Excellence Luxury Villas · Central Macedonia
Luxury Villas in Central Macedonia and Halkidiki
Pine-fringed coves on Halkidiki's three peninsulas, with Thessaloniki and Mount Athos within a morning's drive
As featured in
Three peninsulas, a Byzantine city and the monks' mountain
Most British visitors to Greece head for the islands, and northern Greece is the better for it. Central Macedonia has Thessaloniki, a big, food-obsessed port city founded in 315 BC, and south of it is Halkidiki. Halkidiki reaches into the Aegean as three peninsulas, Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos, and each has pine forest running down to clear, shallow water.
Our collection runs to 42 villas, and nearly all are in Halkidiki. They range from family houses with private pools in Pefkochori, Paliouri and Sani on Kassandra to villas around Nikiti, Elia and Vourvourou on Sithonia, with a few more near Ouranoupolis, at the edge of the Athos peninsula, and outside Thessaloniki.
Here is how the peninsulas differ and when to come.
Central Macedonia at a glance
- Villas
- 42 in Halkidiki and around Thessaloniki, with up to 10 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,600 to £8,900 a week, from around £2,300
- Best areas
- Sani, Pefkochori and Paliouri on Kassandra; Nikiti, Elia and Vourvourou on Sithonia; Ouranoupolis
- Best time
- June to September for swimming; May and October for quieter beaches and walking
- Airport
- Thessaloniki, around an hour from Kassandra and up to two hours from Ouranoupolis
Browse all 42 villas in Central Macedoniaor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Cardamom Villa Greece4 bedrooms
Citron Villa Greece2 bedrooms
Thulian Villa Greece3 bedrooms
Villa Metaxa Greece10 bedroomsWhere to stay in Central Macedonia
Kassandra for sandy beaches, Sani and easy access from the airport, Sithonia for quieter pine coves around Nikiti and Vourvourou, and Ouranoupolis for boat trips along the coast of Mount Athos.
The first peninsula, and the easiest to reach
Kassandra is the closest of the three to Thessaloniki. You cross onto it over the canal at Nea Potidea, and the north end is built up, but further south it becomes long sandy bays with pine woods behind them. Sani, on the west coast, is set around a marina and a protected wetland, and in summer it hosts the Sani Festival of music.
Pefkochori and Paliouri, near the southern tip, are quieter, with forested hills and calm water that suits small children. Afytos, a stone village on a cliff above the east coast, is the place for an evening walk and a drink before dinner.
Browse villas in Pallini
The greener, wilder middle finger
Sithonia feels further from the city than it really is. The road loops around a hilly, wooded peninsula, passing coves of white sand and pale turquoise water. Nikiti, at the neck, has an old upper village of stone houses, and Elia beach to the south is long and sandy.
On the east coast, Vourvourou looks across a sheltered lagoon dotted with small islets. Hire a boat for the day and you can find a beach of your own. Further south is Porto Koufo, a deep natural harbour with fish tavernas along the quay.
Browse villas in Elia Nikitis
Monasteries from the sea, and a city of churches
Ouranoupolis, with its Byzantine tower on the shore, is the last village before the monastic republic of Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Only men with a permit may enter, but anyone can join a boat cruise along the coast to see the monasteries clinging to the cliffs. Boats also run across to the small island of Ammouliani.
Thessaloniki is worth at least a day. Its Early Christian and Byzantine monuments are UNESCO listed, from the Rotunda to the church of Agios Dimitrios. Then there is the White Tower on the seafront and the old upper town, Ano Poli. Inland, the royal tombs at Vergina, including that of Philip II, are an easy day trip, and so is Mount Olympus, at 2,918 metres.
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Bougatsa for breakfast, mussels by the water
Thessaloniki eats well and early. Breakfast is bougatsa, a flaky pastry filled with custard or cheese, followed by a wander through the Modiano and Kapani markets. On the coast, look for mussels from the Thermaic Gulf, grilled fish, Halkidiki's large green olives and the local pine honey, with a glass of tsipouro to finish.
The sea is warm enough to swim from June to September. May and October are quieter and still warm, and better for walking on Sithonia. Our concierge can arrange Athos cruises, boat hire, a private chef and transfers from the airport.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Central Macedonia
Rent Villa Nikiti Greece4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £8,897 a week
Vourvourou Sea | 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Vourvourou4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £8,629 a week
Vourvourou Beach | 3-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Vourvourou3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £8,629 a week
Rent Avaton Residence Greece2 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £6,020 a week
Villa Paliouri Alpha Greece4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,644 a week
Villa Liparia | 3-Bedroom Villa in Ouranoupolis Central Macedonia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £4,800 a week
Villa Kalypso | 3-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Paliouri3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £4,280 a week
Villa Tsironi | 2-Bedroom Villa in Ouranoupolis Central Macedonia2 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £4,151 a weekSearch all 42 villas in Central Macedoniaor see them on the map
Why book your Central Macedonia villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Halkidiki's three peninsulas are very different, and the drives between them are long, so we help you pick the right stretch of coast and the villas that are a short walk from a good beach. With 42 properties in Central Macedonia, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Boat cruises along the coast of Mount Athos, day-boat hire at Vourvourou, a private chef, guided days in Thessaloniki and at Vergina, car hire and transfers from Thessaloniki airport. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Halkidiki is best for a villa holiday?
Kassandra is closest to the airport and has long sandy beaches, especially around Sani, Pefkochori and Paliouri. Sithonia is greener and quieter, with pine-backed coves near Nikiti and Vourvourou. Ouranoupolis is the place for boat trips along the coast of Mount Athos.
How do I get to Halkidiki from the UK?
Fly to Thessaloniki airport, which has direct flights from the UK. Kassandra is around an hour's drive away, Sithonia around one and a half to two hours, and Ouranoupolis just under two hours. Our concierge can arrange private transfers.
Can women visit Mount Athos?
No. The monastic republic admits only men, who need a permit and are limited in number. Anyone can see the monasteries from the boat cruises that leave Ouranoupolis and run along the coast, though.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Central Macedonia?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Central Macedonia cost?
Across our 42 villas in Central Macedonia, weekly rates typically range from £2,600 to £8,900, with the most affordable from around £2,300 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit Central Macedonia?
June to September is the beach season, and July and August are the busiest months. May and October are milder and quieter, good for walking and sightseeing. Thessaloniki is worth a visit at any time of year.
Are there villas in Central Macedonia for large groups?
Yes. Our Central Macedonia collection includes properties with up to 10 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Central Macedonia
42 villas between the Thermaic Gulf and Mount Athos, with our concierge to plan the days