

AUG

30^°C

SEP

24^°C

OCT

20^°C

NOV

15^°C

DEC

13^°C

Halkidiki has a mild Mediterranean climate, with very hot and sunny summers. The summer months are the best time for your Halkidiki holidays, when you can get down to the beach, enjoy water sports and work on your tan. The winter months from December to February are cooler and more cloudy with occasional showers. Spring and autumn are nice times to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful scenery, without the crowds.

FAQs

It takes around three and a half hours to fly to Halkidiki from the UK.

The local time in Halkidiki is two hours ahead of the UK.

The official currency used in Halkidiki is the Euro.

The official language spoken in Halkidiki is Greek.

Find out more about:

Greece holidays

All Inclusive holidays to Halkidiki

There are tons of things to do in Halkidiki, from cultural trips to sea kayaking and everything in-between.

There are over twenty archaeological sites in this area, including the remains of the 7th Century BC city-harbour at Akanthos, and the sanctuary at Nea Roda. You can even visit the birthplace of Aristotle, in the picturesque village of Stagira. A fine statue of the philosopher stands in the village, and the remains of the 16th Century 'Sultan's Mint' are nearby.

Petralona's Cave is another important historical and scientific site, with an anthropological museum located above the caves. And there is always The History and Folklore Museum in Arnia if you want to find out some interesting facts whilst escaping the heat.

One of the most famous places in the Halkidiki area is Mount Athos, a semi-autonomous monks' republic, home to Byzantine monasteries and art treasures. The monasteries are only open to males over the age of 18, and non-orthodox visitors need to apply for a permit in order to visit, from the Pilgrims' Bureau in Thessaloniki - only 10 non-orthodox visitors are permitted each day, and places can get booked up 6 months in advance. Women, or men unwilling to go through the application process, can take an offshore cruise from the resorts of Ierissos and Ouranoupoli to see Mount Athos and catch a glimpse of the monasteries.

If you're a water baby, you'll be glad to know there are plenty of opportunities to go splashing about in the sea whilst you're in Halkidiki. Rent kayaks, snorkelling gear or even a sailing boat to explore the beautiful blue of the Aegean. Want to try out a new experience whilst keeping your feet firmly on land? Book a visit to an organic agricultural farm or become a beekeeper for the day! Now that's something to write home about.

Culture
Halkidiki features throughout Greek mythology and has an ancient history. Settlements were established and eventually came under Macedonian rule in 348BC, and then Roman in 168BC.
During the Byzantine era the first monastery was built on Athos, and over time more monks arrived. After long struggles between Turks, Venetians and Greeks Halkidiki finally became part of the Greek Macedonia in 1912.
Evidence of a turbulent past is scattered across its lands, but today Halkidiki is the most peaceful and idyllic of places.
Halkidiki has cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Afytos and Sivri host The Kassandra Festival. The Porto Caras Festival in July features jazz, latin and traditional music. Sani holds a festival throughout July and August with all sorts of music and art on offer.
In Halkidiki, like the rest of Greece, Holy Week is a very special celebration with events in many towns and villages.
Nightlife
Every kind of nightlife is available for people on Halkidiki holidays: traditional tavernas, restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes. Afytos, on Kassandra peninsula, is a great place to spend an evening with, restaurants serving local dishes and live Greek music in the bars during summer weekends. Livelier nights can be had at the Pasha Bar at Nea Flogita, or if you want to party all night long, head to Sarti, over on Sithonia, and seek out The Goa Bar.
Most of the larger resorts and towns have bars and clubs that stay open late during the summer, but if you are after a more chilled out evening there are many traditional tavernas in the villages. In nightlife as in everything, all tastes are catered for in Halkidiki.

Places to visit

Ammouliani Island
This hidden gem of Halkidiki is well worth a visit. The island has only one village - with independent shops, family-run restaurants and plenty of little cafes to keep you hydrated in the sunshine - as well as a network of roads and tracks leading to small, secluded beaches, so it's the perfect escape for a quiet day by the sea. For only a few euros per person, you can hop on a 15-minute ferry from Tripiti to Ammouliani, and you can even take your rental car on with you to explore at the other end!

Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.

From 1st of January 2018, the Greek Government are charging a sustainable tourism tax on all overnight stays which will be payable on arrival in the hotel:

5-star hotels: €4 per room, per night
4-star hotels: €3 per room, per night
3-star hotels: €1.50 per room, per night
1-star & 2-star hotels: €0.50 per room, per night
1-4 key apartments: €0.50 per room, per night

We are currently closely following the Covid-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Greece on the FCDO website.

Halkidiki Holidays

Other Greece Holidays:

Popular Halkidiki hotels

Stunning Halkidiki resorts

Weather in Halkidiki

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

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FAQs

How long does it take to fly to Halkidiki?

What's the time difference between the UK and Halkidiki?

What currency do they use in Halkidiki?

What language do they speak in Halkidiki?

Find out more about:

Culture

Nightlife

Places to visit

Ammouliani Island

Key facts about Halkidiki

Language

Greek

Currency

Euro

Flight Time

Around 3.5 hrs

Time Difference

+2 hrs

Do I need any vaccinations to visit Halkidiki?

Do I need to pay tax on my holiday to Halkidiki?

Will Covid-19 affect my holiday to Halkidiki?