Halkidiki holidays

Halkidiki has an impressive 550km of shoreline, so you’re bound to find somewhere to lay out your towel while you’re here. Kassanda’s beaches are caramel-coloured, with lots of nearby restaurants and beach bars to refuel at. Sithona, meanwhile, is peppered with sea caves where you can go snorkelling. Stay at one of the many Halkidiki beach hotels, and you’ll have them at your fingertips.

If you’re looking for a big beach with lots of space to sink your toes in the sand, Kallitha Beach is your go-to. It’s in Eastern Kassandra, and has all your typical resort facilities, like bars and restaurants. Jet-skis and watersports are up for grabs if that’s your bag, or you can just hop in a pedalo and take things at a slower pace.

Sithonia has no shortage of hidden gems when it comes to beaches, but we love Toroni Bay the best. Here, talcum-powder sands flake off into turquoise waters, and the Toroni Archaeological Site offers sunbathers somewhere historic to stretch their legs. You can catch a boat here from Nea Skioni port, too, if you’re up for some exploring.

The Nea Moudania Wednesday market is the place to pick up budget-friendly bits and bobs. It’s held in a town about a 40-minute drive from Kalithea, and is stocked with all sorts of regional produce, like local Halkidiki honey and olives. Save some room in your bag for the Hanioti Square gift shops afterwards – they sell Aristotle's curative honey, which the philosopher believed had life-prolonging powers.

If you’re in the market for clothes, Sani Marina’s got high-street brands like Lacoste and Adidas. It’s also a great place to pick up traditional Greek gold and silver jewellery featuring religious imagery. In Kallithea, promenade stalls have you covered for things like flip-flops and sarongs.

In Thessaoliniki, designer boutiques give you somewhere to splash your cash. Tsimiski Street and Aghias Sophias avenues are the place to find them, along with pricey antiques shops. Cosmo shopping centre outlets are just outside of town, too. Put those on your holiday itinerary to shop for big-name labels.

You won’t need to go very far for chilled-out evenings – Sani hotel entertainment and folk shows give a glimpse at the local culture with no need to make your way to the town centre. You can try your luck at the 24-hour Thessaloniki Regency Casino if you’re staying locally, too. Cocktail lounges and swanky theatres are also up for grabs, and it’s worth looking up ‘Aftios elegant wine bars’ if you fancy a glass of vino on the Kassandra peninsula.

You can’t miss the Kallithea main strip if you’re after a big night out. It’s where the party people congregate in Halkidiki, with neon-lit karaoke bars and trendy nightclubs like Pearl Club and Ahoy dotted up and down the stretch. Hanioti square cocktail bars shake up fishbowl cocktails just down the road, too.

This traditional white bean soup is a local speciality. It’s thick and creamy, with an olive oil base and lots of veg, like celery and carrots. Winter traditions in Halkidiki see Greeks eat this staple meal throughout the colder months, and especially during Lent, as it’s free from meat and dairy.

Cumin and cinnamon-spiced meatballs made with kneaded beef and pork meet a rich tomato sauce in this hearty dish. It’s a bit like a spag bol, but it’s served with a mountain of rice rather than spaghetti.

Layers of pasta and béchamel create a shining example of Greek comfort food in this saucy dish, which is combined in a pan and baked until crispy. The traditional Greek version is a lot like a beef lasagne, but in Halkidiki, goats’ meat offers a regional twist.

This Greek favourite was born in Halkidiki. It’s basically grilled Mediterranean octopus flavoured with thyme vinaigrette and capers. Restaurants often present this one with a meze serving style, or pop it in a red wine sauce stew and serve it as a main.

This isn’t any old wine. It’s barrel-aged wine, which comes with a deep colour and high acidity. Food pairings with game and strong cheeses are most common, but barbecued meat is a nice option, too.