Setting sail for Ammouliani, Chalkidiki’s finest island

Your experience starts at Tripiti, on the Chalkidiki mainland as you approach Ouranoupoli, from where it’s a short hop over to the charm of island life.

In Ammouliani’s picturesque main town, life slows to an irresistible crawl, with flower-potted houses and a quaint little port. Around the island are numerous sandy beaches, rightly considered draw cards and perfect for a long afternoon in the sun.

And from the main town, you can hop back in a boat and head to the tiny cluster of Drenia isles. Otherwise known as the Gaidouronisia (Donkey Islands), these six little gems offer beautiful, shallow sandy beaches with idyllic scenery.

Ammouliani town

You’ll enjoy walking around the port and the old shipyard, known as Arsanas, where the monks of Mt Athos kept their boats during bad weather.

A selection of beaches

Alikes, one of most beautiful and popular beaches on the island, is centrally located on the southwest coast, looking onto the Sithonia peninsula. To the south is Megali Ammos, covered in golden sand, and to the east is Agios Georgios, with views of Ouranoupoli, on the Mt Athos peninsula.

Fresh fish

For lunch or dinner, head to one of the many fish tavernas in the main town or near a beach around the island.

Drenia Isles

The Drenia isles take their name from the largest (and only organised) island of the group, but if you hire a private boat, head to one of the smaller and totally virgin isles (with names like Feti, Penna, Artemi and Elia). You can canoe or even swim between the islands.

Boats leave:

From Tripiti port
Ferry boats to Ammouliani leave regularly throughout the day.

You can also schedule your own crossing at night or at any other time and hire a private boat.

To Tripiti port
From Thessaloniki: By car 130km (around 2hrs)

Ammouliani to the Drenia isles
Scheduled boat trips/day cruises leave regularly throughout the day from Ammouliani, and boats with skippers are available for hire in the port.