Two hours of driving on the highway and crossing the Canal of Nea Potidea, the inhabitants of Thessaloniki are on the magnificent beaches of Kassandra. Kassandra is the pearl of Halkidiki, the most developed and the most convenient and interesting resort. There are lots of entertainment, cafes, bars and restaurants with exquisite and European cuisine. There are quite a few historical corners, surprising with their antiquities and modern beauty. Cassandra has always attracted people with its unique nature and special atmosphere.
Kassandra is very popular with the locals because of its proximity to Thessaloniki. Young people come here practically all summer long, because there are great beaches with lots of beach bars. It's a great place to unwind in popular clubs and to enjoy great seafood in local tavernas.
The most popular resorts in Cassandra are Kalifeia and Nea Potidea. Kalifaea has excellent sandy beaches and the ancient sanctuary of Zeus Ammon. In the town of Nea-Potidea there are beaches with pebbles and a variety of attractions for tourists. There are also many ancient artifacts, including the wall of Emperor Justinian and the Chapel of All the Archangels.
Among the no less famous resort centers are amazingly clean Pefkohori, magnificent Afitos, "fishy" Nea Fokea. Nea Fokea has wonderful fish dishes and the legendary fountain, which can heal and restore the soul of the traveler.
Among the resort centers of Cassandra is the shopping center of Nea Moudanya. The pure beach towns of Polichorno, Pefkohori, Afitos and Kriopigi will welcome the returners with a high level of comfort.
Cassandra, named after the ancient Hellenic king and commander of the 4th century BC, is a peninsula that has received its name. In antiquity the peninsula was called differently either Phlegra or Pallini. But today it has acquired this sonorous name Cassandra.
According to the writer Apollodorus, on the Phlegraean fields of the Cassandra peninsula, the Giants were born from the earth. They fought against the Olympian gods under the command of Zeus for the right to be the deciders of the world. This is why the peninsula is laden with many romantic stories and ancient legends.
Mendi and Potida are two of the most ancient villages of the peninsula, whose history goes back centuries and continues to this day. The Romans, the Huns, the Venetians and the Turks have left numerous testimonies of their rule here. But the Greek peninsula has absorbed all the best and most interesting things from other civilizations, maintaining its uniqueness and inexpressible color.
Back in the 30's of the first century, the peninsula became an island as a shipping channel was built and began to operate. It helped develop the economy of the peninsula and was a very important stage for the development of the coastal port towns.
Previously, the main occupation of the Greeks who lived on Cassandra was farming, animal husbandry, fishing, shipbuilding and navigation. But these traditional occupations are now increasingly joined by tourism. A wide network of resorts created in the fertile land of Kassandra gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy these natural riches of the region, and the local people to create comfortable conditions for vacationers.
Kassandra is considered one of the biggest resorts in Halkidiki. Tourists come from all over the world to bask in the sun and visit the unique places of Kassandra.
The abundance and variety of recreational opportunities, the rich hotel base and the busy nightlife set Kassandra apart from many Greek resorts.
When choosing a place to stay in Kassandra, it is worth considering the peculiarities of the resort infrastructure of the peninsula. The eastern coast is the most developed, from the traditional Afitos, partying Kalifea, cosmopolitan Chanioti and to the quiet and remote Paluri. The west coast, except for a large hotel complex Sani Resort, is much quieter, and instead of large hotels offers a quiet holiday in comfortable cottages and luxury villas.
