Travel guide Vourvourou
Traveling to the Sithonia Peninsula via Thessaloniki
Vourvourou is a small village on the northeast coast of the Sithonia Peninsula, the middle "finger" of
Chalkidiki. About ten kilometers to the north is Agios Nikolaos. You can reach your private holiday home in Vourvourou from Germany via Thessaloniki International Airport. Since public transport is virtually non-existent, you should reserve a rental car at the airport. The journey to your accommodation in Vourvourou takes about an hour and a half and passes the popular holiday resort
Psakoudia. Book a cozy holiday accommodation, an apartment, a villa or an apartment on the sandy beach or a house with a balcony, garden, terrace, sea view, and at a reasonable price in the best location, and enjoy your personal trip to the sandy beach and surroundings with your family.
Perfect holiday weather all year round
The climate in the
Chalkidiki Macedonia region is hot and dry in the summer and mild and humid (averaging five rainy days per month) in the winter, like almost everywhere in
Greece. During the summer months, the thermometer often rises above 30 °C with water temperatures of 25 °C – perfect for a beach holiday in Vourvourou. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking and walking in the mountains of the hinterland. During the "cold" season, the mercury rarely drops into single digits.
Enjoy the landscape and beaches
Greece is full of cultural sites. On almost every hill, you will find centuries-old chapels or ruins from antiquity. However, those who come to the Sithonia Peninsula do so to relax by the sea or enjoy the landscape. Your vacation rental in Vourvourou is located in a traditional former fishing settlement with old houses and picturesque small rocky islands off the coast. The islands are virtually uninhabited. You can reach Diaporos by boat or kayak in just a few minutes. Many small bays and secluded beaches can be explored here. Sithonia has so far been spared from mass tourism. On a climbing tour to the summit of the Itamomassiv in the hinterland, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Vourvourou, the sea, and the Holy Mountain Athos on the horizon.
Sights on the Sithonia Peninsula
Even though the mountains, cliffs, and vast sea are the main reasons for a holiday in Vourvourou or a trip to the surrounding area, some cultural treasures of the region can be discovered. The Monastery of John the Baptist is located about two kilometers north of Metamorphosis at the northwestern transition to the mainland. The name of the village refers to the Transfiguration of Christ. On the way home, it is worth stopping at the Chrysokamaro Castle north of Vourvourou. The ruins are located on a hill with a fantastic view. The remains of the walls date back to the 14th century. At the southwestern tip of the peninsula is the village of Toroni. There you will find the ruins of a Byzantine castle and a basilica. Once, Toroni was an important city, as evidenced by the extensive complex that stretches from the harbor to the top of the hill.
Eating from noon until midnight
Your accommodation on the sandy beach or your house, villa with pool and garden, or vacation rental for your holiday in Vourvourou is located in a region that has been a melting pot of different nations for thousands of years. Thus, the cuisine features numerous influences from the Balkans, the Orient, and of course, Greece itself. In Chalkidikí, chefs use herbs and spices such as cinnamon and coriander to create delicious sauces. Eating out in Greece is simple: most places open at noon and close after midnight. There are chic restaurants (estiatório), rustic taverns (tavérna), and fish restaurants (psárotaverna). In the mezedopolí, Greek tapas are on the menu instead of large portions. Orders are placed for everyone, and everyone takes what they want from the many plates. A special preparation method, which the author of these lines has only encountered in Greece so far, is "cooked in oil" – delicious, but quickly turns into hip gold. To aid digestion, try the typical Greek anise schnapps oúzo, which is already on the table in small bottles at noon and is diluted with more or less water. Wine drinkers will also get their money's worth. More than 7,000 hectares are under vines in Chalkidikí. The dry wines are hardly available outside Greece. However, it is worth trying them. The retsína, a white wine flavored with Aleppo pine resin, is an acquired taste. Well chilled and as an accompaniment to the spicy dishes, you can get used to it.
Hundreds of beaches and hidden coves
The Sithonia Peninsula is an ideal holiday region for a relaxed family vacation. Stroll with your family and children from your holiday accommodation or your vacation rental or holiday home in Vourvourou across the Xifara isthmus to Karidi Beach. There, you can enjoy the evening atmosphere with a coffee or glass of wine. Many beaches on Sithonia have fine sand. The water slopes gently into the sea. There are more beaches right in the village. There are boat and kayak rentals and surf schools. One of the most beautiful and longest beaches is located in Kriopigi on Kassandra, the western finger of Chalkidikí. An excursion takes you to the Petralona caves at the foot of the Goat Mountain Katsika. A skull about 700,000 years old, considered the oldest European, was found in the cave. The numerous stalactites and stalagmites transport you into an underground fairy tale world. You can also take your dog or pet with you and explore the idyllic surroundings with your children and family. Simply take a trip to Neos Marmaras, Diaporos, or Psakoudia.
A boat tour along the holy coast of monasteries
From your holiday home or apartment for your stay in Vourvourou, you can look across to the third finger of Chalkidikí, where the legendary Monastic Republic of Athos is located. Only a few guests are allowed to enter Mount Athos. A visa must be applied for, and women (as well as female animals) are denied access. However, Mount Athos can be circumnavigated by boat. If women are on board, the captain must maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters from the coast. It is recommended to bring a telephoto lens to photograph the impressive monasteries that cling to the cliffs. There are 20 major monasteries on Mount Athos, as well as the monk settlements called Skites. Some monks still live in hard-to-reach hermitages and caves on Mount Athos itself. Rent a cozy holiday accommodation or a house, an apartment, a villa, or a vacation rental now and enjoy your personal trip to the sandy beach and surroundings with your family.