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A guide to Chalkidiki region
Choose Chalkidiki, Choose Nature
Geography | Climate | History | Economy and Tourism | Real Estate Market | Picture & Text Guide
 Chalkidiki sometimes written as Chalcidice, or Halkidiki, is a prefecture in Northern Greece; in the geographical region of Macedonia. The area’s population is 110 000, and its capital city is Polygyros. It is located between Thermaikos and Strymonikos gulfs, and borders to the north with Thessaloniki prefecture. The metropolitan city of Thessaloniki, the second largest in Greece, is only minutes away.
Chalkidiki is a peninsula made up of three smaller peninsulas which from west to east are: Kassandra, Sithonia and Mt. Athos. Kassandra is characterized by its dense wooded hills with lush green forests. The villages are spread on each side of the mountain range by the coast. Sithonia, the middle peninsula is geographically very similar to Kassandra but is less populated. In Sithonia can be found
Chalkidiki’s best known hotel complex of Porto Carras, where official EU summits have taken place.
Mt. Athos is the highest mountain in the prefecture and due to its religious and political character it has remained an untouched “heaven on earth” in terms of nature and wildlife. The Athos peninsula is the center of eastern orthodox monasticism. The monastic community is a world heritage site made up of 20 monasteries that form a self-governing state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic.
 Chalkidiki is very gifted to have four distinct seasons, and experiences 300 days of sunshine per year. The region has very warm and dry summers, with minimal rainfall and eighteen hour sunshine. The autumns are warm, with an average amount of rainfall. The winters are cooler though with more rain than during autumn. During springtime the rich nature blossoms and gives the area beauty that as some people claim: surpasses that of the gardens of Eden.
Minor temperature differences occur throughout the whole year, in different parts of the peninsula. These climatic variations are affected by the altitude and latitude of the location. Average temperature is between 23°C and 34°C (73°F to 93°F) during summertime; and between 4°C to 19°C (39°F to 66°F) during the winter.
 Chalkidiki is well mentioned in the ancient Hellenic mythology, and has been populated since the beginning of time thanks to its rich natural resources and its euphoric climate. In the Petralona cave, one can see the first “Homo sapiens neandertalensis”, to been found. The discovery of a primitive manlike being together with many ancient species makes the cave into a window to a lost and hidden past.
 The name Chalkidiki derives from the Hellenic word of “chalkos” that means copper, which used to be the regions main export during classical times. The region witnessed its major cultural evolution during the Hellenistic Eras of Phillip and Alexander the Great of Macedon. Alexander’s teacher, the great philosopher Aristotle was born in Stageira, an ancient city in Chalkidiki.
During the Roman Byzantine Era the first of the magnificent monasteries of Mt. Athos were built, making the Athos peninsula into a cultural center of great importance. The monastic community played a vital role in the preservation of the Hellenic Spirit during Ottoman epoch and has since then together with the Ecumenical Patriarchate served as the heart of Orthodox Christianity.
 Chalkidiki offers nothing less than diversity; anything from the tranquility of a serene village to a first-class modern holiday resort, satisfying the thirst of the most selective visitor. Nevertheless tourism has not compromised Chalkidiki’s unrivaled ecological beauty.
The region has since the 1970’s been experiencing major economic growth based mainly upon tourism. Tourists from all over the world are attracted to the peacefulness, warmth and beauty of an untouched land and its hospital inhabitants. Chalkidiki's main tourist season is between May and September. Chalkidiki has a large number of camping resorts for all, but it is particularly famous for its youth and sport camps. Water craft marinas can be found in many places too. There are also several hot springs which are used for therapeutic purposes, in several health centers.
 Chalkidiki is well-known for its crystal clear blue waters, for their fantastic fine sandy beaches, and bountiful plant life ideal for endless promenades down the forest and village trails. The green color of pine trees together with the gold or white sand of the beaches, and the fresh smell of nature, blend idyllically together with the clear blue of the sea and sky, presenting the visitor with an unimaginable warm atmosphere.
Chalkidiki has also a well developed agricultural sector. The local inhabitants harvest grains, breed cattle, and fish. Many local products such us olive oil, olives, honey, and traditional sweets are considered to be the best of their kind in Greece. Chalkidiki is also famous for its vineyards which belong to the Macedonian wine culture group. Different types of wine, as well as ouzo, raki and tsipouro are produced from these vineyards each year.
Due to its geographic location, but also due to its dynamic elements, tourism in Chalkidiki has three distinctive characteristics.
- Chalkidiki is Thessaloniki’s main summer resort, thus having a high percentage of Greeks. It is also a very popular destination amongst Greek expatriates who wish to settle down back in Greece;
- It is also very popular amongst nationals of other Balkan nations, such as citizens of the Republic of Serbia;
- It offers very competitive prices on tourist services and therefore is highly demanded by families, in comparison to the category of tourism in the Aegean Islands.
Tourism in Chalkidiki is very developed and diversified. Chalkidiki is undoubtedly the best holiday resort for those who seek unforgettable, dreamy vacations with cosmopolitan life, graphic serenity and natural beauty. There are hundreds of activities available. There are many possibilities to fulfill the demands of people who want to:
Leisure Activities
- Visit hundreds of archeological and religious monuments and centers;
- Visit the theatrical and musical culture in the multiple amphitheaters found all over Chalkidiki;
- For those interested in agro-tourism- there are many possibilities for working with land and animals;
- Learn and practice water sports and water based leisure activities such as: scuba-diving, spear fishing,
motor sports on water, canoeing- kayaking, surfing & wind surfing, paragliding and other water games;
- Hiking, cycling and horseback riding, as well as orientation and climbing;
- Fishing, beekeeping and hunting during the hunting season;
- The youth can learn and exercise different sports in the available sport camps;
- Play golf on the finest golf course Greece has to offer;
- Visit the many rustic restaurant taverns which offer a wide range of
wholesome gastronomic treats, especially fish dishes and local wine;
- Visit hot spring therapeutic centers.
For the juvenile, Kalithea, the lavish residential and commercial area of Kassandra, is the center for a rich nightlife with modern bars and discotheques. Neighboring Pefkochori, and Chalkidiki capital Polygyros have also superb night clubs for those who don't mind a good night out. However, what is striking is that only a short distance away from Kalithea lies the the town of Kiropigi, in stark contrast to Kalithea, it breathes serenity and tradition found in the backdrop of soft, round hills and shallow turquoise waters. These two adjacent towns are the true examples of Chalkidiki’s diversity.
 Contemporary Constructions:
In Chalkidiki there can be found apartments and villas of all sizes and styles. It is though very common that buildings meant to be applied in the real estate market are built in complexes that form small communities. The community complexes are constructed in project forms by each real estate developer. These complexes are usually distinctive from each other, but the buildings inside each complex are similar in architecture.
In some villages in Chalkidiki such as Athytos in Kassandra, the architectural form and concept is protected by law, in order to maintain the traditional character of the village. All over Chalkidiki construction projects use as much as possible of the local theme and materials, such as the Lakomatos stone making the houses in accordance with nature.
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Written by Eliseos Manoilidis © 2007 Greek Homes
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