Your Stay Around Sani

Start point: Sani Beach Club / End point: Siviri village

This is one of the most beautiful walks in Halkidiki. It follows a wetland path which meanders along the cliff tops between Sani Resort and Siviri village, with stunning views from the forest to the sea. Rabbits, lizards, turtles and butterflies abound in these woods, depending on the season. Halfway between Sani and Siviri (approx. 5 km) you will walk past the ancient excavations area. People wishing a shorter walk could finish at that point. If you choose to continue on, it will be necessary to arrange a transfer for your return, unless you decide to retrace your steps (20 km). The area is home to unique natural treasures which are not to be found anywhere else in Halkidiki. The valley of Koutsoupia offers a wide range of flora, including oak trees and other plants rarely found in Halkidiki. This walk is also rich in ancient ruins including a Roman villa and an early Christian temple. Because of the rugged nature of this route, great care must be taken and please keep away from the edge of the cliff at all times. The walk is not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo or for young children. A detailed map is available at your hotel reception.

Click here to experience the amazing views.

The excursion takes you through mountains, forests, vineyards, gardens and fruit fields. You will visit the capital of Halkidiki, Poligiros and continue to the picturesque Arnea, famed for its excellent wines and wonderful textiles. You can meet with members of the local wine union for a wine tasting. Alternatively, you can combine a visit to the sights of Thessaloniki with a visit to the small town of Epanomi and a tour of a local winery.

Start/end point: Sani Hill (Sani Beach Hotel)

This is an easy walk through the woods which skirt the long sandy Bousoulas beach, with views across the wetlands and the bird sanctuary. The sea is never too far away for a dip, and the forest provides natural shade. This trail eventually meanders through the wetland bird sanctuary, which stretches over hundreds of acres and has been declared a European Important Bird Area, by the international organisation BirdLife International as well as being a Natura protected area. It is ideal for birdwatching, and home to more than 180 different kinds of birds, depending on the season, including migrating mute swans, black winged stilts and little egrets. Visitors are asked to stay on the marked paths and roads in order to avoid treading on nests and disturbing the wildlife. A map for this walk is available at your hotel reception.

Just 15 km distance from Sani, Athitos or Afitos is one of the most picturesque villages in Halkidiki and is very different to anything else around it. The village has its own architectural style, with old stone-built houses, coming straight from previous centuries. You can stroll down the cobblestone alleys, smelling the flowers that are everywhere and relax at one of the traditional taverns. The village overlooks the peninsula of Sithonia and offers a fantastic view to the Toroneos Gulf. It’s a relaxing way to pass the time and you can also make the best of the turquoise waters and relaxing beach bars.

Vibrant Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city and the capital of Macedonia. It offers a rich cultural and historical heritage as well as a cosmopolitan café life. On this excursion, you will visit the Archaeological Museum, the White Tower, some of the splendid churches including the Byzantine church of St. Dimitrios and climb up the Acropolis (highest point) to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Naturally, there’s also time to enjoy the shopping and cafés downtown.

An incredible chance to discover the secrets of Halkidiki. Driving through mountains and forests you will visit the capital, Poligiros before visiting the traditional village Arnea. Enjoy one last stay at the small village of Pyrkadikia before returning to Sani.

Enjoy the ever-changing landscape pass you by on this wonderful day out towards Porto Koufo, where you will find some stunning scenery and beautiful views across the southern tip of this middle peninsula. Sithonia is more rugged than the Kassandra peninsula and therefore less populated. The scenery has been likened to that of Switzerland with its pine trees forming a backdrop to the lonely beaches. The Parthenon of the North Parthenonas, 10km from Marmaras (an abandoned and forgotten village until the late 1980’s), is definitely worth exploring. With its traditional architecture and stone-paved streets, this is a village of unusual beauty – with fabulous views out over the Aegean.

The caves of Petralona lie about 30 km from Sani and are a very popular half-day excursion. When you enter the caves of Petralona, it’s like embarking on a voyage to the beginning of time with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites including the remains of what is thought to be the oldest in Europe - 700,000 years old. The caves are also considered among the most important monuments of human prehistory with finds including the fossilised cranium of a prehistoric man.

Travel to Ormos Panagias on the top eastern corner of the Sithonia Peninsula and then sail with a boat towards Mount Athos – where you can take amazing pictures of the “Holy Mountain” and its fantastic monasteries. The Garden of the Virgin - the Mt. Athos peninsula - and even when viewed from the sea its rare and unspoiled beauty will cast its spell. This peninsula is the only monastic republic within Europe and is ruled by the 1700 monks who live in its monasteries. The monasteries are built in a unique style and are located at the most beautiful parts of the peninsula. After the cruise, you can stop for lunch in the traditional village of Ouranoupolis.

Be prepared for an early start for this day excursion to Vergina (80km south-west of Thessaloniki) and one of the most historic places in Greece and the old capital of the ancient Macedonia state. Some of the most important remains are the palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. The tomb of the Macedonian King Philip, father of Alexander the Great is recognised as a Monument of World Heritage by UNESCO. Philip's tomb complete with its unique valuables are kept in a specially designed museum.
Click here to view a short video about this excursion.

An early start takes you through fertile plains to Mount Olympus then on to Kalampaka, a small town at the foot of Meteora - the “stone forest of Christ”. Those who see Meteora for the first time believe it to be a geological miracle with thousands of rocks, merging to form an almost unearthly sight. Wanting to be closer to God, bold monks built monasteries on the peaks of these rocks and lived as true hermits for more than 600 hundred years. The katholika (central parts of churches) of the monasteries have been painted by skilled religious painters from the late Byzantine years and still hanging from the towers are the nets that the monks used for ascending and descending. Today, six monasteries survive and are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you wish to visit then appropriate clothing is required – no short skirts or shorts and please have long sleeves.