Hanioti
Hanioti (or Chaniotis) is one of the
most popular areas of Chalkidiki. This small, amazingly picturesque seaside
village is located on the east coast of the Kassandra peninsula. However,
despite its small size, Hanioti offers services and amenities developed as at a
cosmopolitan resort, famous for its hospitable and friendly residents. It
seemed to be created in order to satisfy the tastes of even the most discerning
visitors, ensuring unforgettable moments of relaxation during a brief vacation
or extended stay.
The settlement is located 96km from
Thessaloniki (60 minutes by car). It is surrounded by pine forests with its
magnificent sandy beach (in some places combined with small pebbles), where you
can not only sunbathe and swim in the crystal clear sea, but also to do all
kinds of water sports. It is not accidental that Hanioti beach attracts
thousands of tourists every year.
Infrastructure
of the resort
Perhaps, this resort settlement has
everything your heart desires, from the beautiful waterfront to small green
parks, squares and picturesque areas with their high centuries-old plane trees.
There are also many hotels, apartments, traditional taverns, restaurants, bars,
coffee shop and bar-clubs – all working all night long.
In Hanioti, you can enjoy a cold early
morning “cafe Frappe” at the edge of the sea and in the afternoon to enjoy the
local dishes of fresh fish in one of the many fish taverns or traditional Greek
kebab (souvlaki) in one of the eateries located in the central area of the
resort. In short, there is no problem with food in this place and it is served as
in all places in Greece. In fact, the town offers a large selection for the
duration of the day: from cafe-pie (tiropitadika) and a coffee shop to
pizzerias, traditional taverns and restaurants.
In addition, Hanioti has a medical
centre, police station, kindergarten and elementary school.
In the evening, you can walk along the
small streets of the resort to enjoy the brightly lit showcases of many shops
and enjoy your favourite drink in a bar, especially after the
"exhausting" day out ... on the beach. In addition to the numerous
mini and supermarkets, you can buy a variety of souvenirs with Greek and
maritime themes, ceramic products, as well as beautifully made jewellery,
designer clothes and even outer clothing made of leather and fur Greek furriers
of Kastoria.
In summer time, for the convenience and
safety of the vacationers, entry of vehicles in the central square of Hanioti
during peak hours is prohibited. This is convenient for hiking. Also, you can
explore the vicinity of the resort by car or motorcycle rented in one of the
bike rental offices.
The new highway Thessaloniki-Moudania
offers easy access to the Chalkidiki peninsula and, specifically, to Kassandra.
You do not need more than half an hour to get to Moudania and then another
thirty minutes before you reach Hanioti. That is why there are many Greek
tourists in here, along with foreign visitors, which makes the town lively and
interesting.
History
It is believed that the settlement was
founded in the late 16th century and was moved to the place of the
present location of Hanioti in 1930.
In the years of the Ottoman rule,
Hanioti was one of 12 villages of Chalkidiki, being Vakuf Gazanfer-aga.
As for the name of this resort town,
according to tradition, it has direct relation to its first settlers who
settled in the southern part of the modern settlement (Palo Horio), who was
from the city of Chania. According to another version, the name “Hanioti” is
derived from the word “Honey” – an inn that was available in the area but
rather from the holder of the inn, “hanioti”.
View More »
