Parthenonas Halkidiki

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Parthenonas Halkidiki

Parthenonas is one of the oldest and most quaint settlements of Halkidiki. The historic village dates back to the 10th century BC, but there is no much information about the village itself and its role in the past. Built at an altitude of 350 meters height above sea level, on the western slopes of Mount Itamos, offers marvelous sunsets and panoramic views to the Bay of Toroni and to Kelyfos Island which is also known as the Turtle Island because of its characteristic shape.

It is a traditional village with cobbled streets and some beautifully preserved houses of Macedonian architecture. The village was almost abandoned by 1970 as most of the inhabitants moved to Neos Marmaras to work for the construction of the tourist resort of Porto Carras. Gradually the village was abandoned and transformed into a ghost town. The initiative of the government to list Pathenonas as a preserved traditional village in 1978, made some people to return back. They renovated the old stone houses, made cafes and taverns and built a few traditional guesthouses. Now, Parthenonas is a lovely tourist destination all year round, attracting lots of tourists. It has a remarkable Folklore Museum, run by the village’s cultural association “The Parthenon”. The museum is housed in the old school and offers an interesting collection of folklore items. Other interesting sights include the Agios Stefanos (Saint Stephen’s) Church, built in 1837 and the local distillery where fine quality tsipouro is produced.

Parthenonas is only 5 km away from the cosmopolitan resort of Neos Marmaras and is easily accessible by road. If you are comfortable with walking along the road, take the opportunity to reach the village on foot. The hike from Neos Marmaras won’t take more than 2 hours. Parthenonas is an ideal place for a day trip, mountain biking and hiking through the forest trails. Here, you can enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals and you can taste the delicious local cuisine. Being an all-year destination, you can easily find guesthouses or apartments.