Halkidiki with Kids: 2026 Family Guide (Beaches, Resorts, Car Seats, Transfers)
Why Halkidiki works so well for families
- 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.
Getting there with children: car seats and vehicles
The trip from the airport is the first part of the holiday, so plan it well:
| Seat | Typical age and weight | How many per vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Baby seat (rear-facing) | Babies up to about 13 kg | Economy and Standard: up to 2 child seats in total |
| Child seat | About 9–18 kg (roughly 1–4 years) | Minivan: up to 4 child seats in total |
| Booster seat | About 15–36 kg (roughly 4–12 years) | Tell us the age and weight of each child |
- 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.
Transfer times to family areas
| Destination | Drive from the airport | Private transfer from |
|---|---|---|
| Ikos Oceania (Nea Moudania) | 45–50 minutes | €56 |
| Ikos Olivia (Gerakini) | About 1 hour | €74 |
| Sani Resort | About 1 hour | €76 |
| Afytos, Kallithea | About 1 hour | €80 |
| Hanioti | About 1 hour 15 minutes | €94 |
| Pefkochori | About 1 hour 20 minutes | €98 |
| Nikiti (Sithonia) | About 1 hour 10 minutes | €92 |
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.
Family resorts and where to stay
- 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+).
The best beaches for small children
| Beach | Peninsula | Why it suits children |
|---|---|---|
| Siviri | Kassandra (west) | Flat, easy access, long shallow area and calm sea |
| Possidi (Aigeopelagitika side) | Kassandra (west) | Gradual depth, calm water, showers and toilets |
| Xenia / Chrousso, Paliouri | Kassandra (south) | Flour-fine sand, shallow for about 30 m |
| Glarokavos | Kassandra (south) | Small lagoon, shallow water, pine shade at one end |
| Polychrono, Hanioti, Pefkochori | Kassandra (east) | Gentle slope, full facilities, promenades nearby |
| Nea Potidea | Kassandra (entrance) | Gradual entry and shady parks nearby |
| Kalogria | Sithonia (west) | Golden sand, shallow and calm, Blue Flag 2026 |
| Trani Ammouda | Sithonia (east) | Long, wide and shallow, rarely crowded |
| Karydi | Sithonia (east) | Long shallow water among white rocks; busy in August |
| Sarti | Sithonia (east) | Wide sandy beach, shallow near the shore |
Lagomandra and Toroni in Sithonia are lovely too, but deepen faster: better for children who can swim. See the best beaches in Sithonia.
Things to do with kids
- 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.
Health and safety
- 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.
Sun and heat in July and August
- 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.
When to go
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.
Family day trips
Private tours for families
Book your family transfer
Frequently asked questions
Is Halkidiki good for families with young children?
Yes. Most resorts are 45 minutes to 1½ hours from Thessaloniki Airport, many beaches are sandy and shallow, and the villages have promenades, playgrounds and family tavernas.
Which part of Halkidiki is best for kids?
Kassandra, for most families: shorter transfers, long shallow beaches and walkable villages. Sithonia suits families who like nature, with beaches such as Kalogria, Trani Ammouda and Sarti.
Do you provide child seats?
Yes. Baby seats, child seats and boosters cost €4 each. Add them when you book and they are fitted before you land.
How many child seats fit in one vehicle?
Up to 2 in an Economy or Standard car and up to 4 in a minivan.
Are child seats required in Greece?
Children shorter than 1.50 m must use a restraint suited to their weight; from 1.35 m they may use the adult seat belt. Licensed taxis have a partial exception, but we recommend the right seat for every child.
Which resort is closest to Thessaloniki Airport?
Ikos Oceania in Nea Moudania, about 45–50 minutes away. Ikos Olivia and Sani are about an hour away.
Which beaches are best for toddlers?
In Kassandra: Siviri, Possidi, Xenia in Paliouri and Glarokavos. In Sithonia: Kalogria, Trani Ammouda, Karydi and Sarti.
Can we bring a stroller and a travel cot?
Yes. List them when you book and choose a minivan, which has room for 8 passengers and 8 large suitcases.
Where is the nearest hospital?
The General Hospital of Chalkidiki in Polygyros. Each area also has a health centre, and in an emergency you call 112 or 166.
When is the best time to visit Halkidiki with kids?
June and September: warm sea, gentler heat and fewer people than in July and August.
About this guide
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).
