Beach time is the best time you can spend in Sithonia. But if you are tired of swimming, sunbathing or you just want to do something different apart from finding the perfect beach, check out the other activities the peninsula can offer.
Parthenonas village
It`s the best place to go if you are tired of the beach and the sea. Parthenonas is a small mountainous village with preserved old architecture. A few decades ago the village was fully abandoned by its residents but now there are a few boutique-style hotels and restaurants which keep the place alive.
Diaporos and the Blue Lagoon
You need to rent a boat for this adventure and drive it yourself - not hard at all when you follow the instructions of the rental company. Diaporos island is protected from wind and the sea around it has fabulous blue color, it is also very close to the shore and easy to reach. There are also organized boat trips which include Diaporos as part of their program but in this case you will not have the chance to spend there as much time as you want.
Porto Koufo
Porto Koufo is considered the largest natural harbor of Greece. It is not the best place for swimming but at the seafront you find a couple of excellent tavernas for fresh fish and seafood.
The Ghost City of Sithonia
Despite its name, the Ghost City of Sithonia is neither a haunted, nor abandoned place. It consists only of a network of paved streets and ready infrastructure for a town which was supposed to be built there but no construction has begun so far. Except for entertaining yourself while driving on the maze of streets, you can also follow the signs to some of the best beaches in this part of Sithonia - Kriaritsi, Tigania and Klimataria. Just be prepared that you may land at dead-end streets or lose your way, just like in a real labyrinth.
Nikiti Old Town
The popular resort of Nikiti has an old town (or rather a neighborhood) where you can see preserved stone houses in traditional style. The old town is located on a small elevation with church and bell tower at the top.
Lemos and Cape Sithonia
Cape Sithonia is the southernmost point of the peninsula, with a scenic double beach called Lemos. Rocky Lemos is a place for adventurous people because the dirt road leading to the beach is in a very bad condition and it is better to take the last kilometer of the route on foot. You can reach the cape by boat as well.
Day trip to Ammouliani island
A trip to Ammouliani is a good idea only if you are accommodated in the north part of Sithonia. It takes approximately one hour drive from Ormos Panagias to the small port of Tripiti, and then another 15 minutes for the ferry to take you to the only inhabited island of Halkidiki. Once you are there, it is easy - the island has only one small village and a dozen of nice sandy beaches where you can spend the day.
Day trip to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is not that close to Sithonia but it is a preferred destination in cloudy days or just for entertainment. Apart from the White Tower, the long lively promenade, Aristotelis square and the old churches, you can also visit the massive fortress of Thessaloniki known as Eptapyrgio. In rainy weather the shopping malls are good alternative of the beach, too, and they are located near the airport so you don`t even need to enter the central part of the city.
Arnaia village
Arnaia or Arnea is an old village located in the mountainous part of central Halkidiki. The most interesting part of Arnaia is located near the Folklore and Historical museum where the houses are built ore restored in compliance with the traditional old style typical for the region.