Thessaloniki's table, Sithonia's water
The natural pairing for this region — a city that rewards unhurried market mornings, followed by Sithonia, the least developed and best-swum of the three Halkidiki peninsulas.
- Length
- 7 days · 6 nights
- Months
- May – June, September
- Stops
- 4
The route on a map
1 · 2 nights
Thessaloniki waterfront
The promenade, the Modiano and Kapani markets, and a long evening of small plates in Ladadika.
2 · A day here
Ano Poli
The Ottoman upper town inside the Byzantine walls, best seen on foot in the late afternoon.
3 · 2 nights
Vourvourou
Small islands and shallow bays on Sithonia's east coast, good sailing and easy swimming.
4 · 2 nights
Porto Koufo
The deepest natural harbour in Greece, at Sithonia's southern tip, quiet even in high season.
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival in Thessaloniki
Sleep · Thessaloniki
Settle on the waterfront, walk the promenade to the White Tower, and eat small plates in Ladadika.
Day 2
Markets and the upper town
Sleep · Thessaloniki
The Modiano and Kapani markets with bougatsa, then Ano Poli's lanes and the Byzantine walls.
Day 3
South to Sithonia
Sleep · Vourvourou
An hour and forty minutes by road; the afternoon swimming off Diaporos and the nearby islets.
Day 4
Sailing the bays
Sleep · Vourvourou
A day boat around the shallow inlets, with lunch on one of the uninhabited islets.
Day 5
Down to Porto Koufo
Sleep · Porto Koufo
A scenic drive down Sithonia's spine through pine forest to the harbour at the tip.
Day 6
The Athos coastline by boat
Sleep · Porto Koufo
A coastal cruise viewing the monasteries from the water before returning by evening.
Day 7
Departure via Thessaloniki
Departure
An early drive back to the airport, roughly two hours; a departure day.