The best hotels in Halkidiki for a breezy summer break
Heavenly Halkidiki hotels for a sunny stay on Greece’s mainland
A lot of the attention may go to Greece’s hundreds of islands (from Kefalonia and Corfu to Santorini), but the mainland has plenty to be pleased about too – namely a trio of peninsulas and a series of stellar Halkidiki hotels. Halkidiki in northern Greece is also home to forest-edged beaches, Aristotle’s birthplace and archaeological sites of note, such as the ancient city of Olynthus, famous for its preserved Macedonian mosaics.
On its eastern peninsula is the Unesco World Heritage Site of Mount Athos, with millennia-old monasteries, hermitages and cells in caves. Today, it’s still inhabited by 2,000 monks.
Which part of Halkidiki is best?
Kassandra, the easternmost peninsula, has lots of hotels, the buzziest nightlife and beautiful beaches. The central peninsula, Sithonia, is where you’ll find a quieter side to Halkidiki.
Is Thessaloniki near Halkidiki?
Halkidiki is just over an hour by car south of Thessaloniki, which is where the region’s main airport is. Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city, after Athens.
Is Halkidiki good for families?
Yes – the region has several super-resorts, offering incredible facilities for children, grown-ups (and big kids). For the ease of all-inclusive, try the Ikos brand, whose outposts in the region include Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania. Or keep the kids busy for days at Sani Beach or Porto Sani, both in the same expansive resort that has five hotels within it – plus superb facilities, from a Bear Grylls ‘survival academy’ to a Rafa Nadal tennis centre.
What is Halkidiki like for couples?
Even though many of the resorts are geared towards families, they’re also big enough for couples to successfully seek seclusion, romance and fine dining.
Read on to discover our edit of the best hotels in Halkidiki…
Avaton
On the shores of the Athos Peninsula in Halkidiki, Avaton is a beach retreat with 36 villas, suites and rooms, most of which have a private pool. Start your holiday the only acceptable way, with a trip to the champagne bar, which is perfectly positioned for admiring the Aegean Sea. Things will only get better at the spa, whether you’ve requested a Sothys Paris facial or a massage in the cabana on the beach.
For when you can bear to leave your sun lounger at the Relais & Châteaux hotel, a cruise in a yacht to see the Unesco World Heritage Site of Mount Athos from the water awaits. The holy site has been an Orthodox spiritual centre since the 10th century.
Sani Beach
If you've got kids, the chances are you've heard people sing the praises of the vast Sani Resort, which has become one of the world's leading family-friendly destinations, since it has exceptional facilities for multi-generational groups.
Part of the holiday playground that is the wider Sani Resort, which features various luxury hotels, Sani Beach is on Halkidiki’s Kassandra peninsula, 80 kilometres away from Thessaloniki's airport. The thousand-acre reserve spans pine forests and beautiful beaches, not to mention facilities such as the Rafa Nadal tennis centre, a Chelsea FC foundation, a ‘survival academy’ courtesy of Bear Grylls and a private marina. There are two festivals held annually, when things get even more lively.
Sani Beach is the resort’s biggest hotel, set on the beach overlooking Cape Sani, with seven kilometres of pristine shoreline on its doorstep. There’s lots to keep families entertained for days and little guests (aged under 12) stay for free.
Ikos Olivia
Another mega-resort in the region is brought to you by the Ikos brand. For a slightly more elegant take on the all-inclusive holiday, Ikos and its ‘Unconditional Luxury’ concept is the Greek getaway for you this summer if you like the thought of a stay where you won't ever have to worry about signing the bill. Its Halkidiki edition Ikos Olivia is set along a curving coastline, with low-lying buildings blending into the landscape. The resort spans 22 acres of ancient olive and fir trees, as well as, of course, white-sand beaches along the Gulf of Toroneos.
Everything is included in your rate and this extends to dinners out in local tavernas, as part of the genius Dine Out scheme, perfect for anyone at risk of cabin fever.
Porto Sani
Another hotel option for guests hoping to try out the Sani experience this summer is Porto Sani, which recently underwent a several-million-euro refurbishment. Some of the funds were wisely spent on adding a spa, among other things. It is an excellent family-friendly hotel in Greece, with some serious child-entertaining credentials, from babysitting provided by Carol Mae Consulting to tasty, nourishing kids’ menus created by Annabel Karmel.
The resort has plenty of restaurants and bars to work through, such as Lima, a Peruvian eatery that has a veranda with views; and Elia, where you can dine on classic Greek dishes alfresco. This hotel is set just steps from Sani Marina, where you'll be able to dine on more globe-trotting cuisine, including Japanese.
Ikos Oceania
Another of the Ikos group’s all-inclusive resorts in Halkidiki is Ikos Oceania, surrounded by forests and fishing villages. The plot features landscaped gardens descending to a shore lined by fir trees. You’ll be able to admire Mount Olympus as you dine. It's all as scenic as it sounds.
The ‘Unconditional Luxury’ on offer here might feature a local excursion in a free-to-borrow Tesla, meals designed by a Michelin-starred chef, and free-flowing cocktails and fine wines. And if you feel the need to stay active rather than prone on a sun lounger while on holiday, you’ll be pleased to hear it also extends to endless sports, including mountain-biking, Pilates, beach volleyball or tennis.
Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort
As the name suggests, wellness is at the heart of Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort, which has a two-storey super spa where guests can book in for a mani-pedi or blow-dry, improve their circulation in the cold plunge pools or stay warm in the Finnish sauna. It also has a hydrotherapy area with three thermal pools and a bar overlooking the Aegean and Mouth Athos.
There are lots of pools at this water world, including one with seemingly floating palm trees just behind the beach. It’s also home to a sushi bar for when Greek salad or gyros won’t do. For guests arriving with kids in tow, a kids' club is on hand to help keep younger visitors busy.
Ekies All Senses Resort
Ekies All Senses Resort is located on the Bay of Vourvourou on Halkidiki’s central peninsula, Sithonia. The area has lots of secret coves that you may well have all to yourselves – all you need to do is hire a boat and set off from the hotel’s beach to go in search of them.
The resort's design seamlessly blends modern pieces from classic brands such as Vitra with antiques, plus monastic details in homage to nearby Mount Athos. It may sound like a temple of serenity, but it’s actually very family-friendly, too, with a playground and smaller pool for children.
Siesta fans should book one of the rooms that have a hammock on their terrace. Ready to help rouse you once it's officially sundowner o'clock are the cocktails at the bar, which are likely to be graced by herbs from the garden.
Eagles Palace
There are lots of stellar stays in Halkidiki and Eagles Palace is one of them, with bungalows on the beach and two-bedroom, family-friendly suites. It’s in the ancient village of Ouranoupolis, which translates as ‘town of the sky’ and is the gateway to Mount Athos.
There are several restaurants and bars at the Eagles Resort (which includes sister stay over the road, Eagles Villas) to choose from, including Kamares, with a balcony that’s the perfect spot for sunset – you’ll be able to spy the island of Ammouliani alongside your aperitif. Or dine at Armyra, a taverna on the beach serving Greek small plates by day; it scrubs up in time for supper, when it becomes an elegant seafood restaurant, complete with candlelight.
Eagles Villas
Over the road from Eagles Palace in Ouranoupolis, Eagles Villas is yet another well-equipped Halkidiki hotel, forming part of the wider Eagles Resort, which is home to several restaurants. These include a fine-dining eatery where the menu was crafted by a twice-Michelin-starred chef and a more traditional taverna on the beach. Accommodation options include sea-facing villas with a private pool.
Taking to the water during your stay is practically mandatory. The staff will help you to charter a suitable vessel and a skipper, and you’ll be able to cruise the Aegean in style, seeing the monasteries of Mount Athos from the water or dropping anchor near the islands of Ammouliani.
Afitis Boutique Hotel
Along the beachfront in Afitos (but insisting on spelling its name differently), Afitis Boutique Hotel is another dreamy destination on the Greek mainline, with white parasols lining the sand and a backdrop of lush greenery. The hotel overlooks the Gulf of Toroneos, with Aegean-facing terraces and balconies in some of the rooms. It’s a great Halkidiki hotel for guests hoping to go diving in the area’s clear waters. Above ground, enjoy a treatment or a dip in an outdoor hot tub at the spa.
Kitchen gardens supply many of the vegetables to the chefs, and the restaurant has an impressive wine list.
Danai Beach
On a bluff above the Aegean in Sithonia, Danai Beach is one of Halkidiki’s most luxurious hotels – it is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World after all. The resort is set on a sandy beach, with Mediterranean gardens also forming part of the scenic surroundings. The private shoreline spans 315 metres and there’s a dedicated team on hand to rescue thirsty guests or see to smeared sunglasses.
The hotel is also home to an impressive wine collection, three restaurants – including the Mediterranean fine-dining destination Andromeda, with a marble terrace, and the beachside Greek eatery Anithos – a spa and beach cabanas to stake out when lazy days are calling.
Domes Noruz Kassandra
This Halkidiki hotel opened in time for the season last year – and the brand has also been busy unveiling new outposts in Mykonos and Milos. Domes Noruz Kassandra is a five-star, adults-only retreat on the namesake peninsula near the town of Kallithea (handy if you’re hoping to go relive your youth by going clubbing). It’s roughly an hour away from Thessaloniki’s airport.
There’s a beach club on-site, plus more restaurants and bars to choose from – or you can venture out to the fishing village of Pefkochori or, a little further away, Afitos. As an added bonus, on a clear day, Mount Athos will be visible.
Ammon Zeus
Within walking distance of the centre of Kallithea, Ammon Zeus is perfectly placed for evening strolls along the peninsula to explore the resort’s many bars, boutiques, tavernas and clubs. It’s home to a varied art collection, 126 rooms, two restaurants and a spa, which was built on the site of a medieval monastery. The hotel has been in operation since the Sixties, but it has been extensively renovated in recent years.
There’s a pristine beach, as well as a pool, plus an ancient temple just next-door for some extra culture.
Elies 33
Elies 33 is an adults-only retreat that has mastered the art of Greek philoxenia, or hospitality (the literal translation is 'love of strangers'), with stays tailored to each guest, hearty family-style feasts, morning yoga classes and live-music nights.
The hotel is surrounded by pine trees and turquoise shores at the edge of the village of Afitos in Halkidiki. Rooms overlook either the water or the gardens. To really enjoy the backdrop, be sure to book one with a balcony.
Cora Hotel & Spa
Halkidiki is one of Europe’s leading holiday destinations and it is resorts such as Cora helping to make it so popular. Because what more do you want from a holiday really than guaranteed sunshine, restaurants with a view of the sea and a spa to ease away any lingering stresses? The hotel is also home to a food truck, and there is an Italian restaurant on hand to dispense pizza and pasta.
Cora is located in the hilltop village of Afitos, which has stone houses and cobbled streets to explore. Other activities on offer for hotel guests include day trips to Mount Athos, days spent at sea sailing to secluded coves and quiet beaches, hiking, paragliding, cookery classes and wine tastings. We did say it was holiday perfection…
Rigas Boutique Hotel
Rigas Boutique Hotel is in the traditional Halkidiki village of Afitos, on a rocky cliff edge above Toroneos Bay. You’ll be able to spy Sithonia and Mount Athos from the hotel, which has a pool terrace with a bar and a restaurant named after the humble tuna but serving so much more.
Lots of the rooms have sea views and they each have their own balcony or terrace. Some feature a hot tub, too.
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