Nea Skioni and southern Kassandra (Nea Skioni, Pefkohori)
Nea Skioni, on Kassandra's south-west coast, has a wide sandy beach backed by a promenade of tavernas and cafés, and the peninsula's largest fishing harbour. Pefkohori and Hanioti, livelier resorts on the east coast, are around 20 minutes away over the wooded hills. Thessaloniki airport is around an hour and a half's drive, crossing onto Kassandra by the canal at Nea Potidea.
Best for: Families who want a sandy beach, a fishing harbour and sunsets
Not for you if: You want a lively resort strip on the doorstep: south-west Kassandra is quiet, and the busier resorts are a drive away.
Kassandrino (inland Kassandra)
Kassandrino is a small stone-built village of around 250 people, surrounded by pine forest in the middle of Kassandra. Trails lead through the woods towards Mola Kalyva beach, and its central position puts the beaches on both sides of the peninsula within easy reach by car. Thessaloniki airport is about 77 km away, roughly an hour and a quarter.
Best for: Peace, pine forest and walking, with both coasts a short drive away
Not for you if: You want to walk to the beach: Kassandrino is a hill village and you will drive to the sea.
Asprovalta (Strymonian Gulf)
Asprovalta sits on the Strymonian Gulf, just beyond Chalkidiki's eastern edge, where the regions of Chalkidiki, Thessaloniki and Kavala meet. It is a popular summer resort with a sandy beach around 11 km long. Thessaloniki airport is about 100 km away, roughly an hour on the motorway, and the ancient site of Amphipolis is close by.
Best for: A long sandy beach with quick airport access
Not for you if: You want pine-fringed coves: this is a long, open beach in a busy resort town, outside the three peninsulas.
Gerakini and Psakoudia (Toronean Gulf)
Gerakini and Psakoudia sit at the head of the Toronean Gulf, between the Kassandra and Sithonia peninsulas, with long sandy beaches. Gerakini has long been the port for Polygyros, Chalkidiki's capital, just inland. Thessaloniki airport is about 66 km away, under an hour and a quarter by car, and both peninsulas are within easy reach for day trips.
Best for: Families who want a central base between Kassandra and Sithonia
Not for you if: You want the turquoise coves Sithonia is known for: these are long, open sandy beaches.
Nikiti and Sithonia
Nikiti is the gateway to Sithonia, the middle leg of Chalkidiki, which is greener and less developed than Kassandra, with pine-backed coves and clear water. The old village sits slightly inland from the seafront, and the beaches further south along the west coast are a short drive away. Allow around an hour and a half from Thessaloniki airport.
Best for: Couples and families who want greener, less developed coast
Not for you if: You want plenty of choice: we have only a few villas on Sithonia.
Pyrgadikia (towards Mount Athos)
Pyrgadikia is a small fishing village on the Singitic Gulf, about 110 km from Thessaloniki, with several beaches close by. It is a good base for the Athos peninsula: boats from Ouranoupoli cruise along the coast past the monasteries, though only men with a special permit may land on Mount Athos itself.
Best for: A quiet fishing village and boat trips along the Mount Athos coast
Not for you if: You want lots of facilities: Pyrgadikia is small, and we have just one villa here.
