Discover Kallithea

Routes of Kassandra

Tour through Kassandra, 1st peninsula of Halkidiki
If we take the road to Kassandra, the first town we reach is Nea Potidea, built upon the narrowest spot of the peninsula, the peninsula’s gate, with the large navigable canal, 125 m. wide, that divides the town in two parts between the Thermaikos gulf and the Toroneos one. The walls of ancient Potidea, which was destroyed by Philippos 2nd of Macedonia and in its place Kassandria was built, are part of the few ruins that still exist. Continuing our route we pass through Nea Fokea, the Byzantine tower of which dominates in the area, only 15 km. from Moudania, with its small rocky sinuous coasts and, after 5 klm. we reach the village of Aphytos, built in the place of ancient Athytos, the traditional part of which still exists and 3 klm. souther the town of Kallithea, the most cosmopolitan resort of Kassandra and a very big commercial center.
If from Nea Fokea we turn westwards on the main country road next to the seaside, we can see the County Jail of Kassandra, the picturesque seaside Sani, which was claimed to be the gate to Thermaikos gulf, with the tower of Stavronikitas at the cape Pyrgos and next the village of Kassandria which administratively belongs to Kassandra and has many 19th century buildings.

Walking mountain routes in Kassandra 1
From Sani one can take an easy walk of 2 ½ hours through the woods that skirt the long and beautiful Sani Beach with views across the wetlands of the Sani Bird Sanctuary and a colony of turtles that live in a small pond adjacent to the gates of the County Jail of Kassandra. Besides, one of the most beautiful walks in Halkidiki is the long track of 20 km. from Sani to Siviri through shady woods full of lizards, birds and butterflies with a breathtaking view of the sea below. Anyone who wishes a shorter walk can finish at Sani Camping, which is half way between Sani Beach and Siviri.
From Kassandria if we go westwards we pass through the coast villages Siviri at 4 km., Skala of Fourka at 10 km., after which following the road eastwards we reach Fourka and Kassandrino, mountain villages full of green, but following the coast road we will pass Agiopelaghitika, Possidi, Kalandra, Mola Kaliva at 44 km. from Moudania, Ag. Ioannis, Anemi, Nea Skioni and Loutra, all with enchanting beaches full of hotels, taverns, restaurants and archeological sites as well, such as Poseidon’s Temple on cape Possidi, where we can see the big self-turning lighthouse, too and the ruins of the ancient town Mendi near Kalandra.
From Nea Skioni we can turn to the mountainside eastwards until we reach the Monastery of Saint John the Russian and then on to the well known seaside resort Pefkohori on the other side of the peninsula, or we can continue on the coast until Loutra, a small coast village. After Loutra, we have to leave the seaside route since there are only rocky parts at the end of the peninsula now, so we follow the country mountain road through Aghia Paraskevi with its hot springs and the small settlement of Akritas “ef zin”, to Paliouri. From there, we can enter a smaller country road to reach, after passing through the small village Xina, the village at the furthest point south of the peninsula, Kanistro. On the other hand, from Paliouri, we can continue on the coast road at the other side of Kassandra, along Singhitikos gulf, through the capes Akrotiri, Alinaki and Glarokavos and pass from natural small harbors where we can see the small villages Chrousso, Glarokavos and Pefkohori. From there, if we follow the mountain road southwest, we reach the Monastery of St. John the Russian.
If we continue on the coast road from Pefkohori, we pass through well known resorts with great night attractions like Haniotis at 4 km., Polyhrono (the ancient Neapolis) at 9 km., Kryopighi at 14 km., with their crystal blue waters and we end up at Kallithea at 19 km..having circled Kassandra, the first leg of Halkidiki.

Walking mountain routes in Kassandra 2
From Polyhrono a walking track takes us to a small pond with turtles in it, through pine forests and deep ravines with tall trees and back to Polyhrono admiring the astounding view of the coast below. Besides, from Kryopighi a much longer trail can take us via forest tracks along streambeds, past the pretty chapel of Aghia Paraskevi, to the beautiful unspoilt little village of Kassandrino, hidden away in the hills of Kassandra and then back to Kryopighi.
Finally another path takes us from Hanioti up on to the long ridge which is the backbone of the peninsula, where the Fire Lookout Tower is and back to Hanioti with a panoramic view of both the east and the west coast of the peninsula. Just outside of Kallithea we can admire the temple of Ammon Zeus. If we continue north, we return through Afitos, N. Fokea and N. Potidea to the central highway, which through the crossroad out of Moudania will take us eastwards to the second leg, Sithonia.
source: www.halkidikiguide.gr

Nearest Beaches

N. Fokea Beach
New Fokea beach is a small quiet beach with beautiful sea-food tavernas located 10 kms from our hotel.

Kallithea Beach
One of the best beaches is just three minutes from our studios.

Kriopigi Beach
Kriopigi beach is a sandy cosmopolitan beach just 5 minutes from our studios.

Afytos Beach
Afytos beach is located 5 kms from our hotel.

N. Skioni Beach
N. Skioni beach is located 100 ms from Thessaloniki and 40 kms form our hotel.