When we visit a new region in Greece, we are not only looking for beaches. We are looking for villages.
Tourist places by the sea are tailored to guests, but the real everyday life - the one that continues even after the season ends - is found in the inland. It is in those villages that the heart of Sithonia beats.

If you want to experience authentic Greece during your summer vacation, set aside an afternoon to visit the villages in the hinterland. Coffee in the old square, a leisurely conversation with the locals, the sound of plates from a small tavern - that is the other, quieter, and more real Sithonia.

Village Best for: Main feature
Agios Nikolaos Morning coffee Authentic local life
Old Nikiti Evening walk Architecture and cobblestone streets
Metagitsi Food lovers Peace, traditional taverns, and lamb dishes
Parthenonas Sunset Panoramic view
Sykia Explorers Energy of a real little town

Agios Nikolaos - in the hinterland of Ormos and Vurvuru

Almost unnoticed by tourists, but for the local population - one of the most important places in the north of the peninsula.
In Agios Nikolaos, many apartment owners from Vourvourou and Ormos Panagias live. Here are the hospital, police station, and post office, but the real magic happens in the evening at the central square around the fountain.
We recommend visiting it after 6 because before that, there is the Greek “siesta” and no one is around. Shops and taverns here work in two shifts, so you might find yourself with nowhere to freshen up.

Why visit?

  • central square for morning coffee
  • bakeries and shops open all year round
  • taverns where almost exclusively locals sit

If you want to see Sithonia without the tourist “make-up”, this is the right place for a short break.

Find out why our guests say that the square comes to life only when the “doors creak and the priest comes out” and where the best Greek evening is held every Wednesday.

Old Nikiti - stone village above the sea

The coastal part of Nikiti almost freezes in winter. But the old part of the village, located on a hill above the sea, is alive all year round.
Stone houses, narrow cobbled streets, a small square with a church, and traditional architecture create a completely different ambiance compared to the modern promenade by the sea.
The most beautiful time to visit is before sunset, when the temperature is more pleasant, and the light gives a special tone to the stone and wooden balconies.

You don’t come here for the amenities, but for the atmosphere. Ideal for a leisurely walk and dinner in a quieter setting.

If you have already stayed in Nikiti and haven’t visited the old part of the village - it’s worth spending an hour or two.
Read how to get to the church on the hill with the most beautiful view of the rooftops and the sea, and where to have coffee in the shade of plane trees.

Metagitsi - a village where time passes slowly

Metagitsi leaves the impression of a place where the rhythm of life has hardly changed.

  • No souvenir shops.
  • No tourist blocks.
  • No evening promenade.

Locals sit in the square, and simple homemade food is served in taverns. This is not a village you visit for a spectacular view, but for an authentic atmosphere and complete silence.
Why is Metagitsi a must on every food lover’s map?
The village is widely known for its gastronomy. Here, taverns serve dishes made exclusively from local, homemade products. If you are a fan of lamb, goat, or pork roasted on a spit, Metagitsi will be a true culinary paradise for you.

  • Meal recommendation: The most famous tavern in town is Klimataria. During the weekend, you can enjoy live music in the cozy garden, along with authentic Greek specialties, creating an atmosphere that is long remembered.
  • Accommodation in the hinterland: Although it is a mountain village, the coast is only 5 km away, so Metagitsi also offers several accommodation units for those who want to vacation in complete peace, with the sea just a few minutes’ drive away.

It is best to visit it in the pre-season and post-season, when the temperatures are more pleasant, or in the early afternoon when the village seems almost sleepy.
If you need a break from the crowds on the coast, Metagitsi is the ideal stop during your tour of Sithonia.
Discover why the tavern “Klimataria” is a favorite spot for our guests on weekends and where you can buy the most delicious homemade loukoumades.

Parthenonas - panoramic balcony of Sithonia

Parthenonas is one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Sithonia and is often described as one of the most photogenic places in this part of Halkidiki.

Its greatest asset is the view. From this height, there is a panorama of the sea and pine forests, and the sunset here truly remains in memory.
The village has several restaurants and cafes, and many come in the evening to enjoy the view and peaceful atmosphere.

Our recommendation is the cafe “Pende” and right across from it is the restaurant. Both have a fantastic view of the sea and the sunset.
Parthenonas is particularly good for:

  • a romantic evening
  • photography
  • a quiet dinner with a view

We recommend planning your visit around sunset, as the ambiance then takes on a special experience.

See where the “Polova tavern” with famous homemade wine is located and why this sunset remains a lifelong memory.

Sykia - the largest village in southern Sithonia

Sykia is one of the largest and most lively villages in Sithonia and an important local center in the southern part of the peninsula.
Here you can see real everyday life: shops, schools, local traffic, and a life that does not depend solely on the tourist season. Children from Sarti from the fifth grade come to school in Sykia, which speaks volumes about the importance of the place for the wider area.
Sykia is not a romantic village for photographs, but a functional and lively place.
If you want to see what Sithonia looks like when tourists leave - take a walk through Sykia and feel its everyday rhythm.
Discover the story of the maze of roads above the village and find out about the beaches that hold the Blue Flag and are just a few minutes from the center of Sykia.

How to fit villages into your vacation plan?

Visiting these places does not require a whole day. It is enough to:

  • spend 60-90 minutes in each village
  • combine them with a visit to a nearby beach
  • plan your visit in the late afternoon

The villages in the interior of Sithonia are not places with great attractions. They offer something else - peace, a slow pace, and a sense of authentic Greece.
If during your vacation you set aside at least one afternoon to visit one of them, you will get a more realistic picture of Sithonia than any beach can offer.

For traditional villages in other regions, read here:
Traditional villages on Thassos to visit
Traditional villages on Kassandra to visit

Check out the complete guide for Sithonia here:
General information
Car & Bike
Food and Drink
Beaches
Places
What to see
Supplies and Shopping

For the largest selection of accommodation on beautiful Sithonia, check HERE and choose the one that suits your vacation.