Variety of Blue/Green/Turkuaz Beaches for the sea lovers (Chalkidiki)

Member Name: TSOFA777

Product:	Chalkidiki
Date:	23/06/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful beaches for all tastes

Disadvantages: Prices are not cheap / the local's attitude

Chalkidiki or Halkidiki is an area near Thessaloniki (2nd biggest city in Greece). Halkidiki is consisted of the mainland and 3 peninsulas (or 3 'legs' of Halkidiki as we call them) that are full of lovely beaches for all tastes. Halkidiki used to attract lot tourism from Germany, but lately the main tourism comes from East Europe and the Balkans. It is a great place in the summer as long as you know where to go and you need to rent a car or a bike to access as many beaches as possible. You will find 'all inclusive' packages in Internet and many tourists prefer them. I wouldn't recommend it, because
a)there are hotels for all tastes and budgets, but generally they are not anything special to justify spending all your holiday in the hotel
b)there are so many beaches worth to see and usually these are not the ones in front of the hotel

In the mainland there are traditional villages that are good choice for winter mountain tourism, offering thermal spas and great tavernas (local restaurants with barbecue choices in the menu etc): the best one is Taxiarhis. There are also ancient ruins and museums in some places, like the ancient city of Olinthos.

Each of the 3 legs has something different to offer.
The first leg is the more lively, attracts mainly young people, with plenty exotic beaches, beach bars, clubs and 'bouzoukia' (bars with live local music and dancing). The busiest places are Kalithea, Kriopigi and Pefkohori. If you drive further down the first leg, there are even nicer beaches called 'Aigaiopelagitika' or 'Piratis. Lovely turkuaz waters and long sand beaches.
Another village that it worths visiting is 'Afitos' - a beautiful village, built on a hill with traditional style stone houses and breathtaking views... and some lovely tavernas for local fish and meat tastes (SOS: in Halkidiki and generally in Greece, you must try the fish and seafood in the local tavernas - it has nothing to do with 'fish & chips' - big variety and fish tastes that you won't expect). Only thing for Afitos is taht the sea is rocky, but there are other choices nearby.
*** You will find sea sports facilities, beach bars etc to many beaches.

Personally, the first leg is not my cup of tea, especially when it is too busy (July-August) and I definitely prefer the second leg, which offers more natural beauty and it is still much quitter and wilder than the first leg. The second leg is greener and the combination of forests and sea is magnificent. The trees some times are a few meters away from the waves... You will find some lovely beaches at Vourvourou, especially the beach 'Karidi' and the beach 'Kavourotripes', both a bit outside Vourvourou. Kavourotripes used to be a nude beach and known to a few people only, as it is hidden and difficult to access it, but now it is quite popular and unfortunately open to 'free camping', making the beach a bit dirty in the busy months. A beautiful town with loads of shops and tavernas is Marmaras.

The third Leg or 'Mountain Athos' is a religious place with many monasteries and is open to men for religious tourism only. Special laws and regime apply to this area and no woman has ever been there... there are some beaches at the beginning of the leg, before the monastery area starts, which are open to the public. These are really quite beaches and started developing the last years as 1st and 2nd leg get crowded.

Disadvantages for Halkidiki:
a)the locals... you will meet people with no manners and no 'hospitality' sense whatsoever... unlike the rest of north Greece.
b)prices are high considering the service most shops/hotels offer and compared to other international destinations.
c)not

Summary: For those who love sea choose the 2nd leg *** For a bit of night life as well, the 1st leg is ideal