Kassandra is the first (western) finger of the Halkidiki peninsula and the closest to Thessaloniki.
Cassandra (Greek Κασσάνδρα) - in ancient Greek mythology, the daughter of the last Trojan king Priam and his second wife Hecuba. She received a prophetic gift from Apollo, who fell in love with her, but because she did not reciprocate, he made it so that no one believed Cassandra's predictions. But what she predicted was embodied in the death of Troy.

Autotravel. Cassandra.

Our road trip to Halkidiki was two days long. The first day is dedicated entirely to Cassandra. The trip began in Thessaloniki and ended there. The peninsula is about 80 km from there. The road is generally good. There were small traffic jams at the exit from the city, but this is Saturday morning, summer residents .... But in general the roads are free.

There are two roads from Thessaloniki: along the coast and directly. We chose the second one that day, route #25.
Along the way, there are farmlands in the form of centuries-old olive orchards. The plantations are small, so the question tormented me about this: how much the owners of these olives can earn on them ...

Nea Moudania.

In front of the entrance to Kassandra is the town of Nea Moudania. I don’t know how it is translated (I called it “New Wisdom”.

This is a quiet resort town. We visited the local church here. Greek churches differ from Russian ones only in the presence of chairs for parishioners.

Well, and also the fact that palm trees grow around them ...

There is not far from Nea Mudenia and its own Kremlin. Huge banquet hall for 500 people. Yes, that's how they walk in Greece. They can afford to party in the Kremlin.

So let's move on. Ahead is our goal - the picturesque Kassandra.
Cars on the road are mostly small cars. This is understandable: after the decrease in gasoline prices in 2016, a liter costs 1.4 €, and before that it was about 2, and the roads are even even in the most remote corners, i.e. SUVs are not needed by most people. The speed limit is approximately the same as here in Russia - 90, 60. There are also cameras. So don't break it. The first city in Kassandra where we walked is located on the coast. This is Afitos...

Afitos.

Afytos is a resort town on the east coast of Kassandra. Once it was a large significant city, but in the 4th century it was completely destroyed by the Macedonian king Philip.

Now in Afytos, from the sights you can see the church of Demetrius of the 19th century.

And stroll through the cozy Greek streets.

The next town on our way is Kallithea (Greek for “beautiful view”). And the views here are really beautiful. During the times of Ancient Greece, the then Greeks built the temple of Zeus here and this city was a center of pilgrimage. The remains of this temple can be seen today.

Well, the main purpose of stopping in Kallithea for us was the beach. This is one of the best beaches in Halkidiki.

But most of all I was surprised not by the transparent sea water, and not beautiful views, and not well-equipped beaches ... Most of all, I was surprised that all the beaches in Greece (even the coolest ones, near star hotels) are public. Anyone can come (and come - there are parking lots everywhere) to any beach and spend as much time as you want on it. This is something we gladly took advantage of.

There is, however, a fly in the ointment in this huge barrel of honey - these are the new Russian owners of hotels. They spit on Greek laws and begin to fence off their territories (turn Halkidiki into the Krasnodar coast), which causes irritation and sometimes even hatred of local residents.
As in any resort town, there are many souvenir shops, taverns and other entertainment in Calathea.
And our path now lies on the west coast, towards the city of Siviri.

Cassandra. West Coast.

Siviri is a resort town with great beaches, beautiful nature. The nature here is different from the nature of the east coast. There are steeper coasts, hills, forests.

We drive towards the village of Skala Fourkas. We meet less and less cars, and more and more forest (pine forest). There are no mushrooms there (maybe not the season), but most likely they are not there at all.
There are many cottages of the inhabitants of Thessaloniki. A holiday village in general, a hundred kilometers from the city on the sea coast.

We pass by beautiful small villages with the aim of stopping and having a good meal in Loutra. On the way I met a bus with Ukrainian numbers. Carriers decomposed thoroughly there. Good parking pockets everywhere.

Nea Skioni.

On the way to Loutra, we passed the village of Nea Skioni, imperceptible at first glance. Nope, i.e. new because there was an ancient Skioni.
That ancient Skioni (4 km from the new one) was built after the Trojan War and is mentioned as the first colony of southern Greeks on the territory of Chalkidiki. Warriors from the Pellini region after the fall of Troy returned home on ships loaded with booty. Sailing through Halkidiki, the ships landed on the northwestern coast of Kassandra to replenish their water and food supplies. While the soldiers were on land, the Trojan slaves burned the ships and forced the soldiers to stay forever on the Kassandra peninsula. The settlement founded by the soldiers was called Skioni. There is such a legend.

Loutra.

Loutra is a wonderful resort village. It is known for its hydrogen sulfide springs. We did not go to the sources, because. more attractive to me was the village itself and its beaches.

Yes, and you can drink a bottle of beer with such food and with gorgeous views of the sea, pine trees, and boats with fishermen. In Greece 1 bottle. beer for drivers is allowed. The police did not stop even once in a week of trips. I tried not to break the rules. So my sister (thanks to her for these trips), having entrusted me with her beloved Toyota, slept peacefully.
After a delicious dinner, we walked around the village, along the beach. You can hear speech from all over the world here, they come by car on buses (yeah, with Ukrainian numbers too), rent houses, rooms and go crazy. Unlike the noisy east coast towns, this is a kind of wilderness. Wonderful backwoods of Halkidiki.

I didn't want to leave, but it was getting dark. And we still have a road. To Pefkohori and Thessaloniki.

Pefkohori (Greek “pine village”).

Well, I used to give my names. In general, this is Sosnovka. The road from Loutra to Pefkohori passes through hilly and wooded areas. The views are very beautiful. And the beaches are amazing too. But… it was getting dark! It was time to hit the road. Thessaloniki is just over 100 km from here. And we had another trip ahead of us.

Post Views: 6 207

Dias is a fine restaurant located in picturesque corner nature - on the outskirts of the village of Kassandra. The institution is located in a well-groomed green garden, from which magnificent sea views open. On the menu here you will find a huge selection of Greek dishes, the fish is cooked just fine, but the side dish is mostly simple and the same. Homemade wine, which has a slightly tart taste and delicate aroma, is very popular with tourists. The service in the restaurant is top notch, the portions are large and satisfying, and the prices are pleasantly surprising. Some tables are located on the very edge of the cliff, from where a magnificent panorama of the village opens. You can pay your bill either in cash or by credit card.

The specialties of "Dias" are "Ladeniya" - a delicious huge pizza with mussels and shrimps, "Revithia" - mashed chickpea soup, and gouvetsi - baked meat with pasta. This restaurant is perfect for romantic dates and relaxing family vacation. Here you can not only have a delicious meal, but also relax, forgetting about the everyday bustle for a while.

Coordinates: 40.07556300,23.44757500

Afytos village

Afytos is a traditional historical village that impresses with its architecture. Here you will find cobbled streets, fountains, houses and historical temples. This is a magnificent place with wonderful vegetation and great monuments of Neolithic history. Its first name is Afitis.

In ancient times, Aphitis had its own currency and was a member of the Athenian competitions. Scientists learned about this from the excavations of the famous temple of Zeus in Kallithea, as well as the sanctuary of Dionysus.

Among the local attractions, it is worth noting the Church of St. Demetrius, located on the central square, with a dome built in 1858, the restored mansion of Katsanis and the house of the artist Parali. The exhibition of works by the famous sculptor Pavlis also pleases the eye.

This historical village was destroyed in 1821 by the Turks and almost immediately restored. This is a wonderful place for a family holiday.

Coordinates: 40.09843400,23.43636700

What sights of Kassandra did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Kallithea village

The word "Kallithea" can be replaced by a synonym for "holiday in Greece" or "Kassandra, Halkidiki". Kassandra is the most densely populated place in Halkidiki, almost all the villages are packed with tourists in the summer. However, it should be noted that there are also dense, quiet forests, where only a tourist who knows the way will get there.

The village of Kallithea is located on the eastern bank of Kassandra. In good and clear weather, the top of Mount Athos is clearly visible.

In 1925, the Greeks built the modern village of Kallithea. Before these times, the lands were the property of Russian monks from the monastery of St. Panteleimon.

As elsewhere in Greece, there are archaeological sites in Kallithea. The main one is the remains ancient temple Ammon Zeus, located right by the sea. This temple was discovered while trying to build a hotel. During subsequent excavations, other very interesting discoveries were made.

Coordinates: 37.95575200,23.69868100

The small town of Kallithea is now widely known for its magnificent beaches and noisy discos, but once it was a place of religious pilgrimage. Believers came here to worship the god Zeus-Ammon.

The temple was discovered quite by accident in 1969. During the construction of a new hotel on the seashore, builders stumbled upon the remains of ancient walls. Unfortunately, part of the sanctuary was irretrievably lost, but what was saved allowed archaeologists to recreate the history of the temple. Obviously, the worship of Zeus-Ammon began when the Greeks from the city of Cyrene (modern Libya) visited the shrine of Ammon, the Egyptian god-oracle in the oasis of Siwa, lost in the Libyan desert.

The temple of Zeus-Ammon, standing near the sea, had six Doric columns on its transverse sides and eleven on the longitudinal ones. Judging by the proportions of the entire structure, the temple was built in the 4th century BC. e. The main building material was local limestone, and the entire surface was faced with a layer of white marble. The roof was made of embossed clay tiles. By the few preserved architectural elements, one can judge the grandeur of the ancient building.

Today, the territory of the sanctuary is open to the public. The ruins of the temple of Zeus-Ammon are attractive, first of all, for their solid age, which deserves our respect.

Coordinates: 40.07716300,23.44857100

Olynthos Archaeological Reserve

Olynthos is one of the oldest cities in the Halkidiki peninsula, which makes it possible to see firsthand the principle of the structure and planning of Greek settlements that arose even before the advent of our era.

The ancient city arose on a plain, in the center of Toroni Bay, back in the 7th century BC. There are two versions of the explanation of its name: according to the first version, it is associated with the name of the son of the mythological Hercules, and according to the second, Olyntas was the name of the son of the king of Thrace, who was killed while hunting lions. As a result of archaeological excavations today, the ruins of the once beautiful city with large buildings decorated with mosaics and a well-developed sewage system. As a rule, the houses had two floors and a courtyard. Agora was located in the southern part of the city ( market Square), and in the east - the houses of wealthy citizens. The remains of ancient mansions found as a result of excavations received symbolic names: Good Luck, Actor, Gemini-Eros. Fragments of mosaic floors, ceramic vessels, jewelry and clay figurines were found here.

Since 1998 on the territory of archaeological excavations ancient city Olynthos works Archaeological Museum. The main purpose of this museum is to demonstrate to visitors a complete historical picture of the ancient city, as well as a description of the progress of excavations and restoration work.

Coordinates: 40.29671200,23.35418700

Hanioti village

The small tourist village of Hanioti is specially designed for tourists, so everything is provided here for a comfortable stay. Numerous cafes, shops, hotels and beautiful beaches and attract tourists who are seduced by the soft Greek sun.

In local shops you can buy various gizmos with a pronounced creative focus: original ceramics, paintings, jewelry, souvenirs, books, as well as various local products.

The busiest place in Hanioti is the central square, where many cafes and bars are built.

The village itself is conducive to walking and relaxing - there are parks with fountains and benches, beautiful streets, cafes and taverns with delicious food. The village is an hour's drive from Thessaloniki, so it can be reached by bus.

Coordinates: 40.00112300,23.57496500

Gulf of Kassandra

The Gulf of Kassandra stretches from north to south along the coast of the sea. Its length is one hundred meters. Several dozen rivers flow into it. The shores of the bay are mainly occupied by urban and private beaches. Although there are wetlands. The northern part of Kassandra was substantiated by many comfortable five-star hotels and hotels. In the south of the bay are farmlands.

Along the banks of Kassandra there are a lot of fields that are rich in lush green grass. For animals, these are heavenly conditions when, on the one hand, such delicacies, and on the other, a reservoir.

Next to the Gulf of Kassandra is the Gulf of Thermaikos. They are interconnected by a small artificial canal Potidea, which was dug recently. In this channel there is a small port where boats, both tourist and fishing, land. For a fee, from there you can go on a tour of the coastal zone or go on gambling fishing.

Coordinates: 40.28031100,23.73041200

The most popular attractions in Kassandra with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Kassandra on our website.

One of the favorite resort places among the Greeks themselves and foreign tourists is a peninsula in the north-east of Greece, with its outlines on the map resembling an open three-fingered palm. And most of all hotels are on the first, western finger of Halkidiki: Kassandra, this is the name of this “peninsula on a peninsula”.

general information

The "finger" of Cassandra has come out of the land for 50 km and its coast is washed by clear waters Aegean Sea: The western coast overlooks the Thermaikos Gulf, and the eastern beaches of the peninsula are located on the shores of the Toroneos Gulf. At its widest point, from the western to the eastern coast, it is approximately 15 km.

What does the peninsula look like from a bird's eye view? Birds, unfortunately, will not tell us this. But shooting from a helicopter, paraglider or using a controlled photo drone will please you with beautiful cozy bays and emerald hills with unique plants. Then the rich and bright greenery from the hills slowly descends and smoothly turns into an endless thread of the beach coast. True, in some places this thread breaks, giving way to picturesque sheer cliffs and stones.

And in the shade of the green pines on Kassandra, the necklaces of luxury hotels are hidden. There are restaurants, taverns and many entertainment venues here.

Unlike the other two finger-teeth of Halkidiki - Sithonia and Athos, in some resort villages of Kassandra, a vibrant nightlife is in full swing. The peninsula of Kassandra is the most populated and developed by tourists in the Halkidiki region. All three summer months, at the peak of the season, coinciding with vacation time, there is a real invasion of young people and just party lovers.

Weather

The sunniest days are in July and August, only one day at this time can be gloomy, and the other 30 days - not a single cloud. In June, the sun shines in the sky over Kassandra for an average of 28 days. The warmest of all is also in the last two summer months, +29-30 ⁰С, and in June the daytime temperature, according to long-term observations, is +26.4 ⁰С. And the sea is also warmest in summer, + 24.9-29.9 ⁰С. In summer, rains are not heavy, only 8-20 mm.

You can swim on the beaches of Kassandra and Chalkidiki in general from mid-May to mid-October.

In winter, Kassandra has + 10-13 degrees, and it rains the most in early autumn (about 3 days in September), at the end of winter, in February - 4 days, and in early spring (March) - also 4 days. It can rain in January and February, but in March the most precipitation falls - about 52 mm, this is the “wettest” month on Kassandra. In winter, small winds blow over the peninsula - about 4.2-4.7 m / s.

Beaches and resorts

Many of the beaches of Kassandra are marked with the Blue Flag for meeting European standards, and the best beaches in Halkidiki are located here. Let's make a short review and visit some of the famous resorts and beaches of the peninsula.

This town, located on both sides of the main highway of the peninsula, is a kind of “gateway to Kassandra”. To get here, you need to overcome the bridge over the ancient canal, which simultaneously connects two sea bays of the Aegean Sea and separates the northern part of the “palm” of Halkidiki from Kassandra. Or just sail on a pleasure boat from anywhere on the Greek coast. The canal was dug 2000 years ago and reconstructed in 1930.

And although the modern settlement for Greek refugees from Turkey was founded here less than a hundred years ago (in 1922), the history of this place is ancient, rich and entertaining.

Now Nea Potidea is a multi-profile resort of Kassandra with excellent beaches, developed infrastructure and entertainment for every taste: windsurfing, diving, parasailing. On the local beaches you can play beach volleyball, billiards and tennis.

This place also has comfortable beach hotels (Potidea Palace, Pomegranate Spa Hotel), and inexpensive budget, attracting young people.

Pomegranate Spa Hotel

There are good sandy and sandy-pebble beaches and hotels in Nea Pontidea on both banks, but they are mainly located on the east: the beach line is wider and longer there. The sand is golden and the sea is shallow and clear. The embankment here is lively, with taverns, a variety of shops and souvenir shops. Lots of bars and discos.

And on the west coast there is a small pier where fishing schooners stand and you can rent a boat. This resort in Halkidiki is popular among the locals.

Most of the hotels on Kassandra are on the east coast, although the most famous Sani complex is located almost at the beginning of the western coastline. Let's start with him.

Sani resort is the largest in Kassandra. The complex of 4-5 star hotels is built in the north-west of the peninsula and occupies a vast territory.

In the center of the complex there is a bay for boats and yachts. The beaches from there stretch on two sides, the sandy strip is mostly wide. The entrance to the sea is convenient for children and adults and also sandy. There are discos, animation for children. The beaches are always crowded.

Let's continue the journey of Kassandra along the eastern part of the peninsula, "looking" at the Gulf of Toroneos and the neighboring finger - Sithonia. From Nea Pontidea we move from north to south.

The best place on Kassandra for a relaxing family holiday with young children. In Nea Fokea there are two beaches on opposite sides of the bay, both of coarse sand, there are small pebbles. More visitors on the beach, which is closer to the tower, near the pier. Here in the beach bar there are umbrellas and air mattresses. On the beach a little further along the coast in a southerly direction, there are fewer people and it is almost wild. There are always a lot of fishing boats in the picturesque estuary, and in summer there are yachts and cruise boats. The water, like everywhere else on Kassandra, is clean and transparent.

A playground is equipped for children, all attractions are free, often performances are held in the center of the village for children puppet theater, with Greek dances and songs, the local folklore ensemble performs.

"Stone Balcony" of Halkidiki - that's what they call small village Afytos on the east coast of Kassandra in Greece.

The houses here are also stone, like the streets of the village - they are all paved with stone at different times.

Walking around the town is a pleasure: both the central shopping street with shops and souvenir shops, and the very quiet and shady side streets at a leisurely pace.

There are many flowers in pots here, hydrangea of ​​different shades has already become Afytos' trademark.

The settlement is located approximately 500 meters above sea level, so the beach line of the village and the sea itself are all below.

So observation deck marvelous sea views of the Gulf of Toroneos. Your vacation photos from Greece will be great if you don’t forget to take a few shots with seascapes. And in good weather, the outlines of the mountains in Sithonia are clearly visible from a height.

But the descent to the sea, and especially the ascent from the beach to the village on a hot day, is tiring on foot and takes from 20 minutes to half an hour. You can drive to the beach by car and look for parking near one of the few hotels on the coast.

The beach stretches for 4 kilometers, in some places it is divided into small separate beaches, each of which has its own name: Afitis, Aristotelis, Varka, Mudunu and Liosi.

There are also several taverns and cafes downstairs, in which, for taking a drink at the bar, they will give you a sunbed and an umbrella - at least for the whole day. Several shower points are equipped, but they are open, without booths. You can not take bottled water with you and do not buy it in a cafe: you will not suffer from thirst, water faucets are installed in several places, and drinking water very tasty here. The beaches are not crowded and quiet even in the high season.

The water in the sea is of wonderful color and clean, but the entrance for swimming is difficult - there are many huge boulders or gently sloping flat and very slippery stones. There is a danger of stepping on a sea urchin, so rubber slippers on the beaches of Afytos are desirable when swimming, or better, mandatory. Probably for these reasons, many tourists who have chosen this interesting place for recreation live in Afytos, and go to the nearby beaches to swim in other villages on the coast.

Resort Kalithea on Kassandra - the most popular place to Halkidiki. A distinctive feature of the beaches on the coastline of Kallithea is the amazing properties of its sand. If you look at the seabed on a sunny day, it seems that everything is in small, small sparkles. The sea here is always calm: the low mountains of the first two fingers of Halkidiki do not let sea winds and elements into the bay, so even a small storm is a rare phenomenon.

Throughout Kallitheas Beach are well equipped. In addition to the mandatory good beach sun loungers, there is a sports town, a water sports center, comfortable changing cabins. There is always coffee in the nearest tavern and you can have a cheap snack.

The most convenient place for swimming, especially with children, is near the Ammon Zeus hotel. There is no danger of meeting sea ​​urchins, there are no stones either, and the entrance to the water is quite gentle. There are shells, beautiful, although small.

According to tourists, the sections on the segment near the hotels of Macedonia San and Aphos are also good. The entire beach line is quite wide.

Ahoy Club

Kallithea - center nightlife peninsula of Kassandra in Greece. During the season in the local clubs you can meet many famous and popular Greek pop stars, they come to the resort with their concerts.

The most popular club places are Aqua, Pearl, Circo and Ahoy Club. Entrance to the nightclubs of Kallithea costs 10 euros, the price includes small single portions of alcoholic cocktails and beer. Nightclubs are located at a considerable distance from the city limits and do not interfere with the sleep of vacationers.

cryopigi

The beach line of Kriopigi (between Kallithea and Polichrono) starts from the ALEXANDER the GREAT BEACH hotel and stretches to the beach near KASSANDRA PALACE.

7 km of white sand and small pebbles at the water's edge, a pine forest near the sea, wonderful air, calm water, a quiet measured rest in numerous hotels, guest houses and campsites, wonderful views - this is how the resort of Kriopigi on Kassandra is seen by everyone who loves this coast and visits Halkidiki year after year.

There is very tasty spring water, and the warm current in the sea is sometimes punctuated by cold stripes. Kriopigi is Greek for "cold springs". The village and the entire resort infrastructure are higher, and the road from there to the central beach of Pigadakya at the campsite takes about 15 minutes, by tram you can get there in 5-7 minutes.

The beach is equipped with sun loungers, showers and changing rooms, there is a boat rental and a bar with a tavern on the terrace just above the beach. The entrance to the sea is gentle, but in some places there is a danger of stepping on a sea urchin.

A small town closer to the southeastern part of the Kassandra peninsula in Chalkidiki. Wonderful beach with a full range of services, wonderful big park, resort shops and cafes, taverns, restaurants. One of the shopping places in Greece where you can successfully buy good fur products. All fashionistas come here for fur coats.

Pefkohori

This town stretched along the sea, the penultimate one on the eastern coast of Kassandra, is known not only for its beautiful promenade, beaches and pine trees. In the nearby mountains there are many apiaries that produce the best honey in Greece. There are olive groves nearby, and the oil from local olives is of excellent quality. The resort is popular among European tourists.

Where to stay and what to eat

Hotels, rentals

Akrogiali Boutique Hotel

On the Internet, on various travel portals, you can choose among more than six hundred housing options on Kassandra. These are apartments, villas, guest houses and, of course, hotels. Exactly one and a half dozen hotels on the peninsula are huge resort beach complexes, the rest, about two hundred of them, are ordinary. Some hotels and apartments, thanks to the reviews of tourists, have the highest score of 10 for all comparable indicators. Moreover, elite five-star hotels and small hotels with one star can coexist in this rating.

By the way, housing level * 1 and ** 2 and without them on Kassandra most of all. At the height of the season, the cost of a double room per night ranges from 40-90 euros.

Mirabilia Boutique Hotel

Prices for rental housing class ***3 in July are about 60-200 euros, ****4 from 100 to 250 euros, and a room in a five-star hotel will cost tourists 200-600 euros.

Usually breakfast is included in the price, and sometimes dinner. But in order for your summer vacation in Greece on the Kassandra peninsula to pass without surprises, take care of housing in advance, because by the beginning of the year most of the rooms in the local hotels are not available for booking. In addition, early booking can sometimes save a lot.

If you are not a fan of package tours, but prefer solo travel, it makes sense to rent accommodation on services like Airbnb or on the popular local Holiday Greece. On the first one, Kassandra cannot boast of a large selection, and on the second one, there are quite adequate and profitable offers.

The White Villa at Sani

For example, it is easy to rent a ****4-star villa for the whole family or a company of 4-6 people for 180-200 euros per day. Such a villa can be located in the area of ​​large beach hotels, where all the resort infrastructure is nearby, and you can save on food in comparison with a hotel. These options always have a built-in kitchen unit, and a barbecue in a cozy area.

A separate apartment (2-4 people) in resort towns with excellent beaches in July can cost 50-70 euros per day, and during the peak of the high season in Greece it is very cheap.

Naturally, prices in early spring and in October are somewhat lower, and many travelers who are interested in not only a beach holiday, willingly take advantage of this circumstance. After all, spring and autumn in Greece are also beautiful, and this is the most comfortable time for cognitive and walking tours. Yes, and the photo archive of tourists traveling along Kassandra to Halkidiki not in the high season is much more diverse and interesting than that of “beach people” who have no choice, who are too lazy to go on excursions in the summer.

Find out the RATES or book any accommodation using this form

What to try on Kassandra and how much it costs

You can eat delicious food in Greece everywhere - the Greeks themselves love it, and they will prepare and offer wonderful dishes of national cuisine for guests.

As throughout the country on the peninsula in restaurants, taverns and other establishments, you can try Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, seafood dishes and international cuisine. Most restaurants have indoor spaces, but almost all have outdoor seasonal areas with wonderful views of the sea ​​bays and neighboring islands.

Average bill for dinner or lunch for two good restaurant with moderate prices will cost 40-65 euros. On the menu you can choose from: meat dishes, seafood, fresh fish dishes, good wine, cheese and olives, honey. As a gift from the institution, you can get a dish with fresh fruit. Many restaurants have live music in the evenings.

Here approximate prices:

Greek salad

• a huge portion of Greek salad - 6-7 euros,
• meat dishes - 9-10 euros,
• vegetables stuffed with meat and rice - 7-8 euros,
• large shrimp cooked on the grill and served on a large platter - 15-17 euros.

You can have a quick bite or take food with you in small cafes, taverns and beach bars on the beach. The range includes local puff pastries with cheese, spinach and other fillings for 1-2 euros (piece), salad and simple snacks from 4 euros. A large pizza for a company will cost 10-15 euros.

All cafes and restaurants on Kassandra start working from 11-12 o'clock, and finish late in the evening or at night. In many places the staff speaks Russian.

The prices on the page are for the 2018 season.

Attractions

Aristotle

Myths are the main thing with which the history of every corner of Greece is connected. The homeland of Aristotle Cassandra is no exception, it is believed that many battles of the ten-year battle of the Olympian gods with the Titans (Giants) took place here.

Previously, the peninsula had other names: once it bore the name Flegra, they also called him Palini, after one of the daughters of the chief of the Titans. But when King Cassander appeared on these lands and built the city of Cassandria, the first finger of Halkidiki also began to be called Cassandra.

In the Greek villages and towns, located both on the coast and closer to the center of the axis of the Kassandra Peninsula, there are many ancient monuments and attractions.

But from the very beginning a little about the modern sights of this resort region, which attracts many tourists from all countries and also the Greeks themselves.

Harbor Sani (Sani Marina)

Adjacent to the surrounding harbor luxury hotels this place is associatively easy to compare with a five-star hotel for yachts. Sea vessels up to 25 meters long can moor at its 215 berths. Marina is huge - 32 thousand square meters. m. Here you can see the masts of luxurious snow-white yachts of a million-dollar value, and colorful fishing boats, and boats of local fishermen.

There is a sidewalk along the perimeter of the entire harbor. This is the place of the morning promenade of the public resting on the Sani: shopping, souvenir shops and fashion boutiques, which are plentiful here.

The fish here swims near the piers along the shore, and adults and children with pleasure and delight feed it from their hands.

In the evening, tourists take their places in numerous cafes and restaurants along the promenade. Most of the establishments operate on open terraces during the season so that you can admire the sunsets and views of the harbor and the sea flooded with lights.

Tower and Church of the Twelve Apostles in Nea Fokea

In the vicinity of the modern settlement of Nea Fokea, there are many archaeological and historical monuments. One of them is a well-preserved high watchtower dating back to 1407, which has become the hallmark of the town. Then on these lands were located the courtyards of Athos monasteries. Stones in the masonry of a medieval tower of a tetrahedral shape of various sizes, there are small windows. Four centuries later (1868) the Church of the Twelve Apostles was built nearby. Rare icons are kept in the church.

Temple of Zeus-Amun and Dionysius in Kallithea and Roman baths

Temple of Zeus-Amon

The Temple of Zeus-Amon is the oldest of the sights that have survived in our time on the Kassandra peninsula in Greece, albeit in the form of excavations.
These ancient buildings, dating back to the 3rd-2nd century BC, were discovered near Kallithea relatively recently. Modern builders stumbled upon the remains of the sanctuary of the god Dionysius and the walls of the unfinished temple of Zeus-Amon in the 60s of the last century during the construction of another new hotel on the seashore.

Ancient people knew how to choose places of worship for the gods: the place is picturesque, from here there are wonderful views of both neighboring Sithonia and the “tail” of Cassandra itself. Many interesting archaeological finds were transferred by the monks to Holy Athos.

Holy Athos

Roman baths in Halkidiki in Greece, historians date back to the 1st-2nd century AD. It is believed that they were used until the very end of the 4th century. During excavations in the back rooms, medical supplies were found: obviously, these small baths are a kind of prototype of the current spa salons. Ablutions were part of the worship of the god Asclepius.

There are no organized tours at the excavations, but if you buy guidebooks with a detailed description at a tourist kiosk, archeology lovers can explore them on their own, there are signs with inscriptions everywhere, and the entrance to the ruins is free.

Church of St. Demetrius (Church Agios Dimitrios) in Afytos

You will see old bas-reliefs and icons, interesting architecture of the temple itself and its decoration by visiting main church in Afitos. It was built on the site of the old Orthodox in 1858. There is no other similar church in Halkidiki - a basilica with a dome. Inside the temple does not seem as big as outside. Now the old murals are being reconstructed and restored.

Ethnographic Museum in Afitos

The museum is located in the same building as the library in a small village square. The building is stone, traditional construction.

In the first semi-basement floor there is an exhibition of household utensils and agricultural implements. A staircase from the hall a little higher leads to the local library, and along the third, steep one, tourists climb to the top floor, leading to the exposition of a typical Greek house, as it was in these parts 100 years ago.

In one of the rooms there is an exhibition of folk costumes, in the other there is a living room (kafistiko) with an old loom, a bedroom, a kitchen, a dining room and a utility room.

Here we come to the end of our virtual tour on the first "finger" of Halkidiki. You can quickly see all its main sights by car in two or three days. And it is not true that “Greece has everything”. There is no heavy industry and big chemistry here. There are no large deposits of any significant minerals, the development and extraction of which is always associated with significant environmental damage.

You will not find all this on the peninsula of Kassandra (Chalkidiki), on which we made a short trip today. Here is the cleanest sea and wonderful people who do everything possible to make tourists feel good.

An interesting and informative video about a vacation on the Greek peninsula of Halkidiki.

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Kassandra is a peninsula in northern Greece, on the coast of the Aegean Sea, located between the two gulfs of Toroneos and Thermaikos. It is one of three included in the larger Chalkidiki. The Potidean Canal separates the Kassandra peninsula from the mainland. The region has a developed tourist infrastructure, many tourists from different countries come here. From the airport of the northern capital of Thessaloniki, you can get here by bus or taxi.

Greece (Chalkidiki) Kassandra

Greece (Chalkidiki) Kassandra Map detailed in Russian.

Tourism is central to the economy of this region. The coast, 15 km wide and stretching for 50 km, sandy and sandy-pebbly, alternating with picturesque capes and bays, is one of the cleanest in Europe. There are no big cities on the northern coast, all entertainment is concentrated in coastal small towns and villages, many of which are popular resorts with a developed tourist infrastructure: with hotels, shops, restaurants.

Attractive scenery

Tourists are provided with Greek taverns, discos, bars and other entertainment. Hotels of any class for both budget and wealthy vacationers. The most prestigious and fashionable are located near the coast. A wide range of active pastimes: hiking and cycling in the mountains and pine forests, exciting voyages on yachts or scuba diving in the depths of the sea.

Weather and climate

The climate in the region is Mediterranean, with dry summers and mild winters.

From the beginning of May until the end of September, it is sunny here and rains are rare. The holiday season begins in May, the air at this time warms up to +23 °C.

Terrain protected mountain ranges from cold winds, the water in the sea warms up quickly. It is comfortable to relax with children in June, the air temperature rises to +27 °С, and the sea water is warmer than +22 °С.

July and August are the hottest time

July and August are the hottest time, the air at this time is heated up to +30°-34°C.

At the beginning of autumn, it is still warm here +27 ° С, but there are much fewer vacationers, dry sunny days last all September.

The first rains begin in October, the rainy season begins in November.

Kassandra (Greece) attractions

Ancient Greece survived periods of Byzantine and Ottoman influence, the culture of this country was formed over thousands of years and today has a variety of incarnations.

Afytos is a village in Greece, impressive with its ancient architecture, historical temples. In the center is the Church of St. Demetrius, built in 185. Next to the church is a small ethnographic museum.

Fact! The village of Neya Potidea is one of the oldest and most beautiful places with ruins ancient castle and a beautiful church.

To the south of the village of Neia Potidea, there is the village of Neia Fokia with a picturesque bay. At the very edge of the sea rises a Byzantine tower built in 1407 in honor of the Apostle Paul.

The Sani Resort overlooks Mount Olympus. During construction work, archaeological finds were found here, indicating that there used to be an acropolis of ancient Sani. At this place in 1543, the servants of the Athos monastery built a watchtower, which still stands to this day.

The town of Olynthos is one of the oldest settlements, in which the ruins of a beautiful town with buildings decorated with mosaics and a developed sewerage system remain. An archaeological museum has been opened on the territory of the archaeological excavations in the town of Olynthos.

Cave of Petralona

Not far from the village of Petralona is the cave of the same name. Here were found the remains of an ancient man in Europe, the fossilized remains of prehistoric animals. Petralona Cave is famous for its extraordinary stalagmites.

Popular excursions are visiting the rock monasteries of Meteora and a cruise around the holy Mount Athos. For almost two millennia, monks settled here, and so far civilization has not penetrated into this corner. Athos is the only Orthodox Monastic Republic where they live according to church canons. There are 20 monasteries here. Some of them are built on large rocks. Cruises are organized around Mount Athos, and men have the opportunity to visit the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery. Women are not allowed to enter the territory.

Monasteries on Mount Athos

In the villages of Arnea, Parthenonas and Afito, the original Greek architectural style has been preserved.

It is famous for the sights of Thessaloniki, there are a lot of them here, you won’t get to know them in a day. Many different temples, monasteries, synagogues, mosques and many other attractions are concentrated on the territory. It is worth seeing the archaeological museum, which contains archaeological finds from the prehistoric period and a large number of antiquity exhibits.

most high peak country is the legendary Mount Olympus. Situated around the mountain national park which is one of the most beautiful in all of Greece.

Mount Olympus

Rent a Car

Renting a car in Greece is not difficult. It is convenient to rent a car if you need to see hard-to-reach sights, drive along the coast, and visit different villages. This can be done in any tourist town or village.

Note! Driver must be at least 21 years of age.

In almost every hotel in Greece, you can rent a car and the necessary equipment, including child car seats and boosters at no extra charge. The rental price depends on the season, the availability of full insurance and various additional services. The range of brands and models offered is great. Roads throughout the country are excellent. A car is the most comfortable and convenient means of transport for seeing most of the sights of Greece.

Popular resorts

Kallithea (Greece)

Kallithea (the resort of the same name is on the island of Rhodes) is the busiest resort town. The life of the resort during the season is intense and subsides only in the morning. Most of the apartments are located outside the village of Kallithea.

The embankment with a sandy and clean shore, and it's great to relax here with children. The entrance to the sea is sandy and gentle, without stones and sharp depth. There are almost never storms in Kallithea, as it is closed from the winds by hills.

Kallithea (Greece)

The descent and ascent to the center of the village takes place along a steep long staircase.

The lively coast of the seaside town is covered with lush vegetation. There are many inexpensive places where you can have a delicious lunch in the village.

Hotel "Atos-Palace" is located 2 km from Kallithea and 75 km from the international airport "Macedonia" in Thessaloniki. On a picturesque cape, among gardens with lush vegetation, there is an eight-story hotel building. Designed for tourists of any category. The hotel operates an all-inclusive system: breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, snacks and drinks are served.

Hotel area

Modern Kallithea was founded in 1925 by settlers from Asia Minor. Until 1950, its inhabitants were engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. To date, the population of Kallithea is mainly employed in the tourism sector.

Today Kallithea is one of the most popular resorts region. Clean coastline, developed infrastructure attract tourists from all over the world.

Kallithea (Greece) has its own historical sights - the ruins of the temples of Zeus and Dionysus.

Pefkohori (Greece) is a small village with modern infrastructure. It is located in a pine grove, and the streets of the village are buried in bright southern colors. The sand and pebble coast is awarded the blue flag. The silhouette of Mount Athos is visible from the shore. The coast of Pefkohori is divided by a pier into parts: on the one hand there are hotels, on the other - the city beach. Sun loungers and umbrellas are provided free of charge if you buy a drink at the cafe or bar.

Promenade of Pefkohori

With instructors who speak several languages, you can learn how to dive, and for the experienced, there are offers of night dives with scuba diving to the wrecks.

For children on the embankment there is a mini Luna Park with a variety of slides and attractions.

You can take a walk and see the church of the 19th century and partly preserved old mill. Climb the mountains and admire the olive groves and wonderful landscapes.

Greece is one of the safest countries to travel in, but even here you need to be careful and follow simple safety rules. Like everywhere, there are petty thefts and scams.

Important! Should not be carried large sums cash. Documents and money should be prudently stored in a hotel safe or placed in the most inaccessible place.

It is better to agree on the cost of a taxi ride before the trip, otherwise the taxi driver will be able to cheat by greatly inflating the price.

Halkidiki is advised to travel on time velvet season, in the middle of summer it is very hot and there are a lot of people, and in winter it is dull around. Spring is more suitable for sightseeing holidays - it is not very hot and everything around is blooming and fragrant. In spring, a variety of unusual flowers and greenery bloom. From May to October, you can visit resorts for the purpose of spending time on the beach.

Chalkidiki

In this region, only a few hotel restaurants operate on an all-inclusive basis. More often they offer only breakfast or half board. At the same time, many hotels organize special meals for small children.

Greece is very fond of children, because in the country you can find a large number of parks, water parks and children's museums.

Interesting! Greece has a tax free system that allows you to return tax on purchases, but it does not apply to the purchase of fur products.

You can bargain with the locals of Greece. They can give you a $10-$15 discount on any product or accommodation.*

For travel, it is most convenient to travel by rented car.

Having made a tour to any corner of Greece, it will leave an unforgettable impression for a long time, thanks to the incredibly clean coasts, mild climate, amazing natural landscapes and a variety of entertainment. The national cuisine of Greece is one of the healthiest in the world. Everything is tasty, varied, healthy. Greeks are hospitable people. Having been here once, I want to come back again.

*Prices are current as of August 2018.

If you look from a bird's eye view on - the region of Greek Central Macedonia and the most famous resort in the northeastern part of Greece, then its view from above will remind the trident of the warlike god of the seas Poseidon.

Ancient Greek myths telling about gigantomachy - the battle of the Olympic gods with giants, mention this trident dropped by Poseidon during the battle in the Aegean Sea.

The ancient Hellenes believed that it was precisely with this battle that the emergence of the trident peninsula was connected. Whether this is so is not for us to judge, but the amazing resemblance of the peninsula to the Poseidon trident is obvious. The name was given to him in honor of his native city by natives of Chalkis, who, according to numerous historical evidence, settled here in the 8th century. BC e.

In turn, each of the three "teeth" is also a peninsula that has its own name that came from mythology:

• The Athos peninsula is the most famous and revered monastic republic among all Orthodox Christians. He received his name from the giant Athos, who, in a battle with the Olympian gods, brought down a huge mountain on them, which then fell into the sea.
• Sithonia is named after Siton, the son of the god Poseidon and the daughter of the Thracian king.
• and finally, the leftmost "prong" is Kassandra, whose name is associated with later history.

A bit of history

Cassandra

Once upon a time, in the narrowest part of this "prong" there was a settlement called Pallini, and then Phlegras.

In the 7th century BC e. the city of Potidaea (Ποτίδαια), founded by the Corinthians, appeared on this site, which was inherited by the Athenians during the Peloponnesian wars. In 356 BC. e. Philip II of Macedon, having won Potidea from Athens, ordered to destroy it.

The commander Cassander, who suffered severely from the almighty queen of Olympias - the wife of Philip II and the mother of Alexander the Great, but, in the end, defeated and destroyed her, became the king of Macedonia in 316 BC. e.

To relax and heal, there is the possibility of visiting thermal springs, where spa procedures are organized.

There are also activities for the youngest tourists.. Their leisure was taken care of in advance and several amusement parks were organized, where the little guests of the peninsula can play various games or wander around the Minotaur Labyrinth built here - a wonderful imitation. And not only to wander, but also to learn a lot of new and interesting things about the Cretan-Mycenaean culture of Ancient Greece.

Nightlife on the peninsula, one might say, is in full swing, and fans of dancing and wild fun are waiting for chic nightclubs and discos.

Excellent organization of recreation, the location of the peninsula near the Greek northern capital of Thessaloniki, where hundreds of flights of any direction arrive daily - all this quite logically explains the numerous influx of tourists from all over the world to Kassandra.

How to get there

To get from Thessaloniki airport to Kassandra, which is about 60 km, there are several ways:

By bus

First, from the airport you need to take bus number 79 to the IKEA stop. From there, transferring to bus number 36 - to final stop called KTEL Halkidiki. The cost of a ticket for a city bus from the airport to the bus station is 1.20 €.

Regular buses leave from here approximately every hour to various villages on the Kassandra Peninsula. The first bus departs at 6:45 am, the last - at 21:00. Depending on the distance of the trip, and the length of the entire peninsula is 54 km, the ticket price can range from 3.50 € to 14 €.

Taxi

From the airport to KTEL Halkidiki can also be reached by taxi, the distance is approximately 9.5 km, and the fare is approximately 12~15 €.

Taking a taxi directly to your destination on the peninsula is not cheap, for example, the distance from Thessaloniki to the village of Kalithea is 80 km, and the fare will cost about 100~110€.

You can also rent a car, it will cost 25~35 € per day, excluding the cost of gasoline.

Weather

The largest influx of tourists to the peninsula is observed from May to mid-October, although you can relax here all year round:

• spring and autumn are quite warm - air temperature is from 18 to 23 ° C;
• summers are dry and hot and temperatures range from 30 to 36 °C;
• winter is short and almost snowless, the average air temperature is 13~16 °C.

Beaches

active lovers beach holiday and fans of sea activities and water sports such as surfing, diving, wakeboarding, water skiing will find many pleasant hours of relaxation on the wonderful and numerous beaches of Kassandra.

Nea Moudania

The first beach, which is located right at the entrance to the peninsula. Its peculiarity is that here you can freely engage in all kinds of water sports. Sports schools and equipment rentals are also located here. The beach is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds for vacationers, there is a bar serving tourists nearby.

Ayios Mamas

A very long sandy beach, which is located opposite Nea Moudania from the side of the exit from the peninsula. Everything here is conducive to idyllic relaxation.

cryopigi

Located in front of a village called Pigadakia. There are a lot of greenery and trees around the beach, in the shade of which there are taverns and restaurants where you can enjoy fish dishes and fresh seafood.

Kallithea

A very crowded and, perhaps, the most popular beach on the entire coast of the peninsula with white sand and crystal clear water. Here, active recreation services for tourists are well organized, and there are many bars and restaurants around the beach.

Nea Fokea

The sandy beach, located near the fishing village of the same name, and therefore next to it there are very good taverns serving fresh fish and seafood dishes.

Loutra Ayas Paraskevis

Beautiful quiet sandy beach with a length of about two km. Near thermal springs, where there is a wonderful SPA center, as well as taverns and restaurants.

Polychrono

Very large, stretching for almost 7 km and therefore not too crowded beach with golden sand. Nearby is a coniferous forest, where there is a small lake with a rare species of turtles.

I must say that there are many small cozy and almost deserted beaches on the peninsula: they are all either purely sandy or pebble-sandy. These include, for example, Alonaki, Sikia, Kalonitsi.

Where to stay

There are no problems either in choosing a beach or in choosing a hotel in Kassandra. Here you can find both a luxurious 5-star hotel or a comfortable villa, as well as more modest and cheap, but very clean and well organized accommodation.

Prices are also very different, for example, accommodation in a standard room in a five-star hotel starts from 80 €, and in a three-star hotel - about 40 €.

You can use the cheapest option- rent a room, of which there are a very large number. You can choose a hotel that suits every taste and budget according to the list of hotels…

Attractions

Kassandra is famous for its centuries-old history, so you can diversify your leisure time, and at the same time learn a lot of new and interesting things by visiting the glorious places of the peninsula.

Temple of Zeus-Ammon

This is perhaps one of the most important ancient temples dedicated to the god Zeus-Ammon, not only in Kassandra, but throughout the entire Chalkidiki peninsula.

According to archaeologists, the temple was started by the colonists who arrived here from Euboea, who worshiped this chthonic god.

In addition, it is worth visiting the remains of the sanctuary of Dionysus built in the cave of the nymphs, to which a stone staircase carved into the rock leads, as well as seeing the well-preserved Roman baths.

Temple of Poseidon

The remains of the once majestic temple, built in the classical style of the 5th century. BC e. and excavated in the 1990s are located in the village of Possidi.

Of particular value are: fragments of columns and friezes depicting the battle of centaurs with lapiths, plots from gigantomachy and martial arts of Theseus with the Minotaur, as well as the sacred altar of Poseidon.

A magnificent view of Olympus opens from here, and the cape where the temple was built, according to ancient legend, is the very one from which King Aegeus, who was waiting for the return of his son Theseus from Crete, threw himself into the sea, seeing that his ship was returning under black sails.

Folklore Museum of Afytos

Here are exhibited household items and tools of production of local artisans, as well as household utensils and items of traditional clothing.

Resort villages

Nea Moudania

A small fishing village that arose in the 19th century. Once there was a small harbor where merchant ships came, and now it is a great tourist place, where there is everything you need for a pleasant pastime, and there is also a beautiful beach.

Every year there is a festival called "Sardine Festival", where local people showcase traditional dishes prepared from fish and seafood, as well as local wines.

Kallithea

This is the busiest tourist place, where life does not stop day or night.

In the morning, tourists bask in the sun on a well-maintained beach, during the day they visit cafes or taverns where they can have a delicious lunch, and in the evening travelers from the surrounding villages come here to have fun in numerous bars, discos and nightclubs.

The town also attracts with a variety of shops, boutiques, shops with local handicrafts and other products, where you can find everything a tourist’s soul craves: from a bright and unusual souvenir or elegant leather shoes to a chic mink coat at very attractive prices. Lovers of history and archeology also drop in here to see the famous ancient monuments.

Nea Fokea

A well-developed tourist village, famous for the fact that, according to legend, the Apostle Paul visited here. In his honor, the tower of St. Paul and the monastery of the same name were built, from which only a chapel now remains. The village has a municipal beach. Beautiful place for outdoor activities.

Chanioti

A beautiful, immersed in greenery, resort place, where connoisseurs of a relaxing family vacation prefer to come. Here at their service are comfortable hotels and villas, many shops and boutiques, as well as a magnificent beach, famous for its white sand and unusually clear sea.