Sithonia Greece – The Recipe for the Perfect Greek Holidays

Are you planning a summer holiday but worrying about the weather, social distancing, and things to do? Here is an idea! Sithonia peninsula, in Halkidiki, Greece is a great option for this summer.

Halkidiki is a trident-shaped peninsula. It is the most popular summer destination in northern Greece for its seaside resorts and beautiful beaches. Kassandra, the first leg, is the busiest, with luxurious hotels and renowned beaches. The third leg, Athos, is the home of a monastic community. Only men with special permits can visit Mount Athos.

The second leg, Sithonia, is less developed and as such lesser-known than Kassandra. However, Sithonia has some of the best beaches in Halkidiki and a diverse landscape. It has a mountainous side, with plenty of forests, high cliffs, secluded beaches, and some of the clearest waters in northern Greece. Stick around to find out the best things to do in Sithonia, Greece.

But first, some useful info

Sithonia is about 100 km from the nearest city, Thessaloniki. You can also drive to Sithonia from Kavala, about 180 km. However, there are no ferry options to get to Sithonia. Renting a car is a must, so you can properly explore the peninsula.

There are no huge resorts, but small towns and villages. Sithonia is also a great camping destination, with some good options for RV camping, tents ore mobile houses rentals.

7 Best things to do in Sithonia Greece

Here are some of the best things to do in Sithonia, Greece:

1. The beaches of Sithonia

The main reason to choose Sithonia as your holiday destination is some beach-time. And there are plenty of options for you to choose from. There are almost 100 beaches around the peninsula. Some of them are in the small resorts, like Neos Marmaras, Toroni, or Sarti. But, the most beautiful beaches are the ones harder to access or more secluded.

Try the beach at Ethnik Beach Bar near Toroni for its great vibe, Kavourotrypes (Portokali) Beach, or Karidi Beach for clear waters and photogenic landscape.

2. Drive around the peninsula

If you want to see the best of Sithonia, you need to drive around the peninsula and find your favorite places. The total distance is about 110 km, and the drive will take under 2 hours. However, you have the freedom to stop and explore as many times as something catches your eye.

The western side has more towns, sandy beaches, and beach bars. On the eastern side, the views are better and the beaches more rocky and scenic. You will come across charming villages, great taverns by the sea, and beautiful coves you can have for yourself.

3. Rent a boat and explore Diaporos Island

One of the best things to do in Sithonia is renting a boat in Vourvourou and exploring Diaporos island nearby. Picture this: turquoise water, secluded coves, a tavern on the sand, and some quiet time floating on the sea. It’s a great day spent on the water that will leave you feeling disconnected and recharged.

4. Enjoy the food

I had some of the best food in Greece in Sithonia, and I think you will too. Seafood is at its best on this strip of land, but you can also sample other traditional Greek food. Don’t shy away from moussaka or orzo dishes, and make sure to try the cooked cheese.

Some of my favorite places to eat in Sithonia were Taverna Delfini in Porto Koufo and 5 Steps in the Sand, south of Sarti.

5. Visit Parthenonas

When you need a break from the beach, take a couple of hours to visit Parthenonas village. It’s a short but scenic drive through the olive groves from Neos Marmaras. The ancient village is at 350 meters of altitude, and it has an interesting story. About 50 years ago, it was almost completely abandoned. People moved to seaside towns searching for work opportunities.

However, after a government initiative to preserve the beautiful traditional village, some of the abandoned houses were bought and restored to their former glory. Parthenonas is a good place to visit before lunch. There’s a folklore museum, Agios Stefanos Church and a few taverns where you can have lunch. In addition, you can explore the village and find some beautiful details and some amazing sea views.

Pro tip: Olive Oil

I mentioned the olive groves before. This part of Greece produces plenty of olive oil, and you should stop by a local producer, sample some of it, and buy some. It will bring the most authentic local flavor to your home, and it doesn’t taste like any supermarket olive oil.

6. Water sports in Sithonia, Greece

One of the best ways to explore the most hidden spots in Sithonia is paddling. Rent a kayak or a SUP from any of the rental centers around Sithonia. Some even organize daily themed kayak tours, like sunset tours or fishing trips.

One of the best places to practice your paddling skills is Porto Koufo, the largest natural port in Greece.

7. Cruise to Mt. Athos and Ammouliani Island

You can’t step on Mount Athos, but you can see the monasteries from a distance. A good option is this cruise to Mt. Athos. On the way back, you will have some time on a charming, uninhabited island, Ammouliani.

The cruise takes about 5 hours, and you also need to take into account the drive to Ouranoupoli, the departure port.

Where to stay in Sithonia Greece

If you want to enjoy some nightlife, then choose your accommodation in one of the western side towns: Neos Marmaras, Toroni or Nikiti. On the contrary, if you want some quiet time with the family, you can choose a campsite.

We stayed at Armenistis Camping and Bungalows, and it was a great choice. We loved the clear waters of the private beach tucked between the rocky edges. I had a lot of fun paddling on my board and exploring the coastline. If you just want to rest with the family, you can easily spend a few days here without even leaving the premises.

However, we loved exploring the rest of beautiful Sithonia as well.

Final thoughts for your holidays in Sithonia, Greece

So, I think what we have here is the recipe for your perfect Greek holiday. Mix and match the ingredients and you will make it your own. You can’t go wrong with crystal clear waters, amazing Greek food, and good weather.

The list could be longer, but you need to explore and find your perfect spots, taverns, and beach bars.

Disclosure

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