Perched on the east coast of the Sithonia peninsula, Sarti is a laid-back beach town that comes to life each summer. It features a taverna-lined promenade and a charming old town that provided a place of exile for Greeks fleeing Afisia Island in the 1920s. Sarti is surrounded by beautiful beaches that offer sweeping views of Mount Athos, which lies directly across the water.
Things to do in Sarti
Spend your days relaxing on Sarti’s Blue Flag beach, which stretches for three kilometres along the entire length of the town. Due to its width, the beach never feels crowded and offers spectacular views towards Mount Athos. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas from one of the beach bars, which also offer drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Feeling active? Sarti Beach is a hub for water sports, ranging from windsurfing and kitesurfing to snorkelling. Bodyboarders can test their skills in the playful waves while scuba divers can venture below the water’s surface to discover the marine life of the Aegean Sea. There are plenty of places to dine once the sun goes down, including Ta Vrahakia, the Neraida Restaurant and Emmanuel’s Tavern.
Once you’ve had enough of the beach, you can follow one of the steep streets that lead through the historic heart of Sarti, which is clustered with whitewashed houses. Occupying a hilltop chapel is the Afisia Museum, which details the 1923 population exchange with Turkey that saw the Greek inhabitants of Afisia Island flee to Sarti.
Getting around Sarti
Sarti is just under two hours’ drive from Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Buses connect Sarti to towns and villages in Halkidiki while the centre of town is compact enough to explore on foot.