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Everyone knows 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 won’t 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 distant from the curious eyes of vacationers.
Living proof – Halkidiki.
The beautiful area that stretches over what locals name “the three fingers” is without doubt one of the greatest locations in the whole 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 Area Stuffed With Film-Like Seashores
I’m not right here to knock down the unimaginable attract of locations like Mykonos and Santorini – they’re each price a go to.
However 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 an alternative.
Similar to I discussed, the area is split into three “fingers,” and for many first-time guests, the primary peninsula, Kassandra, is the only option.
Right here, you gained’t solely discover among the liveliest cities (extra on that beneath), but additionally among 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 Seashore, particularly, are must-sees for all seashore fanatics, and the excellent news is that they’re all driving distance from each other.
For these of you keen to get adventurous, Kavourotripes Seashore in Sithonia and Ammouliani Island close to Mount Athos could be one of the best picks, although be warned that getting there isn’t as simple.
Taking In That Genuine Greek City Attraction
I’ve at all times been the type of traveler who seems to be for a superb mixture of pristine shores and energetic cities when touring throughout the summer season, and in Halkidiki, I’ve managed to search out simply that.
And whereas there are a variety of locations all through the area that match the invoice, if you happen to’d ask me to call my favourite, it might be Pefkochori.
The seashores seem like one thing straight out of a postcard, the city itself is energetic however nonetheless stuffed with that genuine Greek allure, and there’s a Lemonis Bakery (one among my all-time favourite locations to get desserts) proper close to the middle sq..
An in depth second could be Nea Moudania.
The seashores right here, whereas beautiful, lack a bit one thing in comparison with Pefkochori, however this one’s a correct metropolis and Halkidiki’s greatest municipality, so there’s extra to do and see right here.
And if you happen to don’t thoughts a quieter summer season retreat, I’d extremely advocate 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 if you happen to get them at Μπουγάτσα Kαφές Yammy-Yammy.
A Funds-Pleasant Mediterranean Getaway
There’s a motive why so many Greeks flock to Halkidiki throughout 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 worth.
Let’s begin with lodging.
Most locations within the area are both boutique lodges 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 lodge.
Final 12 months, I booked a 2-bedroom, 2-balcony residence 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 home made cake and a bottle of Raki behind.
Positive, the facilities won’t be the identical as what you’d get in a 5-start lodge, however the value-for-money ratio is insane.
The meals is fairly moderately priced, too.
Fast 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 superb.
The Excellent Place For These Who Need To Discover As A lot Of Greece In As Little Time As Potential
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 nearly 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 offers you loads of alternatives to see every little thing I talked about thus far and extra.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.