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Macedonia - Chalkidiki

General info

The region has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic Age as it is proved by the discovery of the cranium of archaic man in the cavern of Petralona. Since the 9th century the first monasteries in Aghio Oros (Sacred Mountain) have been established. In the middle of the 14th century most part of Halkidiki was under the domination of Servians, while afterwards under the Turkish occupation. Halkidiki took part in the Revolution of 1821, it was an operational base of the Macedonian Fight being liberated in 1912.
Halkidiki consists of three peninsulas namely Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos being the most wonderful and famous region of Macedonia.
Very clean sea, pines reaching the golden beach, marvellous islets, villages with remarkable traditional architecture compose the picture of Halkidiki.
Access to the region is via Thessaloniki from which Polygyros is in a distance of 67 km.
KASSANDRA is situated in the western part of the three peninsulas of Halkidiki. It was named after the Macedonian king Kassandros, brother-in-law of Alexander the Great.
In the neckline of the peninsula of Kassandra it is located Nea Potidaea, built in the place of ancient Potidaea. Remarkable sightseeings of the region is the canal which has been already mentioned since the 1st B.C. century as well as the ruins of the castle. The country town Kassandria is built in the inland of the peninsula with nearby seashore Siviry, a marvellous beach. Many of the houses of the town are of the 19th century.
42 km. south of Polygyros there is by the sea the village Nea Fokaea. The region has been inhabited since the Prehistoric Age. The sightseeings of the village is the tower of Apostolos Pavlos built in 1407 fortifying thus the monastery of Apostolos Pavlos and the ancient tomb that has been changed into a church in Byzantine period.
You will enjoy swimming in the sandy beaches of Nea Fokaea and the beach of Sani, 10 km. to the southwest.
Afytos is a village inhabited since the Pre-historic Age, 48 km. south of Polygyros. It had flourished mainly during Roman period and in the 17th century. It was destroyed in 1821 by the Turks and re-built after 1827.
In the village Athytos you will see old houses, the church of Aghios Demetrios with a dome of 1858, the Popular Art Museum. Next you will reach Kallithea, a cosmopolitan centre of the peninsula of Kassandra, where excavations brought into light a part of the temple of Ammonas Zeus.
Built in a region with rich vegetation, wonderful beach there is the village Fourka being in a distance of 66 km. from Polygyros. Passing the Skala Fourka you will meet Mola Kalyva.
In the peninsula of Cassandra there is also Polychrono, a by the sea village being in a distance of 62 km. from Polygyros. Next it is to be found the village Pefkohori by the seashore.

Where to stay

Hotels in the area

Local festivals

The Kassandra festival during the summer months in the amphitheatre of Siviri. The festivals of Apostole Peter and Paul during the 29th and 30th of June in Nea Fokea, Saint Marina on the 17th of July in Fourka, Saint Panteleimona on the 27th of July in Kallithea, on the 15th of August in Afito, Panagia on the 8th of September in Polichrono and Kassandria.

Beaches

In the beach of Siviri , in the beaches of Nea Fokea and in the beach of Sani, in Polichrono, Kalogiriko and Pigadaki, in Skala Fourka and Mola Kaliva, in Pefkohori, in the beaches of Kallithea.