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Welcome to Nea Poteidaia, the gateway to Chalkidiki’s Kassandra Peninsula in Greece. This resort has everything you expect from a Greek summer: a wide sandy beach, a waterfront full of cafés and taverns, and a unique ancient canal! In this tour, we’ll stroll along, see where locals enjoy their evening volta, and discover why this village is such a favorite weekend escape from Thessaloniki.
THE BEACH WATERFRONT
Nea Poteidaia is a popular seaside resort at the very entrance of the Kassandra Peninsula in Chalkidiki, Greece. It’s well known for its historic canal, but we’ll come back to that a little later. For now, let’s focus on its modern charm, starting right here at the waterfront.
The first thing you notice is how restaurants along the front love to showcase what they serve. Many of them place colorful boards and banners outside, filled with pictures of pizzas, pastas, grilled meats, and of course fresh seafood. It’s almost like an open invitation to choose what you’re in the mood for, before you’ve even stepped inside.
Now, let’s continue walking toward the beach itself. This stretch may not be a classic wooden boardwalk, but it has been designed for pedestrians only, which makes it very pleasant and safe for people of all ages. Families with strollers, children on bicycles, and elderly visitors all share this space comfortably. In Greece, this type of evening walk has its own tradition. It’s called the volta — the stroll everyone enjoys after the heat of the day has passed. It’s not just about exercise; it’s a social ritual. You’ll see couples, families, and groups of friends slowly making their way up and down this pedestrian zone, turning the waterfront into a living postcard as the sun sets.
To our left, the beachfront is lined with lively beach bars, each with its own character. Some play laid-back music, perfect for relaxing afternoons, while others become a little more vibrant as the evening approaches. On the opposite side, to our right, are rows of cafés and restaurants, which we’ll explore more thoroughly in another chapter. For now, the waterfront gives us a perfect introduction to Nea Poteidaia: sandy shores, safe walking areas, and a mix of modern leisure with traditional Greek habits.
Reaching the beach, you’ll find that it’s sandy and surprisingly spacious. While it isn’t endless — it doesn’t stretch for kilometers — it’s wide enough to ac commodate both those who prefer a quiet towel in the sand and those who enjoy the comfort of an organized beach setup. A lifeguard keeps watch during the day, adding a layer of safety, and for anyone who wants extra shade, sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent at reasonable prices.
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One of the best things about staying in Nea Poteidaia is how close it is to other popular spots in Chalkidiki. The village sits right at the gateway to the Kassandra Peninsula, so in just a short drive you can reach several well-loved destinations.
To the south, you’ll find the picturesque stone-built village of Afytos, famous for its traditional houses and stunning views over the Toroneos Gulf. Further along the coast, Kallithea stands out as a lively hub, with shops, bars, and nightlife that keep the area buzzing well into the summer nights. Keep going, and you’ll come across Chaniotis, a family-friendly resort with a long sandy beach and plenty of dining options right by the sea. And finally, at the very end of the peninsula lies Pefkochori, known for its pine-covered hills meeting the water and its vibrant promenade.
We actually have separate narrated walking tour videos for each of these places, so if you’d like to explore them in more detail, make sure to check those out as well. Together they give you a full picture of the variety Kassandra has to offer — from quiet, traditional charm to modern, lively resorts — all within easy reach of Nea Poteidaia.
THE ANCIENT CANAL
One of the most unique landmarks in Nea Poteidaia is the ancient canal that cuts through the narrow isthmus at the entrance of the Kassandra Peninsula. Its origins go back as far as the 4th century BC, when the Macedonian king Cassander ordered it to be dug. The idea was both strategic and practical — it allowed ships to pass from the Thermaic Gulf on the west side to the Toroneos Gulf on the east, without the need to sail all the way around the peninsula. For traders and naval fleets of the time, this shortcut saved both time and risk.
Today, the canal is still visible, though of course it has been reshaped and maintained over the centuries. What you see now is a combination of history and modern infrastructure. A concrete bridge passes right above it, carrying the road that links the Kassandra Peninsula with the rest of Chalkidiki. It’s quite an unusual sight: cars and buses crossing overhead, while below lies this channel that has been part of the region’s story for more than two thousand years.
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CAFÉS – RESTAURANTS
After looking at the canal, let’s make our way back toward the waterfront and cover the stretch we didn’t explore earlier. Now, the sandy beach is on our right-hand side, and directly opposite we find an area full of life and variety.
You’ll notice souvenir shops selling everything from postcards and magnets to handmade jewelry and beach gear. Right next to them are cafés serving the classic Greek summer drink, frappé, an iced coffee that locals sip slowly while watching the world go by. A few steps further and the smell of freshly made crêpes drifts through the air, tempting anyone with a sweet tooth.
Traditional taverns invite you in with the promise of Greek dishes, small plates to share, and of course ouzo or tsipouro paired with seafood straight from the gulf. If you’re in the mood for something different, you’ll also find casual restaurants offering pizza, pasta, and other international favorites. Most of these places are designed for the summer season: outdoor seating with only a light roof or kiosk overhead. It’s more about shade from the sun than shelter from the rain, since rainfall is rare in Chalkidiki during the summer months.
As we continue walking, you’ll see that all the structures are on the left-hand side of the road. Typically, the ground floors are used for shops, taverns, or cafés, while the upper levels — usually just one or two floors — are rooms to let. Their location is perfect, literally just a few meters from the waterfront.
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PARKING - GETTING THERE
Parking in Nea Poteidaia is usually simple. You can leave your car for free along the road by the canal, or at another area on the opposite side of the canal. Both are just a short walk to the waterfront and the beach.
Getting here is also easy. Nea Poteidaia is about 65 kilometers from Thessaloniki — a little over an hour’s drive — and even closer from the airport. The highway has no tolls, which is convenient, but in the summer it does get very busy, especially on Saturday mornings when people arrive and Sunday evenings when everyone returns. Planning your trip outside those peak hours can save a lot of stress.
That brings us to the end of our walk in Nea Poteidaia. A mix of sandy beaches, lively waterfront, and history at the ancient canal make it a great first stop in Chalkidiki.
Is there a particular moment that stood out to you?
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Before you leave, check out these videos!
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