Thinking about a Greece vacation? Follow along on my Greece vacation journey to the hidden gem of Halkidiki and get inspired. There is so much more to Greece than Athens and Santorini.

Hello there! My name is Ella, and I am a Destination Specialist here at MultiCityTrips.com and here is my travel story…

Whenever I visit a destination, I’m always conscious of seeing the area’s ‘hidden gems.’ There’s a quote from the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, which I often think of:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

For me, this is one of the core principles of travel. Don’t get me wrong, I love tourist hotspots just as much as the next person. In Rome, you’ll find me at the Trevi Fountain; I’ll be the first to suggest a visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and I’d never say no to the views from the London Eye. But now and again, I need a vacation that isn’t just a stream of famous sightseeing spots.

Earlier last year, a friend of mine was visiting Greece for a friend’s wedding and suggested I meet them afterward for a little road trip around Halkidiki. This lesser-known gem is just the type of place I’d been looking for, and I agreed to go without hesitation.

Getting to Halkidiki

To get to Halkidiki, you fly to Thessaloniki, a popular airport for those visiting the city and its surrounding areas. From there, we hired a car and took the one-hour drive to Halkidiki. The roads here are easily driveable, and, lucky for you, Greeks drive on the same side as Americans!

A friend and I booked a cozy, authentic apartment owned by a Greek man who spoke absolutely no English and showed us the properties’ amenities using gestures. When I say this is the ‘real’ Greece, I mean precisely that – it was a “no frills” type of accommodation, but we loved it as it felt like we were really immersed in the local culture and were living life as the locals would. However, suppose you’re wanting a more luxurious stay. In that case, there are a plethora of more upscale/mainstream beachfront hotels nearby that were equally lovely, just different in character – it all depends on the type of experience you’d like to have.

Paradise – Kavourotrypes Beach, Halkidiki

From Halkidiki, there are so many incredibly beautiful spots to explore. I wanted to make the most of my short time here, so we went straight from the airport to one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever visited – Kavourotrypes Beach. This little beach is a slice of absolute heaven on earth. As you walk down the sandy hills to the beach, you’ll come across a small truck selling fresh fruit and delicious homemade sandwiches. The water here is so blue it’s almost magical looking, and there’s the façade of mountains rising hazily in the distance. You can lay your towel here and relax in the sunshine, take a dip in the warm waters, and snack on the truck’s delicious treats. We spent the day here sunbathing, reading, and just taking in the lovely atmosphere. It’s a popular spot with locals rather than tourists, so you get a more authentic Greek feel than you do at many other beaches you may find in Greece.

Nikiti Old Village

For dinner, we headed to Nikiti, an ancient settlement turned beach resort nearby. Down a charming side street lined by trees lit with fairy lights, we found a gorgeous little restaurant called ‘Platanos’ with an outdoor terrace, set within an old stone building. Here, you can dine on traditional Greek cuisine with a contemporary twist. It’s a truly stunning setting and offers some of the tastiest dishes you could think of, with wine to match.

Island hopping

The following day, we set out on an adventure to explore the local islands just off the coast. You can hire a speed boat in Halkidiki for around €130 for the full day, which holds up to four people – that’s really cheap, especially if you split the cost! We headed to a local market to pick up fresh fruit, local wine, freshly baked bread, and other snacks, then loaded up the icebox (the boat comes equipped with one) and set sail. Diaporos Island, also known as a Blue Lagoon, is a must-see and has some of the clearest and bluest waters I’ve ever seen.

While the day away, sailing from island to island, stopping for a swim in the beautifully warm waters and basking in the sunshine. The boating route is tranquil, and we never saw more than ten people in the same spot as us – it’s a lovely way to experience coastal Greece without the crowds.

If you are interested to know what else you can do in the area, you can check my list of things to do in Halkidiki here.

Nightlife

Though this was meant to be a relaxing holiday, we did end up checking out the nightlife! From our accommodation, we took the short taxi journey to Kallithea, which is known for its beachside bars and restaurants. Though we only visited a couple of bars, there is a mega-club in the area for those looking to party late into the night. We stuck to the local favorite, ‘Blu Bar’, which has a tropical theme, fantastic drinks, and shisha pipes should you want them.

The locals are super friendly, plus there is a mix of people here from the holiday resorts nearby. Drinks are relatively cheap (as they are in most places in mainland Greece!) – always a bonus.

Parthenonas – Traditional Greek Village

If you’re looking for a real hidden gem, look no further than Parthenonas. This wonderful village is Greece in its most natural and authentic form. Set atop a winding hillside, the village houses little more than an old church and small restaurants. With an elevation of 350 meters, you can sit out for dinner here with stunning views across the ocean, taking in the sunset as the sky turns to hues of orange, pink, and gold. Our dinner here was a highlight of our trip, as was strolling around this incredibly charming little village.

Nothing moves fast here – it’s a place to slow down, go for dinner at a tavern, and live the locals’ simple Greek lifestyle.

My trip incorporated a whole host of hidden gems. In fact, Halkidiki and its surrounding areas are somewhat hidden gems in themselves. If you’re looking to experience Greece as Greek people do, to discover beautiful spots on paths less traveled, then Halkidiki is for you – I hope you love it as much as I did!

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