East Halkidiki – Mount Athos Area
East Halkidiki is also known as Mount Athos Area because of the Halkidiki’s homonymous third peninsula. It is an enchanting area, combining beautiful nature, clear waters of the Aegean Sea, numerous exceptional beaches and islets, and a great deal of history.
Add to it sport and nightlife facilities, delicious cuisine and modern hotels and accommodation units, and you get a winning combination for your vacation or excursion.
The historic Mount Athos is home for about 20 Orthodox monastic communities. Also known as the Monastic Republic, which emerged during the Middle Ages, it features Greek, Russian, Serbian and Bulgarian monasteries, safekeeping significant cultural treasure. The boat, taking you to these divine establishments, departs from Ouranoupolis (the Gate of Mount Athos). During the trip, you’ll also witness the exceptional beauty of the seaside and wooded mountain.
Near the Athos coastline, the Olympiada archaeological site and Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle, can be found. While in Olympiada you can take advantage of marvelous panoramic views, in Stagira you can enjoy interesting Aristotle’s Park by handling optical items, compasses, telescopes, etc.
There are beaches of all kinds to be found in the East Halkidiki. A myriad of white sand and golden beaches is dispersed throughout hidden bays and open waterfronts, both with tourist facilities and completely wild. Rent a boat to achieve an engaging perspective of the Athos seaside experience.
Across Ouranoupolis, a small Ammouliani island (the only populated islet in the region) is renowned for its sandy beaches. Each of them is awarded the blue flag, which is a synonym for the utmost quality of the beach and clearness of its waters. The fact that the population of the island is tenfold during summer can be taken as a reference to the popularity of those beaches.
Nightlife facilities, in general, can be found in Nea Roda and Ierissos.
East Halkidiki features a delicious cuisine, with dishes to satisfy everyone’s taste. Whether you opt for the mussels, bred throughout plantations of Olympiada, fish from Ierissos, watermelons from Nea Roda, Monastic Republic’s wine or something else, your choice couldn’t be righter.