Athitos or Afytos village is the most picturesque part of Halkidiki in Northern Greece. It is located on the first peninsula of Halkidiki called “Kassandra” and is a real gem with narrow alleys, stone-built houses, and vibrant colors. Since it is a hilltop village, it also offers stunning panoramic views! So, if you are an architecture lover or simply want to visit the jewels of the incredible region of Halkidiki, the village of Athitos should be on your bucket list. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Athitos, this unique village of Halkidiki.
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Things to know before visiting Athitos village
Afitos is an old village that resembles the famous Greek islands mainly because of its blue-and-white colors, narrow streets, and incredible ocean views. It is located on the northeastern coast of the Kassandra peninsula (the first leg of Halkidiki) and is only 83 kilometers away from Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece. So, you can easily visit it either from Thessaloniki or the other parts of the first or second peninsula. Athitos is the perfect blend of nature, architecture, and history. It is also a very photogenic village with many beautiful spots to photograph. However, it attracts hundreds of tourists every summer. So, if you want to enjoy a relaxing time, we recommend visiting it during the shoulder season (May, June, September).
Although it is a small village, it offers a lot of things to do. There are many cafés, bars, Greek taverns, hotels, etc. So, you can easily spend a whole day. You could choose to stay in the village to get a full taste of its unique beauty. Lastly, if you are coming from a non-European country and plan to spend several days in Halkidiki or Greece, we suggest purchasing a digital e-SIM card. You will have mobile data upon arrival in the country to save time and money.
How to get to Athitos village?
As we said earlier Athitos is located on the Kassandra peninsula. The closest places are:
- Kallithea: is known for its vibrant nightlife
- Siviri: is an adorable seaside town, and the world-famous Sani Resort, which is an oasis of luxury.
You can visit Athitos either from Thessaloniki or from the second peninsula of Halkidiki called “Sithonia”. We would not recommend visiting it as a day trip from the third peninsula called “Mount Athos”, because it is a long distance. The most convenient way to get around Halkidiki (especially if you are traveling as a family or in a group) is to rent a car. Local buses called “KTEL” or private transfers are the other available modes of transportation. However, if you want to enjoy the ultimate freedom to explore even the most secluded places or beaches, renting a car is the easiest and probably the only way to do it.
Where to stay?
Halkidiki caters to all tastes and budgets when it comes to accommodation. Despite its size, Athitos offers a variety of accommodation options, from boutique hotels and villas to cozy apartments. The best way to experience local life is to stay in a small village like Afitos. However, if you want to have more accommodation options available at better prices, you can stay in larger places, such as Kallithea, Poseidi, Pefkohori, etc. Since Halkidiki is one of the most popular summer destinations in Greece, we strongly recommend that you book your accommodation as well as your tickets in advance.
Best things to do in Athitos – Halkidiki
1-Take a walk through the narrow alleys of the village
Strolling through the narrow alleyways of this unique village is our favorite thing to do. It is a real pleasure to walk through the picturesque alleys, admiring the colorful flowers and the wonderful sea views. However, if you want to have the village of Afitos all to yourself, you should visit it early in the morning (around 8 am) to avoid the crowds. During the peak summer season, you will find the first tourists having their morning coffee and breakfast.
2-Enjoy a meal at the local taverns
In Afitos, there are many cafés and bakeries, serving delicious Greek breakfasts or brunches. The same goes for restaurants, traditional taverns, and fast food. So, you can enjoy any kind of meal while admiring the endless blue. We recommend making a reservation if you want to find a good place during the high summer season. If you love seafood, the local restaurants will not disappoint you! Every time we visit them, we leave with full hearts and stomachs. What could be better than having a delicious Greek meal while enjoying the breathtaking ocean views?
Needless to say, it is a magical experience to have your dinner at sunset. The pastel colors of the sky and the lights of the village create a unique setting, perfect for romantic dinners and photos. In case you cannot find available tables at the seaside restaurants, you can still find incredible restaurants with a beautiful atmosphere in the village.
3-Go souvenir shopping
Although Athitos is a small village, you will find lots of gift shops. You will have the opportunity to buy decorative items or local products, such as olive oil, honey, cheese, and feta. The stores are open from early in the morning until late evening in the summer. In case you are traveling with kids or you have a sweet tooth, you can find many local shops for delicious crepes, waffles, Greek desserts such as loukoumades (photo on the left), etc. As we both love ice cream, we strongly recommend the popular “Ice Cream Shop” (photo on the right). It has countless ice cream flavors for all tastes!
4-Spend your day at Athitos beach
It is almost impossible to just watch the vast blue from a distance without taking a dip. So, we highly recommend visiting the Athitos beach. It is a 1-kilometer-long beach with beach bars and free spaces, where you can put up your umbrella and towels, and spend a fun day at the beach. Because of the sharp pebbles, we suggest that you bring sea shoes with you to avoid any uncomfortable situations. However, the beach has clear turquoise waters and is ideal for hot summer days.
5-End your day with a drink at the local bars
Athitos is full of bars with a warm ambiance and incredible views. That’s why you should take your love, family, or friends and enjoy a drink in one of the many bars. If you visit it in mid-August, you will be lucky enough to enjoy the full moon while tasting your favorite drinks. However, you should expect overcrowded places during this time of year.
Other nearby places to visit in Halkidiki – Greece
1-Kallithea
Less than 5 kilometers from Athitos, you will find yourself in one of the most visited places in Halkidiki called “Kallithea”. It offers golden beaches and vibrant nightlife. Due to the beach clubs and nightclubs, it is considered the best place to have fun in Halkidiki. You will also find many cafés, bakeries, and taverns. There are pedestrian zones, full of grocery stores, souvenir shops, banks, post offices, etc. This is why it is a great place to base yourself if you want to have everything close to you. As one of the busiest places, it also has car rental offices in case you want to rent a car in a physical store. However, we would not recommend it during peak season, as everything gets very expensive.
2-Siviri
Siviri is one of our favorite seaside towns. It is about 15 kilometers from Athitos. It has a long coastline with many amazing swimming spots. You will also find many beachfront restaurants, beach bars, and cafés. The best time to visit it is the sunset with its magical pastel colors. However, it is one of the busiest periods. So, if you want to enjoy a meal in one of the waterfront taverns, we highly recommend that you make a reservation or get there before sunset to find a good spot! Siviri has many rooms to rent, guesthouses, and hotels, which are ideal for couples and families.
3-Sani
About 15 kilometers from Athitos, you will find yourself in one of the most luxurious parts of Halkidiki called “Sani”. It is home to the world-famous Sani Resort, which consists of 5 different Sani hotels. If you stay in one of these hotels, you will have full access to all the beaches, restaurants, and swimming pools. Due to the fascinating marina with yachts, Sani gets overcrowded in the summer. Every summer, Sani organizes art festivals that attract hundreds of tourists. Attending these summer music festivals is one of the best things to do in Halkidiki. These festivals take place around a hillside topped by the 16th-century Stavronikita tower. Lastly, most of the Sani beaches are sandy with shallow waters, ideal for families with kids.
4-Pefkohori
Pefkohori is located in the south of the Kassandra peninsula. It is the last place we recommend you visit from Athitos (about 22 kilometers). You can easily visit it either by car or by a direct bus. It is another beautiful seaside town with a long coastline. There are many waterfront bars, restaurants, etc. Pefkohori is another amazing place for nights out! We also suggest spending some time strolling through the narrow streets of the village.
Final Thoughts
Athitos is a real gem, as it is one of the most authentic places in Halkidiki. Since our hometown is Thessaloniki, we have visited Athitos countless times. Nothing is better than enjoying the endless Greek blue while walking in cute streets, or eating Mediterranean food. So, if you are looking for romantic places in Northern Greece, the village of Athitos will not disappoint you!
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