Halkidiki Sights & Attractions

Mount Athos is a self-governed part of the Greek State, famous for its old Byzantine monasteries. Women are not allowed to enter the area, while men need special permission to go. There are frequent boats from Ouranoupolis that go around Mount Athos.

This Byzantine tower is the symbol of Ouranoupolis. Standing at the edge of the beach, it has suffered much damage through the centuries. Right next to the tower, there is the Christian Collection of Halkidiki.

(Closed until 2020) The Cave of Petralona is located on the western side of Mount Katsika. It is rich in stalactites and stalagmites and in 1960 a human skull of 700,000 years old was discovered there. Fossils of lions, panthers, bears, deer, bats and other animals were also discovered.

In the village of Stagira, next to Ierissos, there is a park dedicated to the life and works of Aristotle, the famous ancient Greek philosopher. Created in 2004, the park hosts a series of important instruments which show the phenomena of nature.

This archaeological site was discovered in the 1930s and includes archaeological findings of Ancient Olynthos, which used to be the capital of Halkidiki for a while in the antiquity. In Olynthos village, there is an archaeological museum that hosts the findings from the excavations.

The town of Olympiada, named after King Alexander's mother, is mostly famous due to the historically significant ancient site of Stagira.

Archaeological evidence dates the beginning of the ancient city of Acanthus to 655 BC. The origin of the name can be traced to the acanthus bush which abounds aplenty in the area.

This lighthouse was originally built in 1864 but has been restored since then. It is built in the colonial style and is the only building along the beach of Possidi.

The Stavronikata Tower (also called ‘St. George-Tower’ is the landmark of the Sani area. It was constructed 1543 in order to protect the Monastery of Stavronikata.

Constructed in 1858, this beautiful church is located in the square of Afitos. It has a unique architecture with three arches and a tall bell tower.

The sanctuary of Ammon Zeus is located near Kallithea village, 100 km from Thessaloniki and 50 km from Polygiros. Around the 5th century BC, people began worshipping Ammon Zeus.

Located in the western peninsula of Halkidiki, this magnificent site is situated in Palini area and is believed to have been a colony of Eretria. Excavations began at this site in 1986.

The Anthropological Museum of Petralona is located in close distance to the cave. It hosts a representation of the cave and houses items found inside, like tools, fossils, fire traces, and others.

The Historical and Folklore Museum of Arnea is housed in two-storey traditional mansion that dates from the 18th century. The mansion was recently restored to host this museum, established in 1999.

The Folklore Museum of Afytos is housed in the traditional house Alevra. It hosts tools of traditional jobs (carpenter, baker, fisherman, horseshoer, shepherd, and others). In summer, there are painting and sculpture exhibitions.

The small lake of Polychrono is a lovely place surrounded by pine trees. It constitutes a natural reserve for a rare species of water turtles, the Testudinata Turtles. This is a great place for walking around the lake.

The Archaeological Museum of Olynthos is located right next to the ancient site and includes findings for the excavations. There is also a room dedicated to the restoration process and life in Ancient Olynthos.

(Permanently closed) Situated close to Heroon Square in Poligiros, this Archaeological Museum hosts exhibits from excavations all around Halkidiki, such as the ancient sites of Acanthus, Mende, Olynthos, Potidea, Stagira, and others. Among the exhibits, there are marble statues, funeral columns, parts of temples, weaponry, tools, jewelry, and others.

The Christian Collection of Ouranoupolis is housed in a small stone building close to the port and in the Tower of Ouranoupolis. The museum hosts icon from the early till the late Byzantine times, wall paintings from churches and various ecclesiastical vessels.

The Folklore Museum of Poligiros is housed in an elegant mansion in the center of the city. It houses old furniture, agricultural tools, jewelry, traditional costumes, photographs, and other items. All exhibits were donated by the residents of Poligiros.

The temple was related to the important ancient polis of Mendi, one of the first and most wealthy cities built on the Kassandra peninsula.