Car Hire Kallithea
Mini guide to Kallithea
Kallithea is a cosmopolitan resort town located on Kassandra, the westernmost prong of the three peninsulas that make up Halkidiki. An area blessed with long stretches of sandy coastline fringed by pine forest and dotted with pretty villages, Kallithea has something for everyone.
Kallithea’s foremost attraction is its splendid sandy beaches, which draw thousands of visitors a year. It is also an area of much archaeological interest, the town’s most renowned site being the ruins of Zeus Ammon, legendary sanctuary of Dionysous and the Nymphs.
Despite being a modern resort, Kallithea’s old centre still retains its traditional Macedonian charm and is worth exploring on foot. The visitor can wander down side alleys and admire many old courtyards and balconies drenched in fragrant vines and flowers. Highlights in the Old Town include the remains of the Doric sanctuary and the small chapel of Agios Panteleimon, with its interesting murals.
Kallithea is home to a wide range of restaurants and bars offering everything from traditional Macedonian fare to fast food. The town also boasts a spectacular nightlife with plenty of entertainment in the evenings from nightclubs and discos to quaint traditional pubs.
Ideally situated, Kallithea is an excellent base for exploring either the coastline by boat or the surrounding peninsula. Of particular interest is the prehistoric village of Petralona, situated at the foothills of Mount Katsika. Here the visitor can discover Kokines Petres (Red Stones Cave) the original site of Europe’s oldest skeleton.
From Petralona head to Nea Moudania, a traditional hamlet with low stone cottages and unusual chimneys. Nearby, the village of Nea Potidea was built upon the ruins of the ancient Corinthian colony of the same name.
For those arriving by air, the closest international airport is Airport Macedonia, located on the outskirts of Halkidiki’s capital, Thessaloniki. Frequent daily flights arrive from Athens (1 hour) and other major European cities, and regular buses link Kallithea with Thessaloniki, 120kms to the south.
