Halkidiki also known as 'Chalkidiki' is a large peninsula shaped like three fingers, found in Northern Greece. The region may be very popular with tourists but it boasts some of the most untouched and beautiful scenery in the whole of the country.
There's so much to do in Halkidiki from water sports to visiting archaeological sites. If you're into history and Greek myths you must visit the Cave of Petralona and Mount Olympia. Or if you're more into living life on the edge have a go at water skiing or wakeboarding in Sani.
Cycling and mountain biking are also great ways to discover Halkidiki's hidden treasures. Or you could hop on one of the boat excursions on offer, which tour around the coastline and give you an excellent view of the mysterious monasteries located on Mount Athos, which are prohibited for women and children to enter due to their religious significance.
Cycling and mountain biking
Cycling and mountain biking are growing in popularity in Halkidiki for tourists and locals due to the challenging courses on offer.
If you're staying in Sithonia you will find some of the most difficult tracks in the area as they cut through mountainous terrain, however the views are absolutely stunning once you reach the top. However, if you fancy a less strenuous route there are plenty of trails which go along the coast of Neos Marmaras, where you can take in the refreshing sea air. On the other hand if you are looking to rent a bike you can head to Paralia Dionisiou Beach which rents out bikes for all ages at a very reasonable price.
Boat excursions
There's a mixture of boat tours around Halkidiki offering island excursions and romantic sunset tours.
Hop on board the Menia and Maria Pirate Ship which provides a range of tours from a romantic sunset tour to the Toroneos Tour which stops off at turtle Island, where you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the water and stop off at Pefkohori for a spot of shopping and sightseeing. You will find these visually stunning boats docked at Chrusso, Sithonia and Ormos Panagias.
However, if you're looking for a boat excursion or cruise which is a bit more private and exclusive look no further than Eagles Palace, which offers excursions around Mount Athos, the holy mountain. There's also the opportunity to rent out a yacht from the Eagles Palace for a romantic sailing getaway with your partner and choose the route you want to take.
Theme Parks
If you're on holiday with the kids and are looking for something to do, then you must go to one of the waterparks on offer! These are great places to keep cool and have a lot of fun with all the family.
Waterland Thessaloniki is a great place to spend the day with your family or friends and especially to cool off on a hot summer's day. Either choose to get completely soaked at Pirate Island or dive into the enormous wave pool which recreates waves similar to what you would find out in the ocean. Whilst if you are feeling really adventurous launch yourself down one of the multi slides and race against your friends!
Golf
Golf is a great sport to play in Halkidiki during the spring months as it's not too hot yet the temperature is positively warm!
Located in the Porto Carras Resort in Neos Marmaras you will come across the Porto Carras Golf Course. This stunning golf course was originally built as a 9-hole course but it has now been expanded to 18 challenging holes including difficult bunkers and large ponds to navigate around. The views from this golf course are also absolutely breath taking as you are surrounded by a natural Greek landscape and the Aegean Sea.
Water Sports
The beautiful beaches of Halkidiki create an enchanting and perfect setting for water sports activities such as wind surfing, water-skiing and scuba diving.
If you have always wanted to have a go at scuba diving head over to Atlantis Diving Center located in Nikiti. Atlantis is a member of the PADI organization and provides training programmes for all ages and abilities. Or if you are staying in the northern part of Hakidiki try the Athos Padi Diving Centre in Ouranoupolis which is open all year round. Diving lessons are held in small groups making sure everyone gets the individual attention they need especially if you are a beginner. You will get to dive around the stunning area of Athos which has been awarded by UNESCO as a region of significant natural beauty.
Whilst if you're staying in the Kassandra area it's also worth going over to Sani Beach Club to have a try at some of the many water sports on offer such as parasailing, water-skiing, wake boarding and canoes. The team are also kind enough to capture your experiences on camera and will make it into a DVD so you can take all your memories back home with you and your family. Another option to try is the Danai Beach Resort which offers a superb range of water sports including anything from donut rides to wind surfing.
Historical Sites
Greece is such a fascinating country to explore, the area of Halkidiki is rich in culture and history as well. If you have some spare time from topping up your tan you must take a look at Mount Athos from a distance and the ancient Stagira.
Mount Athos (Holy Mountain) is a highly secretive and historic location made up of 20 monasteries and due to its religious significance has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Orthodox spiritual centre has been here since the Byzantine times and is only open to men. Even though it is difficult to access this area you can hop on board one of the Athos ferry boats which cruise past this fascinating holy land.
The Ancient Stagira can be found 500 metres southeast from the current settlement of Olympiada, on a small and mountainous peninsula known as 'Liotopi'. This ancient rediscovered city runs over two hills and the coastline, and is known as the birthplace of Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher and polymath. If you spend the day venturing round this historic city you will uncover many ancient Byzantine structures and Greek ruins including temples and sanctuaries spanning as far back as 655 BC.
According to Greek mythology the area of Kassandra also known as 'Flegra' was inhabited by giants and became a battleground when they tried to banish the Gods from Mt Olympus. Now the area is made up of traditional Greek villages, popular sandy beaches and fishing harbours, so if you get some spare time it definitely is worth exploring this area.
Natural attractions
Halkidiki may be a popular tourist destination but it's not as well-known as other Greek resorts like Zante and Corfu, so most of the region is relatively unspoilt!
The Cave of Petralona is situated on the Western side of Mount Katsika. It is renowned for the unusual stalactites and stalagmites which have taken over 700,000 years to form. The cave was only discovered in 1959 and since then archaeologists have uncovered the lasting remains of the Archanthrope of Petralona.
If you are hiring a car during your stay in Halkidiki or don't mind an early start it's highly recommended to visit Greece's highest mountain Mount Olympus which is a couple of hours drive from the northern part of Halkidiki. This famous mountain has been the centre piece for many Greek myths and is believed to be the home of the twelve Olympian gods.
However, if you fancy hiking around the local area to take in the surroundings head over to Bousoulas beach where you will come across a hiking trail which takes you through the Bousoulas bird sanctuary. This sanctuary spreads over hundreds of acres and has been declared a European Important Bird Area as over 180 bird species migrate here during different times of the year. Don't worry if it gets too hot, as there are plenty of trees providing natural shade as well as the cool Aegean Sea which is never too far away.
Museums
Halkidiki is rich in Greek history and culture, to find out more about this fascinating area you must go to one of the many museums on offer.
The Anthropological Museum of Halkidiki is situated in the village of Petralona, which is found 35km from Thessaloniki. This museum was established in 1978 and now exhibits findings from the famous Cave of Petralona and artefacts from ancient Greece. Other exhibits include primitive tools dated back to over 11 million years ago and murals from the painter Christos Kagaras.
Another museum to visit is The Historical and Folklore Museum of Arnea in Halkidiki located in the centre of Arnea. The museum is housed in a two-storey 18th century house which hosts a display of ancient agricultural instruments including bread making mill stones and bee-keeping hives.
Whilst if you're staying in Afitos and have a couple of hours to spare head over to the Halkidiki Folklore Museum of Afitos found in the centre square. This is a really interesting place to learn about the traditions of this ancient village. From time to time there are also photography and art exhibitions held here.