Old Village and coastal Nikiti
It is classified as a historical settlement. It consists of stone houses, many of which were built in the 19th century and have been restored in recent years. The village was built on the hills, has many springs and an old small square with three fountains. Walking up the main cobblestone street, you will reach the highest point where you will find the big church of Aghios Nikitas: from its courtyard you have a view of the whole village. It was built in 1867, burnt during the civil war and rebuilt between 1950 and 1952. Next to it, there is the chapel of Koimisis Theotokou with a few murals dating from the 17th century.
The settlement on the beach of Nikiti developed from 1950 onwards. In 1918 there was only one hut and a wooden jetty where the boat, connecting Thessaloniki to Kavala and Kassandra, tied up. Nowadays it is full of cafés, bars, taverns and restaurants by the sea. There are mini markets, pharmacies, supermarkets and shops where you can buy honey and pollen.
The honey of Nikiti
Chalkidiki has 6,500 apiculturists and is ranked first in honey production in the country (32% of the total production). Its inhabitants are traditionally involved with apiculture and the area is a natural habitat for bees. Nikiti is considered to be the first apicultural village in Europe and its inhabitants have been engaged in apiculture for over 500 years, and more specifically in the production of pine honey. Their honey is packaged under the name of “Sithon” and is certified by the ISO international quality standards. At the Cooperative, you can sample and purchase flower honey, pine honey, as well as rare honey varieties such as orange honey, erica multipolyflora honey, chestnut honey, thyme honey. For more information: www.honeysithon.gr, tel.: +30 23750 22887, +30 23750 20060-3, e-mail: honey@otenet.gr. In Nikiti you will also find ceroplastics workshops.
Porto Koufo
Τhis was the ancient Toroneos port, the largest natural harbor in northern Greece, as mentioned by Thucydides. Since the ancient times it was called Kofos limin (Deaf port), because whoever stands inside the bay does not hear at all the noise of the sea, as a deaf man would not! During Byzantine times, it was a base for pirates. The landscape at Porto Koufo is one of the most impressive of Halkidiki, as the port is enclosed by cliffs, leaving only an opening of approximately 300 metres for the vessel and fishing boats to go through.
Parthenonas
It is considered to be the most beautiful village of Sithonia, listed as a traditional settlement since 1978. The road leading here starts shortly before Neos Marmaras (4.5 km). Parthenonas has stone houses with tile roofs and is built amphitheatrically at the foot of mount Itamos. At its centre you will find the church of Aghios Stefanos dating from 1837, built over an older church destroyed in 1821, and renovated in 2007. Icons found in the church date back to the 18th century and some of them are still kept inside. Some taverns operate in the settlement. Around it, there are trails – some marked – leading to the Mount Itamos.
Toroni
Excavations have shown that the area was inhabited since prehistoric times. Ancient Toroni was the most important city in Halkidiki. It was located on the north and northwest side of the hill of Vigla, which is the western breakwater of Kofos Limin. At that spot there are visible walls of the Classical (5th-4th century BC) and early Hellenistic periods (3rd century BC). On site today you will see what is left of the fortifications – a round tower at the location of Anemomylos (Windmill) and parts of the fortifications at the top of Vigla. The excavations at the cemetery unearthed, amongst others, a silver hydria of the 5th century BC with medusas carved on the handles, now exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. At the bottom of the sea, the docks of the ancient port were discovered.
The castle of Likithos
Traces of habitation dated to the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC) and house foundations and partial ruins of the early Iron Age (11th-8th century BC) were discovered on the rocky peninsula. It was one of the two citadels of Toroni. The ancient city had strong fortified walls and according to Thucydides, there was even a temple dedicated to Athena in Lykithos. The tip of the peninsula towards the sea had its own fortifications which communicated with the castle through an internal gate.
Neos (new) Marmaras
The settlement was built in 1922 by refugees from Asia Minor on a rocky area with small ports. It was the Balabani glebe of the Mount Athos’ Gregorios monastery. The refugees’ original settlement grew fast and by 1970, inhabitants of the village of Parthenonas came to settle on the west side. Once a fishing village and a rural settlement, it has become a tourist attraction and is now filled with hotels, rooms to let, apartment buildings, taverns. At the port, located in the centre of the settlement, fishing boats and yachts tie up. Near the port you will see the church of Taxiarches where you can still see icons brought from Marmaras by the refugees.
Ormylia Monastery
The imposing complex of the monastery is located 4.5 km south of the village of Ormylia and is the largest in Greece, with more than 100 nuns. It was a glebe of the Vatopedi monastery since the 12th century. In 1924, it was given to refugees in order for them to build the Vatopedi village there. Weaving, embroidery, hagiography and standardization of traditional products workshops operate on the premises, as well as an Art Diagnosis Centre, equipped with the latest technology, dedicated to the conservation of relics and icons. The monastery is open to visitors Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 10:00-16:00, and Sunday 10:00-19:00. Tel.: +30 23710 41498.
BEACHES
TO THE EAST
Kavourotripes
This exotic beach is considered by many the most beautiful one in Halkidiki. It is situated 6 km after the camping of Armenistis. It consists of six bays with small rocky islands, turquoise waters and white sand. If you want to avoid large crowds, it is advisable to visit Kavourotripes in June or September.
Karidi
A series of small, dreamy beaches, near Vourvourou. Pine trees cascading to the turquoise waters, fine white sand and rocks in wonderful formations –similar to those in Kavourotripes.
Kalamitsi
A beautiful, sandy bay at the edge of the small settlement, with a skerry in front of it. Taverns and a beach bar operate in the settlement.
TO THE WEST
Aghios Ioannis and Kastri
Beautiful but crowded beaches, with turquoise waters, near coastal Nikiti. Opposite Kastri beach, there is the small, namesake island. The chapel of Aghios Ioannis, after whom the area was named, was built on a low rock during the second half of the 19th century.
Kalogria
One of the most famous beaches in Sithonia. Clear blue water with tints of green and a sandy bottom. Lush vegetation on the side; there are beach bars offering coffee, juices, etc.
Toroni
After Toroni, lies the long, sandy beach that bears its name. At its tip stands the castle of Lykithos.