28/09/2026
Three Halkidiki Beaches That Made The Times’ List of Greece’s Best
Think you already know Halkidiki? Think again. 🇬🇷🌊
Every year, travel publications try to narrow Greece's extraordinary coastline down to a list of beaches worth travelling for. In The Times’ 2025 selection of 37 of the best beaches in Greece, three of the spots were right here in Halkidiki — and all three offer a very different reason to visit.
Have you visited any of them? Share your experience in the comments.
🏝️ Penna Beach — Drenia Islets
Just off the coast of Halkidiki, the tiny Penna islet feels a world away from the busy resorts.
There are no rows of hotels or crowded promenades here. The islet is home mainly to seabirds and goats, with a long sandy beach surrounded by the Aegean.
And getting there is part of the experience: Penna is accessible by kayak or small motor boat, turning a normal beach day into a little adventure.
It is exactly the kind of place you imagine when someone says “I want to find a hidden beach in Greece.” The Times
💙 Karydi Beach — Vourvourou
If you've ever seen those photographs of turquoise water surrounded by pine trees and thought they couldn't possibly be real — Karydi is one of the places responsible for that reputation.
Located in Vourvourou Bay in Sithonia, Karydi is known for its pale sand, shallow turquoise water and distinctive rocky landscape.
The waters here are sheltered by Diaporos Island, which helps create calm conditions that are particularly attractive for swimming. The Times specifically highlights Karydi as one of the beaches that makes Vourvourou such a popular destination for sheltered sea swimming. The Times
🌿 Fava Beach — Vourvourou
And just when you think Vourvourou couldn't possibly have another beach worth adding to your itinerary — there's Fava.
Fava is quieter and more natural in character, with sandy sections, rocky formations and the clear blue-green water that Sithonia is famous for.
The Times includes both Karydi and Fava when highlighting Vourvourou, describing the area as one of Sithonia's standout destinations for its string of sandy beaches and sheltered turquoise waters. The Times
So why does this matter if you're planning a holiday in Halkidiki?
Because these three beaches perfectly demonstrate what makes Halkidiki so interesting.
You can have a completely different beach experience without travelling to another Greek island.
Want a remote little escape? Penna.
Want shallow, sheltered turquoise water surrounded by nature? Karydi.
Want something quieter and less resort-like? Fava.
And the best part?
They're all in the same region.
So if you're planning a trip to Halkidiki, don't just choose your accommodation based on the name of the resort. Look at what's around you.
Because sometimes the most memorable part of your holiday isn't the apartment, the hotel or even the town.
It's the beach you discover on a random Tuesday morning. 🌊🇬🇷
Have you visited Karydi, Fava or Penna? Which one would you put first on your Halkidiki list? 👇
