The Best Beaches in Sithonia, Halkidiki: 2026 Guide by Coast
Two coasts, two characters
Sithonia is the middle peninsula of Halkidiki, with one coastal road running all the way round it. The beaches fall into two groups:
- The west coast faces the Toronean Gulf. From Nikiti down to Toroni you find long sandy bays, family resorts and the town of Neos Marmaras. It has the sunsets.
- The east coast faces the Singitic Gulf and Mount Athos. Around Vourvourou and Sarti the shore breaks into coves with white rocks and very clear water. It has the sunrises and, on clear days, views of the Holy Mountain.
In July and August the meltemi, a northerly wind, can pick up in the afternoon. On windy days, sheltered bays such as Porto Koufo and Klimataria and the coves of the west coast are usually calmer.
West coast beaches, from north to south
| Beach | Near | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spathies | Nikiti | Small, wild beach among rocks and pines, with shallow warm water. No sunbeds; reaching it takes some effort. | Quiet days |
| Agios Ioannis | Nikiti (about 5 km south) | Sandy and calm, with a beach bar and a free section; large car park behind the beach. | Families |
| Kalogria | Nikiti (about 7 km south) | Golden sand and calm, shallow water. Organised, with free areas. Blue Flag 2026. Arrive early in August. | Small children |
| Elia | Between Nikiti and Neos Marmaras | About 2 km of sand and pebbles, partly organised, with quieter shaded corners. Blue Flag 2026. | Families |
| Lagomandra | Near Neos Marmaras | Soft sand and pine shade, organised, lifeguard in summer. Blue Flag 2026. | A full beach day |
| Neos Marmaras and Paradisos | Neos Marmaras | Town beach a few minutes from the centre, and Paradisos just north of it. Both Blue Flag 2026, as are the beaches of Porto Carras. | Staying in town |
| Tristinika | North of Toroni | Coarse white sand, mostly wild, and the water gets deep quickly. Last stretch on a dirt road. | Swimmers |
| Toroni | Toroni | A long, curved sandy bay below an ancient city. Calm and sheltered, partly organised. Blue Flag 2026. | Families with swimmers |
| Porto Koufo | South-west tip | A deep, enclosed bay with deep blue water and fish tavernas on the shore. | Lunch and a swim |
| Kalamitsi | Southern tip | A big sandy bay with tavernas, sunbeds and water sports, plus plenty of free space. | A full beach day |
Staying on the west coast? Nikiti is the closest base to the airport: see transfers to Nikiti.
East coast beaches, from north to south
| Beach | Near | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akti Salonikiou | Agios Nikolaos | Long organised beach in the north-east. Blue Flag 2026. | Families |
| Trani Ammouda | Ormos Panagias | Long, wide beach of bright sand with shallow water far out. Rarely runs out of space. Blue Flag 2026. | Small children |
| Karydi | Vourvourou | Fine white sand, sculpted white rocks and long shallow water. No sunbeds. Very busy in high season: go early or in June and September. | Children and photos |
| Fava | Vourvourou | Sand and pebbles, wild, often a few waves. Bring an umbrella; shade only in the afternoon. | Swimmers |
| Vourvourou bay | Vourvourou | Sheltered sandy shore facing small islands. Rent a boat to reach the turquoise water around Diaporos. | Boat days |
| Armenistis | Between Vourvourou and Sarti | Large sandy beach with a campsite, lively in summer. Blue Flag 2026. Free parking only along the main road. | Young travellers |
| Platanitsi | North of Sarti | Wide beach of coarse sand and turquoise water, reached through the municipal campsite (free on foot, a fee for cars). Blue Flag 2026. | A full beach day |
| Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach) | About 7 km north of Sarti | Small coves of white sand between white rocks, perfect for snorkelling. Dirt track and a short walk down. The busiest beach in Sithonia: arrive around 8:00. | Snorkelling |
| Sarti | Sarti | A huge, wide beach of golden sand, shallow near the shore, with views of Mount Athos. Blue Flag 2026. It can be windy. | Families |
| Sykia and Klimataria | Sykia | Sykia has a Blue Flag 2026 beach; Klimataria is a small, sheltered bay with very fine sand and shallow water. | Windy days |
Which beach is right for you?
| You want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Shallow water for toddlers | Kalogria, Trani Ammouda, Karydi, Elia, Sarti |
| Clear water to snorkel | Kavourotrypes, Karydi, Porto Koufo |
| Sunbeds, food and water sports | Lagomandra, Kalamitsi, Toroni, Sarti, Platanitsi |
| A wild beach with few people | Spathies, Fava, Tristinika |
| Shelter from the wind | Porto Koufo, Klimataria, the west-coast coves |
| A beach next to a town | Neos Marmaras, Nikiti, Sarti |
| A boat trip | Vourvourou and the islands of Diaporos |
Three easy beach days in Sithonia
1. The west coast: start at Kalogria in the morning, move to Lagomandra for the afternoon, have dinner by the harbour of Neos Marmaras and drive up to the mountain village of Parthenonas for the view.
2. The south: swim at Toroni, look around the ruins of the Lekythos fort, have a long fish lunch at Porto Koufo and finish at Kalamitsi.
3. The east coast: be at Karydi early, take a small boat around the islands of Vourvourou, stop at Kavourotrypes for snorkelling and end the day on the long beach of Sarti, looking across to Mount Athos.
Do not want to drive? Our private Sithonia beaches tour covers the highlights in one day, with a driver who knows where to stop.
Blue Flag beaches in Sithonia (2026)
The 2026 Blue Flags were announced on 14 May 2026. Halkidiki has 93, the most of any area in Greece, and the Municipality of Sithonia has 19. They include Kalogria, Elia, Lagomandra, Neos Marmaras, Paradisos, the Porto Carras beaches, Nikiti, Toroni, Trani Ammouda, Akti Salonikiou, Armenistis, Platanitsi, Sarti and Sykia.
Some of the most famous beaches, such as Karydi, Kavourotrypes and Porto Koufo, are not on the list. That usually just means they are wild beaches without lifeguards or facilities, not that the water is worse.
Practical tips before you go
- Arrive early in July and August, especially at Karydi, Kavourotrypes and Kalogria. Parking fills up by late morning.
- Leave nothing valuable in the car. Break-ins have occasionally been reported at isolated beach car parks.
- Some beaches are reached by dirt tracks (Tristinika, Kavourotrypes, the coves near Sykia). Drive slowly and park where it is allowed.
- Campsite beaches such as Platanitsi and Armenistis charge a fee to bring a car in.
- Bring shade and water to the wild beaches: there is often no canteen.
- Sea temperature is around 23 °C in June, 25–26 °C in July and August and about 24 °C in September.
- Jellyfish appear in some summers for a few days; ask at your hotel or the beach bar.
Getting to Sithonia from Thessaloniki Airport
The drive takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to Nikiti, 1½ hours to Neos Marmaras or Vourvourou and about 2 hours to Sarti, Toroni or Kalamitsi. With a private transfer you go straight to your hotel at a fixed price per vehicle, and the booking form shows the exact price for any village in Sithonia.
Fixed transfer prices to Sithonia
- Economy Up to 3 Passengers 92 €
- Standard Up to 4 Passengers 98 €
- MiniVan Up to 8 Passengers 115 €
- Economy Up to 3 Passengers 74 €
- Standard Up to 4 Passengers 80 €
- MiniVan Up to 8 Passengers 91 €
One-way daytime price per vehicle from Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG), not per person.
Not sure which peninsula to stay on? Read our guide Kassandra or Sithonia?
See the best beaches on a private tour
Private Sithonia beaches tour
Book your transfer to Sithonia
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Sithonia has the best beaches?
Both, for different reasons. The west coast has long sandy bays that are easy for families, such as Kalogria and Lagomandra. The east coast has the famous coves with white rocks and clear water, such as Karydi and Kavourotrypes.
Is Karydi beach organised?
No. Karydi has no sunbeds, only a small canteen near the entrance and some natural shade. Bring an umbrella and arrive early in high season.
Where is Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach)?
On the east coast, about 7 km north of Sarti. You turn off the main road onto a dirt track, park and walk a short way down to the coves.
Which Sithonia beaches are best for children?
Kalogria, Elia, Trani Ammouda, Karydi and the beach of Sarti all have sand and long shallow water.
How many Blue Flag beaches does Sithonia have?
19 in 2026. Halkidiki as a whole has 93, the most of any area in Greece.
Do I need a car to visit Sithonia beaches?
A car helps, because the beaches are spread around the peninsula. Without one, take a private day tour or arrange transfers with us.
Can I see all of Sithonia in one day?
You can drive around the peninsula in a day, but you will only have time for two or three beaches. Choose one coast per day for a relaxed visit.
When is the sea warm enough in Sithonia?
From June to September. The sea is about 23 °C in June, 25–26 °C in July and August and around 24 °C in September.
Is Sithonia windy?
In summer the meltemi can blow from the north in the afternoon. On windy days, sheltered bays such as Porto Koufo and Klimataria are usually calmer.
How far is Sithonia from Thessaloniki Airport?
About 90 km to Nikiti (1 hour 10 minutes) and about 120–135 km to Sarti, Toroni and Kalamitsi (about 2 hours).
About this guide
Written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki. Beach descriptions are checked against the Region of Central Macedonia tourism site and local guides; Blue Flag beaches are from the 2026 awards (14 May 2026); sea temperatures are long-term averages for Neos Marmaras. Beach facilities change from year to year, so check on arrival.
