PACKAGE A

In Chalkidiki, there are numerous archaeological sites, monuments, museums as well as an important historical context overall (Aristotle, Alexander the Great).

Day 1

Agia Anastasia

When you start your tour in Chalkidiki, you can visit the Monastery of Saint Anastasia Pharmacolytria). The Monastery is one of the most important and historical Monasteries in Macedonia. Walk inside and admire its splendor

Agios Prodromos

After that, at a distance of 20’, you have thepossibility to visit Agios Prodromos at the foothills of Mount Cholomontas, a village particularly popularfor its ‘souvlaki’ - skewers of local meat - as many of its inhabitants are involved in animal husbandry. Before you sit down for dinner, walk around its picturesque square, admire the Resetnikioti (or Olynthio) river that fows through the town and visit the post-Byzantine chapel of Agios Prodromos. Other than the Souvlaki, don’t miss to try the local sweets and honey.

Geroplatanos

After you have completed your walk in Agios Prodromos, drive for about 10 minutes to Geroplatanos. The settlement is named after a century old plane tree located in the square of the village, and it is rightly one of the most important sights in the area. The tree is very impressive because of its size and its age, which is estimated to be up to 800 years old. It is 20 metres high,and its trunk has a circumference of 15 metres, whereas there is a spring at its root. It is considered one of the largest plane trees in Greece and has been declared a protected natural monument.

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Arnea

To complete the 1st day, at a distance of 20’ from Geroplatanos, you reach Arnea, where you can spend the night.

Day 2

Arnea

Arnea is one of the most beautiful mountainous areas in the villages of Macedonia; built in a privileged position, with plenty of running water coming from the mountains, and surrounded by lush green forests.

The Historical - Folklore Museum of Arnea

On the ground floor there is the exhibition of agricultural artifacts, photographs of the period 1880-1950 and objects of everyday use of the locals as well as tools that were used in beekeeping, building and construction and ovens. On the mezzanine floor there is a collection of carpentry tools and on the first floor a loom and weaving tools. The traditional costumes of the locals stand out and the room where the interior of a traditional house of Arnea is depicted.

Visiting information:
Daily: Monday - Sunday
Opening hours: 10:00am - 14:00pm
Ticket cost: 2€ per person | 1€ per student
*Possibility of an afternoon visit for groups
after telephone contact.
Contact: +30 23723 50100, 50130, 50121

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Weaving Museum of Arnea

The art of weaving has a long history inthe region and was, in fact, until recently one of the most important occupations of the inhabitants of Arnea, closely linked to their daily lives. The artistic value of the weavers’ production made it an important center of weaving art throughout Greece. The museum contains objects and tools of weaving (roka, etc.), as well as a multitude of weavers who demonstrate in practice the local traditional treasure related to this art.

Visiting information:
Daily except Thursday
Opening hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Ticket cost: 2€ per person | 1€ per student
Children under 5 years old / culture card
People with Disabilities: free
*Possibility of an afternoon visit for groups
upon telephone contact
Tel. contact: +30 23723 51100, 5013

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Megali Panagia

Τhe village of Megali Panagia (Virgin Mary), the second destination of the route, is popular for the “holy pilgrimage of the great Virgin Mary” located east of the village at 1.5kmin a lush green location. In the courtyard of the pilgrimage and under the church, there is located the area of the holy water of the Megali Panagia, with cool running water. Walk and admire the famous stone, arched bridge, cool off and gain strength for the rest of the journey.

Stageira

At a distance of approximately 30 minutes from Megali Panagia, you will find yourself at Aristotle’s Grove in the village of Stageira, a theme park at an altitude of 500m that was created in 2003 and is of enormous interest, since it includes experimental instruments that operate based on the physical laws mentioned in the writings of the great philosopher Aristotle and mainly in his work “Physics”.In front of each instrument, there is a sign that informs you about it and gives instructions on how it can be used. Among the instruments, you will find a compass, sundial, inertial spheres, water turbine, etc. Through the interactive instruments, visitors have the opportunity to understand the various natural phenomena that were recorded and observed by Aristotle himself. In addition to the great interest hidden in the instruments, the natural environment and the view from the grove will take your breath away. Stand at the edge of the grove and admire the bay of Ierissos and Mount Athos.

Useful Tips

In the grove area you will also see the tower of Madem Aga along with his mansion, which was also the administrative center of the mines of the Siderokausia area. Also, in the same area there is an imposing statue of Aristotle, work of the sculptor Nikolas. The statue was placed in this specific location in 1956, in order to honor the ancient philosopher.

It is a popular destination with a high number of students visitors and visitors of all kinds, since it is estimated that every summer, the grove is visited from more than 15,000 people.

Visiting information:
Open daily
Opening hours: 09:00am - 19:30pm
Ticket price: 2€ per person | 1€ children 6 – 18 years old
1,5€ groups, families of 4 people and more
Contact number: +30 23760 41327

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When you leave the grove, carefully cross over to seethe restored Siderokausia Bath, one of the most beautiful monuments in Chalkidiki that reminds us of how important the city of Siderokausia was before it was destroyed in the revolution of 1821.

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Event - Festival

Arnea

Meloma of Christ
Winter
Ten days of cultural events
Summer
Arnea Cuisine
Summer
Festival in the grove of Agia Paraskevi (26/7)
Summer

Megali Panagia

Celebration of August 15th
Summer

Day 3

Varvara

The day begins with the village of Varvara and its waterfalls as the first stop. Specifically, between the villages of Varvara and Olympiada, in the dense Kipouristra forest that includes yews, beeches, oaks and chestnuts, the waterfalls of Varvara are located. There are two waterfalls –one on the left and one on the right – and they are easily accessible via the existing paths. Takea tour, cool off and if you find yourself in the area in early August, don’t miss the annual music festival that takes place within the village. Don’t forget to get local products and sweets from the Varvara women’s agrotourism cooperative.

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Olympiada (Ancient Stageira)

The next stop of your route is in Olympiada, which is adjacent to Ancient Stageira, birthplace of the philosopher Aristotle and named after the mother of Alexander the Great. The village is built along the beach and on the western outskirts of the settlement you can admire the imposing mountains.

Stratoni

Before Ierissos, make a stop at Stratoni, a village built in the cove of Ierissos Bay, with rich mining activity. The village’s long history is reflected in the important archaeological finds, some of which are housed in the archaeological museum of Polygyros. If you are there in the summer, you can easily visit the accessible beach that has a blue flag.

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Ierissos (Ancient Akanthus)

Then, continue to Ierissos – the oldest and largest village of the Aristotelis Municipality, which is historically a continuation of ancient Akanthus. The settlement was rebuilt when the original one was leveled after the devastating earthquake of 1932 and, as excavations have shown, it is built on the ancient cemetery of Akanthus. It is a popular resort in the wider area, with modern tourist infrastructure, award-winning beaches and a well-kept beachfront where you can take a walk and enjoy your coffee. The area is famous for its carnagia, which are an integral part of its cultural heritage and are worth visiting.

Complete the 3rd day of the 1st Package with a tour in Ancient Akanthus, a city of ancient Macedonia founded in the mid-7th century BC. by Ionian colonists of Andros, said to have taken its name either from the many thorns of the area or from the thorny formation of the fortification. Its traces start from the beach of Ierissos where remains of the quay of the ancient port are preserved, however, no systematic excavation has been carried out unlike its necropolis, the research for which began in 1973 and to date over 600 tombs have been recorded. Walk along the ancient city and admire the city from the hills on which it is built.

Useful Tips

Ancient Akanthus was a leading port city in eastern Chalkidiki and one of the most important in Macedonia. It is located in a privileged position between two sea coasts – next to Ierissos and on the road to Ouranoupoli – Mount Athos, while it spread over three hills, those of Mount Stratonikos. It thrived around the middle of the 7th century BC and became known for the wide circulation of its coins during antiquity. The walk offered on the three hills that ancient Akanthus extended over is amazing especially during spring when the place is lush green.

Event - Festival

Varvara

Annual music festival
Summer

Stageira

«Musical routes» under the light of the full moon at archaeological sites
Summer

Olympiada

Mussel Festival (7/7)
Summer

Stratoni

«Fairytale Land» (Paramythochora) of Stratoni
Winter

Day 4

Ouranoupoli

Start your day in Ouranoupoli, the last village of Chalkidiki before the monastic state. Enjoy swimming on the crystalclear beaches with the golden sand – if of course you find yourself there in the summer. Be sure to visit the Prosphorio Tower (Byzantine Tower of Ouranoupoli), a 12th century building, the largest and best-preserved Tower of Chalkidiki. On the ground floor of the Tower, there is an exhibition with antiquities from pre-Christian and Christian Chalkidiki, while the upper floor is dedicated to the refugees of Ouranoupoli and the Loch couple who lived in the tower since 1928 and supported the Asia Minor refugees who settled there for many decades.

Ouranoupoli Tower Museum

The Tower of Ouranoupoli – an 18th century building – hosts the Christian exhibition of Ouranoupoli. In particular, on the first floor of the Tower, portable icons dating from the 18th to the 20th century, originating from various monasteries and churches of Chalkidiki, are exhibited. On the second floor, Christian 昀椀ndings from excavations carried out in the area are presented, while an icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ dating from 1728 attracts particular attention.

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Useful Tips
Byzantine Towers in the Area

The towers in Chalkidiki are many and scattered and according to testimonies, in the 14th century there were more than 70, many of them multistorey, imposing themselves on the landscape due to their volume and height. Today, only 27 survive, either in good condition or in ruins.

Towers in Chalkidiki’s area:

  • Perigardikeia Tower
  • Koutsaki Tower, Ierissos
  • Zygou Monastery – Fragokastro, Ouranoupoli
  • Prosforio Tower (Byzantine Tower of Ouranoupoli)
  • Medieval wall in ancient Stageira
  • Xylopotamos Tower, Ierissos
  • Medieval Castle of Ierissos
  • Sisirokausia (Stageira)
  • The Tower of Olynthos (Mariana)
  • Watermills of Poligiros, Metgkitsi
Zygou Monastery

2km east of Ouranoupoli and just 40m outside the current boundary of Mount Athos, find the Zygou monastery, an old Athonite monastery founded in the mid-10th century and destroyed shortly before 1198.

Walk along the coast to the monastery, on a route that passes through olive groves and vineyards. Admire the castle, the towers and the monastery’s catholicon, on the floor of which there are exquisite marble inlays. After completing your walk at the Zygou monastery, return to Ouranoupoli and try fresh fish and seafood from the area.

Tripiti

Afterwards and before your transfer to Tripiti, with the aim and final destination of Ammouliani, make a passage - a stop at the Xerxes Canal since it is on the same road with Tripiti.

Useful Tips

The Xerxes Canal is the largest engineering project carried out in Chalkidiki during the ancient era. According to Herodotus, in 480 BC, during the Persian War, Xerxes ordered the opening of a canal from Acanthus to Thermi in order to avoid the danger of the Athonite voyage. The project seems to have been an attempt to impress and demonstrate power to the inhabitants of Chalkidiki. Although detailed reports of the canal were made by Herodotus and Thucydides, it has also been the subject of controversy among historians.

Today, there is nothing in the landscape to remind us of that huge, ancient structure except for a small valley in the center of the isthmus. It is visible from a high altitude, since the terrain in the area has subsided. In 2008, British and Greek engineers carried out a survey that demonstrated the exact location and size of the canal.

Ammouliani

For your passage to Ammouliani – the small island within the bay of Mount Athos – take the ferry boat from Tripiti and arrive in about a quarter of an hour. Ammouliani, in the. last several years, has been one of the ultimate Greek summer destinations that has received rave reviews in the international press. In the past, it was popular mainly το well-informed, local travelers from nearby areas.

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Event - Festival

Ammouliani

Fisherman’s Festival
Summer

Ierissos

Events at Mavro Aloni
Spring
Festival with Kourbania
Summer
Once you have completed your 4-day tour of northern Chalkidiki, it is recommended that you visit Mount Athos.