The Chalkidiki is not just white beaches and turquoise sea, it has the whole north part worthy of an alternative holiday, leaving the sea as the icing on the cake for the last.
It is a bit like when you decide to take a different journey to discover and search for almost magical places made of woods, pine forests, peaks, canyons, natural springs, rivers, a rich fauna and wild flora with a thousand colors, a wide gastronomic wealth and villages with unique charm and let's face it sometimes even a bit lost where tourists are few and when you arrive you will feel all the eyes of the locals on you because you will be considered perhaps almost like an event.
This is Macedonia, here history and tradition oozes from every corner, it is the land that gave birth to Alexander the Great, to Aristotele, dominated by the Holomontas mountain and that certainly will not disappoint you.
In our opinion, this wandering is also a nice itinerary to do, certainly different but that will undoubtedly leave you with a wonderful memory.
We give you a trace of the villages that you will find on your way, see which ones to put on your list of things to do in Chalkidiki, let yourself be carried away by your instinct and your curiosity and we are sure that you will have a fantastic journey.
The village of Nea Moudania is located at the very beginning of the Chalkidiki Peninsula above Kassandra about sixty kilometers from Thessaloniki. It has almost 10,000 inhabitants and its main resources are tourism, fishing (it is the largest area in the whole Mediterranean) and agriculture. It was born in 1922 with the arrival of refugees from Asia Minor who begin to give it life. The area is covered with huge olive groves and fruit fields, products that are exported throughout Greece and also abroad. A large town where nothing is missing, even the beach full of beaches with sandy shores and a crystalline sea with a gently sloping seabed perfect for families with children and for those who like to swim long. On the seafront a wide choice of typical taverns and restaurants where you can enjoy the always super fresh fish. It is very lively from a cultural and social point of view, during the summer an open-air theater built right next to the shore hosts the "Sea Festival" where high-level concerts and theatrical performances are organized with artists from all over the world. . In mid-July, however, there is a week of folkloric encounters with dances, music and shows. It ends on Sunday with the famous "Sardine Festival" where tons of this fish are cooked and offered to all participants. Not to be missed at the highest point of Nea Moudania called "Panagia Koryfini hill" (panagia in Greek means Virgin Mary), the basilica that preserves a beautiful icon from Kalolimnos, the small Turkish island that is celebrated on 8 September. . From Nea Moudania, the sunset is wonderful with the sun setting just behind Mount Olympus and when the sky is particularly clear you have the whole Peninsula as a backdrop and there you can take the most beautiful souvenir photo.
It is a small village right between the Kassandra Peninsula and the Sithonia Peninsula about eighty kilometers from Thessaloniki and twenty-five from Polygyros, the capital of Northern Chalkidiki. It has about 1200 inhabitants and the main resource is agriculture which is mainly developed in the cultivation of olive trees. Its notoriety is due to the archaeological finds of ancient Olynthos which is located in the north-eastern part of the village, an important ancient city, economic, military and political center of the Pensisola from the 5th to the 3rd century BC It stood between two hills and in the excavations ancient tombs, coins and mosaics of unique beauty have come to light. The mythology tells that Olynthos was built by the brother of Olinto son of the king of Thrace Strumonas. Olinto was killed by a lion and his brother had the settlement built in his memory. A more scientific explanation attributes the name of the village to the fact that the wild fig tree grows luxuriantly in the area, which in Greek is called Olynthos. The site is of great value and most of the artifacts found are kept at the local museum. If you are passionate about history, it is definitely to be included in the list of things to see in Chalkidiki.
Polygyros is the administrative capital of the Northern Chalkidiki Peninsula and is located seventy kilometers from Thessaloniki. It is built as an amphitheater at the foot of the Holomontas mountain at 550 meters above sea level. The mountain extends over an area of 275,000 km2 of which a part is under the protection of Natura 2000 which is responsible for conserving the territory. The mountain is a succession of valleys, canyons and gorges with chestnut and fir trees on the top and oaks below, enchanting forests, natural springs, streams and a multitude of wild animals, a real paradise for those who love being in the midst of nature . Its name means "very ancient" but another explanation refers to the fact that poly-ieros in Greek means "very healthy" given the good climate and the longevity of its inhabitants. In 1812 when there was a revolt against the Turks who killed the Greek governor, the residents rebelled and defeated the battalion which was expelled from the city, thus taking back their land. Just above Polygyros the majestic hill of Agios Ilias with its picturesque chapel overlooking the whole landscape. Do not miss the Archaeological Museum in the Heroon square in the center of the town with finds ranging from the Bronze Age to the Roman one. A town with narrow streets between old houses that preserve Macedonian architecture and despite the strong expansion of recent years with modern constructions it has not lost its noble charm. It offers all the amenities ranging from hotels, apartments, taverns and restaurants, cafes and all possible services. To see Exi Vriese in a fantastic panoramic position.
The village of Metagkitsi is found between the Sithonia peninsula and the Mount Athhos Peninsula just after Agios Nikolaos at an altitude of 150 meters above sea level. A small village that to the north east on the hills boasts the site of the ancient city of Assa which according to Herodotus together with Piloro, Singo and Sarte helped to open the channel for the tyrant Xerxes and allow his fleet to enter Greece. A hilly country where the inhabitants are involved in agriculture and where olive oil, wine and tsipouro, the very popular distillate in the Hellenic state, are exceptional products.
A picturesque mountain village at the foot of Mount Holomontas about eleven kilometers west of Polygyros. Narrow cobbled streets framed by old Macedonian-style stone houses. Today it hosts 850 souls who are mainly dedicated to the processing of olives and cereals. Another activity still carried out by some families is the production of firewood given the generosity that Mother Nature has granted to this area. Do not miss the church of the Annunciation Evaggelismos tis Theotoku all in stone and on top of a hill that looks almost like a castle and the Cave of Saint'Eutimio where the hermit spent his time and today a small church. It can also be reached on foot, it is not far from the village (about five kilometers) but it will certainly be a nice walk in the forest full of plane trees and small waterfalls with occasional views of the majestic Aegean Sea and the three peninsulas.
The village of Gomati is located on the slopes of Mount Athouli in a lush valley and is the classic traditional Macedonian village. North of the bay of Siggitikos it is wedged between immense olive groves and rolling hills. It was born in 1932 when a terrible earthquake erased the pre-existing village of the Byzantine era and today it has about six hundred inhabitants dedicated to agriculture. Mount Kakavos nearby is full of flora and fauna in fact there are many animal species and a huge variety of plants and flowers. For those who prefer the sea, not far away you will find the fantastic beaches of Malathria, Pyrgos, Chialiadou and Develiki. Not to be missed in Gomati is the church of the Holy Mother where every 15th August we celebrate a great feast.
It is located right at the narrowest point of the Mount Athos peninsula and is considered the largest refugee village in the northern part of the Peninsula. A perfect area for families with children where an extremely crystalline sea with fine sandy beaches and all the essential services to make you spend your holidays in Greece 2023 in a relaxed way. Being very close to the island of Ammouliani and Ouranopoli, you can take advantage of a trip out of town and increase the knowledge of the Chalkidiki Peninsula.
Ierissos is a beautiful and modern coastal town as well as an important port for northern Greece. It boasts a large fleet of fishing boats that every day supplies fresh fish with a unique flavor to all the taverns and restaurants in the village and surroundings. It has very ancient origins in fact from the finds and historical writings is the continuation of the city of Acanthus a colony of the island of Andro in the seventh century BC and is located just two and a half kilometers from the canal that Xerxes I had built in the Greek invasion in 480 B.C Today it boasts more than three thousand inhabitants who are dedicated to tourism including visits to the Holy Mountain of Athos as well as fishing. Nothing is missing in Ierissos, from accommodation of all prices, to the cafes, to the beautiful sandy beaches bathed by a sea that is now useless to remember that it has been awarded the Blue Flag.
The village of Stratoni is located in the bay of Ierissos and is a charming seaside resort. To date, about 1000 people who work in fishing or mining industry live there on a permanent basis, given the presence of rich deposits of silver already existing at the time of Alexander the Great. It is very old as evidenced by the archaeological excavations that place it in the seventh century BC. The present village was built on top of the site of ancient Stratoniki which according to legend was built by Perdikas King of Macedonia in homage to his sister Stratoniki. To visit the church of Agia Varvara built in 1924 by refugees from the disaster of Asia Minor, the churches of Agios Nikoalos and Agioi Therodoroi. Several beautiful beaches offers Stratoni such as the town beach, Karvounoskala, Kourj, Stravidi and Kalamoundi.
Varvara is located right in the middle between the mountains of Dreveniko and Sugliani in the north of the Chalkidiki Peninsula at about five hundred meters above sea level and has more than 500 inhabitants. It was inhabited since the 16th century and its name comes from the town church dedicated to Santa Barbara (Agia Varvara). In the period of the Ottoman occupation, Varvara was part of the Mademochoria, the villages that had silver deposits and in the war of independence it was razed to the ground by the Turks. During the Macedonian rule it was the base of Athanasios Minopoulos a hero remembered for his contribution in the liberation of the Chalkidiki Peninsula during the Greco-Turkish war. The village of Varvara is right in the middle of a lush and dense forest and this is why its inhabitants are considered among the best woodcutters in Greece and the main activity of the families is precisely the timber trade. Do not miss the two spectacular waterfalls that enter a ravine to get to the Mavrolaka River which is right on the border with the village of Olympiada. Reaching them is easy, following the road to Varvara Olympiada where among other things you have breathtaking views, you arrive at a dirt path and with a ten-minute walk between wooden bridges and signposted signs, you will arrive in this enchanted place where the scenery it is unique and you will be immersed in nature in all its beauty and peace. To remember in August the Music Festival where concerts are organized for four days.
The village of Megali Panagia (which in Greek means Great Mother referring to the Madonna) is located on the slopes of Mount Htikela about fifteen kilometers from the sea right between the Sithonia Peninsula and the Mount Athos Peninsula. A typical mountain village with a Macedonian flavor with its cobbled streets and houses in the classic Macedonian architectural style. It is inhabited by about 3500 inhabitants who are mainly involved in agriculture, livestock, timber processing and agritourism. In recent years it is experiencing a great development from this point of view as the magnificent location surrounded by verdant hills offers many activities to do such as horse riding, archery and walks in the middle of the forest to discover the flora and the fauna. In the area there are many churches and chapels, in fact the inhabitants of Megali Panagia are very devoted and do not miss the opportunity to celebrate religious festivals where songs, dances and good food of the old tradition never fail. The most important church is that of the Assumption which is located about two kilometers from the village also called Pangiouda, built in 1007 at the highest point of the town. Also worth visiting are the church of San Vasileios and that of Megali Panagia. From historical evidence, the village was already inhabited in the 10th century and previously its name was Ravenikia.
Right at the foot of Mount Holomontas at 600 meters above sea level we find the picturesque village of Arnea. Let's say that over time it has changed several names, at first it was known as Arni, Avgea and Liarigovi and then became Arnea definitively. A village where the past has left very little space for the present, certainly becoming more modern as far as services are concerned, in fact there are small pensions, delightful cafes, taverns with typical local menus, but nevertheless it has retained its ancient flavor. With about 2500 inhabitants it presents itself with its traditional Macedonian-style buildings and cobbled streets where ancient crafts such as weaving are still an integral part of daily life. To visit the church of Santo Stefano (Aghios Stefanos) near the village built in 1812 with a glass floor where you can see the precious archaeological finds, the Weaving Museum dedicated to Harikleia Dimitrakoudi one of the greatest female weavers of Macedonia housed in an ancient residence, the old school of 1872 in the main square and on the hill the church of Agia Paraskevi. If you are nearby, don't forget to buy local products such as honey, tsipouro and jams.
Taxiarchis is located in the western part of Mount Holomontas 700 meters above sea level between four natural springs Lowe Spring, Iho, Upper, Sipotoura. 60 km Thessaloniki and 15 Polgyros the administrative capital of the Northern Chalkidiki Peninsula. Surrounded by a thick forest of firs and pines it is a village with typical stone houses, some small pensions and a central square called Horostasi, the hub of the community. It is an area famous for the cultivation of Christmas trees due to its enormous natural availability of trees. There is also a state-owned forest of 5,800 hectares with interesting flora and fauna. The village of Taxiarchis is famous for its mushrooms, in fact in September there is a beautiful festival and if you are in the surrounding area you cannot miss it, for potatoes, beans and homemade jams with the fruits of the undergrowth. Surely a beloved place by lovers of trekking and walking given the multitude of paths through an unspoiled nature. Other activities include mountain biking, climbing,horseback riding and for those who love the "sit-ups" as a sport, taverns with ancient recipes and genuine flavors.
Geroplatanos which means "old plane tree", takes its name from the ancient and imposing tree with almost 800 years that is located in the town square more than 20 meters high and with a perimeter of 15 that became a monument of nature in 1975. The village is located at the foot of Mount Holomonas and is surrounded by a dense wooded area of plane trees and walnuts. To visit the chapel of Panagia (Our Lady) where on the 14th and 15th of August a traditional feast is held in honor of the Virgin Mary with typical dances and dishes of the local Macedonian culture. Geroplatanos was born in 1975 from seven families who settled in the area giving life to the current village.
At 50 km from Thessaloniki and 15 from Polygyros, the village of Agios Prodomos is certainly a good opportunity if you are heading towards Mount Athos or if you are wandering around the Chalkidiki Peninsula. On the slopes of Mount Holomontas it is according to many the place where you eat the best "souvlaki" in Greece. How it's done is obviously a secret but the recipe has been handed down from father to son for generations. It has 450 residents all dedicated to agriculture. To visit the small but characteristic square, soul of the village, eat in the excellent taverns with a genuine and sincere flavor, the small post-Byzantine chapel dedicated to San Prodormos (from which the name of the village comes) and take a walk contemplating the Resetnikioti river passing through the village surrounded by wonderful wild nature.
A small village of 400 inhabitants located on the slope of Mount Vigla at 950 meters above the sea level. A village with traditional houses built as an amphitheater on the slope of the mountain where the residents take care of agriculture, beekeeping and someone in the surrounding mines as part of the area called Mantemochoria (they are the villages where there were and are mines of silver or other minerals) . Vavdos was considered the largest leucolite deposit. In the central square a majestic plane tree is the master as well as a meeting point for the population and its church where a marble pulpit with reliefs dating back to the 5th century AD is preserved. To visit on the highest peak at 1050 meters is the church of Profitis Elias which offers a magnificent view of the plain and the coast. From historical evidence, Vavdos has existed since the 14th century.
The village of Doumbia is also known internationally mainly for its natural springs of mineral water. Its name derives from two sepulchers located in the plain in the northern part of the country, another version instead states that the word Doympia in the Slavic language means oak and perhaps it is attributed to the large oak forest that covers the area. An ancient village, with its narrow streets and white houses with red roofs where time seems to have stopped. To visit the church of Agia Paraskevi which inside contains an important relic dating back to 1707 and the eight water mills including three well preserved. About three kilometers north is the archaeological site of the city of Kalindos.
And for finish we are in Krini, a small semi-mountain village 300 meters above sea level that is home to almost six hundred souls. Still standing in time, it is the oldest community in the jurisdiction of Nea Propontida. The inhabitants mainly deal with agriculture, especially cereals and sheep and goat breeding. The nearby Katsika mountain is one of the natural beauties that can be admired around Krini. Worth noting is the feast of Agios Christoforos which is held on 9 May and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on 15 August as very beautiful celebrations are organized based on music, traditional dances and typical foods of the area.
Here we are, in truth there would be villages to see in Northern Chalkidiki, but the beauty is also in discovering them for yourself. An itinerant journey between culture and tradition where you can savor the true and ancient atmosphere of Northern Greece, very different from the more known areas or from the islands but with a charm, believe us unique and inimitable.