Home » Skier » A story about heaven on earth or the most amazing place in Greece - Kassandra on the Chalkidiki peninsula. Greece: Kassandra, familiar and not so familiar

A story about heaven on earth or the most amazing place in Greece - Kassandra on the Chalkidiki peninsula. Greece: Kassandra, familiar and not so familiar

Kassandra is a charming peninsula located in the western part of Halkidiki. Thessaloniki is located nearby. Kassandra is connected to the rest of the region amazing bridge from Nea Potidea. This village is the starting point of every traveler arriving here. It is difficult to call Kassandra a peninsula, since it is completely separated from the territory of Halkidiki by the Gulf of Potidea. It offers stunning views of the surrounding areas.

In ancient times, the name of the peninsula was different. The Greeks called it Phlegra (“place of fire”). Ancient Greek myths say that Giants lived here. Creatures were born from drops of the blood of Uranus, which fell on the body of the goddess Gaia. It was here, according to mythology, that there was a historical battle between the Giants and the gods of Olympus for world power. The giants threw huge rocks onto Olympus, and Zeus sent lightning to Phlegra, burning the peninsula to the ground.

One of the myths says that a rock thrown by the Olympian gods during the battle crushed the Seismic Giant. However, the boulder did not kill him, and he remained on Cassandra. Since then, when the Giant tries to get out, the Earth suffers an earthquake. The rock thrown by Poseidon crushed another Giant - Aphos. Named after him famous mountain. The war between the gods of Olympus and the inhabitants of Phlegra continued for a long time. Everything changed after a prediction given to the gods. It said that the help of a mere mortal would decide the outcome of the battle. Then it was decided to turn to Hercules, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. The warlike young man defeated Alkeon, who was the first among the Giants. This meant the complete victory of the gods. The daughter of Alkeon, Pallini suffered bitterly and, unable to bear it, threw herself and her sisters into the sea. Poseidon's wife Amphitrite did not let them die. The goddess wrapped the girls in seabirds. The name of the eldest gave the name to the peninsula. It changed in 315 BC. The Macedonian king Kassander, having chosen the peak, built Kassandria there. Then the name spread throughout the territory.

Now Kassandra is a modern resort welcoming guests from all over the world. Greeks also come to the peninsula to take a break from routine and relax. Equipped beaches and developed infrastructure attract tourists. The traveler is greeted by kilometers of openwork shore, turquoise waves of the sea, and most importantly - active nightlife: traditional taverns, luxury restaurants, creative bars, discos, clubs - you can find entertainment to your liking on every corner. Along with this, Kassandra is a place of thermal springs and wide selection places to stay: from small cozy hotels to expensive apartments, from family hotels to luxury ones hotel complexes. Lovers have a nice holiday They will appreciate the golf courses, marinas, and SPA centers.

Tourists of the younger generation who love to relax after sunset will appreciate the Kallithea area. Stylish clubs are found here at every turn. Before this, there is always the opportunity to drop into one of the many cafes or bars, of which there are plenty in Halkidiki. The evening will not be boring on such a wonderful trip. Local restaurants invite you to enjoy unconventional dishes from chefs or taste traditional Greek cuisine - the choice is yours.

Administrative division

The current municipality of Kassandra includes:

Kassandria (administrative center of Kassandra),
Sled,
Nea Fokia,
Afitos,
Kallithea,
Kriopigi,
Cassandrino,
Furka,
Hanioti,
Pefkohori,
Polychrono,
Siviri.

It is known that Kassandra is the birthplace of the famous philosopher Aristotle. Stagira will open a lot for visitors interesting facts about the life of the great thinker, and the beauty of the surrounding nature will give you an incredible walking experience.

These places are significant for the religious world. Saint Athos and the monastic state of Agion Oros are a place of pilgrimage for parishioners from all over the world.

Petralona Cave keeps many secrets. The unique natural monument was discovered in 1959. A year later, the skull of an archanthrope was found there. Research conducted by scientists has shown that the remains found belong to the oldest man on European territory: he is about 700 thousand years old. You can see more than just fossils and skeletons. The cave also displays wonderful natural figures: stalactites, stalagmites, stalagnates.

The Kassandra Peninsula is full of myths. A touch of history lurks around every corner. Who knows, maybe in just a minute the Giant will again attempt to break out of the ground. Scientists, for example, say that the nature of the peninsula was completely different, the hills of Kassandra are fragments of a meteorite or the consequences of an eruption of an ancient volcano, and where it was, sulfur smoke is still visible above the surface.

Among the cities of Kassandra, Kallithea deserves special attention. The bays of Lidico and Anthony Quinn fascinate with their extraordinary beauty, opening up space and allowing thoughts to wander freely. But this is not the only advantage of Kallithea. Top class tourist infrastructure includes everything a modern tourist needs. Coming here means decorating your life with bright shades of nightlife, and therefore young travelers will appreciate the selection of bars, discos, and clubs.

Nea Moudania is famous for its annual Festival of the Sea. This international event brings together tourists who want to experience all the delights of a beach holiday. The port provides an excellent opportunity to take a yacht cruise along the Aegean Sea, feel the breath of the elements, and disappear into the vast expanses.

Green Hanioti is waiting for everyone to live a few days in paradise. Surprises await shoppers here. Demanding travelers can confidently head to Nea Flogita. Holidays here are a great option for family vacation. Young children will have plenty to do, as there are many playgrounds and entertainment complexes located in the city.

In search of peace and tranquility, you should go to the Kholomond Mountains. The cleanest air with the aroma of pine needles, the opportunity to hunt, ride horses or on foot, pick mushrooms - tourists who love active recreation will be happy. New cozy hotels combine comfort and accessibility.

Cassandra is notable for the fact that large number little ones ancient villages introduce visitors to local traditional cuisine. A check for a restaurant or cafe will be inexpensive, and the visitor will receive fresh products, be it seafood, vegetables or cheeses. For those who prefer to cook their own food, a strong recommendation: visit the local market. Low prices for the best products are not a myth, like many things on Kassandra, but a reality.

The Mouzenidis Travel company organizes tours to any corner of Greece. It becomes easier to visit the Kassandra Peninsula, spend time usefully, and relax your soul and body thanks to experienced consultants. Convenient flight from anywhere in the world, company representative offices near tourist spots, the opportunity to choose the tour you like right at home - the modern tourist receives services high quality easily.

More details

Kassandra is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. Thousands of visitors annually prefer it. Those who choose Cassandra will be truly rewarded. There's a lot to see here. Almost every village and town can boast of either archaeological, historical or religious monuments, to which daily excursions are carried out accompanied by highly qualified Russian-speaking guides of the Mouzenidis Travel company.

Nea Potidea

It is better to start exploring the peninsula from the town of Nea Potidea: its canal and the ruins of the fortress. Admire the magnificent views from here and the unique sunset.

Nea Fokia

Following Potidea comes Nea Phokia. Here you will see the church and the Byzantine tower from which St. Paul is believed to have preached. Across the road from the bay is St. Paul's Chapel. From here begins the passage to underground spring, from which, according to legend, miraculous water flows, and an underground chapel carved in stone. From the tower on the hill right at the entrance to the bay you can see beautiful view on the coasts of Kassandra and neighboring Sithonia. The wildlife sanctuary is of interest.

Afitos

Not far from Nea Fokia is Afitos. Although the town is small, there are enough attractions here: ancient quarries, the Vrisitsa and Mudunu springs, archaeological excavations in the town of Afitio, several picturesque churches, and an ethnographic museum. This is an ideal place for relaxing walks along the seashore.

Ammon Zeus

South of Afitos, near the village of Kallithea, is the sanctuary of Zeus Ammon - one of the most significant archaeological sites of the peninsula. Information about the temple dates back to the early Copper Age. Initially, the sanctuary of Dionysius was located on this site. The beauty of nature, water sources, rich vegetation and the cave led the ancient inhabitants of Afita, a colony of Erethra, to the decision to build a sanctuary in this magical place. After the intervention of the god Zeus Ammon, who helped the inhabitants of the area get rid of the Spartans besieging them, they built a temple in his honor northeast of the sanctuary of Dionysius. A fountain was also built around the cave and springs to transfer water to the new sanctuary, since the presence of pools of water was a necessary condition for the veneration of this deity related to water. Parts of these buildings can still be seen today. Details of the brilliant Doric temple, built after the annexation of Chalkidiki to the kingdom of the Macedonians, have also been preserved. The presence in the temple of two rows of pedestals for statues, characteristic of Egyptian temples, testifies to the Egyptian origin of this god. Around 2nd century. stands were built next to the temple, and to the north of it there was a small bath, associated with the cult of Asclepius and healing.

Wind turbines are interesting mills and ethnographic museum in nearby Kassandria. A unique opportunity to take a walk through a small lake-reserve and you will see the European aquatic turtle Testudinata in Polychrono, and you should definitely visit Pevkohori natural park"Glarokavos" and the monastery of St. John.

Agia Paraskevi

On west bank Kassandra, in the village of Agia Paraskevi you can swim in the healing sulfur springs. The village of Kalandra is famous for the wonderful wall paintings in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological excavations at the site of Mendi.

Temple of Poseidon

On Cape Possidi, or Poseidonion, as it was mentioned by Thucydidis, 3 km southwest of Kalandra, there is one of the most significant and interesting monuments in all of Greece - the Temple of Poseidon. Mentions of this the most ancient sanctuary Poseidon is found in Thucydides and in the manuscripts of Saint Athos of the 14th century. During excavations, the remains of a sanctuary were discovered with inscriptions indicating that the sea god had been worshiped here since the 12th century. BC until the Roman era. A lighthouse was built on the edge of the cape in 1864, which has been perfectly preserved to this day.

Sled

In the town of Sani there are many exquisite shops and cozy benches. We recommend that you definitely see the Byzantine fortress of Stavronikita. You need to get to Paliouri if only to walk along its picturesque cobbled streets.

Olynthos

Olynthos – strong and great city antiquity, will simply amaze you with its layout, colors, sophistication and subtlety of the design of the mosaic floors of its ancient buildings, the remains of which have reached us. By the way, this is one of the few places on the Chalkidiki Peninsula that has been seriously studied by archaeologists. Most of the remaining archaeological sites are still waiting for their turn. So, if you decide to visit Halkidiki again in a few years, you can expect new archaeological discoveries.

In the summer, the peninsula hosts many interesting international cultural festivals and local events, which we advise you to definitely attend.

Nea Moudania

The open-air amphitheater of Nea Moudania, a real gem of the city, has hosted the “Festival of the Sea” since 1999. Every summer, in July and August, the elite of Greek theatrical and musical life give performances here. Anyone can attend performances on ancient, classical and modern themes.

Siviri

Another city where the “heart” of Kassandra’s cultural life beats. An international cultural and music festival is also held here every summer with an always interesting and varied program. If someone did not have time to watch some sensational performance during the season, he always has the opportunity to “catch” it in the summer, at the festival in Siviri.

While vacationing in Greece on the Halkidiki-Kassandra peninsula, in addition to having a great time on the beaches, you can do exciting and educational excursions to any corner of Greece.

The most difficult thing on the Halkidiki Peninsula is choosing a beach. All of them - from remote Kavourotripes to magical Tristinika and from Akti Kalogrias to Polychrono - are charming and exotic, with emerald water and dense pine forest flirting with the sea.

Nea Fokia

Located next to the bay of the same name, where fishing boats moor local residents, under the watchful eye of the 17-meter Byzantine tower of St. Paul. Here you will find remote bays with turquoise water.

Afitos

Colorful beach bars overlooking the picturesque bay of Punta offer you a relaxing time. Straw umbrellas and the clearest turquoise sea to the very horizon create an idyllically monotonous picture that stretches all the way to the Liosi bar.

Kallithea (Kalithea)

One of the most popular resorts among young people. Snow-white sand, beach bars one after another, a rock covered with pine trees, the branches of which almost touch the water. This idyllic picture of a small bay will make you wonder if this is where you should prefer to relax?

Glarokavos

The beach was named after a natural bay - an ideal place for boat mooring. The special color of the water in the bay is created by its shallow depth. Beach bar on the beach is one of the most popular in Kassandra.

Pefkohori (Pefkohori)

The golden coastline and bluish-green tint of the water promise a delightful holiday on this beach. Here real paradise for fishermen. And cafeterias, bars and restaurants, located at the edge of the surf, are simply designed to wait for the sun to rise.

Polychrono – Hanioti (Hanyoti)

These beaches follow one another and both are marked Blue flag EU. Famous and endless... Pine trees, small grains of sand, emerald water - quite paradise, where, in addition, you can also ride a catamaran and do other water sports.

Hruso

Located in the coastal part of Paliura. This is the most fun coast of eastern Kassandra. Constantly filled to capacity. Small boats depart from here and cruise to Marmaras, located opposite. Paradise place, starting from Glarocavo to Porto Valica. There is parking.

Canistro Paliura

Located in the southern part of the peninsula. This place is loved by lovers of leisure. Trailers are parked on steep cliffs overlooking the seashore. Their owners enjoy stunning views of the Aegean Gulf and the Sporades on the horizon. With a clear atmosphere, even the outlines of the Pelion mountains are visible from here.

Luthra

This coastal village is famous for its healing sulfur springs. On its small coastline there are dozens of picturesque taverns where they prefer “healthy” food.

Mola

One of the most beautiful and remote secluded beaches of Kassandra. It is located after the town of Nea Skioni, on the road to Possidi. Lovers of silence and natural beauty will appreciate the beautiful pine forest and will certainly visit it.

Almost all Kassandra beaches have the necessary conditions and equipment for practicing sea sports. Cassandra's forests are simply meant for hiking, and its picturesque villages are ideal for carefree evening strolls.

In addition to a beach holiday on the picturesque coasts of Kassandra, you can play sports and enjoy water sports, as most beaches offer opportunities for active recreation in Kassandra.

The main water sports in Kassandra are diving and surfing, windsurfing and wakeboarding, water skiing and open sea swimming. The forested areas in Kassandra are ideal for nature walks and cycling. Mountain biking centers offer their services, Jeep Safaris and diving centers will provide beginners and experienced extreme sports enthusiasts with the necessary equipment for scuba diving.

In Kassandra you can also do aerobics, play tennis or ping-pong, beach volleyball or basketball. Many Kassandra hotels are equipped with modern gyms, sports fields and adjacent sports centers. Also popular destination in Kassandra is parachuting.

Transport features of Kassandra

The closest airport to Kassandra is in the city. In Kassandra itself you can rent a car for a certain period of time and travel around the entire peninsula on your own. Renting a car has recently become very popular in Greece and for good reason, because it is so convenient.

Bus service on the Kassandra Peninsula is slightly less developed than in other regions. The buses are comfortable, but do not run that often. Taxi is a fairly common means of transport on the Kassandra Peninsula, but traveling by taxi will cost several times more than by bus or rented car. The cost of a taxi ride is calculated based on the distance covered.

From the port of Athens you can also get to the Kassandra Peninsula. Also, thanks to ferries and small boats, you can move between the resorts of the Northern Greece region and attend some excursions.

December 26th, 2011 , 04:43 pm

During my stay in the town of Pefkohori, where I arrived from Russia in my own car (reports are on my page), I managed to travel around almost everything here. The trips were unorganized, but I will try to systematize the review when presenting it, I will start from the point of the peninsula closest to the mainland and then go clockwise.
The focus of the review is not party-club-beach towns, but rather “wild” places (well, of course, to the extent that can be applied to Cassandra).
The length of the peninsula is ~50 km, width ~15 km. Despite the abundance settlements, the total population is low, approximately 13-14 thousand people. There are many times more tourists during the season.
So, entry to Kassandra. Here, at the narrowest point of the isthmus, in the town of Nea Potidea, a canal has been dug, a little more than a kilometer long, used by small ships and boats. Thus, Kassandra can be called an island connected to the mainland by a bridge.
Nea Potidea is unremarkable except for the canal, we pass it and drive non-stop to Nea Fokea.
This town is already interesting; here, in addition to the beaches, there are two attractions: the Byzantine Tower (also known as the Tower of St. Paul) and the Chapel of the Apostle Paul.
2. Nea Fokea in the rays of the setting sun:

3. Nea Fokea, evening:

4.Chapel. Inside - underground passage into the cave, very cramped, there is a spring in the cave. According to legend, the Apostle Paul secretly baptized people here.

5. From the hill where the tower is located, there is a good view:

Let's move on. We skip the unremarkable Afitos (although there is an opinion that this is the last fragment of archaic Greece on Kassandra).
Further on stretches a piece of shore, one of those that I call “wild”.
6.

7. A little further:

Kallithea. This is the most famous resort place Cassandra. There are the most hotels and, accordingly, tourists here. Restaurants, shops, all kinds of agencies, clubs, many signs in Russian. The city is located on a slight hill; you have to go down the stairs to the sea. The beach is pretty full. My opinion is that Kallithea is more suitable for those who, in addition to a beach holiday, also need active nightlife and parties.
Next are towns similar to each other: Kriopigi, Polichrono, Hanioti, Pefkochori.
I will dwell on Pefkohori in more detail. The town is notable for the fact that it is the last populated area on the northeast coast, followed by just beaches (equipped and not), cliffs and coves.
8. Pefkohori, view from the hill (most of the towns on Kassandra look something like this):

9.Pefkohori, local church:

10. Pefkohori, promenade and city beach:

11. Pefkohori, city beach:

12. Pier in Pefkohori, Sithonia and Turtle Island are visible in the distance.

Sometimes this pier sells fresh fish straight from the longboats.
Immediately after Pefkohori there is a strip of Glarokavos beach, ending in the bay of the same name. The good thing about the beach is that it is long and there is enough space for everyone. But from a photogenic point of view, it’s nothing special.
13. But here fragrant flowers grow right on the sand:

14. And in good weather Mount Athos is visible (behind Sithonia):

Next is the so-called Golden Beach. The place is very interesting, beautiful and, unfortunately, more and more populated. We were here a year ago, and so, the number of people didn’t even double, but quadrupled. There are a lot of tents, motorhomes, all this was arranged spontaneously, a lot of garbage appeared... And, nevertheless, the place is still attractive, we came here a couple of times a week. The beach is sandy, abuts a rocky cape, the water is clean. There is also an area with a bar equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas.
15. Golden Beach (photo from last year, it’s impossible to do this now):

16. Golden Beach, view from the other direction:

17. In the Golden Beach area:

Next is Paliouri Beach. Here we need to explain a little, the town with the same name is further away, it is not on the sea, but the beach has the same name. There is fine sand and a flat bottom, which is convenient for swimming with children. There are several hotels nearby. There are a lot of people, especially with children. Personally, such beaches are of no interest to me, but this is exactly what many people need.
There is a small pier here; fishermen often sell their catches right here. Prices are practically store prices, maybe 5-10 percent lower, well, except that freshness is guaranteed here.
For example, fresh garides (shrimp) cost 15-16 euros per kg in the Pefkohori store, here - 13-14.
18. This is what this beach looks like from afar:

A little further there is a wonderful place - Porto Valitsa. This is a narrow bay surrounded by a rocky shore. The hotel of the same name is located here. The beach is very tiny, but there are few people. There is a very dense forest around. Nice place.
19. Porto Valitsa:

There is no way further along the coast, you need to go to Paliouri, then turn towards the sea, drive for about 5 minutes along a mini-pass, and then you get to a small, truly wild beach (however, in August, campers get here too).
20. Wild beach near Paliouri:

The beach is quite long, and there is an equipped area with a bar in the center.
We go further, our goal is the Church of St. Nicholas on the cape of the same name. After winding along a winding narrow road among small olive plantations, we drive out again to the sea. The beach here is not very attractive, a mixture of pebbles with earthy sand and stones.
21. A narrow strip of land juts out into the sea, and on it stands a small house - the Church of St. Nicholas.

There is not a soul around, the door is closed, a key sticks out of the keyhole. I already knew about this church in advance, you can go here on your own, candles are burning inside, everything is neat, there are icons on the walls.
There are candles, you can throw as much money as you can into the slot, take the candles, light them and place them in front of the icon. They say that wishes made here come true...
We came here several times, met people from different countries, but we have never seen those who take care of the church, nevertheless, there is always order and grooming.
Behind the cape there is another beach, very sad, and behind it the road ends with olive groves, there is no further passage. It’s probably possible to drive a jeep, but I didn’t try it in a car.
So I never visited the farthest tip of the peninsula. Maybe someday I’ll try to walk.)
Since there is no further road, we must return to Paliouri and continue on southwest coast. We go to the sea near the town of Loutra. From a distance, the inside of the car begins to smell of hydrogen sulfide. The fact is that in Loutra there is a healing thermal spring, there is a SPA hotel with a bathhouse. It looks like this:
22. Loutra, SPA center:

By the way, the water has true healing properties; skin and musculoskeletal diseases are treated here, and they say it helps calm the nerves. The cost of a single visit is 6 euros. Timing - 20 minutes. Everything you need is available - shower, locker room, sauna.
I'll tell you a story here. Among the spa staff there was a guy who spoke Russian (badly, but you can understand), he gave a short introductory tour of the complex. And there, below, he said, there is the source itself, there is a waterfall and a cave with the same water. You can go down there on your own. We went down.
The cave is a hole about 2 meters in diameter, an underground lake immediately begins, the water is knee-deep at first, I didn’t climb further. The smell - well, you can imagine, a closed space and intensely smelly water. While going down, we met a Russian guy, he said that about 40 minutes ago two Russians (presumably) climbed into the cave, where you can actually take a healing bath for free, and they tried to talk to them from the outside, shouted to them there, but in response there was silence.
We got off with jokes on this topic; below, looking into the cave, we saw a backpack and two pairs of sneakers. We also shouted, but no one answered. Without bothering too much, after taking a couple of photos, we went upstairs and moved on. Along the way, discussing the situation with the people who entered the cave, we agreed that, in addition to the unpleasant smell, people staying there for more than the recommended time (20 minutes) put their lives in serious danger, because the smell can cloud their minds... Then, after a few days later, we found ourselves in that place again, there was no Russian-speaking guy, we tried to go to the descent, but the stairs turned out to be blocked by a door tightly wrapped with wire, and with a sign that passage was prohibited. Whether this was the result of some incident with those people - we never knew...
23. View of Loutra from the SPA center:

We stop at Loutra. There are several beaches here, from small to large, I liked this one:
24.

In general, colored large pebbles (or boulders?) are a signature feature of these places.
Beyond Loutra, you can drive along a good asphalt road towards the mainland, or you can turn onto a terrible dirt road and go in the opposite direction, where there are no settlements and the places are almost completely wild. This time we are going to the civilized side. The next town is Nea Skioni.
There is a small harbor here, fishermen sell fish, prices are already much lower than in stores.
There is a sandy beach adjacent to the harbor. A calm place, but “not my thing”, the sand is fine, the water immediately becomes cloudy with slight disturbances, I must say, this applies to almost the entire southwestern coast...
Further on stretches the village of Mola Kaliva, there is not much interesting here...
If you imagine Cassandra with a boot, her nose to the right, then on the left side of the boot there will be a spur. This is a wedge-shaped sandy cape. The place is called Possidi. Big beach with fine sand that gives a suspension in the water, there are a lot of people, in general, it’s not for everyone, we weren’t interested.
Next is Furka, or rather, Furka Rock. Everything is about the same, only sand mixed with small pebbles.
25. Beach in Fourka, a little rough (in Possidi it looks about the same):

A little further there are interesting rocks, but they are not entirely stone, slightly earthy; when the sea is rough, they are washed away, and the water again becomes cloudy. But with a calm sea it’s quite interesting place. Further on from Furki the same earthy rocks stretch, since it was slightly windy and the sea did not look clear, I decided to turn back to my side of Kassandra. Through Kassandrino we cross the peninsula, leaving in the Polychrono area.
By the way, Polychrono is notable for the fact that nearby is the so-called Turtle Lake.
It’s easy to miss the road there, but if you’re careful, you can spot the signs and drive out to it. I warn you - the road is very bad, a jeep will pass, but a car will pass with difficulty. I drove through, but I definitely wouldn’t go a second time. From Polychrono people mostly walk on their own two feet.
In the process of wandering a little among the hills, I came across a piece of paper attached to a tree in a file, where it was handwritten in English (my translation): “There is no fucking turtle lake here!!!” Despite the bad experience that drove people into hysterics, we did not give up and soon discovered the desired lake. It’s difficult to call it a lake, a reservoir of 15x10 meters, with densely overgrown banks and muddy greenish water. At first we decided that there had been no turtles here for a long time, it all looked so lifeless. But suddenly, hordes of turtles quickly rushed towards us from all sides. Here they are spoiled by human attention, they know the connection between people and food, so they are drawn to the sounds of a human voice. We threw pieces of bread at them - they pounced on them, pushing each other away, devouring them with visible pleasure.
26. Turtle Lake (Mavrobara):

27. Ibid:

Soon a group of Slovaks approached the lake, we talked and found out that it would take 30-40 minutes to walk from Polichrono. Looking at their sunburned faces and hands, I can advise those who decide on such a forced march to wear wide-brimmed hats and stock up on protective cream.
I was haunted by the section of coast to the left of Loutra. My wife tried to dissuade me, but one day, using cunning, I involved her in this adventurous trip. And again a little digression.
Near Loutra there is observation deck(view from there - photo No. 21), we drove onto it, we meet a young Russian couple with a small child, it’s clear that they are nervous. We started talking to them. It turned out that they rented a car, intended to go to Thessaloniki, but got lost. I can’t resist briefly conveying our conversation:
I:
-Where are you coming from?
- I don’t remember the name of the hotel.
- No, I mean the name of the place, what town?
- I don’t remember the city either.
- Hmm... what is the coast like?
- We don’t know.
- Well, you were driving, which side was the sea on?
- In different ways, sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left...
Here you have to imagine, Lutra - almost extreme point on the peninsula, opposite to the direction of Thessaloniki. The roads on Kassandra are as simple as a steamed turnip (if you do not take into account small branches deep into the peninsula), even the name Perimetrics gives an idea of the location of the road. It was approximately the middle of the day. It was still possible to make it to Thessaloniki, but there was little point in it; it would take at least two hours to get there from Loutra. I will present my thoughts. They insisted on Thessaloniki.
- Well, then now go RIGHT, don’t turn anywhere, always move along this road.
- Thank you, goodbye.
With these words, our young acquaintances hurried, got into the car, drove off and... turned LEFT.
We just looked after them with longing... It became clearer how they could get lost in the primitive road network of Kassandra... I hope they finally got to the hotel.
Well, we left the asphalt and went deeper into the virgin part of Kassandra. The road is practically impassable for a passenger car; my wife went out twice, and I drove through a dangerous place alone. However, the terrible sections were short (and later, when we returned there more than once, a grader passed along the road, leveled many obstructions, and even four of us passed through).
But the places there, as it turned out, were worth the effort.
28. Wild places close to Loutra:

29. A little further:

30. And a little further:

31. Around the same place:

32. And also in those parts:

33.

At the very top of the cape you can see a tree leaning towards the sea. I climbed up there and took a picture, which was taken to the very beginning (No. 1). We liked these places so much that we then came here several times.
On one of my subsequent visits here, I decided to travel even further (my wife flatly refused).
The road, still the same broken dirt road, first moved away from the sea, then zigzagged up the mountain and then ran along the top of the sea.
34. A beach completely inaccessible from land (there is not even a hint of a path, and the bushes are dense and thorny):

35. Even further I discovered a place that even most of the inhabitants of Kassandra do not know about:

However, these places cannot be called wild; nevertheless, there is some kind of road, and at times there are even secluded houses, quite well-kept and inhabitable.
36. Coastline here it looks like this:

Sometimes there are places for campers to camp.
That's almost everything I wanted to write about Cassandra. We also visited the town of Sani, this place is considered exquisite and very expensive. But the beach here is fine sand, and that day there was a decent wind, the wave not only washed away the sand, but even tore out algae, the color of the sea was dark brown, in places black from small particles of algae, I didn’t really want to take pictures of this, I didn’t take pictures.)

To summarize, if you read this report with a practical purpose, then as a small recommendation when choosing Kassandra for your holiday:
If you want to party and like crowded, well-equipped beaches, then you are better off going to Kallithea (but you need to take into account the climb up the stairs from the beach) or other towns - Hanioti, Polichrono, Kriopigi, Nea Fokea. Sorry, I barely described these places here.
If you prefer ecological places, then it is better to Pefkohori, rent a car, moped or bicycles there and go to the beaches away from busy parties.
The water is cleaner (in the sense of transparent) on the northeastern coast, this is the Gulf of Toroneo.
In the southwest there are more spacious sandy beaches.
In any case, the sea on the beaches of Kassandra is always clean.

If you look at it from a bird's eye view - the region of Greek Central Macedonia and the most famous resort in the northeastern part of Greece, then the view from above will resemble the trident of the warlike god of the seas, Poseidon.

Ancient Greek myths telling about gigantomachy - the battle of the Olympian gods with giants, mention this trident, dropped by Poseidon during the battle in the Aegean Sea.

The ancient Hellenes believed that the emergence of the trident peninsula was connected with this battle. Whether this is so is not for us to judge, but the amazing similarity of the peninsula with Poseidon’s trident is obvious. The name was given to it in honor of their hometown by people from Chalkida, who, according to numerous historical evidence, settled here in the 8th century. BC e.

In turn, each of the three “prongs” is also a peninsula, which has its own name coming from mythology:

The Athos Peninsula is the most famous and revered monastic republic among all Orthodox Christians. He received his name from the giant Athos, who, in a battle with the Olympian gods, brought down a huge mountain on them, which then fell into the sea.
Sithonia is named after Siton, the son of the god Poseidon and the daughter of the Thracian king.
and finally, the leftmost “prong” is Cassandra, whose name is associated with later history.

A little history

Cassandra

Once upon a time, in the narrowest part of this “teeth” there was a settlement called Pallini, and then Phlegras.

In the 7th century BC e. On this site, the city of Potidaea (Ποτίδαια), founded by the Corinthians, appeared, which fell to the Athenians during the Peloponnesian Wars. In 356 BC. e. Philip II of Macedon, having recaptured Potidaea from Athens, ordered its destruction.

The commander Cassander, who suffered cruelly from the all-powerful Queen Olympias - the wife of Phillip II and the mother of Alexander the Great, but ultimately defeated and destroyed her, became king of Macedonia in 316 BC. e.

To relax and heal, it is possible to visit the thermal springs, where spa treatments are organized.

There are also activities for the youngest tourists here.. Their leisure time was taken care of in advance and several amusement parks were organized, where little guests of the peninsula can play various games or wander through the Minotaur Labyrinth built here - a wonderful imitation. And not only wander around, but also learn a lot of new and interesting things about the Cretan-Mycenaean culture of Ancient Greece.

The nightlife on the peninsula is, one might say, in full swing, and those who like to dance and have wild fun can expect chic nightclubs and discos.

Excellent organization of recreation, the location of the peninsula close to the Greek northern capital Thessaloniki, where hundreds of flights from all directions arrive daily - all this quite logically explains the numerous influx of tourists from all over the world to Kassandra.

How to get there

To get from Thessaloniki airport to Kassandra, which is about 60 km, there are several ways:

By bus

First, from the airport you need to take bus number 79 to the IKEA stop. From there, take bus number 36 to the final stop called KTEL Halkidiki. The cost of a ticket for a city bus from the airport to the bus station is 1.20 €.

They leave from here about every hour Shuttle Buses to various villages of the Kassandra Peninsula. The first bus leaves at 6:45 am, the last at 21:00. Depending on the distance of the trip, and the length of the entire peninsula is 54 km, the ticket price can range from 3.50 € to 14 €.

Taxi

From the airport to KTEL Halkidiki you can also take a taxi, the distance is approximately 9.5 km and the fare is approximately 12~15 €.

Getting a taxi directly to your destination on the peninsula is not a cheap pleasure, for example, the distance from Thessaloniki to the village of Kallithea is 80 km, and the fare will cost approximately 100~110 €.

You can also rent a car, it will cost 25~35 € per day excluding the cost of gasoline.

Weather

The largest influx of tourists to the peninsula is observed from May to mid-October, although you can relax here all year round:

spring and autumn are quite warm - air temperature is from 18 to 23 °C;
summers are dry and hot and temperatures range from 30 to 36 °C;
winter is short and almost snowless, average temperature air - 13~16 °C.

Beaches

Fans of active beach holidays and fans of sea activities and water sports such as surfing, diving, wakeboarding, and water skiing will find many pleasant hours of relaxation on the wonderful and numerous beaches of Kassandra.

Nea Moudania

The first beach, which is located right at the entrance to the peninsula. Its peculiarity is that here you can freely engage in all types of water sports. Sports schools and equipment rental shops are also located here. There are umbrellas and sun loungers on the beach for vacationers, and there is a bar nearby that serves tourists.

Ayios Mamas

A very long sandy beach, which is located opposite Nea Moudania from the exit from the peninsula. Everything here is conducive to an idyllically relaxing holiday.

Kriopigi

Located in front of a village called Pigadakia. There is a lot of greenery and trees around the beach, in the shade of which there are taverns and restaurants where you can enjoy fish dishes and fresh seafood.

Kalithea

Very crowded and, perhaps, the most popular beach on the entire coast of the peninsula with white sand and crystal clear water. Active recreation services for tourists are well organized here, and there are many bars and restaurants around the beach.

Nea Fokea

A sandy beach located near the fishing village of the same name, and therefore very good taverns serving fresh fish and seafood are located next to it.

Loutra Ayas Paraskevis

A beautiful quiet sandy beach about two km long. Near thermal springs, where there is a wonderful SPA center, as well as taverns and restaurants.

Polychrono

A very large, stretching for almost 7 km and therefore not too crowded beach with golden sand. Nearby is a coniferous forest, where there is a small lake with a rare species of turtles.

It must be said that there are many small, cozy and almost deserted beaches on the peninsula: all of them are either purely sandy or pebble-sand. These include, for example, Alonaki, Sykia, Kalonitsi.

Where to stay

There are no problems either in choosing a beach or in choosing a hotel in Kassandra. Here you can find both a luxurious 5-star hotel or a comfortable villa, as well as more modest and cheaper, but very clean and well-organized accommodation.

Prices are also very different, for example, accommodation in a standard room in a five-star hotel starts from 80 €, and in a three-star hotel - about 40 €.

You can also use the cheapest option- rent a room, of which there are a very large number. You can choose a hotel that suits every taste and budget from the list of hotels...

Attractions

Kassandra is famous for its centuries-old history, so you can diversify your leisure time, and at the same time learn a lot of new and interesting things, by visiting the glorious places of the peninsula.

Temple of Zeus-Ammon

This is perhaps one of the most important ancient temples dedicated to the god Zeus-Ammon, not only in Kassandra, but throughout the entire Chalkidiki peninsula.

According to archaeologists, the temple was built by colonists from Euboea who arrived here and worshiped this chthonic god.

In addition, it is worth visiting the remains of the sanctuary of Dionysus built in the cave of the nymphs, which is reached by a stone staircase carved into the rock, as well as visiting the well-preserved Roman baths.

Temple of Poseidon

The remains of a once majestic temple, built in the classical style of the 5th century. BC e. and excavated in the 1990s, are located in the village of Possidi.

Of particular value are: fragments of columns and friezes depicting the battle of centaurs with the lapiths, scenes from the Gigantomachy and the combat of Theseus with the Minotaur, as well as the sacred altar of Poseidon.

From here there is a magnificent view of Olympus, and the cape where the temple was built is, according to ancient legend, the very same one from which King Aegeus, who was awaiting the return of his son Theseus from Crete, threw himself into the sea, seeing that his ship was returning under black sails.

Afytos Folklore Museum

Household items and tools produced by local artisans, as well as household utensils and items of traditional clothing are exhibited here.

Resort villages

Nea Moudania

A small fishing village that dates back to the 19th century. There was once a small harbor here where merchant ships came, and now it is a wonderful tourist place, where there is everything you need for a pleasant pastime, and also has a beautiful beach.

Every year there is a festival called the Sardine Festival, where local residents demonstrate traditional dishes prepared from fish and seafood, as well as local wines.

Kallithea

This is the busiest tourist place, where life never stops day or night.

In the morning, tourists bask in the sun on a well-maintained beach, during the day they visit cafes or taverns where they can have a delicious lunch, and in the evening travelers from surrounding villages come here to have fun in numerous bars, discos and nightclubs.

The town also attracts with a variety of shops, boutiques, shops with local crafts and other products, where you can find everything that a tourist’s soul craves: from a bright and unusual souvenir or elegant leather shoes, to a chic mink coat at very attractive prices. Lovers of history and archeology also come here to explore the famous ancient monuments.

Nea Fokea

Well developed tourist village, famous for that that according to legend the Apostle Paul visited here. In his honor, the tower of St. Paul and the monastery of the same name were built, of which only a chapel now remains. The village has a municipal beach. A great place for an active holiday.

Hanyoti

A beautiful resort town surrounded by greenery, where connoisseurs of a relaxing family holiday prefer to come. Here they have at their disposal comfortable hotels and villas, many shops and boutiques, as well as a magnificent beach, famous for its white sand and unusually clear sea.

There are so many amazing things on our planet beautiful places. One of these “attractions of our planet” is Greece.

The beauty of Greece has attracted travelers since ancient times. Today they have been replaced by tourists. Every corner of this country has a rich ancient history.

One of the nomes of Greece, Chalkidiki, is especially loved by tourists.

This administrative district Greece occupies a significant part of the peninsula of the same name, on one side it borders with the state of Thessaloniki, and on all the rest it is washed by the Aegean Sea.

The territory of this nome includes the peninsulas of Athos, Sithonia and Kassandra. The last peninsula is very popular among tourists. Today Halkidiki is the center of beach tourism.

Halkidiki is the center of modern international beach tourism; people from all over the world spend their holidays here every year. Azure Aegean Sea rightfully received the Blue Flag award. Historical monuments, picturesque landscapes, resorts with developed modern infrastructure - all this is concentrated on the Kassandra Peninsula.

The Kassandra Peninsula is the “pearl” of Halkidiki. It received its name in memory of King Kassandra, the strategist of Alexander the Great; in ancient times it was called Palini or the “finger” of Chalkidiki; in antiquity the peninsula was called Phlegra, which translated means “burning place.” According to ancient Greek mythology, the island was once inhabited by the titans, who wanted to take power over the world from Zeus; they started a war with the gods, for which they paid dearly.

The peninsula is located between the two channels Toroneos and Thermaikos. It is connected to the land by the Potidya Canal. The length of the beaches is about 50 km. The beach area is indented with cozy and romantic bays and has a well-groomed and picturesque view.

Today Kassandra is the most densely populated peninsula, with 44 villages and a number of resort towns More than 13 thousand people live there.

Sights of Kassandra.

A trip to the peninsula should be not only entertaining, but also educational, taking into account the fact that it is on Kassandra that there are many historical monuments and other amazing places immortalized in ancient Greek mythology. By the way, not far from the peninsula is Mount Olympus, where the Greek gods lived.

Few people know that the peninsula is it is the birthplace of the famous ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. A visit to Stagira will allow you to learn many interesting facts from the biography of the philosopher and simply admire the beauty of the area.

Monuments of Byzantine culture are also located here. This is the famous holy Mount Athos. By the way, the only monastic Orthodox state in the whole world is located here - Agion Oros.

Gained world fame karst cave Petralona. You can refresh yourself while sightseeing in one of the taverns located here, which serves excellent wines and ouzo.

Further acquaintance with the sights of Kassandra can be continued by visiting the monuments of the city of Athens, the capital of ancient Greece.

Among other attractions dating back to the period of antiquity, one can note Temple of Amon Zeus and the Cave of Dionysus.

A visit to Meteora will give you an unforgettable experience. It is a whole complex of steep high cliffs located on the Thessalian plain. No less exciting will be a visit to Kastoria, the Byzantine bastion of Macedonia.

Amazing trip to Ancient Greece can be done by visiting the villages of the peninsula. One of these villages is Afitis, the national architectural style has been perfectly preserved here, with narrow streets and restaurants with national cuisine. The village of Kalandra is famous for the location of the Temple of Poseidon; it will also be interesting to visit the Polychron cemetery.

Resort towns of Kassandra.

Almost all the cities of the peninsula have the right to bear the name of resort, the most famous of them are Nea - Moudania, Kallithea, Hanioti and Pefkohori.

If you choose Kallithea as your holiday destination, you can visit its wonderful Byzantine temples, impressive caves and the amazingly beautiful Kallithea Bay. Also here are two of the most beautiful small bays: Lidiko and Anthony Quinn.

This is a cozy modern village, with excellent restaurants, cafeterias, hotels and sandy beaches. Fans of nightlife will also be satisfied. Night discos, bars, 24-hour shops and cafes. This village is more suitable for energetic people, lovers of shopping and nightlife, although a married couple can easily find a cozy romantic corner here. Hotels are presented in all variety and price range.

On the shores of the Thermean Gulf is the modern town of Nea Moudania. The presence of a port makes it possible to take exciting walks along the waves of the Aegean Sea. Arriving here in mid-July, you can see international festival“Festival of the Sea”, which takes place annually.

Hanioti is an equally famous resort town, located 90 km away. from the northern capital of Greece - Thessaloniki. The town is simply surrounded by greenery. Sandy beaches, crystal water is truly a paradise for tourists. Numerous taverns, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and shops are for shopping lovers. Vibrant nightlife attracts young people here.

More demanding tourists can choose a town with the romantic name Nea Flogita as their holiday destination. It is located 45 km. from Thessaloniki. The city has modern infrastructure, large and small hotels and is perfect for families with children. By the way, for young tourists there are many playgrounds, complexes and other entertainment and places for children's recreation.

Mountain air mixed with pine aroma is a feature of the Kholomond mountains. Here you can enjoy peace and quiet. Tourists who prefer hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and mushroom picking will be enchanted by this amazing corner of Greek nature. You can stay here in small, cozy hotels that were built relatively recently.

Note to tourists.

In addition to the attractions, entertainment, sea and beaches, holidays in Halkidiki attract with their budget and convenience.

Firstly, here you can always find a hotel that suits your budget, prices for food, souvenirs, clothes and much more are quite acceptable, sometimes even lower than in Russia.

Secondly, provides a unique opportunity to get acquainted with real Greek cuisine, since the Kassandra Peninsula has preserved old Greek villages, whose residents still keep and cook according to ancient Greek recipes. The wines, cheeses, olive oils and much more here taste great and are of excellent quality.

Thirdly, be sure to visit the local markets, they are open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., here you can buy almost everything inexpensively: vegetables, fruits, nuts, meat and much more. Just like in Russia, there are many supermarkets here, the most popular of which is the Masutis chain. By the way, on Sundays big stores do not work, and at noon - everyone is closed for siesta.

Visiting cafes and taverns won’t cost too much either. A simple salad costs from 3 euros, fish - from 6 euros, seafood - from 9 euros. The most popular among both tourists and local residents are moussaka, charcoal-grilled squid, Greek salad, souvlaki - kebabs, baked tomatoes with cheese and much more. It should be noted that the Greeks are very generous people, which means there will be plenty of food on your plate. A serving of salad can be shared between two or even three.

Communication and communications.

Throughout the peninsula there is Internet and Wi-Fi, cellular communications are functioning properly, and you can use long-distance and international communications. The principles of providing cellular communication services are practically no different from operators in Russia. Tariffs, by the way, are also practically the same as ours.