Getting from Donoussa to Halkidiki

If you are heading to Halkidiki from Donoussa you are making your way from one of the Small Cyclades to a three-pronged peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, with Kassandra in the west for long sandy beaches, Sithonia in the middle for quieter waters and the monastic peninsula of Athos in the east.

Take the ferry

There is no ferry to Halkidiki. It is a mainland peninsula with no island ferry connections. Getting there means taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus, which runs around 3 to 6 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours, and then flying or driving north to Thessaloniki, from where Halkidiki is accessible by rental car or KTEL bus. The drive from Athens to Thessaloniki takes around 5 to 6 hours via the E75 motorway.

Getting there by air

Halkidiki has no airport. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, around 60 to 90 kilometres from the various parts of the peninsula. Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Thessaloniki gives a total journey time of around 12 to 14 hours. From Thessaloniki a rental car is essential for getting around Halkidiki comfortably. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Thessaloniki, then rent a car at the airport. Check the Donoussa to Piraeus departure days before planning as the service runs a limited number of times per week. Halkidiki is large and spread out enough that a car is essential for getting between beaches, villages and the different peninsulas.