8 Day The Best of Halkidiki Guided Cycling Tour in Greece
Legendary and Mythic Cycling Tour Greece
This bike trip will take you on an enchanting journey along the legendary and mythic Halkidiki peninsula. You will have the chance to explore the nature, culture, and history of the three peninsulas of Halkidiki - Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos.
Key information
- Trip type: Guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Terrain: Isolated asphalt and gravel roads
- Starts and ends in Thessaloniki
- Total Distance: 221 kilometers / 137 miles
- Bike type: Road or mountain bike (not included)
- E-bike: Available to rent
Highlights
- 6 cycling days
- Ride along villages and towns
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Transfer from the airport
- Luggage transport and supporting vehicle
Skill level
- Intermediate
Accommodation
Your accommodations will be provided in double rooms in family hotels and pensions.
Program
Day 1: Thessaloniki - Kassandra Peninsula
Arrival in Thessaloniki. Transfer (100 kilometers) to Pefkochori situated on the Northern coast of the Kasandra peninsula. Overnight.
Day 2: St. Nicholaos Chapel - Loutra Spa Village
Today’s route starts on a coastal asphalt road, soon turning on a village road leading to the picturesque chapel of St. Nicholas. The ride continues with a few kilometers back and then an uphill ride on asphalt road in the hinterland of the peninsula. You finish biking in Loutra village famous for its healing thermal waters.
- Distance: 31 kilometers / 19 miles
- Elevation: +340 meters / +1116 feet and -330 meters / -1083 feet
- Detour to St. Nicholaos chapel: 15 kilometers / 10 miles
- Elevation: +310 meters / +1017 feet and -310 meters / -1017 feet
Day 3: Loutra - Possidi - Kassandreia - Neos Marmaras (Sithonia)
The day starts with a flat road along the shore to the small resort town of Possidi, where you will have some time to spend on the beach. After that charming place, you head to the town of Kassandreia where the biking for today ends. Transfer to the lively harbor Neos Marmaras in the Sithonia peninsula. Option for honey tasting in the Nikiti area on the way.
- Distance: 39 kilometers / 25 miles
- Elevation: +231 meters / 758 feet and -203 meters / -666 feet
Day 4: Partenonas Architectural Reserve - Coastal roads - Porto Koufo
Today is dedicated to biking along the Western coast of Sithonia. You start with a short transfer to the mountain village Parthenonas and its stone houses - an architectural reserve. The biking starts with a downhill ride on a panoramic mountain road. Then the route follows isolated coastal roads with many beautiful small bays that are usually empty during low season and tempting with their sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. You end up cycling in the stunning rocky bay of Porto Koufo fisherman village.
- Distance: 37 kilometers / 23 miles
- Elevation: +330 meters / +1083 feet and -610 meters / -2002 feet
Day 5: Porto Koufo - Kalamitsi - Sarti - Vourvourou
Today, you continue exploring Sithonia and after a morning ascend on a nice mountain road with spectacular views you descend to the Eastern coast and the beautiful village of Kalamitsi. The route follows the main coastal road that goes up and down through forests of Mediteranean pine, passes by the lively resort town of Sarti, and finishes in the Vorvorou region with nice views of Diasporos island. Overnight in Vourvourou.
- Distance: 53 kilometers / 33 miles
- Elevation: +1080 meters / +3544 feet and -1080 meters / -3544 feet
Day 6: Vourvourou - Pyrgadikia - Develiki - Ouranoupoli (Athos peninsula)
Today you will follow some coastal roads, passing through the charming fisherman town of Pyrgadikia. Just after leaving it, there will be a few challenging ascends while you reach the beach of Develiki. After that, you will join a flat coastal road to the charming tourist town of Ouranopoli in the Athos peninsula. Overnight.
- Distance: 67 kilometers / 42 miles
- Elevation: +940 meters / +3084 feet and -900 meters / 2953 feet
Day 7: Free day in Ouranoupoli or boat to Athos monasteries - Back to Thessaloniki
Those who wish to take it easy today can do a boat trip to the amazing Athos holy land and monasteries perched high on the cliffs or just relax at the nice beach in Ouranoupoli and enjoy the sun and sea. Transfer back to Thessaloniki in the afternoon. Hotel overnight.
Day 8: Departure
Departure.
About the tour
The Ancients knew the region as Flegra - the Place of Fire - because it was believed to be the place where an epic battleground for the fire took place between the Olympian Gods and the Giants, the sons of Gaia (Earth). The routes include biking on isolated asphalt and gravel roads along the coastline offering great views of secluded beaches, cliffs, and the crystal blue waters of the Augean Sea.
You will also bike on challenging routes in the inland mountains with their coniferous forests, beehives, herds of goats, and panoramic mountain views. Along with that you will experience local life, culture, and architecture in the small mountain and fisherman villages, flavor your senses with delicious seafood, and enjoy the sun, sand, and sea.
Road conditions
The trip uses good coastal asphalt roads, gravel and macadam mountains, and coastal roads with good coverage (some bumpy sections are possible). Some of the routes include short but steep ascends or descending on off-road. All roads and quiet and calm with low traffic in the tour’s active season. The tour is doable with hybrid or trekking bikes or mountain bikes.
Guide and driver
There is a guide with a supporting vehicle and luggage inside. The guide navigates them and stops at crossroads or points of interest or panoramic view. The guide is helping with the accommodation and organizing breakfasts and lunch packs.
Bike rental
- Bianchi e-bike - 190 EUR
- Longwise e-bike - 190 EUR
- Cube - 140 EUR
- Drag - Hardy Comp - 100 EUR
- Drag - Grand Canyon TE - 100 EUR
Location
You will have the chance to explore the nature, culture, and history of the three peninsulas of Halkidiki - Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos. The Ancients knew the region as Flegra - the Place of Fire - because it was believed to be the place where an epic battleground for the fire took place between the Olympian Gods and the Giants, the sons of Gaia (Earth).
Kassandra
It is the most popular and touristic prong of Halkidiki. It is famous for its lively nightlife, golden sand beaches, and lush coniferous forests. According to the myth, Kassandra got its name when one of the Giants, named Egelados, was crushed by Kassandra's promontory, thrown by goddess Athena, and buried underneath. It is considered that Egelados did not die at that time and every so often he tries to struggle out from under the weight of rocks causing earthquakes (the Greek word for earthquake is egelados).
Sithonia
It is the middle part of the Halkidiki peninsula known for its pristine nature and beautiful sandy beaches - a symphony in blue and green. It is for those who seek adventure and relaxation on isolated beaches. It was named after Sithonas, son of Poseidon (god of the sea in Greek mythology).
Athos
It is the most eastern and mountainous peninsula of all. Its highest peak Mt. Athos reaches an altitude of 2000 meters. It is famous for the Athos monasteries - set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and being the center of Eastern Christian Orthodox Monasticism with more than 20 monasteries. It is also a Unesco World Heritage site. The Athos peninsula was named after the giant Athos, who during the famous battle, threw a mountain at the gods, but failed to find his target.
Food
You will be served daily breakfast included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- Cycling tour
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- All ground transportation
- Airport pick-up
- Luggage transport and supporting vehicle
- English-speaking guide or driver
What's not included
- Bike rental
- Rent of pannier bags
- Helmets
- Flights
- Insurance
- Other meals
- Entrance fees
- Tips (5 EUR per person per day)
- Personal expenses
- Airport drop-off
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Thessaloniki Airport "Macedonia"
64 km
Transfer included
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.