Guide to Visiting Possidi Beach, the Pearl of Chalkidiki
Due to its odd shape, people refer to Chalkidiki as the three fingers. Most beaches are on the two fingers closer to Thessaloniki.
The third finger is monastery central, including the so-called Holy Mountain. Since most beaches favor massive tourism, finding a peaceful one can be a challenge.
Do not despair! We were able to find a relaxed beach 62 miles (100 km) from the city, in the Village of Possidi, Kassandra Peninsula.
The village is named after the God Poseidon. We are talking about a handful of hotels, guesthouses, bars, and restaurants along the coastline.
How to Get to Possidi
By Car
The fastest way to get to Possidi is driving there yourself. You can rent a car in Thessaloniki’s airport (or online) and be there in at the most 1.5 hours. However, we believe you should spend at least three nights in the city and then head to the beach.
The road is in good shape and the views are cool, so don’t rush and enjoy the journey. There are clear signs all along the way, so there’s no chance you’ll get lost.
By Bus
Buses from Thessaloniki to Chalkidiki leave from Halkidiki Bus Station near the Airport. We took a taxi from the city center to the station and then the bus to Possidi and were there in two hours.
You can also take a public bus to the station. Ask in your hotel where does the closest bus stop. Most go past Aristotelous Square, the city’s epicenter.
However, direct buses don’t run anymore. Instead, you can get to Kassandria and take a local bus to Possidi. Take note that in high season buses to Kassandria fill quickly, so make sure to buy your ticket in advance. You can do it here.
You can’t buy tickets for the local bus online, and its schedule changes frequently. So, we suggest taking a taxi from Kassandria to Possidi. It’s a 20 minutes ride.
What to Do in Possidi
Spend Time on the Beach
Possidi is all about the beach and the views. The colors are spectacular and they change throughout the day. In Possidi, we spent our time on the small beach in front of our hotel. We were that lazy! We would also walk across town to Possidi West Beach, to the north.
It’s a longer and wider beach with a couple of hotels and not much else. That’s why we loved it there! Remember to bring a recycled bottle of water, and to wear a hat and sunscreen.
Visit the Lighthouse and Temple of Poseidon
Granted, there isn’t much to see of the Temple of Poseidon. But still, when you are there, you can’t help but feel ancient Greece. There you are, on the site of a former temple of one of human’s favorite Gods: Poseidon!
Walk a bit west and you will see Possidi’s most famous landmark: the Lighthouse from 1863. Though not that special, it provides the perfect backdrop for jaw dropping pictures.
The lighthouse is southwest of Possidi Town, on the coast. There’s a cute chapel next to it. Agia Marina Church is your typical super photogenic and very Greek white church with a blue dome.
Watch the Sunset Surrounded by the Sea
We walked every afternoon from our hotel in the town south to Possidi Cape. The sea surrounds this gorgeous sandy triangle. We believe it’s Chalkidiki’s nicest beach. In fact, it’s a place you will never forget in your life. It’s a lovely half an hour walk along the coast.
There are no roads nor buildings nearby. The sand is golden, the sea transparent and the sky deep blue. During clear days you can even see Mount Olympus across the bay. In winter, with snow on its peak.
We strongly recommend visiting in the late afternoon too. Sunsets in Possidi Cape are magical.
Hike around the Area
Though doing nothing and staring at the sea is an option, the area has some interesting hiking routes to discover. There is a hill with private mansions above the ruins.
We walked all the way to the top to admire the views. Then we continued on the road through a pine forest to go back to the village.
It took us an hour to walk to the Ancient Mende Archaeological Site (Proasteio), east of the town. In all honesty, the remains are not interesting at all. It’s the walk on the rocks and under the trees next to the coast that is worth your time.
Where to Stay
The first time we went to Possidi we stayed in Hotel Paralio. They offer super comfortable rooms with sea views and delicious breakfast. It’s on the beach, so you can jump directly into the sea.
If you are a beach bunny, stay at the only 5 star hotel in the area. The Possidi Holidays Resort and Suites is directly on West Possidi Beach. It’s a big property with lovely gardens, a pool, and lots of space. A bit isolated but that’s the point, right?
Where to Eat and Drink
Our top recommendation goes to the town’s bakery PINAKOTI, a block from the beach, to the south. We would buy homemade pitas, cakes, or sandwiches and head to the beach. They have tables too where you can have coffee.
The two restaurants on Possidi Beach are good. However, we had lunch almost daily at Restaurant Sidera. They offer delicious sea food and epic views over the sea. Their baked feta cheese is superb. You can also catch the sunset there while enjoying wine or frappe coffee.
For cocktails or another killer sunset, we strongly recommend The Boat House, also on the beach. It’s a simple bar with fantastic cocktails, some food, and local wine.
In Possidi West Beach we ate at Psarotaberna. It’s a bar and restaurant on the beach that specializes in sea food.
The Best Time to Visit
The weather in Possidi is great all year round. As you can imagine, summers are peak season. However, since there aren’t many hotels in the area and the beaches are long, you can always find a quiet spot.
We believe the best months to visit are May, June, September, and October. There are fewer tourists and the weather is great. We went once in late October and we even bathed in the sea!
Going in the winter is an option too. Maximum average temperatures hover around 60 F (15 C), with minimum averages at 50 F (10 C). All you need is a jacket.
