Region in Central Macedonia, Greece
Halkidiki
Three-pronged peninsula south of Thessaloniki with pine-backed beaches, nightlife in Kassandra and quiet Sithonia coves. Needs a car, is crowded in July–August and has little public transport.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,030–2,930Comfortable, one person · €1,800–2,600Details
- Value for money40/100Better value than 39% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Jul, 29°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water varies by village and can be salty near the coast; most residents and visitors use bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundRental carYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are widely accepted in resorts.Details
Where to stay in Halkidiki
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Kassandra (Kallithea, Pefkochori) | Beach resorts, clubs and bars |
| Sithonia (Sarti, Vourvourou) | Quiet coves, camping, pine forests |
| Nea Moudania | Cheaper base, buses, supermarkets |
| Ouranoupoli | Gateway to Mount Athos cruises and a quiet beach |
Apps that work in Halkidiki
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis are few and costly; pre-book transfers from Thessaloniki or arrange a rental car.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are widely accepted in resorts. Carry cash for village tavernas, beach canteens and small kiosks.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Halkidiki solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.