Have you ever dreamt to try a shark steak, to swim at an awarded “Blue Flag” beach, and take a cruise to the holy mountain of Mount Athos? You can make all those dreams come true by visiting Ormos Panagias.
A small port settlement sits at the second “finger” of Halkidiki, Sithonia. Its restaurants serve one of the most delicious meals. Here, you can enjoy clear sea waters, blend with scenic landscapes. Sithonia is popular with fans of a relaxing lifestyle.
The name of Ormos Panagias in translation stands for “the bay of the Virgin Mary.” The port sits 2.5 kilometers from the mountainous village of Agios Nikolaos. It welcomes fishing vessels and tourist yachts. The popularity of the harbor promotes the appearance of new hotels, villas, restaurants, and facilities for the entertainment of travelers. Modern Port Ormos Panagias can be even regarded as a small settlement in terms of size.
Within the port, you can see the square, housing the main attraction of the area – the Byzantine Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which gave the name to the harbor. The exact date of the temple construction is still unknown. The temple was destroyed several times during the attacks but each time people managed to renovate it. The church was last reconstructed in 1970.
The residents of the port have an exciting religious tradition. Every year, on Easter Tuesday, they put on the formal clothes, and join a procession with flags and icons, going from the Bay of Virgin Mary to Agios Nikolaos and back. It is the way they glorify Easter. The walk takes about 5 kilometers.
Agios Nikolaos, in its turn, arranges open festivals dedicated to Agia Paraskevi. This event takes place on 26 July.
The pine forest, stretching along the sea, provides a lot of secluded nooks for relaxation. There are several villas for rent and a few hospitable hotels in it. The residents of Ormos Panagias also offer rooms and apartments for hire.
You can try a lot of hors d’oeuvre meals made of fish. Do not forget to try the traditional grape distillate of tsipouro.
Local restaurants and taverns are famous for their abundance of fresh seafood. The thing is that a harbor is a favorite place of the fishermen. They sell their draught of fish at the market, set right on the coast. The choice here is diverse: red mullets, sardines, tuna, octopuses, etc. If you have luck, you can even buy some crabs and flakes.
At 9 o’clock every morning, you can see the yachts, the motorboats, boats, and even the pirate ship, that looks like a galleon, leaving the Port of Ormos Panagias. Travelers are offered to join an excursion along the coast of Halkidiki, to Ammouliani Island, and one of the most special places in Greece – around Mount Athos peninsula. The cruise usually takes about 7 hours.
These cruises often include a stop for diving, a water ride (for example, banana-boating or jet skiing), fishing, and going in for water sports (windsurfing, canoeing, etc.).
Trani Ammouda Beach is one of the most beautiful attractions in the area. It is the owners of the “Blue Flag” award. It is the largest beach in Sithonia, stretching for 2 kilometers away. It features white sands, crystal-pure turquoise water, mildly sloping entry, and a sandbank just a few meters from the shore. Both adult and young visitors like Trani Ammouda. We highly recommend that you visit it during a trip to Sithonia.
Two times a year, the Port of Ormos Panagias houses Diaporos Regatta – the largest competition in water sports. In July, it attracts windsurfers and captains of small sailboats. The end of the tourist season is the time for the owners of big sailing ships. They arrive at the harbor from different countries to compete for the victory.
What is lacking is the loud parties. Ormos Panagias is a quiet settlement that is great for a family holiday.
We would like to remind you that the Port of Ormos Panagias is the port of Agios Nikolaos. It enjoys location right at the foot of the second “finger” of Halkidiki. This place provides convenient access to the most popular resorts in Sithonia – Nikiti, Vourvourou, Neos Marmaras, etc. Take a 60-minute ride and you will get a wonderful opportunity to familiarize yourself with Polygyros, the capital of Halkidiki.
There are several ways to get to the Port of Ormos Panagias from Thessaloniki:
Here is the approximate route for people who travel by private vehicle:
Thessaloniki – Nea Moudania – Nikiti – Ormos Panagias.
