Halkidiki is special to me. A dear childhood friend owns a summer house in there. Ever since high school, I have been visiting her in the summer. When younger, we would spend endless sunny afternoons at the beach bars on Halkidiki’s fantastic coastline. Later on, we loved exploring the area with our fiancées. After we got married and had our kids, we kept coming back for beach vacations. Because Halkidiki is ideal for families.
Halkidiki in Greece with Kids
Halkidiki, with its azure waters, golden beaches, and lush green landscapes, beckons families seeking an idyllic vacation. Nestled in northern Greece, this peninsula boasts a trio of enchanting fingers—Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos—each offering its own unique charm. As you explore this sun-kissed paradise, you’ll discover a wealth of family-friendly accommodations that cater to every need. In this article are our top picks for family hotels and beaches in Halkidiki.
Best Family Hotels in Halkidiki
Miraggio Spa Hotel, Paliouri
A gem on the Kassandra peninsula, offering a private beach, infinity pools, and a luxurious spa. Perfect for relaxation and family fun. There are many play areas, splash pools, and an indoor play area. Our top pick!
Ikos Oceania, Nea Moudania
Set against the Aegean Sea, this all-inclusive resort combines elegance with breathtaking views. Enjoy culinary delights and complimentary experiences.
Sani Beach Resort, Halkidiki
Surrounded by 7 km of white-sand beaches, this beachfront hotel offers watersports, mountain biking, and pampering spa treatments.
Porto Carras Grand Resort
Located on the Sithonia peninsula, Porto Carras is one of northern Greece’s largest and most famous hotels and holiday resorts. It boasts a pristine 9 km coastline, set amidst 1800 hectares of gardens shaded by pine groves. Here are some highlights:
Porto Carras Meliton 5*: This grand hotel offers 479 rooms and suites across 6 floors, providing breathtaking views of the landscaped gardens and pristine environment.
Villa Kalyva Mare: An expansive 245 sq.m. property with complete privacy and versatility, ideal for up to 10 adults.
Amenities include an 18-hole golf course, Thalassotherapy & Wellness Spa, fine gastronomy, a celebrated wine estate, a casino, and a fully-serviced marina.
Location: Easily accessible from Thessaloniki International Airport (120 km away), Porto Carras sits amidst a region famed for its natural splendor, including 96 blue-flag beaches and picturesque coves. Explore the rich cultural heritage and historical sites of this area.
Ammoa Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort
Nestled on Agios Ioannis sandy beach, this beachfront property offers an oasis of upscale and refined hospitality. Here’s what you’ll find: 179 phenomenal guestrooms and bungalows with private pools, 3 enticing restaurants serving Mediterranean and international dishes. A Spa & Fitness Center with therapeutic massages and healing treatments. And a plethora of sports and watersports for all ages. Situated in Nikiti, it’s an ideal base for exploring the beauty of Halkidiki.
Atrium Hotel
Located in the picturesque village of Pefkochori, the Atrium Hotel is a 4-star family-owned retreat. Nestled amidst pine forests on the Kassandra Peninsula, it offers enchanting views of the Aegean Sea. Explore the sandy beach of Pefkochori, complete with beach bars, sunbeds, and water sports and indulge in mouthwatering dishes, including themed nights like Greek and Italian cuisine. There are tennis courts and table tennis keep the whole family active.
Possidi Holidays Resort & Suites Hotel
Overlooking a beautiful golden beach in Possidi, Kassandra, this luxury 5-star resort combines genuine Greek hospitality with stunning landscapes. Highlights include: Private Sandy Beach: Stretching for 3.5 km, it’s perfect for sunsets, sand and waterplay, and relaxation. Tasteful Rooms: Air-conditioned rooms with sea or garden views. Teens will love the Beach Volleyball Court and beachside bar. Location: On the edge of a pine forest, this resort promises dream holidays.
Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort
The Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort in Halkidiki stands out for the pristine, serene environment in which it is located, for its stunning architecture and captivating interior design, as well as its all-inclusive facilities and authentic experiences. It is located outside Agia Paraskevi, in a lush village on the Kassandra peninsula, with pine forests, thermal baths and a heavenly, private pebbled beach. There are four outdoor swimming pools and a private beach for swimming and water sports as well as a brand new waterpark and Adventure Park
Best Beaches in Halkidiki
Halkidiki in Greece is famous for its crystal clear shallow waters, endless coastline, and pine trees reaching the sea. It seems almost impossible to select the best family beaches in Halkidiki. There are more than 60 beautiful beaches in this green part of Greece. Many of them have been awarded by the Blue Flag Organization. In fact, Halkidiki offers the most Blue Flag beaches in Greece.
You’ll see as many as 89 Blue Flags floating in the wind at beaches and marinas in Halkidiki. During my summer holidays in Halkidiki with kids, I have visited many of them. All of them have turquoise clean waters. I can definitely recommend Halkidiki with kids for the summer holidays.
Kassandra
1. Loutra
In this list of Halkidiki in Greece with kids, I start with Loutra village. Loutra is a small fishing village in Kassandra with many low-budget self-catering apartments and one 4 * hotel. The village is known for its thermal waters and thermal spa. It is great for families looking for a low-key and casual destination. Located in a calm bay, the small sandy beach in Loutra is good for young kids. The village has several excellent fish taverns with fresh fish.
2. Nea Skioni
Nea Skioni is located on the western shore of the Kassandra peninsula, the first part of Halkidiki. The organized Nea Skioni has been awarded the Blue Flag many times. The long clean beach is made of fine sand and the water is shallow. The best part of the Nea Skioni beach is the swings and the large playground directly on the beach.
The picturesque port next to the beach (pictured below) is good for a stroll in the afternoon. In summer there is a small fun park located in the port. My kids loved watching the fish in the port and the playground. For adults, the friendly taverns nearby are convenient for kids.
3. Fourka, Skala Fourka
Another top family beach on the western part of Kassandra is the beach at Fourka or Skala Fourka. Fourka beach is 2.5 kilometers long, very wide, and also awarded with a Blue Flag. The beach is organized with umbrellas, chairs, water sports and lifeguard stations. There are many people, but it never feels too crowded because the beach is wide.
The sea is clean and warmer than in other parts of Halkidiki. The sunsets on this part of Halkidiki are breathtaking. Fourka has a beach restaurant with great food. In fact, there are several taverns and beach bars right on the beach for snacks and refreshments. It’s easy parking and there are showers on the beach.
Nea Fokea is a popular settlement on the eastern shore of Kassandra with a beautiful organized beach with clear waters, and pine trees stretching to the edge of the water. If you are after a convenient place for a family vacation, Nea Fokea won’t let you down. Nea Fokea is dotted with fish taverns, restaurants, and traditional bars. If you have your personal boat or sailing boat, you can dock it in the nearby port. Luxurious hotels, rooms for rent, and other accommodation facilities can also be found in Nea Fokea.
Nea Fokea is a great base for sailing, but you can also consider a one-day boat trip. Kids will love this small group Sailing Cruise around Nea Fokea and its nearby beautiful bays.
4. Xenia
On the East side of Kassandra, Xenia beach at Chrouso is the number one family-friendly beach. We can call this beach the ‘Maldives of Greece’. The sea is very clean, and warm and has a turquoise color. This is a must-visit if you are in Halkidiki with kids. The sea is shallow for a long part and you need to walk far in to find deeper parts. This all makes it very suitable for even the youngest children and babies.
The organized beach has white sand and beautiful green surroundings. There are several beach bars with food and drinks on Xenia Beach and at some parts, there are water sports for older kids. It is a good beach to take a long walk along the waterfront too. There are plenty of parking spaces, and you can park near the beach.
Other beaches on the East side have some pebbles, but mostly they are sand.
5. Sithonia beaches
The second peninsula of Halkidiki, Sithonia, is quieter, more tropical, and less organized than Kassandra. The best-organized beaches for families on the west coast of Sithonia can be found in the northern part, between Nikitis beach and Marmaras beach. All these have white fine sand and are clean and organized with various facilities. The sea is shallow and safe, but some parts have some small rocks in the sea, water shoes are recommended here. The sand at the small beach of Koviou is very soft and this continues into the water, so there is no need for water shoes.
On the northeast side of Sithonia Rodia beach (Banana beach) and Lagonisi beach is very good for families. Both have sandy beaches, and crystal clear water and are organized with sunbeds, beach bars, and toilets. Rodia beach provides a shower too and there are trees for shade and grass to sit on. Rodia is great for snorkeling.
The sea at Lagonisi is very calm because the island Diaporos, about a kilometer offshore, protects this beautiful beach from winds and waves. There are no restaurants here. Lagonisi is ideal for families with young children, there are always lots of kids around. It is also a good place to canoe. Be careful, at some parts there are sea urchins in the water.
6. The beaches at Vourvourou
The beaches at Vourvourou are considered some of the best in Greece. Karidi beach is the favorite beach that everybody coming to Vourvourou knows about. This shallow pool-like bay is not just drop-dead gorgeous but it’s the perfect family hang-out. Other notable beaches in Vourvourou are Livari beach. Be a happy camper and linger on the camping beaches of Zografou and La Cara. Vourvourou with its nine islands, protected waters like the ‘Blue Lagoon’ and endless hidden coves is a very special place.
To explore the Diaporos island and the other smaller islets and the lagoon, you can book an organized boat excursion. For families, I recommend the Lunch Cruise to Blue Lagoon & Vourvourou’s Islet day trip. It includes a trip with a glass-bottom boat, swimming or snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon by Diaporos island and traditional Greek barbecue on board. There is also a stop at Alikes Beach on Ammouliani.
7. Platanitsi and Sarti
On the Southeast part of Sithonia, you can find sandy beaches at Platanitsi, Sarti and Sykia. The Blue Flag beach at Sarti is a gem and probably one of the best in Greece. It has everything that a family on a beach holiday needs. It is organized, there are water sports, toilets, showers and endless facilities for food and drinks. The kilometres-long beach here seems to have no end.
Sarti has one of Sithonia’s longest and widest beaches with yellow and white sand. The sea has a sandy bottom. Because of its size, it never feels too crowded here. The direct view across Mt. Athos is special. You cannot find a better or closer view of Mt. Athos than from Sarti and Sykia. This is another one to be recommended when visiting Halkidiki with kids.
8. Armenistis
If your family likes camping, have a look at the campsite on the beach of Armenistis near Sarti.
9. Sykia
Sykia or Sikia Beach also has a Blue Flag classification, and is south of Sarti. The seawater here is spotless and clear. As in Sarti, the beach here is long and wide. But this beach is less organized and less crowded. A plus is the camping on the beach. As mentioned earlier, Sykia has the same beautiful view over Mt. Athos.
Sani Beach is one of the most exclusive family resorts in Halkidiki. This 5* resort combines five unique hotels. Though usually Sani Beach Club is recommended as the family hotel within the Sani Resort complex, you could also look at Sani Asterias Suites. The suites are more intimate and ideal for an exquisite family stay. Families can choose from Junior Suites, all the way up to 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom suites with private pools.
There are at least five different room types ideal for families. Depending on your budget, decide the one that suits you. Most of the suites have direct access to a beautiful soft sand beach with shallow waters, perfect for children.
The hotel features a babysitting service on the beach, with the first 30 minutes free of charge! Other family facilities include baby equipment (from sterilizers, strollers, and cots to bibs and kids-size bathrobes and slippers) baby food, bathrobes for toddlers, toiletries, and special healthy menus. There’s a pick-up service from Thessaloniki airport to the hotel with appropriate car seats.
Kids activities at Sani Resort include the Chelsea FCF Football Academy, for children 4yr – 16yr to practice their football skills. If they like tennis, Sani has a Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre. A treetop adventure park complete with zip wires and located in the forest behind Bousoulas beach, and there is also a Bear Grylls Survival Academy.
Teens will love the spa: a junior spa menu is offered for all clients between 12 and 16 years old. The entertainment program includes activities such as face painting, outdoor theater, swimming lessons, football matches, and more.
Sani is known for its family-friendly staff and kid-friendly atmosphere, so you could go wrong if you look for the perfect family vacation!
Related posts:
- Blue Flag beaches Greece
- Best Family Hotels in Greece
- 5 Best Luxury Family Resorts
- The 12 Best Hotels with water parks in Greece
Family Holidays in Halkidiki; have you been? Let us know in the comments. Sharing is caring!
