Sithonia

Sithonia Σιθωνία
View from Neos Marmaras.
Location
Sithonia
Coordinates	40°13′N 23°41′E
Location within the region
Government
Country:	Greece
Region:	Central Macedonia
Population statistics (as of 2001)
Municipality
- Population:	12,927
- Area:	514.7 km2 (199 sq mi)
- Density:	25 /km2 (65 /sq mi)
Municipal unit
- Population:	8,891
Other
Time zone:	EET/EEST (UTC+2/3)
Auto:	ΧΚ

Sithonia (Σιθωνία) is a peninsula located south of the central part of Chalkidiki which is also in the south-central part of the Chalkidiki peninsula. The Kassandra Peninsula lies to the west and the Mount Athos peninsula at the east. Sithonia is also a municipality, covering the Sithonia peninsula. The seat of the municipality is the town Nikiti.

Geography

Sithonia, beach of Sykia.

Panorama of Nikiti.

Elia Beach

Ormos Panagias.

Sunrise in Vourvourou

Gulfs that surround the peninsula are the Singitic Gulf to the west and the Toronean Gulf to the east. The mountain Itamos or Dragountelis is in the center of the peninsula. Amongst the many places in Sithonia is the ancient city, the castle and the church of Agios Athanasios in Toroni, the windmills in Sikia and the 16th century church in Nikiti. Porto Koufo, is the largest and safest natural harbor in Greece, which is mentioned by Thucydides as "hollow harbor" it appears to be the fishing spot in the area.

South, from the harbors exit there is Kartalia, the most southern part of Sithonia, a very impressive area which puts its visitors under a spell with its rocky secluded beaches. Known for their natural beauty are the beaches Azapiko, Tristinika, Korakas, Marathias, Kalamitsi, Kriaritsi. All the villages cover the peninsula mainly in the central and the southern portions.

In the middle of Sithonia peninsula, near the village of Neos Marmaras, there is the famous holiday resort of Porto Carras; the place of the 2003 European Union leaders' Summit. The landscape is covered with forests, grasslands, and mountains.

Municipality

The municipality Sithonia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 2 former municipalities, that became municipal units:

• Sithonia
• Toroni

Places

• Agios Nikolaos
• Armenisti Camping
• Elia Akti or Elia, or Olive Beach
• Kalamitsi
• Metamorfosi
• Neos Marmaras
• Nikiti
• Ormos Panagias
• Partenonas
• Platanitsi
• Porto Carras Grand Resort
• Porto Koufos or Porto Koufo
• Pyrgaditika or Pyrgadikia
• Salonikiou
• Sarti
• Sykia
• Toroni
• Vourvourou

External links

• Sithonia Guide
• Sithonia in Chalkidiki
• Sithonia Greece travel guide and information