Perea is a suburban town 17 km south of Thessaloniki. Frequently connected to the city centre by bus, Perea is both a residential town and a beach resort. The long beach gets very popular in summer, as it is organized and has vivid nightlife. Perea has many tourist facilities and a lovely nature around. The popular beach resorts of Halkidiki are also a few minutes drive to the south. By boat: The water taxis have their boarding points at the harbour and the White Tower. A ticket costs €3,50 per journey and it takes about 50 minutes to cross. With public transportation: From the center you take bus 2, 3, or 8 towards IKEA. Once arrived, you change buses and take bus 72 to Peraia. A bus ticket costs €1,20 per person (one-way journey) and you can buy them inside the bus or at one of the many kiosks. From the center to IKEA it is around a 45 minutes journey, from IKEA to Peraia it is around 20 minutes.

Agia Triada may not be the most picturesque option, but it is the nearest to the city – perfect for a quick getaway. The beach is well organised, with a range of restaurants and bars lining the sandy stretch. If you have a car, you can reach Agia Triada within 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can hop on the 72 OASTH (city) bus from the bus station at IKEA.

Situated near the town of Epanomi, Potamos Beach is the gateway to the Thermaic Gulf and the Aegean. By virtue of the beach’s position on the open sea, the waters at Potamos are stunningly clear; in addition, the beach’s southwestern aspect reveals a breathtaking view of Mount Olympus over the horizon. As the prettiest beach near Thessaloniki, Potamos is particularly popular among city-dwellers during the weekends. Potamos is only 40 minutes away from the city by car. Thankfully, there is also a summer bus line (70) that connects the centre of Thessaloniki directly with the beach from 1 July.

Moving southeastward, towards the Halkidiki peninsulas, you’ll find the wide Nea Kallikrateia beach. The bustling town and its golden sandy beach are particularly popular among local families, with many Thessalonikians choosing the area for their seaside holiday homes. The beach was awarded a Blue Flag in 2017 and is fully equipped, with sunbeds, restaurants, bars and water sports facilities lining the shore. Nea Kallikrateia is a 40-minute drive by car from Thessaloniki. Alternatively, you can reach it by KTEL (intercity) bus, which leaves approximately every 45 minutes from Thessaloniki’s KTEL Halkidiki bus station.

It is practically impossible to separate the Flogita and Nea Plagia beaches, which lie right next to each other a short distance from the entrance to the first of Halkidiki’s peninsulas, Kassandra. Both beaches are dotted with palm trees, connected by a long cobblestone promenade. They have Blue Flag status and are well organised, featuring restaurants, bars and full access for visitors with limited mobility. The beaches are lined with parks and green space, making them ideal for families with children. Flogita and Nea Plagia are around 45 minutes away from Thessaloniki by car and are also accessible via the KTEL (intercity) bus, which leaves approximately every 45 minutes from Thessaloniki’s KTEL Halkidiki bus station.

Whether you like lively beach bars or are looking for some seaside solitude, you can’t go wrong with Afytos Beach. This long, sandy beach sits beneath a charming village of the same name and offers views of the Toroneos Gulf and Sithonia (the second leg of Halkidiki). The waters are shallow and crystal-clear, making it a perfect choice for families. Afytos Beach is an hour’s drive by car from Thessaloniki, and can also be accessed by bus from Thessaloniki’s KTEL Halkidiki bus station.