Stays — Sitonija

Sithonia is the middle “finger” of Halkidiki and, for many, the most beautiful one. It is less built-up than Kassandra, with pine forests running down to the water and beaches that genuinely earn their Caribbean comparisons. It lies about two hours’ drive from Thessaloniki (around 100 km to Nikiti, about 160 km to Sarti).

Main towns

• Nikiti — the gateway to Sithonia and one of its largest towns: a long town beach, a seafront promenade and an old village inland with stone houses and tavernas. A good pick for families who want everything within reach.
• Neos Marmaras — the liveliest spot on the west coast, with a marina, fish tavernas and bars; the well-known Porto Carras resort is nearby.
• Toroni — a quieter resort in the southwest with a wide sandy beach over a kilometre and a half long and the remains of an ancient fortress on the headland.
• Sarti — the heart of the east coast: a big sandy beach looking across to Mount Athos, a relaxed pace, and a base for exploring the famous coves north of town.
• Kalamitsi — a small pine-backed bay loved by campers and divers; capacity is limited in peak season, so book early.

Beaches

Sithonia’s beaches are what it is famous for:

• Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach) — a string of small coves between Armenistis and Sarti: white rock, shallow turquoise water and pine shade.
• Armenistis and Platanitsi — long beaches next to campsites, with sand and a gentle entry into the sea.
• Karydi (Vourvourou) — a shallow lagoon-like bay of white sand, ideal for small children; in summer it can fill up before noon.
• Toroni and Tristinika — spacious sandy beaches where you can find room even in August.

Who Sithonia suits

Traveller profile	Why Sithonia
Families with children	shallow sandy bays (Vourvourou, Toroni), quieter towns
Nature lovers	pine forest down to the sea, viewpoints, hidden coves
Crowd avoiders	less development and a slower rhythm than Kassandra
Nightlife seekers	limited — Neos Marmaras and Sarti are the liveliest; for clubs, Kassandra is the better bet

Practical tips

• To explore the coves a car is practically essential — the best beaches lie outside the towns and local transport is sparse.
• The east coast (Sarti, Kalamitsi) looks out at Mount Athos — sunsets belong to the west coast, sunrises to the east.
• Accommodation is mostly apartments, with a growing number of pool villas in the hills behind Nikiti and Vourvourou.

For the drive down and border crossings see the road-trip guide to Greece, and for picking your dates the season overview.