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Nea Kallikratia

Nea Kallikratia is located on the first peninsula of Halkidiki, about 40 km from Thessaloniki, and has a population of around 5,000 inhabitants. The town was founded in 1922 by Greek refugees from Eastern Thrace. Nea Kallikratia is known as a tourist resort and fishing center.

The resort is one of the largest in Halkidiki and offers all the amenities of a larger town – from supermarkets and grocery stores to clothing and souvenir shops, as well as numerous taverns and bars. Here you will find everything you need for a complete and relaxing vacation. There are hotels of various categories, restaurants, a medical center, and a long sandy beach with crystal-clear waters. Nea Kallikratia also has a harbor and offers excursions to Mount Athos, Kassandra, and Sithonia.

Beaches and Swimming

Right in the town center is the beautiful, spacious Nea Kallikratia beach, approximately 450 meters long, offering a wide range of services and a seaside promenade lined with many restaurants. Part of the beach also features a small children’s water park. During the summer season, especially on weekends, the beach is crowded with visitors from Thessaloniki.

To the east, about 3 km from the town center, lies the beautiful “Mikonatika” beach, over 1.5 km long and partially situated beneath a picturesque steep cliff covered with trees. Beyond this, part of the beach extends along the plain to a small village with charming taverns and shops offering umbrellas for rent.

On the other hand, to the west lies one of the most famous beaches in Halkidiki, Sahara Beach. Located between Nea Iraklia and Nea Kalikratia, the beach is covered with fine, light sand, as is the seabed, which slopes gently. Although Sahara Beach faces the open sea, there are no large waves here. It is also home to the largest beach bar in Greece, called Sahara Resort.

Attractions in Nea Kalikratia and Surroundings

The town is not without history. In the area, remnants of antiquity have been discovered, such as the stele known as the “Girl of Kalikratia,” holding a dove in her hands. The Nea Kalikratia stele is a funerary relief slab dating back to 440 BC and is exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. It is considered one of the masterpieces of ancient Greek art, the oldest and most significant relief discovered in Northern Greece, and one of the most important funerary monuments in the Aegean world.

Besides enjoying the beaches and sunshine, you can visit the Petralona Cave, located about 10 km from the town. The cave is quite fascinating, featuring numerous stalactites and stalagmites forming many intricate and whimsical shapes. Human and animal remains dating back 700,000 years have been discovered inside. Part of the cave has been set up as a museum and arranged to resemble a prehistoric dwelling.

The main landmark of Nea Kalikratia is the Church of Saint Petka (Paraskeva), which is often depicted on souvenirs available in the town. Services are held in the church every evening. It is located near the main street.