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Everyone knows that with regards to a European summer season getaway, Greece is the last 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.
Working example – Halkidiki.
The beautiful area that stretches over what locals name “the three fingers” is likely one of the greatest locations in your entire nation to soak up each the pristine seashores and that genuine Greek small-town really feel that’s been misplaced in additional standard 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 unbelievable attract of locations like Mykonos and Santorini – they’re each value a go to.
However so far as seaside high quality goes, neither of those locations holds a candle to Halkidiki, which is the place most Greeks select to spend their summers as a substitute.
Identical 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 a number of the liveliest cities (extra on that beneath), but additionally a number of 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 seaside fanatics, and the excellent news is that they’re all driving distance from each other.
For these of you prepared to get adventurous, Kavourotripes Seashore in Sithonia and Ammouliani Island close to Mount Athos could be the very best picks, although be warned that getting there isn’t as simple.
Taking In That Genuine Greek City Allure
I’ve all the time been the sort of traveler who seems to be for a superb mixture of pristine shores and vigorous cities when touring in the course of the summer season, and in Halkidiki, I’ve managed to seek out simply that.
And whereas there are a number of locations all through the area that match the invoice, when you’d ask me to call my favourite, it could be Pefkochori.
The seashores appear to be one thing straight out of a postcard, the city itself is vigorous however nonetheless crammed with that genuine Greek appeal, and there’s a Lemonis Bakery (certainly one of 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 of one thing in comparison with Pefkochori, however this one’s a correct metropolis and Halkidiki’s largest municipality, so there’s extra to do and see right here.
And when you don’t thoughts a quieter summer season retreat, I’d extremely suggest 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 when you get them at Μπουγάτσα Kαφές Yammy-Yammy.
A Finances-Pleasant Mediterranean Getaway
There’s a motive why so many Greeks flock to Halkidiki in the course of the summer season as a substitute of the overpriced hotspots we get bombarded with on our social media feeds – they get the identical actual views and expertise for a fraction of the worth.
Let’s begin with lodging.
Most locations within the area are both boutique resorts 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 house 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 selfmade 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 fairly priced, too.
Fast meals common $5 per individual, whereas going for a two-course meal at a sit-down restaurant may cost a little you one thing nearer to $15-$20 per individual, and let me inform you, I’ve by no means had a single chew of meals that was something lower than superb.
The Good Place For These Who Need To Discover As A lot Of Greece In As Little Time As Doable
Not solely is Halkidiki famously near Thessaloniki, which is certainly one of my favourite cities to go to, however touring inside the area itself is remarkably simple, too.
I’d extremely suggest getting your palms on a automotive, although.
Driving, particularly in Kassandra, is doable by virtually everybody (city streets are very well-maintained and parking is a breeze), and you will get from one facet of the peninsula to the opposite for beneath an hour – that offers you loads of alternatives to see all the things I talked about to date and extra.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.
