Sithonia, Halkidiki — a guide.
The middle finger of Halkidiki, hand-shaped by pines and the Aegean. Quieter than Kassandra to the west, more cinematic than the mainland. This is the corner Anthoula House looks out on.
The bays you'll come back for.
Sithonia's coastline runs both sides of the peninsula and never quite repeats itself. The water turns three different shades of blue between Sarti bay and the small western coves. A few favourites:
- Sarti beachFive minutes' walk from the house. Long, sandy, blue flag.
- KalogriaTranslucent shallows; good for families. 12 min south.
- TristinikaKilometre-long sand strip with a single beach taverna.
- KarydiPostcard cove on the west coast — turquoise, sheltered, busy in August.
- KavourotrypesSeries of small white-pebble coves; reach by short hike.
Sail Diaporos.
The Diaporos archipelago — eight islets just off Vourvourou — is Sithonia's quiet stage for a long boat day. We arrange private skippered boats from Sarti or Vourvourou; the route loops Diaporos, the lagoon, and the deserted beaches you can only reach from the water.
On a clear day the silhouette of Mount Athos sits across the eastern horizon. Fishermen at the Sarti harbour also run smaller half-day trips to the lagoon and back.
Where to slow down for dinner.
Sarti's character is small fish tavernas, family-run, with the catch shown to you on a plate. Outside the village, a few destinations are worth the drive.
- Tassos in Sarti harbourOctopus on charcoal, end-of-the-jetty seating.
- MouriesMountain taverna 20 min uphill — meat, wine, mulberry trees, locals.
- Kalamitsi tavernaSouth coast — fresh fish and dolphin sightings on the bay.
- To Steki tou YianniOuzeri in Sarti village — meze, raki, no menu.
Mt. Itamos and the inland trail.
Mount Itamos rises behind Sarti, pine-forested and silent. Two marked trails start at the village edge — a 90-minute loop with sea views, and a 4-hour traverse to Vourvourou for the more committed.
Bring water; trails are not heavily marked. The concierge can arrange a guide.
Beyond the peninsula.
Worth a half-day from Sarti when you want a change of scene:
- Mount Athos viewing cruiseBoat trips from Ouranoupoli circle the monastic state from the sea — the only way for non-Orthodox visitors to see it.
- Vourvourou + Karydi loop30-min drive west; full afternoon of beaches and a long lunch.
- StagiraAristotle's birthplace, with a small archaeological site and dramatic cliff views.