“Luxury, an increased level of comfort, a healing climate and unspoilt beaches - in Porto Carras you find everything for a memorable holiday”
The name of the hotel complex Porto Carras is well known to those who occasionally monitor the ratings of the best resorts and hotels in the world. It represents Greece on the highest lines. Famous artists, politicians and businessmen spend their vacations in Porto Carras. And its infrastructure attracts all categories of tourists: from families to connoisseurs of luxury and magnificent nature. Porto Carras is called a mini-state and a resort town - it stands out on the map of the peninsula of Halkidiki.
History of Porto Carras:
The complex of Porto Carras is located on the second "finger" of Halkidiki – in Sithonia, in 120 km from Thessaloniki. In the early 1960's, the territory of the future hotel complex belonged to the monks of Athos. In 1963, hereditary ship owner, Yannis Carras, first visited Neos Marmaras area in Halkidiki. The trip was dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the monastic republic founding, and such a stop at the coast of Neos Marmaras was forced - it was necessary to wait out the storm. These lands amazed Yannis Carras with their beauty. Being a far-sighted businessman, he was able to see the perspective of this area. It was surprising and difficult because there were many bogs, people moved by boats or on donkeys on dirty roads at the site of the future resort.
After returning from the trip, Carras began to implement his fantastic idea. He bought most of the monastic lands to make the dream a reality. The architect was the German Walter Gropius, but he did not face the completion of the project's implementation because he died. Rapid construction began in 1973. The first was Carras’ private villa. Everything was perfect: location, stylish architecture, beauty of the surrounding nature turned the villa into one of the most beautiful in Greece.
The process of land conversion took more than three years. Instead of bogs, thousands of olive trees and vineyards appeared. The first hotel in Porto Carras was opened in 1976 and won the love of the Sithonia Peninsula guests quickly. In those years, one of the best golf fields in Europe worked here. Marina Porto Carras has seen the most famous yachts in the world. International conferences, golf tournaments, regattas, and tuna fishing competitions, wine festivals and horse races are held here. The founder of the hotel complex died in 1989, but managed to open a new chapter in the history of tourism in Sithonia and in Greece, too.
Porto Carras Beach:
Porto Carras is perhaps the largest hotel complex in Greece. And the beaches are appropriate here. The coast stretches for 9 km and is signed with the Blue Flag. This beach has everything you need, from bars and taverns and to water activities. But Porto Carras is also remarkable for its hidden coves. There are almost thirty such secluded beaches here and some of them can be reached only by yacht. Such beaches are not equipped, but there are some sun loungers.
Variety of entertainment: what to do in Porto Carras
Each day will not look like the previous one in Porto Carras. And all thanks to the abundance of entertainments. Relaxing and taking care of your body’s beauty can be in the center of thalassotherapy – it is recognized as one of the most important in Europe. Spending a romantic evening or making purchases is possible in the big harbor of Porto Carras. In addition, the hotel complex has its own horse racetrack for horseback riding enthusiasts, huge golf fields and a casino( that is opened 24 hours a day during a peak season ), sports grounds, swimming pools, tennis courts and a diving club. The hotel complex arranges film screenings, aerobics classes and evening shows for its guests.
There are restaurants of traditional Greek, Asian, European cuisine, as well as own winery - its wines are recognized as one of the best in Greece. A special steam locomotive goes to the winery, where tastings are arranged. Also, we should not forget about the beauty of nature in these places. Porto Carras is located in a natural park territory with well-equipped hiking trails.
From Thessaloniki: by bus number 45 to K.T.E.L. Halkidikis, then take the regular bus to Porto Carras. You can also take the bus to Neos Marmaras and take a taxi to the desired hotel.
From the airport of Thessaloniki: by bus number 79 to IKEA, then take a bus number 36 to K.T.E.L. Halkidikis, and there take a bus to Porto Carras or Neos Marmaras.
