Beach bums, rejoice! If you love nothing more than plonking down on the sand and soaking up some glorious vitamin D, then you’ve definitely chosen well with a holiday to Halkidiki. Not only does the region enjoy almost 300 days of sunshine on average per year but it’s also Greece’s top spot for Blue Flag beaches – it’s a win-win situation!
From its hardly touched, hidden-away coves to its popular stretches with all the water sports you could imagine, the beaches here are hard to beat. Ready to find your new favourite? Take a look at the best beaches in Halkidiki…
- Lagomandra Beach
- Kriopigi Beach
- Pefkohori Beach
- Hanioti Beach
- Kalithea Beach
- Chrousso Beach
- Agios Ioannis Beach
- Skotina Beach
- Elephant's Beach
- Nea Moudania Beach
Lagomandra Beach
This impressive stretch of beach is a tale of two halves. At the north end, you can hire loungers and umbrellas and the sea gets deep quickly as you head from the shore. At the south end, it’s much quieter and there’s plenty of space to spread out and relax. There’s also a handful of water sports on offer too if you fancy trying something new. And yep, it’s got Blue Flag status, so you know it’s well looked-after. Get down early to secure your spot on the sand as it can get quite busy during the summer months!
Kriopigi Beach
Over to the west, on the east coast of the Kassandra peninsula, you’ll find another of Halkidiki’s top beach picks – Kriopigi Beach. Pine-clad hills back the beach and provide welcome shade on those hot days. It’s another with the coveted Blue Flag status, thanks to its clear water and pristine sand.
Pefkohori Beach
Love seafront dining and drinks? Pefkohori Beach is the one for you with its many cafés, bars and restaurants lining the sand. It’s also fab for families with its huge range of water sports and plenty of loungers and umbrellas to hire. It’s not a huge beach so can get quite busy. Head down early to reserve your lounger for the day!
Hanioti Beach
Hanioti Beach is relatively narrow but stretches for more than 5km along the east coast of the Kassandra peninsula, so you’ll have plenty of beach to choose from. At one end, you’ll find a pretty coastal park which is an ideal place for a stroll if you need a break from sunbathing. The shore is a little pebbly in parts, so sandals are a good idea, but the water is crystal clear if you fancy a swim or snorkel.
Kalithea Beach
From Hanioti, drive north for around 20 minutes and you’ll come to the main beach in Kalithea. A dense forest backs these honey-coloured sands and the water’s warm, shallow and clear so it’s ideal for the little ones. If you fancy exploring the local area, the village’s main streets are just a short stroll away, where you’ll find souvenir shops and traditional Greek restaurants.
Chrousso Beach
Close to the villages of Paliouri and Pefkohori, this sheltered bay is great for families. It’s locally known as Kanavitsa, so keep your eyes peeled for signposts. Grab a lounger and umbrella or lay down your towel in the public areas of the beach then let the little ones splash around in the shallow water. The sand is pristine too – ideal if you want to paddle. As the sun goes down, Chrousso Beach is also a popular after-dark spot with three of the region’s top beach bars right on its sands. Think live DJs and all-night parties on the shore!
Agios Ioannis Beach
Fancy a beach day trip? Head over to the Sithonia peninsula and check out the natural beauty that is Agios Ioannis Beach. It’s only a few minutes’ drive from the resort of Nikiti so you could park up there and walk down to the beach. At one end, there are two lively beach bars offering loungers on the sand and an excellent menu of drinks and snacks and at the other, it’s much quieter and more peaceful.
Skotina Beach
Pretty, palm-lined and primed for sunbathing, Skotina Beach has your name written all over it. Its carpet of soft, golden sand has been awarded Blue Flag status and the aquamarine water makes it even more inviting. Swimming and snorkelling are popular here but if you’d prefer to stay on dry land with a cocktail in hand, there’s a handful of places where you can do that instead!
Elephant’s Beach
This vibrant beach bar in Pefkohori is one of the region’s most-popular spots for cocktails on the sand. There are plenty of loungers lining the water and colourful cushions where you can plonk down and just enjoy the view. The drinks menu features everything from pina coladas in whole pineapples to fresh juices in a coconut shell! This boho paradise is not to be missed.
Nea Moudania Beach
You can do as little or as much as you like at Nea Moudania Beach. For the relaxation lovers, there’s soft sand, lots of loungers and a waterfront bar to unwind in. If you’re wanting to mix it up a little, then why not give windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing and fishing a go? Your classic beach volleyball and traditional water sports are also on offer here.
In need of some vitamin sea?
Posted: 22nd Jul 2021. Updated: 27th Jun 2023.