Salonikiou Beach

Salonikiou beach spreads along Sithonia's northeastern coast, halfway between Agios Nikolaos (5 km) and Pyrgadikia — a long, open sand that remains among the area's most underrated.

The shore is sandy with patches of pebble, long in length, with an open horizon towards Mount Athos — on clear days its peak dominates across the water.

It operates mostly free, with a seasonal canteen and a few umbrellas in sections — but there is so much space that the crowd "disappears" even in August.

The name, by local tradition, owes to the Thessaloniki holidaymakers who first adopted it — and it remains this crowd's favourite.

Best time: morning, before the east coast's meltemi picks up. Bring an umbrella and water; facilities are limited.