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We all know that Greece is the ultimate destination when it comes to a European summer holiday: the sun-drenched beaches of Mykonos, Crete and Santorini have officially taken over our social media feeds.
What you may not know is that what you see online is just a small slice of the wonder that is the Greek coastline and the country’s true beach gems are kept hidden away, far from the prying eyes of tourists.
Example – Chalkidiki.
The beautiful region that stretches across what locals call ‘the three fingers’ is one of the best places in the entire country to enjoy both the pristine beaches and the authentic Greek village feel that is lost in the more popular hotspots .
And now Chalkidiki was officially crowned a prefecture the highest number of Blue Flag beaches throughout Greece, I felt it was time to tap into my 10+ years of traveling to the region to discover this hidden gem of a destination for good.
A region full of movie-like beaches
I’m not here to undermine the incredible appeal of places like Mykonos and Santorini; they are both worth a visit.
But in terms of beach quality, none of these places can match Halkidiki, where most Greeks choose to spend their summers.
As I mentioned, the region is divided into three ‘fingers’, and for most first-time visitors, the first peninsula, Kassandra, is the best choice.
Here you will not only find some of the liveliest cities (more on that below), but also some of the best commercial beaches in the country. By comparison, Sithonia and Mount Athos, the two other ‘fingers’, are calmer and quieter. more off the beaten track.
Glarokavos, Paliouri and Sani Beach in particular are must-sees for all beach lovers, and the good news is that they are all within driving distance of each other.
For those of you who want to be adventurous, Kavourotripes Beach in Sithonia and Ammouliani Island near Mount Athos are the best choices, but be warned that getting there is not that easy.
Enjoy the authentic charm of a Greek city
I’ve always been the kind of traveler who looks for a good mix of unspoilt coasts and vibrant cities during the summer, and in Halkidiki I found just that.
And while there are many places in the region that fit this bill, if you asked me to name my favorite it would be Pefkochori.
The beaches look like something straight out of a postcard, the town itself is vibrant but still filled with that authentic Greek charm, and there’s a Lemonis Bakery (one of my all-time favorite places to get desserts) right near the central square.
A close second would be Nea Moudania.
The beaches here, while stunning, lack something compared to Pefkochori, but this is a real town and the largest municipality of Chalkidiki, so there is more to do and see here.
And if you don’t mind a quieter summer retreat, I highly recommend driving 11 minutes to Nea Poteidaia, a beautiful coastal town where the locals are friendly, the beaches are unique and the bougatsas are to die for, especially if you get them at Μπουγάτσα Kαφές Yammy-Yammy.
A budget-friendly Mediterranean holiday
There’s a reason why so many Greeks flock to Halkidiki during the summer instead of the overpriced hotspots we’re bombarded with on our social media feeds: they get the exact same views and experiences for a fraction of the price.
Let’s start with accommodation.
Most places in the region are boutique hotels or family-run guesthouses charging anywhere from $40 to $70 per night, and the overall experience is unlike anything you would find at a typical hotel.
Last year I booked a 2-bedroom apartment with 2 balconies in Nea Poteidaia for $65 a night, and the hosts, a lovely older couple, went above and beyond and even left a home-baked cake and a bottle of Raki.
Sure, the amenities may not be the same as a five-star hotel, but the value for money is insane.
The food is also reasonably priced.
Quick meals cost an average of $5 per person, while a two-course meal at a restaurant might cost you a little closer to $15-$20 per person. anything was less than great.
The perfect place for those who want to explore as much of Greece as possible in as little time as possible
Not only is Chalkidiki famously close to Thessaloniki, one of my favorite cities to visit, but traveling within the region itself is also remarkably easy.
However, I would highly recommend you get your hands on a car.
Driving, especially in Kassandra, is doable for almost anyone (the city streets are very well maintained and parking is a breeze), and you can get from one side of the peninsula to the other in less than an hour – that will give you plenty of opportunities to see everything I’ve talked about so far and more.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
