Meteora is a group of huge sandstone pillars above the town of Kalambaka in Thessaly, crowned by Byzantine monasteries built from the 14th century onwards. Monks first lived in the caves of the rocks around the 11th–12th century; at their peak there were more than twenty monasteries, and six are still active today. Meteora has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, listed for both its culture and its nature.

Since July 2026 the whole route from Thessaloniki is on motorway: west on the Egnatia Odos (A2) and then south on the new E65 to Kalambaka. Tolls are included in our price. From Halkidiki the drive adds the road from your resort to Thessaloniki.

From Thessaloniki:

From Halkidiki the plan is the same, but pickup is around 05:30–06:00 and you are back around 20:00–21:00. If you are travelling with young children, consider staying one night in Kalambaka.

From November to March, Great Meteoron also closes on Wednesday and Thursday, and Varlaam also on Thursday. The monks can change hours without notice, so we check the schedule on the morning of your trip and plan the route around it. On most days four or five monasteries are open, and all six at weekends.

• Entrance: €5 per person per monastery from 2026; children under 12 enter free. Pay in cash; cards are generally not accepted.
• Women: a skirt below the knee and covered shoulders. Wrap skirts are lent free at the entrance of the main monasteries, but bring your own in August.
• Men: long trousers and sleeves (no sleeveless tops).
• Shoes: closed shoes with a good grip; the rock-cut steps can be slippery.
• Photos: allowed outside and on the terraces, usually not inside the churches. Speak quietly and respect areas marked private.

The entrance tickets and lunch are not included in the price of a private tour.

• First visit, good walkers: Great Meteoron and Varlaam, which stand next to each other, plus Roussanou.
• Limited mobility or young children: St Stephen, plus the viewpoints along the road, which need no steps.
• Short on time: one large monastery and two viewpoints are enough to understand Meteora.
• Photographers: the viewpoint between Great Meteoron and Roussanou, which shows five of the six monasteries.

Our Meteora day trip is fully private, with a driver who knows the area. The driver drops you at each monastery entrance and waits for you. Guided visits inside the monasteries are not included.

• Kalambaka: the town at the foot of the rocks, with tavernas and shops. Try local grilled meats, pies and cheeses.
• Kastraki: a smaller, prettier village right under the rocks, where the walking paths to the monasteries start.
• Theopetra Cave: a prehistoric cave about 5 km south of Kalambaka with traces of human presence going back tens of thousands of years. It is open 08:30–15:30 and closed on Tuesdays, so it fits only early in the day.

The best months are April–May and September–November, when it is cooler on the steps. In summer, start early, because the monasteries are busiest from 10:00 to 14:00. Avoid Easter weekend and 1 May, the most crowded days of the year. In winter, the days are shorter and some monasteries close more often, so plan on fewer visits.

We also run a private Meteora and Thermopylae day trip from Athens. It is a long day of about 12 hours, with a stop at Thermopylae on the way.

Written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki. Opening days and ticket prices are from the 2026 schedule published by the local tourism portal of Meteora; the monks may change them without notice. Road information reflects the opening of the E65 motorway section to Kalambaka in July 2026. Drive times are typical for normal traffic.

• Short trip from the airport: most family resorts are 45 minutes to 1½ hours from Thessaloniki Airport, much less than many Greek islands with a ferry.
• Shallow, sandy beaches: many beaches stay shallow for tens of metres, and Halkidiki has 93 Blue Flag beaches in 2026, more than any other area in Greece.
• Calm seas: the gulfs between the peninsulas are sheltered, and you can usually find a calm beach even on windy days.
• Easy villages: pedestrian promenades, playgrounds and family tavernas in villages like Polychrono, Hanioti and Pefkochori.

The trip from the airport is the first part of the holiday, so plan it well:

• Price: €4 per seat. Add the seats when you book and they are fitted before you land.
• Greek rules: children shorter than 1.50 m must travel in a restraint suited to their weight; from 1.35 m they may use the adult seat belt. Licensed taxis have a partial exception, but the safe choice is always the right seat for the child, so we fit one for every child you list.
• Stroller, travel cot or lots of luggage? Choose a minivan: up to 8 passengers and 8 large suitcases. Read our vehicle and luggage guide.
• Delayed flight? We follow your flight, and the driver waits for the real landing time, with 60 minutes of free waiting.

Prices are per vehicle (Economy, up to 3 passengers) and include tolls and luggage. For a minivan or other villages, the booking form shows the exact price. On a long drive, ask your driver for a short stop on the way.

• Sani Resort (Kassandra): five hotels with a crèche from 4 months, free kids clubs for ages 4–12 at Sani Beach, Sani Club and Porto Sani, a teen club and the Chelsea FC football academy. Half or full board.
• Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania: luxury all-inclusive with a crèche from 6 months, a free kids club for ages 4–12 and a teens club. Everything, including à la carte dinners, is in the price.
• Family hotels and apartments in Polychrono, Hanioti, Pefkochori, Siviri and Nikiti: good value, walking distance to the beach, tavernas and playgrounds.

Comparing resorts? Read Sani vs Ikos Olivia vs Ikos Oceania vs Domes. Note that Domes Noruz Kassandra is adults only (16+).

Lagomandra and Toroni in Sithonia are lovely too, but deepen faster: better for children who can swim. See the best beaches in Sithonia.

• Petralona Cave: a cave with stalactites about 35 km from Thessaloniki, reopened in 2024 after works. It stays at about 17 °C all year, so bring a light layer. Check opening hours on the official site before you go.
• Waterland: a water park at Tagarades, near Thessaloniki Airport, with slides, a wave pool and children’s pools. Open in summer, roughly June to early September.
• The Sani wetland: an easy walking trail next to Sani Resort, with flamingos and herons in spring and autumn.
• Horse riding near Kallithea (Kassandra) and Neos Marmaras (Sithonia), including rides into the sea; ask about minimum ages.
• Boat trips along the coast, with swimming stops in coves you cannot reach by car.
• The Kassandra Festival at the open-air theatre of Siviri, with children’s plays and family concerts in July and August.

Prefer someone else to drive? Our private tours of Kassandra and Sithonia can be planned around nap times and swimming stops.

• Emergencies: call 112, or 166 for an ambulance.
• Health centres: Kassandreia covers Kassandra (tel. +30 23743 50000); there are also health centres in Nea Moudania and Agios Nikolaos for Sithonia.
• Hospital: the General Hospital of Chalkidiki is in Polygyros (tel. +30 23710 20101); the large hospitals of Thessaloniki are about an hour away.
• Pharmacies are in every larger village, with a duty pharmacy on call at night.
• Private doctors visit hotels in the main resort areas; ask at reception.

• Keep children out of direct sun in the hottest hours, roughly 11:00 to 17:00.
• Give them plenty of water, and use hats, light clothes and high-factor sunscreen.
• Never leave a child in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
• Watch for signs of heatstroke, such as hot, red, dry skin, vomiting, a fast pulse or confusion, and get medical help at once.
• For long drives, travel in the morning or late afternoon. All our vehicles are air-conditioned.

June and September are ideal for families: the sea is around 23–24 °C, the heat is gentler and beaches and transfers are less busy. July and August are hotter and the busiest months, especially at weekends, when many hotels change guests; book transfers and minivans early.

Written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki. Child-seat limits and prices come from our booking system. Child-restraint rules are summarised from the Greek ministerial decision on seat belts and child restraints; this is not legal advice. Health contacts are from the Region of Central Macedonia, heat advice follows the Greek National Public Health Organisation (EODY) and resort information is from the resorts’ official websites (October 2026).

Hanioti (also written Chaniotis or Haniotis) sits in the middle of the east coast of the Kassandra peninsula, facing the Toronean Gulf and the mountains of Sithonia. It is a young village, founded in the 1930s by families from an older settlement inland, and has about 1,000 permanent residents.

Today it is the social centre of the east coast: Polychrono lies 4 km to the north-west and Pefkochori 3 km to the south-east, and together the three villages form one long, lively resort strip.

In front of the village is a large sandy beach, fully organised with sunbeds, beach bars and water sports. The water gets deeper gently, which suits families, but there is almost no natural shade, so plan on a sunbed or umbrella in high summer.

Two stretches of the beach hold the Blue Flag in 2026: “Hanioti 1” and the stretch in front of Domes Noruz Kassandra. Kassandra has 32 Blue Flag beaches this year and Halkidiki 93, more than any other area in Greece.

Hanioti is known for its central square and the streets around it, where in summer the evening begins: families walking, children playing, cafés and bars full until late. There are hundreds of small shops, from souvenirs and beachwear to jewellery and local products.

Hanioti is livelier than Polychrono, but it has no big clubs. For clubbing, the place is Kallithea, about 20 minutes away. That balance, a busy evening without loud nightlife next door, is why so many families come back every year.

• Walk to Pefkochori along the beach or the main road (about 3 km) for a change of promenade.
• Swim at Glarokavos, a small lagoon with shallow water south of Pefkochori, or at the wide sandy bay of Xenia (Golden Beach) in Paliouri.
• Watch the sunset in Afytos, the stone village on a cliff above the sea, 25–30 minutes away.
• Try the thermal springs of Loutra at the southern tip of Kassandra, with warm sulphur water.
• Ride a horse near Kallithea, where a riding ranch offers trail rides for beginners and rides into the sea.
• Go to the Kassandra Festival, the summer festival of concerts and plays at the open-air theatre of Siviri in July and August, including shows for children.
• Take a boat trip along Kassandra or towards Sithonia; cruises are sold in the village.

Prefer to go with a driver? Our private Kassandra highlights and Afytos tour picks you up at your hotel in Hanioti.

Hanioti has tavernas, grill houses, pizzerias and seafront cafés for every budget. For fish, choose the tavernas on the beach; for a traditional evening with meze and tsipouro, drive to the inland villages such as Agia Paraskevi. In July and August restaurants fill up after 21:00, so go early or book.

Hanioti has a wide choice: family-run hotels and studios in the village, larger beach hotels at both ends of the bay, and the adults-only Domes Noruz Kassandra (minimum age 16) directly on the beach. For quiet nights, stay at the edges of the village; to walk everywhere, choose a hotel near the square. Comparing resorts? Read Sani vs Ikos vs Domes.

The two are neighbours and very similar. Hanioti has the bigger village centre with its square, more shops and a slightly more family-oriented evening. Pefkochori has a longer pedestrian promenade, more bars and is closer to Glarokavos and Paliouri. See our Pefkochori travel guide.

The drive is about 90 km and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes in normal traffic, via Nea Moudania and the Potidea canal. On summer Saturdays and Sundays, when hotels change guests, allow 15 to 30 minutes more.

• Private transfer: fixed price per vehicle, meet & greet in arrivals and drop-off at your hotel door. From €94 in an Economy car and from €118 in a minivan for up to 8.
• KTEL bus: from the Halkidiki bus station in Thessaloniki, with a change if you start from the airport; slower, with many stops.
• Airport taxi: on the meter, usually more expensive for this distance.

All details are on our Thessaloniki Airport to Hanioti page.

• Health care: the nearest health centre is in Kassandreia (tel. +30 23743 50000) and the regional hospital in Polygyros. Emergencies: 112, ambulance 166.
• Pharmacies, supermarkets and ATMs are in the village and along the main road.
• Child seats for your transfer cost €4 each; ask for a minivan if you travel with a stroller.
• Crowds: busiest from late June to August; June and September are calmer and the sea is still warm.
• Going home: leave Hanioti about 3¼ to 3½ hours before an international flight from Thessaloniki.

Written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki. Distances and prices come from our booking system; drive times are typical for normal traffic. Blue Flag beaches are from the 2026 awards (14 May 2026); local information is from the Municipality of Kassandra and the Region of Central Macedonia tourism site.

Pefkochori is the last big seaside village on the east coast of the Kassandra peninsula, before the road turns south towards Paliouri. Its name means “pine village”, after the forest that surrounds it. About 2,200 people live here all year; in summer it becomes one of the busiest resorts in Halkidiki.

Pefkochori forms one long resort strip with Hanioti (3 km north-west) and Polychrono. Behind the seafront, the old part of the village keeps houses with courtyards full of lemon trees and jasmine, and paths lead up into the pines.

The village beach is a long sandy beach lined with hotels, cafés and fish tavernas. It is very well organised, with sunbeds, beach bars and water sports, and the water deepens gently, which makes it easy for families. There is little natural shade, so an umbrella or a sunbed helps in July and August.

Two stretches of the beach, Yalla–Flegra and Fyki, hold the Blue Flag in 2026. Kassandra has 32 Blue Flag beaches this year and Halkidiki 93, the most in Greece.

A pedestrian promenade runs along the beach. The evening walk here, with an ice cream or a drink, is the classic Pefkochori evening.

Planning a beach day on the other peninsula? See our guide to the best beaches in Sithonia.

• The evening promenade: cafés, bars and shops stay open late in summer.
• Boat trips: day cruises along Kassandra, across to Sithonia or towards the coast of Mount Athos are sold locally, and small boats can be rented for the day.
• The thermal springs of Loutra: a spa on a cliff above the sea at the southern tip of Kassandra, with warm sulphur water at about 39 °C. Check the season before you go.
• Agia Paraskevi: a traditional hill village with tavernas serving tsipouro and meze, about 10 minutes from Loutra.
• Afytos: stone houses on a cliff, a folk museum and beautiful sunsets, about 30–40 minutes’ drive north.
• Kallithea: the nightlife centre of Halkidiki, with the biggest clubs, mostly open at weekends.
• Kassandreia: the peninsula’s administrative town, with a weekly market on Tuesdays.
• Local celebrations: bonfires for St John’s Day (Klidonas) on 23 June and the feast of the Assumption on 15 August.

Prefer to see more with a driver? Our private Kassandra highlights and Afytos tour can pick you up in Pefkochori.

Pefkochori has everything from beach bars to traditional tavernas. Fish tavernas line the seafront; for grilled meat and meze, locals head up to the villages of the interior such as Agia Paraskevi. In July and August, book a table in the evening or eat early, as Greeks dine late, after 21:00.

Most accommodation is in small and mid-size hotels and apartments, many of them family-run, along the beach and the main road. Larger hotels sit at the edges of the village and on the hill above it, such as Alia Palace. If you want quiet evenings, stay at the southern end towards Glarokavos; if you want to walk to bars and tavernas, stay near the centre of the promenade.

The drive is about 95 km and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes in normal traffic, via Nea Moudania and the Potidea canal. On summer Saturdays and Sundays allow 15 to 30 minutes more.

• Private transfer: fixed price per vehicle, driver waiting in arrivals with your name, door-to-door to your hotel. From €98 (Economy, up to 3 passengers).
• KTEL bus: from Thessaloniki’s Halkidiki bus station, with a change if you start at the airport; it takes much longer and stops in many villages.
• Airport taxi: on the meter, usually more expensive than a pre-booked transfer for this distance.

All details are on our Thessaloniki Airport to Pefkochori page.

• Health care: the nearest health centre is in Kassandreia (tel. +30 23743 50000); the regional hospital is in Polygyros. In an emergency call 112 or 166 for an ambulance.
• Pharmacies and supermarkets are in the Pefkochori–Hanioti–Polychrono strip, with large supermarkets in Pefkochori and Hanioti.
• Crowds: the village fills up from about 20 June and peaks in mid-July and August. June and September are calmer, with warm sea.
• Driving and parking: traffic on the main road is heavy in August and parking near the beach is limited.
• Going home: leave Pefkochori about 3½ hours before an international flight from Thessaloniki.

Written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki. Distances and prices come from our booking system; drive times are typical for normal traffic. Blue Flag beaches are from the 2026 awards (14 May 2026); local information is from the Municipality of Kassandra and the Region of Central Macedonia tourism site. Opening seasons of shops and spas change from year to year.

All four have Blue Flag beaches and close for the winter, usually from the end of October.

Fixed private transfer prices from Thessaloniki Airport, per vehicle:

How arrival works:

• Sani Resort: your driver drops you at the gate of your hotel. From there the reception team takes you to your room, on foot or by club car. For Sani Marina, cars stop at the marina gate and the marina staff take you to the boat. More in our Sani Resort transfer page.
• Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania: drop-off at the reception, where the hotel team takes over. See Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania transfers.
• Domes Noruz Kassandra: drop-off at the hotel entrance in Hanioti. See transfers to Hanioti.

Sani is not one hotel but a private resort of five: Sani Beach, Sani Club, Sani Dunes, Porto Sani and Sani Asterias, set in a large natural estate with pine forest, several kilometres of sandy coast and the protected Sani wetland.

• Dining: Sani is not all-inclusive. You book half board or full board, and the Dine Around programme lets you use your daily meal allowance in the resort’s restaurants, which number more than twenty.
• Children: Sani Little Explorers for babies and toddlers from 4 months (paid crèche), free kids clubs for ages 4–12 at Sani Beach, Sani Club and Porto Sani, a teen club at the marina and the Chelsea FC football academy.
• Couples: Sani Dunes and Sani Asterias are the quieter hotels; Asterias has no kids club of its own.
• Extras: Sani Marina with its shops and restaurants, five spas and the Sani Festival of concerts in July and August.

Read more in our guide to taxi prices from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort.

Ikos Olivia stands on its own sandy bay at Gerakini, on the Toronean Gulf, about a 10-minute walk from the village. It was fully redesigned in 2024–2025.

• Dining: luxury all-inclusive. À la carte restaurants (Greek, Italian, French and Asian), premium drinks, room service and the Dine Out option at selected local restaurants are included.
• Beach: a 450 m Blue Flag beach.
• Children: a crèche for ages 6 months to 4 years (paid), a free kids club for ages 4–12, a teens club and a football academy.
• Good to know: rooms are spread across large gardens, so ask for a room near the beach or the main building if walking distances matter to you.

Ikos Oceania is about 10 minutes’ walk from Nea Moudania, at the gateway to Kassandra. At about 51 km, it is the shortest transfer of the four, which matters with small children or late flights.

• Dining: the same luxury all-inclusive concept as Olivia, with à la carte restaurants and Dine Out.
• Pools and beach: six outdoor pools, including an infinity pool, and a 350 m Blue Flag beach with views to Mount Olympus.
• Children: crèche (paid), free kids club for ages 4–12, teens club and football academy.
• Good to know: a full refurbishment of all rooms is planned before the 2027 season.

Domes Noruz Kassandra opened in 2023 on the Blue Flag beach of Hanioti, on the east coast of Kassandra. It is adults only, with a minimum age of 16.

• Dining: rates are bed and breakfast; dinner is in the hotel’s restaurants or in the tavernas of Hanioti, a short walk away.
• Style: 182 rooms, bungalows and suites, a spa and a design-led, relaxed atmosphere.
• Good to know: small and medium-sized pets are accepted.
• Transfers: the hotel quotes €140 one way for its own taxi in 2026. A GetSeat transfer has a fixed price per vehicle; check it above or in the booking form.

Families choose between Sani and the two Ikos resorts. Choose Sani if you want the widest choice of kids clubs, sports academies, restaurants and hotels, and you do not mind paying for some meals. Choose Ikos if you want everything included and a simpler holiday. Choose Ikos Oceania for the shortest drive from the airport.

For any of them, book child seats with your transfer (€4 each) and choose a minivan for up to 8 passengers if you travel with strollers or lots of luggage. Up to 4 child seats fit in a minivan.

Domes Noruz Kassandra is the obvious choice for couples who want an adults-only hotel. At Sani, Sani Dunes and Sani Asterias are calmer and suit couples well. The Ikos resorts welcome couples too, with adults-only areas, but they are mainly family resorts in July and August.

Each resort offers transfers of its own: Sani includes them in some direct-booking offers for stays of 5 nights or more, Ikos includes them for Deluxe Collection bookings of 5 nights or more, and Domes publishes a price of €140 one way. In every other case you pay for the transfer.

With GetSeat you book in a minute, you see the fixed price for your vehicle before you pay, your flight is tracked and you have 60 minutes of free waiting after landing. You can also add child seats, a stop on the way or a transfer between two resorts.

• Summer Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest transfer days in Halkidiki. Book early if you need a minivan.
• Flying back? Leave Ikos Oceania about 3 hours before an international flight, Sani or Ikos Olivia about 3¼ hours before and Domes in Hanioti about 3½ hours before.
• Moving between resorts, for example from Sani to Domes, is a short private transfer that we can arrange at a fixed price.
• Day trips: from any of the four you can visit Afytos, Sithonia or Thessaloniki with a private driver.

Written by the GetSeat team. Resort facts are from the official websites of Sani Resort, Ikos Resorts and Domes Resorts (checked October 2026) and may change by season; drop-off points are those we use every day. Transfer prices come from our booking system.

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.

Staying on the west coast? Nikiti is the closest base to the airport: see transfers to Nikiti.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Not sure which peninsula to stay on? Read our guide Kassandra or Sithonia?

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.

Halkidiki as a whole has 93 Blue Flag beaches in 2026, more than any other area of Greece, so you will find good water on both peninsulas.

Both peninsulas are reached on the same fast road from the airport towards Nea Moudania. From there:

• Kassandra begins at Nea Potidea, where a bridge crosses the Potidea canal, about 60 km from the airport. The canal, about 1.25 km long, links the Thermaic and the Toronean gulfs and makes Kassandra almost an island.
• Sithonia begins after Gerakini and Nikiti. One coastal road goes all the way round the peninsula: the west coast is easier to drive, the east coast more winding.

Fixed private transfer prices from Thessaloniki Airport to the most popular villages and resorts:

On summer Saturdays and Sundays, when many hotels change guests, add 15 to 30 minutes. For every village and hotel the booking form shows the exact fixed price for your vehicle.

Kassandra is the busiest and most developed peninsula of Halkidiki. Most of its villages sit along two coasts that meet in the south, around Paliouri and Agia Paraskevi.

• Afytos: stone houses and narrow lanes on a cliff above the sea, a small folk museum and the best views at sunset. See transfers to Afytos.
• Kallithea: the nightlife centre of Halkidiki, with the largest clubs (mostly open at weekends) and the remains of the sanctuary of Zeus Ammon. See transfers to Kallithea.
• Kriopigi and Polychrono: greener and calmer, popular with families.
• Hanioti and Pefkochori: one long resort strip with busy promenades, shops and beach bars. See Hanioti and Pefkochori.
• Paliouri and Glarokavos: the wide sandy bay of Xenia (Chrousso) and the small Glarokavos lagoon, both with long shallow water.
• The west coast (Possidi, Kalandra, Siviri, Fourka) is quieter, with sunsets over the sea. Possidi alone has five Blue Flag beaches in 2026.
• Sani: the resort complex and its marina on the north-west coast, next to the Sani wetland, a protected area of about 110 hectares where more than 200 bird species have been recorded. See transfers to Sani Resort.

Sithonia is the wilder middle peninsula. Pine forests cover the slopes of Mt Itamos (817 m), a protected area, and the coast is a chain of bays and coves.

• Nikiti: the gateway to Sithonia, with a seafront promenade and the beaches of Kalogria and Agios Ioannis close by. See transfers to Nikiti.
• Neos Marmaras: the largest town, with a harbour, tavernas and Porto Carras next door. Above it, Parthenonas is a traditional mountain village about 5 km up the hill.
• Toroni: a long sandy bay below the ruins of an ancient city and the Lekythos fort.
• Porto Koufo: a deep, enclosed bay often described as the largest natural harbour in Greece, with fish tavernas.
• Kalamitsi and Sarti: big sandy beaches in the south and east. From Sarti you can see Mount Athos on a clear day.
• Vourvourou: a sheltered bay dotted with small islands; rent a boat to reach the turquoise water around Diaporos.

Sithonia also has a strong camping tradition, with large campsites on the beaches of the east coast.

Kassandra is about long, sandy and organised beaches: sunbeds, beach bars, water sports and shallow water that is easy for children. Typical examples are Siviri, Possidi, Xenia in Paliouri and the beaches of Hanioti and Pefkochori.

Sithonia has more variety: wide sandy bays such as Kalogria, Lagomandra, Trani Ammouda and Sarti, and small coves with white rocks and very clear water such as Karydi and Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach). Many stretches are wild, without sunbeds, so bring an umbrella and water.

See the full list in our guide to the best beaches in Sithonia.

Kassandra is where Halkidiki goes out. Kallithea has the big clubs, while Pefkochori, Hanioti and Polychrono fill their promenades with bars and cafés until late. Afytos is the place for a slower dinner with a view.

Sithonia is calmer. Neos Marmaras and Sarti are lively in July and August, with bars on the seafront, but most villages are about tavernas and quiet beaches after sunset.

For most families, Kassandra is the easier choice: shorter transfers from the airport, long shallow beaches, many family hotels and everything within walking distance in villages such as Polychrono, Hanioti and Pefkochori.

Sithonia works well for families who like nature. Choose a base near a shallow sandy beach, such as Kalogria and Elia near Nikiti, Trani Ammouda near Ormos Panagias, or Sarti, and plan on using a car or our transfers for day trips.

Travelling with young children? Book child seats with your transfer for €4 each, and choose a minivan if you have a stroller. More tips in our Halkidiki with kids guide.

Sithonia is the classic choice for couples: quiet coves, sunset dinners in Porto Koufo or Toroni and boat days around Vourvourou. In Kassandra, couples who want peace head to the west coast (Possidi, Kalandra) or stay in Afytos, while those who want nightlife stay in Kallithea or Pefkochori.

In Kassandra, not really: the resort strips are walkable, beach bars line the main beaches and KTEL buses connect the villages. In Sithonia, distances between beaches are longer and some coves are reached only by dirt tracks, so a car helps if you want to explore.

In July and August parking at the famous beaches can be hard, and break-ins have occasionally been reported at isolated beach car parks. If you do not want to drive, book a private transfer from the airport and a private day tour for the beaches you most want to see.

Yes. The two peninsulas meet at their base, so you can stay in one and explore the other on a day trip, or split your holiday between them. Many visitors start with a few days in Kassandra and finish in Sithonia, or the other way round. We can arrange the transfer between your two hotels at a fixed price, and our private tours cover the highlights of each peninsula in one day.

The third peninsula is the monastic state of Mount Athos. Its border village, Ouranoupoli, has beaches, hotels and boat cruises along the coast of the Holy Mountain, which anyone can join. Entry to the monastic territory itself is allowed only to men with a permit. Read our Thessaloniki Airport to Ouranoupoli and Mount Athos guide.

The season runs from May to October. The sea is around 23 °C in June, 25–26 °C in July and August and about 24 °C in September, so June and September are excellent: warm water and fewer people. In summer the meltemi, a northerly wind, can blow in the afternoon; on windy days sheltered bays and the west-facing coasts are usually calmer.

Written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki. Distances and prices come from our booking system; drive times are typical for normal traffic. Blue Flag numbers are from the 2026 awards announced on 14 May 2026, sea temperatures are long-term averages for Neos Marmaras and the geography is from the Municipalities of Kassandra and Sithonia and the Region of Central Macedonia.

The Economy, Standard and Minivan classes can be booked online in about a minute. VIP vehicles and minibuses are arranged on request: send us your date, route and number of passengers. The model you get depends on availability; the capacity of the class is always what you booked.

Live starting prices per vehicle, straight from our booking system:

Example: four adults with four suitcases fit in one Standard car. Five adults need a minivan, which still costs less than two separate taxis.

The suitcase numbers above mean one large checked suitcase per passenger (about 23 kg, up to roughly 75 cm tall), plus a small bag or backpack each.

• Cabin-size trolleys take less space: two of them count roughly as one large suitcase.
• Strollers, golf bags, bicycles, skis, surfboards or musical instruments: please list them in the booking notes. They usually need a minivan.
• Foldable wheelchairs fit in most vehicles. If you need a vehicle with a ramp, contact us before you book.
• Not sure? Book the larger vehicle or send us a message. A car that is too small is the one thing we cannot fix at the airport.

We have baby seats, child seats and booster seats for €4 each. Tell us the age of each child when you book, and the seats are fitted before you land.

• Economy and Standard cars take up to 2 child seats.
• A minivan takes up to 4 child seats.
• Travelling with more than 2 small children? Choose a minivan so every child has a proper seat.

Read more in our family guide to Halkidiki with kids.

Wi-Fi and bottled water are free of charge on request. Please mention them when you book, so we send a vehicle that has them. Every vehicle is air-conditioned and cleaned before each transfer.

For executives, weddings or anyone who wants an extra level of comfort we arrange Mercedes E-Class and S-Class sedans and the Mercedes V-Class minivan, on request. They come with an experienced chauffeur and the same fixed-price, flight-tracking service. See our corporate and VIP travel page or contact us with your date and route.

For groups of 9 to 18 people, such as wedding guests, sports teams or company trips, we arrange minibuses with up to 18 seats on request. One vehicle keeps the group together and has room for 18 or more suitcases. For larger groups we combine vehicles and coordinate the pickups.

• Every passenger has a seat with a seat belt. We never carry more passengers than the seats of the vehicle.
• Licensed professional drivers who know the airports, ports and resorts of the region.
• Licensed, insured vehicles, air-conditioned and cleaned before every transfer.
• The right child seat for every child who needs one, fitted before you get in.

• Book minivans and minibuses early. They are the first vehicles to sell out on summer Saturdays and Sundays, when most Halkidiki hotels change guests.
• Add every child and every large item to the booking, so we send a vehicle where everything fits.
• Groups arriving on different flights can book one transfer per flight. Tell us, and we coordinate the pickups.

• A licensed, professional driver.
• Meet & greet with a name sign at airports and ports.
• Live flight tracking and 60 minutes of free waiting at airports.
• Tolls, fuel, luggage and VAT in the fixed price.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.

Read how a pickup works step by step in our private chauffeur at Thessaloniki Airport guide.

Capacities, child-seat limits and prices come directly from our booking system and update automatically. The models listed are examples of what we use in each class; the exact vehicle may differ.

This is exactly how a GetSeat airport pickup works, step by step:

The price you see when you book is the price you pay. It does not change with traffic, the route or a delayed flight.

• Meet & greet in the arrivals hall, with a name sign.
• Live flight tracking: your driver knows when you actually land.
• 60 minutes of free waiting after landing, enough for passport control and baggage claim.
• Tolls, fuel, luggage and VAT: nothing is added at the end of the ride.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
• Help with your luggage at both ends of the trip.

On request: child seats for €4 each; Wi-Fi and bottled water free of charge. Please mention Wi-Fi or water when you book, so we send a vehicle that has them.

For the city centre in detail, see our Thessaloniki Airport to city centre guide.

Choose by number of passengers and number of suitcases, not only by number of people:

The exact models vary (for example Skoda Octavia or Toyota Corolla in Economy). In every class you get a clean, air-conditioned car and a licensed driver. See our vehicle and luggage guide.

Prices update automatically from our booking system and are per vehicle:

Staying in the city? See our guide to 18 Thessaloniki hotels. Heading to Halkidiki? See how to get from Thessaloniki Airport to Halkidiki.

• Families with young children: child seats fitted before you land and no queue with tired kids.
• Halkidiki resorts: 50 to 110 minutes away, where a taxi on the meter costs more and the bus needs a change.
• Late or delayed flights: your pickup follows the real landing time.
• Business travel: a fixed price, an invoice for your company and a driver who is already waiting.
• Groups: one minivan for up to 8 people is often cheaper than two taxis.
• Lots of luggage: golf bags, strollers or sports equipment fit in a minivan.

• Your flight number, so we can follow the flight.
• The exact address or hotel name.
• The number of passengers, including children and their ages if you need child seats.
• The number of suitcases and any large items (golf bags, bicycles, strollers).
• A mobile number that works in Greece, ideally with WhatsApp.
• Any special requests, such as Wi-Fi, water or extra stops.

Your flight is delayed. Nothing to do: we follow it and the driver waits for the real landing time.

Your luggage is lost or delayed. Send us a message from the baggage desk. The driver is informed and we agree the next step with you.

You cannot see your driver. Call or message the number in your confirmation. Our support works 24/7.

Your flight is cancelled or your plans change. Change the date or time on the My Booking page. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.

For the return trip your driver picks you up at the same hotel entrance. We recommend a pickup about 2½ hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic flight. From Halkidiki, add the drive time shown on your destination page.

You choose how to pay when you book: cash to the driver, a 10% deposit online with the rest to the driver, or the full amount online by card through Viva. The driver also accepts cards. Cash payments are possible up to €500.

This guide is written by the GetSeat team in Thessaloniki from our own booking rules and daily operations at Thessaloniki Airport. Prices and waiting times update automatically from our booking system. Airport taxi fares are the regulated 2026 flat fares, and bus fares are those published by OASTH.

Prices are fixed per vehicle for up to 3 passengers (Economy). Times are for normal traffic. Click a hotel for its own page with all vehicle prices and directions.

Standard (up to 4) and Minivan (up to 8) prices are shown in each area below. 60 minutes of free waiting, tolls and luggage are always included.

The eastern seafront along Nikis and Megalou Alexandrou avenues is the closest part of the city to the airport. Your driver comes in along Georgikis Scholis Avenue and Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, so this is the shortest and cheapest hotel transfer from SKG.

• Makedonia Palace stands next to the HELEXPO exhibition centre, ideal for the Thessaloniki International Fair in September. Drop-off is under the hotel’s covered entrance. Makedonia Palace transfer
• Nikis Avenue is a promenade, so cars stop at side entrances: Chrysostomou Smyrnis 2 for Daios Luxury Living, and the hotel entrances for ON Residence and Teight Hotel.
• The White Tower and Aristotelous Square are a 5 to 15 minute walk from all four hotels.

The heart of Thessaloniki has busy one-way streets and pedestrian zones. Your driver takes the faster of two routes for the time of day: the ring road (Peripheriaki) coming down through Saranta Ekklisies, or straight through the city on Vasilissis Olgas and Tsimiski.

• Aristotelous Square is pedestrian, but our cars are allowed onto the paved area: you step out right in front of Electra Palace.
• Kalapothaki Street is pedestrian too, and our cars may enter: your driver stops at the door of S Hotel Boutique.
• Egnatia Palace sits on busy Egnatia Avenue, so drop-off is at the side entrance on Mitropolitou Gennadiou.
• MonAsty and The Excelsior have kerbside drop-off on Vasileos Irakleiou and Mitropoleos streets.

Metro Line 1 stations Agias Sofias and Venizelou are within a short walk of these hotels.

Ladadika, the old olive-oil market, is full of tavernas and bars, and the passenger port is right next to it. Further west along 26is Oktovriou Street, The Met and Porto Palace face the commercial port.

• Mediterranean Palace and Vanoro Hotel are a few minutes’ walk from the port terminal – handy if you arrive or leave by ferry or cruise ship.
• At The Met Hotel your driver drives up the ramp and stops right outside the lobby.
• Porto Palace is one of the largest conference venues in Northern Greece. Drop-off is at the main entrance on 26is Oktovriou.
• The Met and Porto Palace are a cross-city transfer, about 19 km. They are also the closest to the Kalochori and Sindos business areas.

Monastiriou Street runs west from the centre past the main railway station. Hotels here suit business travellers, rail passengers and big groups.

• ONOMA Hotel, Capsis Hotel and Holiday Inn are a 5 to 7 minute walk from the railway station. Capsis is also close to Dimokratias metro station.
• At Holiday Inn your driver stops in the lay-by on Egnatia Avenue, outside the main entrance.
• Grand Hotel Palace is at the western entrance of the city, with halls for about 3,000 people. Lazart Hotel is in Stavroupoli, opposite the Lazaristes cultural complex.
• Arriving by train? See our airport–railway station transfers. Taking a coach? See KTEL Makedonia bus station transfers.

For a full comparison of airport options, read our Thessaloniki Airport to City Center guide.

Many central hotels are on streets where taxis cannot stop. We have checked where cars are allowed for every hotel in this guide:

• Allowed in: Aristotelous Square (Electra Palace) and Kalapothaki Street (S Hotel Boutique).
• Side entrance: Daios Luxury Living (Chrysostomou Smyrnis), Egnatia Palace (Mitropolitou Gennadiou).
• Covered or private entrance: Makedonia Palace (canopy), The Met (ramp to the lobby), Holiday Inn (lay-by).

Your driver helps you with your luggage to the door in every case. You receive the driver’s name, phone number and car details before your transfer.

We recommend a pickup about 2½ hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic flight.

Early flight? Our drivers work around the clock. The booking form shows the exact price for the time you choose. Book your return together with your arrival and both transfers are arranged in one booking.

Several of these hotels are major event venues: Makedonia Palace (next to HELEXPO), Porto Palace (Grand Pietra Hall, up to 2,500 guests), Grand Hotel Palace (about 3,000 people in total), Capsis (18 meeting rooms) and Lazart (halls for up to 1,000 guests).

• Sedans and minivans for up to 8 passengers, booked online in a minute.
• Minibuses of up to 18 seats for larger groups, on request.
• VIP transfers with Mercedes E-Class, V-Class or S-Class, on request.

For many arrivals on the same day, contact us and we will coordinate every pickup with you. Companies can ask for an official invoice – see Corporate & VIP travel.

Certified baby seats, toddler seats and boosters are available on request for a small extra charge. Add them in the booking form and they are fitted before you land. Families with lots of luggage or a pushchair should choose the Minivan (up to 8 passengers and 8 large suitcases).

Distances and times come from our route data, checked in October 2026; prices update automatically from our booking system. Drop-off points are the same as on each hotel’s own page. Taxi fares are the regulated Thessaloniki airport flat rates for 2026. For the hotels themselves, see each hotel’s official website.