Polichrono, Greece
Holidays to Polichrono take you to a quiet seaside village that comes with a handful of authentic tavernas and cosy bars – plus a beautifully long sandy beach.
A quiet coastal village
Polichrono is a charming seaside village on the east coast of the Kassandra Peninsula in Halkidiki, way up in northern Greece. There’s a laid-back feel to the place – the old town is lined by whitewashed houses draped with bougainvillea while a handful of authentic Greek tavernas dot the promenade. The nightlife of Kalithea is 15 minutes up the road – but you don’t have to go anywhere to enjoy the long sandy beach.
Blue Flag beach
Polichrono’s beach is one undisturbed stretch of fine white sand that keeps going for more than 7 kilometres. The section nearest to town is where you’ll find sunloungers and umbrellas, but a short walk along the beach gets you to more secluded spots. And speaking of other places, you can go windsurfing at Hanioti Beach, about 10 minutes down the road. Or you could head across the other side of the peninsula for quiet Fourkas Beach, where fishing boats line the sand.
Trips to Mount Athos and Thessaloniki
For old-world charm and a cobbled square filled with local kafenions, drive 15 minutes to the pretty village of Afitos. Or for more of an urban vibe, 90 minutes gets you to Greece’s bustling second city, Thessaliniki, for designer shops. And boat trips from the port at Pefkochori – 10 minutes’ drive from Polichrono – take you to the isolated monasteries of Mount Athos. Look out for the Simonopetra monastery, perched on the cliff edge.
