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Pefkohori is a famous village of Kassandra Halkidiki.
Pefkohori is a pole of attraction for many people who come every summer to Halkidiki for their vacation.
Both Greeks and foreigners choose Pefkohori to have their holidays.
Young people and students love this place for its vivid nightlife and great beaches.
In Pefkohori you will find ATMs, post office, Internet Cafés, Super Markets and health services.
Where is Pefkohori?
Pefkohori, which is also named Kapsohora, is located in Kassandra, the first peninsula of Halkidiki.
You will find Pefkohori on the Southeastern part of Kassandra. On your way to Pefkohori you will pass through Kallithea, Kriopigi and Athitos.
This cosmopolitan village has about 1600 inhabitants but it attracts numerous tourists every year, especially during summer months.
How far is Pefkohori from Thessaloniki Airport?
Pefkohori is 105 Km away from Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia SKG and you will need about an hour and a half to get there by car. If you decide to use the KTEL bus it will certainly take you much longer.
Is there an Airport near Pefkohori?
Unfortunately there is no airport in Halkidiki. The nearest Airport to Pefkohori is Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia SKG.
However the distance between them is not long.
History of Pefkohori
Surrounded by pine tree forest and olive trees, Pefkohori is one of Halkidikis small paradises. According to tradition the name Kapsohora, which means burned country, was given to the village after it was burned by pirates in 1805.
The prior name of the village however is still unknown. In recent years it took the name Pefkohori which means village with pine trees.
At the Northwest section of the port, where nowadays many boats come and go, a Roman settlement is found.
A great treasure with coins of Lysimachus, the king of Thrace, were discovered at the same area.
The inhabitants of Pefkochori participated in the historic revolution of 1821. An important fighter of this revolution was George Giannakis.
How can I get to Pefkohori?
First of all you must get to Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia SKG. Many flights come and go to Thessaloniki Airport every day, especially during summer.
From there you must choose the way that suits you best to get to Pefkohori. The most common way is by car.
You can rent the vehicle that better meets your needs, but make sure that it will be waiting for you at the Airport.
This way you will not waste valuable time. This trip will last about one and a half hours to get to your destination.
On the other hand, if you do have time to spend, you can take the bus from Thessaloniki Airport to the KTEL bus station. From there you will take the bus that goes to Pefkohori.
This option is cheaper but you should be prepared for some inconvenience. Taking the bus from the Bus station will take you about two and a half hours to get to Pefkohori. You should add the time from the Airport to the KTEL bus station which varies according to the traffic.
Finally you can hire transfer services and let them take you to your destination. These services are actually cheaper than you might expect. There are many companies in Thessaloniki that can offer you their services.
I must also inform you that there are no railways going to Halkidiki, so don’t waste your time and effort trying to find one.
Where can I stay during my vacation?
In Pefkohori you will find many hotels, villas and apartments to rent. There are options for every pocket and the kind of vacation you plan.
If luxurious holidays are your thing you can choose Alia Palace Luxury Hotel and Villas.
This hotel has an amazing view of the village as well as the Kassandra bay. Another luxurious option is Kassandra village resort which has great rooms and accomodation, an amazing pool and well organised services.
Of course there are always less expensive places to choose from. Some of them are Irablue Residences, Art Boutique Hotel, Anna Maria Paradise and many others.
There are also available apartments like Valery apartments and Armyra studios.
You will definitely find a place that will cover your expectations.
What can I do while I am at Pefkohori?
During the summer many streets in Pefkohori are turned into sidewalks. This makes it easier for tourists to enjoy their walk and spend some time in the small shops with the traditional products.
It might be a good idea to spend some hours at the Spa in Loutra. Loutra is a village near Pefkohori.
It won’t take you more than 15 minutes to get there by car. It took its name from the thermal waters with healing capacities, as loutra means bath.
The thermal springs were discovered before the second world war but it was after it that the springs became approachable.
Today the facilities that host the springs were built in 2000. There are two swimming pools, one indoors and one outdoors. There is also a hamam, sauna as well as massage services.
Thermal waters are believed to heal pains of the muscles and the bones and relieve skin conditions. Water temperature is about 39 celsius degrees and is really relaxing.
I should mention that the water smells kind of funny, probably because of the contained sulphur.
However, after a while you will hardly notice it. And on the other hand it’s totally worth it!
Another good idea, especially for those who like long walks, is to walk along the beach of Pefkohori until you reach Glarokavos beach.
The distance between them isn’t long. This route reveals natural beauties and it will totally reward your effort.
Along the way you will come across beach bars where you can make a stop and take a refreshment.
If it helps you understand the route, you can always use google maps.
Naturally, every vacation in Halkidiki is not quite complete if you don’t spend some time relaxing by the beach.
Pefkohori has numerous organised beaches, where you will find beach bars, umbrellas, sunbeds and refreshments. You can choose one of them to relax and enjoy the scenery and the turquoise waters.
For the most adventurous ones I would suggest trying water sports.
If you haven’t yet tried it, you can go scuba diving. Also, in small distance beaches you can find well-equipped facilities that offer all kinds of adventurous water sports such as water-ski, wakeboard and parasailing.
For families I would suggest the tubes, canoe-kayaking or banana. Look only for certified diving centres, to be sure about safety measures.
Where to eat while I am at Pefkohori?
Northern Greece is well known for its great cuisine.
Pefkohori has many restaurants and taverns that serve tasty dishes. Your holidays would not be complete without taking a taste of the traditional food.
It is almost certain that you will enjoy your meal wherever you choose to have it, in Pefkohori.
Traditional Greek dishes like moussaka, gemista or dolmathakia are both famous and tasty. Of course you should also try some mezedes combined with ouzo or tsipouro if you want a real taste of Greece!
There are restaurants that serve seafood, some of which are Bistro Greek Food, o Tsaparis, Fishalida and Canela Restaurant. If you prefer meat dishes you can try Maki’s tavern, Girelia or Las – Pas.
Another option is fast food like gyros or pizza.
There are plenty of affordable choices like Gary’s King of Gyros, Para thin’ alos, Costa grill and Gourmeat. Alternatively you can have pizza at Ilia’s family or dessert at Crescendo, Carousel or Fraoulitsa. As you can imagine the options are unlimited!
Some of the above restaurants are located by the sea. Try to get there early if you want to be sure that you will enjoy the beautiful sunset!
Where can I go swimming?
Pefkohori has an excellent sundy beach where you can enjoy your time by the sea.
Elephant beach bar is probably the most beautiful place by the beach that you can visit while you are at Pefkohori.
The colourful decor is absolutely exotic and the wooden details make the scenery unique. Even the sunbeds are decorated with big colourful pillows while latin american masks complete the decoration.
You can really lie down, drink a cocktail and just relax!
Just nearby Pefkohori, there are some of the most visited beaches of Halkidiki.
Those are Glarokavos, Chrousso and Paliouri beach. Especially youngsters love the beach bars Navagos and Koursaros that are located there!
Glarokavos has one of the most picturesque beaches in the area, if not Halkidiki. It is located a few kilometres from Pefkohori beach. At Glarokavos beach you will find a canteen and sunbeds, so refreshments are available to beat the summer heat.
Waters are clear and the sand is almost white.
Chrousso for some is considered as the best beach of the area. You should definitely go for a swim there.
This beach also has a small canteen for refreshments as well as sunbeds.
This place isn’t fully organised but it is like a hidden small paradise. Here sunbeds and umbrellas are completely free, but you will have to order refreshments.
During summer it is very crowded and you will have to go there early if you want to use the sunbeds.
Another beach you could have a swim at is the beach in front of Rigakis Hotel. It is a private beach, but if you walk from Pefkohori beach towards Hanioti village you won’t miss it. The scenery is wonderful.
There are wooden chairs and big barrels that are transformed to chairs as well. You can take amazing photos at the boat on the shore and as I mentioned before sunbeds and umbrellas are free of charge. Of course you can order coffee or refreshments and enjoy the sea!
Tip: Don’t forget to get your sunscreen with you when you go to the beach! The sun is really hot!
Is there vivid nightlife?
As you can understand, Pefkohori attracts young people for a reason. Parties here last until morning hours. Clubs and bars of the area keep the rhythm alive all summer. Greek and foreign music plays all night making parties unforgettable!
Even beach bars like Elephant beach bar organise themed parties by the sea that last all night long. If you are a party person you shouldn’t miss it!
Of course you can enjoy traditional Greek and Mediterranean food in luxurious restaurants and fish taverns. Northern Greek cuisine is famous for its tasty dishes. Here you will have the chance to taste them!