ATHOS: A MINI TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE EASTERNMOST PENINSULA OF HALKIDIKI
Shaped like Poseidon’s trident, Halkidiki’s prongs jut out into the Aegean Sea.
Lush green forests extend all the way to the beachfront where reflections of golden sunlight add sparkling hues to turquoise waters. There, the Athоs Peninsula is the еasternmοst leg of Halkidiкi and is essentially about one destination: the monasteries of Mount Athos, aka the Holy Mountain.
The Monastic Republic of the Holy Mountain occupies around 80% of the peninsula, leaving just a mere 20% of the territory to secular visitors and females; women are not allowed into the Holy Mountain. While the greater majority of the peninsula is off-limits to casual visitors, the remaining slice of secular Athos offers some rare treats that include Halkidiki’s only inhabited island and its satellites, a busy and commercialized port (Ouranoupoli), and a coastal strip packed full of nice and unique hotels and resorts.