Discover boutique hotels in Halkidiki, Greece

When to go

May and June are ideal, as the weather’s warm but room rates are reasonable. July and August are hottest and most popular. Head over in September or October for late sun and a still-warm sea. The islands empty in winter, and getting there and away can become trickier.

Getting there

• Planes

  Thessaloniki 'Macedonia' International Airport (www.thessalonikiairport.com) is the only viable entry point for Sithonia (the central prong), and is a busy regional hub; there are plenty of budget options from all of London's major airports, as well as direct flights with British Airways and Turkish Airlines. Taxis are available at the airport (though they charge a hefty fee for further-flung resorts), but transfers are easily organised (as a guide, it takes 70 minutes by car from the airport to Vourvourou).

• Automobiles

  Public transport is patchy, so hire a car – or a moped – if you want to explore on your own. Traffic out of Halkidiki can be heavy at the start and end of the weekend, but driving is relatively stress-free. Once you're on the Kassandra or Sithonia peninsula, roads are single-lane. There are rental depots at the airport. Flaggable cabs aren’t a common sight, so book ahead whenever possible.