09:00

Walk through the center of Ierissos

Spend the morning in the town center and along the seafront so you can get familiar with the services and layout of the town. For a simple breakfast at a local café, budget around €4–8 per person.

If you're staying outside the center, park and continue on foot.

10:30

Ancient Akanthos archaeological area

Reach the site by car or with a walk of about 20–30 minutes from the center, checking in advance whether the areas open to visitors are accessible. The ancient city was an important center of the Chalkidiki peninsula: take in the relationship between the ruins and the coastal landscape. Admission and visits may be free or subject to varying fees and opening hours.

Bring water and shoes with soles suitable for uneven paths.

13:00

Lunch on the seafront

Head back to Ierissos and choose a taverna for fish, salads, or grilled dishes. As a rough guide, expect €15–30 per person, depending on your choice of catch and drinks.

Ask whether the fish is today’s catch and check the price by weight.

15:30

Ierissos Beach

Relax on the town beach, ideal for a swim and a stroll along the shore. Rental of sunbeds and an umbrella, when available, can cost around €10–20 for the set.

The seabed is generally accessible, but bring water shoes if you prefer extra comfort.

18:00

Sunset at Kakoudia Beach

Reach Kakoudia in about 10 minutes by car to see the pale rock formations that define this stretch of coastline. It’s a pleasant stop for photos and an evening swim; beach access is free.

Parking can be limited during busy periods.

09:00

Transfer to Olympiada

Leave Ierissos by car: the drive usually takes about 35–45 minutes, depending on the route and traffic. Make a short stop for breakfast and fuel; allow €4–8 for a café breakfast.

The roads are winding in some sections: allow extra time for driving.

10:00

Aristotle Park

Visit the theme park dedicated to Aristotle, where installations and tools illustrate some principles of physics and nature. Allow around 45–60 minutes; any admission fees, typically €0–5, depend on management and the season.

Check opening hours before setting out, especially outside summer.

11:15

Ancient Stagira

Spend about two hours at the ruins of ancient Stagira, spread across a headland with views of the sea. Take in the remains of the walls and the settlement structures, keeping in mind that the ground is rough and requires comfortable shoes. Access may be free or subject to seasonal opening hours.

Bring a hat and water: there is limited shade along the route.

14:00

Lunch in Olympiada

Head down to the village and stop at a taverna by the sea. A meal with a main dish and a drink will generally cost around €15–28 per person; booking ahead is useful on summer weekends.

Fish specialties and shellfish are often featured on local menus.

16:00

Olympiada Beach and an evening stroll

Spend the afternoon on the village beach, with a seabed suitable for a swim break and views over the gulf. Sunbeds and an umbrella can cost around €10–20; allow another €3–7 for a stroll and an ice cream.

Check sea conditions before heading far from shore.

08:30

Departure for Varvara

Drive to the Varvara waterfalls, allowing around 45–60 minutes from Ierissos and more time if you are starting from the east coast. The final stretch may include narrow or unpaved roads: check local conditions before setting off.

Fill up and bring water, as there are few services along the way.

10:00

Varvara Waterfalls

Follow the footpath to the cascades and the viewpoints in the forest, setting aside around 1–2 hours for the visit. Access is normally free, but the trail can be slippery after rain.

Light hiking shoes are preferable to sandals or flip-flops.

12:30

Simple lunch inland

Stop at a tavern along the route or bring a packed lunch if you can’t find an open place. A meal in a tavern costs around €12–25 per person; for a picnic, budget €6–12.

In small towns, kitchen hours may be limited.

15:00

Break at Stratoni Beach

Head to Stratoni for an approximately one-hour stop on the coast, also ideal for a walk and a coffee. The beach is freely accessible; a drink or snack may cost around €3–8.

Respect local signage and beach safety instructions.

17:00

Gomati Sand Dunes

Wrap up with a short visit to the Gomati dunes and take in the contrast between the sand and Mediterranean vegetation. Access is free, but take care not to step on fragile areas; avoid leaving litter or straying off the permitted paths.

The late afternoon light is ideal for photos.

09:00

Nea Roda and its beach

Leave Ierissos and reach Nea Roda in about 20–30 minutes by car. Spend the morning at the beach and on a walk along the waterfront; access is free, while sunbeds and an umbrella may cost around €10–20.

In summer, it’s best to arrive early to find parking.

11:00

Canal of Xerxes

Make a short stop in the canal area, traditionally associated with Xerxes’ Persian expedition. Don’t expect a monumental monument: the value of the stop lies mainly in the historical context and the way the landscape is read. The outdoor visit is free.

Follow the signs on site and do not enter private property.

12:30

Swimming break at Komitsa Beach

Continue to Komitsa for a seaside break along a more open and peaceful stretch of coast. Budget around €0–20 for access and any equipment rental, which varies depending on the season and available services.

Bring water and sunscreen if you choose an area without facilities.

15:30

Arrival and stroll in Ouranoupoli

Reach Ouranoupoli and settle into your accommodation for the night: from Komitsa the transfer is short, but it can slow down in high season. Stroll through the village streets and along the seafront; for a coffee or a drink, budget €3–7.

It’s a practical base for the boat trips the following day.

17:00

Byzantine Tower of Prosphorion

Visit the Byzantine tower at the harbor from the outside and, if it’s open, go in to see the exhibition inside. Allow 30–45 minutes; admission, if charged, can be free or cost around €2–5, with variable opening hours.

Check on site for opening times and any seasonal closures.

19:00

Dinner and orientation at the harbor

End the day with dinner in the village and check the departure times for Ammouliani and the cruises. For a tavern dinner, budget about €18–35 per person, depending on dishes and drinks.

Buy or book tickets in advance during the months of July and August.

08:30

Ferry to Ammouliani

Head to the port of Ouranoupoli and board for Ammouliani: the crossing is short, but schedules and frequency change depending on the season and operating conditions. As a rough guide, allow about €2–5 per person each way, plus an extra cost for the car if you bring one.

Arrive early and check the official ferry schedule.

09:30

Alikes Beach

Start with Alikes, a beach popular for its light sand and clear water. You can rent sunbeds and an umbrella for about €10–25, or find a free spot if you bring your own gear.

In high season, the beach fills up quickly.

12:30

Lunch on the island

Choose a taverna or snack bar nearby for a break without straying too far from the sea. Budget €12–28 per person for a simple or full lunch, depending on the place.

Check in advance which places are open outside the high season.

14:00

Karagatsia Beach

Head to Karagatsia for a swim and a scenic stop, allowing about 10–20 minutes by car depending on your starting point. Access to the beach is free; any services and rentals can add about €5–20.

If you're traveling without a car, check taxis and local connections before leaving the port.

16:30

Megali Ammos Beach

Wrap up your beach time at Megali Ammos, alternating a stroll along the shore with one last swim. There’s no entrance fee; budget €3–8 for a drink and leave time to get back to the port.

Check the ferry return schedule and don’t rely on the last departure without confirmation.

18:30

Return to Ouranoupoli

Take the ferry back to the mainland and spend the evening over a relaxed dinner. The ferry ride typically costs €2–5 per person each way, excluding any vehicles.

Sea conditions may affect departures.

08:00

Boarding in Ouranoupoli

Get to the port early and check the available options: a scenic cruise, an excursion to Drenia, or combinations offered by local operators. Prices vary; allow roughly €15–40 for a short trip and about €25–60 for a longer excursion.

Ask about duration, stops, what’s included, and cancellation rules in case of bad weather.

09:00

Cruising along Mount Athos

During the cruise, view the peninsula’s coast from the sea and the monasteries visible from the regulated distance. Mount Athos is an autonomous territory with land access subject to restrictions; the cruise is not the same as visiting the monasteries and does not include landing on the peninsula.

Follow the crew’s instructions and bring binoculars, a hat, and sunscreen.

12:30

Stop at the Drenia Islands

If the excursion allows, get off or pause near the Drenia islets to swim and admire the sea. Depending on the tour, the stop may be included or incur an extra charge; bring water and a snack, especially if facilities are not operating.

Times and landing points depend on the sea and the operator.

14:00

Lunch during the excursion

Have lunch on board, if included, or return to eat in Ouranoupoli. A simple lunch can cost around €10–25 per person; check before departure whether the ticket includes food and drinks.

If you suffer from seasickness, choose a light meal.

16:00

Return and free time at the port

Head back to Ouranoupoli and take a break on the waterfront after your hours on the boat. A drink or coffee costs roughly €3–7; use the time to buy any supplies for the next day.

Keep your ticket or booking until you have disembarked.

18:00

Evening in the village

Stroll through the center and have dinner in a taverna, choosing local dishes or fish. Budget around €18–35 per person and book ahead if you’re traveling on a summer weekend.

Staying on land does not give access to the monasteries of Mount Athos.

09:00

Monastery of Zygou

Reach the site from Ouranoupoli by car or on foot, checking the route and accessibility before departure. The monastery ruins are located near the border of Mount Athos and can be visited from the permitted area, without crossing the regulated zones. Access is generally free, but it may depend on opening times and local conditions.

Wear comfortable shoes and pay close attention to signs and boundary markers.

11:00

Return and depart for Develiki

Head back to Ouranoupoli, check out, and drive to Develiki, allowing around an hour or more depending on the route you choose. A coffee and snack stop costs roughly €4–10 per person.

Check the fuel level before leaving the Ouranoupoli area.

13:00

Develiki Beach

Spend a few hours at Develiki Beach, a stretch of coastline ideal for a break before departure. Access is free; if facilities are available, sunbed and umbrella rental may typically range from €10 to €20.

Bring water and sunscreen if you don't find an open place to eat.

15:30

Late lunch in Pyrgadikia

Make your way to Pyrgadikia and stop in the village or near the harbor for a late lunch. The tavernas serve seafood and Greek dishes: expect around €15–30 per person, depending on the catch of the day and your choice of drinks.

On busier days, it's wise to ask about availability before sitting down.

17:30

Walk at the port of Pyrgadikia

End the trip with a stroll along the harbor and through the village streets, watching the boats and the outline of the coast. For a drink or dessert, budget around €3–8; from here, plan your transfer to the airport or your next stop.

Internal roads may require longer travel times than the distances shown on the map.