Beaches of Halkidiki: 11 of the most beautiful places on the peninsula.
- Лилия Денисенко
- Jan 5
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 6
The three-capped peninsula is a popular summer resort on mainland Greece. During our month-long trip, we were also truly amazed by Halkidiki's countless beaches, with their stunning coastal landscapes and mostly crystal-clear waters.
"Chalkidiki's nearly 550-kilometer coastline offers enough fabulous beaches to last a lifetime."
Of the 625 beaches in Greece awarded the Blue Flag for excellence in 2024, 104 are located in Chalkidiki. This means that this green peninsula near Thessaloniki is home to the largest number of beaches in the country that have received this quality seal for sustainable tourism.
Many beaches have light sand, but there are also stretches of coastline with fine golden pebbles and large, multicolored rocks. Some swimming spots are reminiscent of the Caribbean or the Seychelles. However, in July and August, be prepared to share space with numerous other sunbathers at the most popular beaches.
In contrast, most beaches are exceptionally quiet in the off-season. In mid-May, the water temperature is around 19 degrees Celsius, and at the end of September, I enjoyed a pleasant sea temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. In this post, I'll share my favorite swimming spots and the most beautiful beaches in Chalkidiki.
Halkidiki Beaches in Kassandra
1. Afytos Beach
In the northeast of Kassandra, adjacent to the charming village of Afytos, lies a beautiful sandy beach that is rarely crowded, especially in the off-season. This is unsurprising, as most of the activity is concentrated in the village located higher up. The crystal-clear waters are very shallow near the shore, making it an ideal place for small children to swim.
Afitos Beach can be reached by car or by foot, following the steps leading from the Notos bar in town. The northern part of the beach is particularly suitable for swimming, as the entry into the sea there is less rocky. Free parking is located directly behind Afitos Beach.
→ Hotel recommendations on Afitos Beach (links to Booking.com*):
2. Simantro Beach
This golden sand beach is located in the northwest of Kassandra. Simantro Beach, also known as Golden Beach, is characterized by very shallow and crystal-clear waters. A 50-meter cliff rises at the northern end of the coast. It's an ideal spot for swimming, especially for families with children.
During the off-season, the beach is almost deserted and untouched. In the summer, a local hotel sets up sun loungers at the southern end of the beach. Parking is available on a dirt access road directly behind the beach, next to a wooded area. Above the coast, the Sani Walk trail leads idyllically through a pine forest to Sani Beach.
3. Stavronikita Beach
Above the Sani resort, the Stavronikita dune beach stretches for several kilometers. It is largely untouched and consists of fine, light sand. Strong winds create quite high waves, but in calm weather, the whole family can enjoy a relaxing day on the beach; the sea slopes gently toward the shore.
Just beyond the dunes of Stavronikita Beach lies a wonderful green pine forest. The atmosphere of the Baltic Sea is unmistakably palpable here. You can park in the northern part of the Sani resort, near the fire station. From there, the beach is about a 10-minute walk away.
→ Hotel recommendations on Stavronikita Beach (links to Booking.com*):
Beaches of Chalkidiki in Sithonia
Destenika Beach
In the southwest of Sithonia lies one of Chalkidiki's favorite beaches, just five minutes from the resort town of Toroni. Destenika Beach is quite wide, with beige sand and surrounded by lush vegetation. Except for the adjacent areas, which include a campsite and a beach bar with sun loungers, it is largely unspoiled.
There's enough space in the center to lay out a towel. It was wonderfully quiet here at the end of September, and we were able to truly enjoy the almost exotic atmosphere. In summer, you can visit the neighboring beaches of Bogi, Ema, and Louka, located further south.
→ Hotel recommendations on Destenika Beach (links to Booking.co)m*):
5 Kalogria Beach
Kalogria Beach in northwestern Sithonia is one of the most popular beaches in Halkidiki. It's no wonder: the long, light-colored sandy beach is lapped by a dazzling turquoise sea, with green pine forests rising in the background. When the wind is calm, the sea is crystal clear, and snorkelers can enjoy the rocky reef offshore.
During the high season, up to six beach bars offer drinks of varying quality, but due to competition, a pair of sun loungers costs around 15 euros. During the off-season, only one bar is open, offering a virtually untouched swimming area. If you find the summer too crowded, you can head to Koviou Beach in the north or Spathies Beach (accessible only by foot) in the south.
→ Hotel recommendations on Kalogria Beach (links to Booking.com*):
6. Karidi Beach
If the pine forest at Karidi Beach were replaced with palm trees, vacationers would feel almost like they were in the Caribbean. The famous Vourvourou Beach, with its impressive rock formations and azure waters, is a signature feature of the Sithonia peninsula and has graced the covers of many travel brochures.
The swimming area is narrow, but the light gray sand is very fine, and the entry into the sea is quite shallow. Families with children feel especially comfortable here. The rocky landscape of "Rocks on the Beach" separating the beaches is a true playground for adults and offers excellent photo opportunities.
In summer, it's best to visit this beach only for photography, unless you don't mind swimming in warm, murky water with hundreds of other people. Furthermore, parking is a chore, and there's no operator, meaning there are no changing rooms, showers, or restrooms.
The further you get from the main beach, the quieter it becomes. There are several secluded coves along the shore. If Karidi Beach seems too crowded, try Fava Beach, which also has light, fine sand but with slightly deeper water. This beach is accessible only on foot, ideally from the church of Agiou Theona.
→ Recommendations for hotels on Karidi Beach (links to Booking.com*):
7 Platanitsi Beach
Platanitsi Beach is located about 10 minutes north of Sarti and is a truly idyllic spot. The wide beach stretches for 600 meters, where fine pebbles meet turquoise water. A river runs through the beach, and rocks jut into the sea at the northern end, offering a stunning backdrop to Mount Athos while swimming.
Not long ago, unauthorized tourists roamed here, right by the sea. Local authorities intervened and evicted the illegal campers, so the beach, with the exception of an official campsite, remains untouched. The best view of the bay is from the ANDROKLIS canteen located above it.
Platanitsi Beach can be reached either through the campsite (even if you don't plan to pitch tents, you'll need ID as collateral) or by a dirt road (GPS 40.118393, 23.970970) from the main road. Adventurers can follow trails to two other beaches, which remain deserted even in summer.
8 Beaches of Kriaritsi
If the Greek government's plans, drawn up several decades ago, had come to fruition, Kriaritsi would today be a thriving region with resorts, spa hotels, and luxury residential buildings. But the Kriaritsi project failed due to bureaucracy and a lack of funds; aside from a network of roads with bridges and countless empty lots, there's nothing there.
Now, beautiful bays and beaches are available for secluded vacationers, free from the crowds. Driving from Paralia Sykia, you'll pass several picturesque bays, including Klimataria Beach. In our opinion, it would be among the top 15 best beaches in Greece if it weren't so crowded with sun loungers.
More attractive are the smaller beaches: Prassou, Tigania, and Golden. While swimming on these golden sandy beaches, you'll always have a view of Mount Athos—what a paradise! The largest swimming area is Kriaritsi Beach, located in a circular bay, where there's also an official campsite for vacationers.
If all this seems too quiet for you, head a little further south to Kalamitsi. This resort village with an idyllic bay is quite popular, but it exudes a fantastic holiday atmosphere! Kalamitsi Beach, with its rocky Rhinoceros Island, also has an exotic flair. A pair of sun loungers starts at 15 euros.
Halkidiki Beaches in the East
Vina Beach
In the eastern part of Halkidiki, sunbathers will find numerous magnificent beaches, mostly with fine sand and lush vegetation extending right to the water's edge. Several excellent swimming spots are located around the resort town of Olympiada, the most famous of which are Proti Ammoudia and Babylon beaches.
But I also really liked Vina Beach. It's not too crowded yet, and two restaurants (recommendation: Toto's Beach Bar) serve hungry vacationers and rent out sun loungers. There's still plenty of room for your own towel. At the northern end, there's a rock jutting out into the sea that might be interesting for snorkelers.
10. Develiki Beach
Like a Gallic village, Develiki resists the rapid development of tourism in Halkidiki. Its approximately 40 residents share the kilometer-long idyllic beach with only a few individualists seeking peace and quiet. For tourists who make the long journey to this remote village, a canteen and restaurant are available.
The beige beach of Develiki consists of sand and pebbles and enchants with its wild beauty – not a single sun lounger disturbs the landscape. At the eastern end, on a hill, is the small chapel of St. Marina, a place of meditation with views of Ammouliani Island and Mount Athos.
→ Hotel recommendations on Develiki Beach (links to Booking.com*):
11 Beaches of Ammouliani
The tiny island of Ammouliani, just 12 square kilometers in size, is located in the Gulf of Athos (also known as the Singithos Gulf) and is just a 10-minute ferry ride from the coast of Halkidiki. It attracts vacationers, offering both the typical charm of the Greek islands and numerous idyllic beaches for watersports enthusiasts.
The most famous beach in Ammouliani and one of the most beautiful in Halkidiki is Alikes Beach, a long, dune-like stretch of sand on the western side of the island. Many tourists come specifically for this beach, so it's always crowded. Even in September, it was a bit too crowded for our tastes. Further north is Karagatsia Beach, a fantastic seaside resort with ochre-colored sand and dense forest stretching right down to the sea.
The southern beaches of Amouliani are much quieter. A great place for swimming with small children is Agios Georgios Beach, where the sea is incredibly clear. The Gripos Beach Bar is a wonderful place to relax. However, our favorite was Megali Ammos Beach, an idyllic spot with fine pebbles and turquoise waters.
→ Tips for choosing an Amouliani hotel (links to Booking.com*):
Excursions and tours to the beaches of Halkidiki
From the coastal towns of Halkidiki, such as Ouranoupoli, Neos Marmaras, and Pefkohori, you can explore the peninsula's numerous bays by boat. Below, we've listed three popular tours that you can book directly through our partner GetYourGuide*:
→ Find more articles and numerous travel tips for Halkidiki here:
Blog about Halkidiki (Regional Overview)
*Support my blog, Aegean Notebooks
This post contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk (*). If you book or purchase something through one of these links, I receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you. This helps me continue providing high-quality content for free. Did you enjoy this post and want to say thank you? Then just buy me my next Greek coffee.☕️ [Link to coffee fund]
Comments