Halkidiki: A Family Vacation in Northern Greece

Halkidiki is a peninsula in northern Greece, about an hour’s drive south of Thessaloniki – the country’s second-largest city. Its shape resembles a fist with three fingers: three smaller peninsulas that make up the main tourist areas. Halkidiki is known for its magical beaches and mountainous landscapes that offer breathtaking views and excellent hiking trails.

We went on a family vacation to Halkidiki with our 3.5-year-old son Dan and 6-month-old baby girl Li, and spent five days there. In this post, I’m happy to share all my recommendations, impressions, and tips – straight from our personal experience, including a few things I only discovered in hindsight that could’ve made our trip even better.

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Best Time to Visit Northern Greece

Although Greece lies in the Mediterranean Basin, due to its size and terrain, the weather varies between regions. Halkidiki is in northern Greece, along the Aegean Sea, where the water temperature tends to be lower in winter and during the shoulder seasons.

We flew at the end of May and beginning of June – the start of the season – and took a calculated risk that it might be a bit chilly. In reality, our first day greeted us with gray skies, rain, and cool temperatures, but for the next four days, we enjoyed blazing sunshine and warm weather throughout the day and night.

There is definitely a luck factor involved – so if you want to play it safe with the weather, it’s best to plan your holiday during peak season: from mid-June to mid-September.

Getting to Halkidiki

One of the biggest advantages of a vacation in Halkidiki is how easy it is to get there. The region is just a short drive from Thessaloniki, which has direct flights from many countries nearly every day of the week.

You land, hop in a car or taxi, and shortly after, you’re already at the hotel.

Getting Around in Halkidiki

We didn’t plan to travel too much during the vacation, since our goal was simply to relax and enjoy the resort. But for those who do want to explore – it’s good to know there’s plenty to see in the area, including gorgeous beaches and scenic spots all along the peninsula.

While Halkidiki isn’t a particularly large region, the distances between places can be significant, and public transportation is very limited. So if you’re planning to explore the area – the clear recommendation is to rent a car, for comfort and independence.

Where to Stay in Halkidiki

Halkidiki is home to countless resorts offering a wide range of experiences, from simple and pleasant to ultra-luxurious. When we searched for a hotel, we were looking for a place where we could fully settle in: somewhere we wouldn’t need to leave much, with enough variety to enjoy a full vacation without getting bored.

We chose Ikos Olivia, part of the luxury Ikos Resorts chain, which offers a “premium all-inclusive” experience – and when I say all-inclusive, I mean truly everything is included.

The hotel features three pool areas, all heated – a huge plus during shoulder season. There’s a toddler pool with a small slide, a family pool, and an adults-only pool.

You’ll also find a Kid’s Club that accepts babies as young as four months, a playroom, a cinema, an ice cream parlor, and endless treats for both kids and parents.

The resort includes five gourmet restaurants, all part of the package, and also offers the option to dine at select chef restaurants in nearby villages – using a voucher from the hotel, if you’re in the mood for a change of scenery.

Guests can also borrow a Tesla for a day to explore the area – included in the stay. All you need to do is send a WhatsApp to the guest services team, available 24/7 for any request.

What impressed me most? The consistent high standard of every detail – from the well-maintained facilities to the clean, beautifully designed rooms, and the restaurants that feel like true fine dining experiences.

What to Do in Halkidiki

As I mentioned, we didn’t plan to do much exploring – we came mainly to relax. But thanks to the Tesla included in the package, we did get a chance to admire the beauty of the peninsula, especially its westernmost “finger” – Kassandra.

The first and most recommended stop for a day trip is the town of Afytos, considered the most beautiful town in Kassandra – and perhaps all of Halkidiki. It has the charm of old-time Greece: not overly commercialized, with a picturesque center full of small shops, tavernas, cozy cafés, and a little promenade overlooking a stunning turquoise beach.

My tip: drive to the town center, park your car, and simply stroll around and get lost in the alleyways. It’s a town made for wandering with no fixed plan.

From there, you can continue to one of Halkidiki’s famous beaches. If you had to choose just one – two of the most iconic are Possidi Cape and Glarokavos Beach. Both are known for their incredible scenery and are beloved by visitors.

We chose to drive to Possidi Cape – and it was definitely worth the journey. You can only reach it by car, and at some point the navigation ends, but you just keep driving until you reach a dirt parking lot near the beach.

Possidi Cape is a narrow sandbar stretching into the Aegean Sea, creating a dramatic, postcard-worthy view. The beach is wild and open, with deep turquoise water and endless sea in every direction. It’s a perfect place for a quick stop, a walk along the shore, or even a quiet picnic by the waves.

Note: there are no facilities, restaurants, or services at the beach – so come prepared. Water, a hat, sunscreen, and snacks will make all the difference.

In Summary

Halkidiki was the perfect destination for our family vacation – a place that combined breathtaking scenery, stunning beaches, luxurious resorts, and the chance to truly unwind – without giving up short trips or touches of authentic Greece.

Whether you’re a family with small children looking for a relaxing, pampering beach holiday, or you like to add a bit of variety with nature trips and charming villages – you’ll find the perfect balance in Halkidiki.

For us, it was a holiday filled with serenity, comfort, and unforgettable views – and we can totally see ourselves coming back again.