Afytos is the most beautiful city in Chalkidiki. One, who does not visit it, misses a lot
The traditional town of Afytos stands out among the resorts of the peninsula of Chalkidiki. It combines the atmosphere of a mountain village, access to beaches for all tastes, historical monuments and advantages of a modern holiday destination.
Brief history
Afytos, located on a hill above the bay, is known from prehistoric times. In other words, more precisely, the place on which it is built is known. The ancient Greek authors mentioned it, but many periods of the history of Afytos remain unexplored. It is established that the ancient city and its fleet participated in the Persian wars. In the classical and archaic period the settlement flourished. It was famous for an abundance of goods including olives, wine, honey, grain, timber.
Wealth has borne in itself not only good, but also danger. Philip II destroyed the city, but under Byzantium’s ruling it experienced a flourishing again. The inhabitants of Afytos took part in the events of the Greek War of Independence. Many who were born here became revolutionaries, and their names have left in the history of Greece. Then, in 1821, the Turks destroyed Afytos almost to the ground. Less than 10 years have passed since the local population returned and began to revive the city. Afytos became the resort area after the Second World War, when tourism had begun to thrive in the city and in general, in Chalkidiki.
What to look at in Afytos and nearby
The main attraction of Afytos is its architecture itself. Here, many houses of the XIX century are preserved; you can admire their beauty while walking along stone-paved streets. Some houses have not changed much, others are preserved slightly worse, but it only gives Afytos more special authentic flavor.
In the central square of Afytos there is a church of Saint Demetrius. This three-nave basilica, unique in this style in Chalkidiki dates back to 1858 and stores valuable icons, rare mosaics and ancient church objects. Near the church, there are stone quarries, left from ancient times.
Next to the church is located the Folklore Museum. There is no better place to learn the history and traditions of these places. In the early 80's the representatives of the local folklore club decided to found it, and for the accommodation they chose a stone building of the XIX century, built in the traditional style of Chalkidiki. This stone mansion has no less value than the museum itself. Most of the exhibits of the Folklore Museum are gifts of Afytos’s residents. The collection includes kitchen utensils, tools of carpenters, anglers, beekeepers, as well as works of art by painters and sculptors of Afytos. If you get lucky, you could get to temporary exhibitions, which are often held in the summer.
If you walk from the central square towards the sea, you can get to the so-called "stone balcony". In this part of Afytos, filled with cozy cafes, many tourists enjoy the views of the peninsula of Sithonia and Toroneos Bay. By the way, the whole Afytos, built on a steep bank, is usually called the "stone balcony of Cassandra."
As for the nearest sights, you can go to Kallithea. In the resort town you can find the ruins of the temple of Ammon Zeus, an observation deck with a picturesque church, many taverns and shops.
Beaches of Afytos
There are three main beaches in Afytos. The central one is quite stony, with slabs in the water, but almost deserted. If you go to the right, there is the beach of Lios, named after the bar with the same name. It is narrow and long, so it cannot be overcrowded. The Lios beach has bars, chaise longues and places for those who want to settle with their towel. Lios is covered with small pebbles mixed with sand.
The only fully sandy beach in Afytos is on the left side of the coast. It is called Varkes. The beach is surrounded by forest, the sea is always calm, and the depth is gradually growing. The bottom off the coast of Varkes is also sandy, so the beach is great for children. Its only drawback is the popularity among tourists, in high season you need to come early to find a free place.
Entertainment and infrastructure of Afytos
Afytos is one of the most developed resorts in Chalkidiki in terms of infrastructure. It is because of the locals, mostly Greeks, living here all year round. A huge selection of shops attracts attention. In Afytos you can find supermarkets, clothing and cosmetics shops, antique shops, pharmacies, shops with handmade products. The abundance of taverns and restaurants is also pleasant, there you can enjoy seafood, traditional Greek dishes or a snack in fast-food restaurants.
