Sithonia, East Coast
Halkidiki, Greece

The road south down the Sithonia peninsula from Sarti. A biker's best, even if it is a mini motor.

The Sithonia peninsula is a fine destination for independent travellers, particularly motorcyclists as roads are heavenly curved and empty but in addition to the usual gravel-rash caveat also beware honeybee-meets-eyeball situations when moving at speed without eye protection, the region seems to have a thriving bee industry.

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Kalamitsi's beach bar in late September.

Sarti's biggest small competitor is down the road at Kalamitsi, where the beach is far better but other facilities are far fewer.
In the far south of Sithonia 160 kms (100 miles) from Thessaloniki, Kalamitsi is a cluster of tavernas, domatia (apartments) and camping with attendant facilities such as parasols, a supermarket, beach bar. The bay is attractive, the sand is softer and whiter than Sarti and the area much less developed, but this means, of course, that evening choice of eating/drinking / shopping is limited.

A few klicks the north side of Sarti are some superb, small, soft-sand beaches such as this.

This is Kavourotrypes (aka Kavourotrypes) beach, a 'secret beach' until recently but now popular with weekend visitors from Thessaloniki. The bleached and worn rocks, turquoise waters, pine tree backing and view across to Mt Athos are stunning, while the sand is white and soft and the sea is warm. Brilliant, but avoid summer weekends when the hordes arrive from the big city. June and September are excellent here and midsummer too is OK if you avoid weekends.

Agios Nikolaos is the nearest town at 10kms to the north, otherwise the Vourvourou district is a scattered collection of houses, apartment blocks, hotels, guest houses and camp sites buried in the pines but close to the lovely little rocky coves and powder sand beaches that make the coast such an attraction.

The Vourvourou coast. It's an intense place to camp, few facilities, many views.

Campers who enjoy primitive conditions will be happy in the pine woods of eastern Sithonia, Halkidiki, where the views are sensational, the beaches sublime and free camping is strictly speaking illegal but depends on the local police who generally prefer to avoid too much strenuous activity such as walking or talking to foreigners.
Official camp sites do exist. A vehicle is very useful for shopping trips.

One of several Vourvourou beaches north of Sarti. Absolutely stunning. Next, Sithonia West Coast pictures...

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