Kassandra
Taking the road from Thessaloniki to Kassandra and after entering the prefecture, the most
important resort you come to, is Nea Moudania (60km from Thessaloniki), Chalkidiki's largest
city and commercial center. A beautiful promising area in strategic position, which has to offer
a lot in the field of tourism in the future. Its most important cultural contribution during summer
months is the "Sardine Festival", and the "Festival of the Sea" which attracts every year plenty
of visitors. Nea Flogita and Nea Plagia are small villages which offer a great variety of hotels
and apartments surrounded by clean blue beaches.
The next resort, Nea Potidea (66 km from Thessaloniki), is famous for its canal that once
separated Kassandra from mainland Chalkidiki. Nowadays, two bridges take you to the lively
part of the resort with its youthful beach bars and watersport club. Following the road to the
center of Kassandra you reach into a small attractive fishing village with a life of its own, Nea
Fokea. On a grassy hill above the beach, Nea Fokea has one of the area's remaining
Byzantine towers and from the nearby benches you can get a wonderful view of the hills of
Sithonia and along the Kassandra coast. A turning to the right takes you to the other side
(west) of the peninsula, at Sani, a holiday resort with its medieval tower of Stavronikita.
Continuing south, the next east coast resort is Afitos( Afytos), perhaps the most beautiful village in
Chalkidiki with its characteristic location, with endless sea-view to Toronaios Gulf. Managing to
maintain the traditional architecture, houses made of stone and tile roads, the village has
expanded into quite a busy tourist resort.
Next is Kallithea, a large and busy holiday spot. One of the most famous places with a
particular development towards tourism. Luxurious hotel complexes, plenty of rooms and
apartments as well as a lot of restaurants and fish taverns. Kallithea is considered to be the
heart of nigh-life with big clubs and bars concentrating the vast majority of those looking for
all-night-long fun and amusement. Full of clean sandy beaches, crowded beach bars with
loud music prevail.
Further south still is Kryopigi 90km from Thessaloniki. The village with the hospitable inhabitants and the superb beaches. Built amphitheatrically on a piney slope it offers a magnificent view over Kassandra bay. All natural beauties together with services of the highest quality make out of Kryopigi one of the most interesting summer resort of the region. Next resort is Polychrono, one of the most famous parts of Chalkidiki awarded once again with a blue flag. It is widely known for its vast beach which extends all along village, the tourist infrastructure and its night life. A walk takes one up into the hills behind Polychrono to visit a pond in the woods where turtles are found. The root follows broad forest tracks passing through a high valley surrounded by sand stored cliffs and pine forests. The return path, gives many fine views of the sea and coast as it gradually descends through the trees to Polychrono. Then Hanioti, a village full of springs and rich vegetation. Acres of land are covered by pine trees which reach the shore and the blue sea. Here you will find all the amenities-hotels, traditional Greek taverns, bars and other entertainment. One of the most interesting villages of Chalkidiki, situated almost at the end of the peninsula is Pefkohori. The village consists of two parts. In the old village with the typical small houses and gardens and traditional hospitable locals, while on the other hand the modern and developed area of the beach offers you modern vacations and plenty of facilities. Finally, at close to the southern tip of the peninsula there is the village of Paliouri, with unique natural beauty.
From here the road turns to the west coast of Kassandra, facing the Aegean Sea. The first
settlement on the road is Agia Paraskevi (Loutra). Lots of people visit it for its hot thermal
springs. Next is Nea Skioni, a fishing harbor and beach. You can experience there peaceful
holidays while in the local taverns you can enjoy fresh fish. As the road follows the coast there
are a lot of beautiful sandy deserted beaches before arriving at Kalandra and cape Possidi
with its marvelous coast. The village itself is very small, no more than a strip of buildings
along the sea, with several recently low-rise apartment developments and a couple of hotels.
Next to the north, there is the village of Fourka, with its lively atmosphere and night-life
attractions. Next is the traditional fishing village of Siviri, with its famous "Kassandra Festival".
Further, turning inland is the village of Kassandria (Valta), with taverns, banks and taxi
service. From here the road turns back to Kallithea.