The most important resort area in northern Greece, the Chalkidiki Peninsula is renowned for excellent beaches, first-class resorts and its nightlife. It has three fingerlike sections.
The western finger, Kassandra, is less than an hour away from Thessaloniki. It features lively resort towns such as Kallithea and Moudania as well as quieter spots such as Sani.
The middle finger, Sithonia, also has several resort towns such as Nikiti and Neos Marmaras, with the famous Porto Carras resort complex, and traditional villages such as Parthenon in Mount Meliton.
Most of the eastern finger is occupied by the monastic state of Mount Athos, a semi-independent region of more than 20 monasteries, from which women and female animals have been banned since the 11th century. In contrast, Ouranoupolis, at the border of the monastic lands, has become a resort town.
Among the major attractions of northern Chalkidiki are the Petralona Cave and wineries in Agios Pavlos. Frequent bus service runs between Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki. You can also get there by taxi from Thessaloniki Airport.
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