I would head much further south (Crete, Rhodes, South Peloponnese) for a chance of better weather. Still no guarantees it will be perfect weather, but the season is longer the further south you go.

In October it is certain you will get some real bargains. Try Thomson, for instance.

Judy is right, most bars-pubs are starting to close. However, if you woud like to spend a quiet vacation, strolling by the seaside in what is like early Automn in Northern Europe, then you will get a romantic time. Of course weather is cloudy for half of the days and temperature should be around 18 degrees. Sea is cold, unless you are used to swim in cold waters.

All in all, if you decide to go to Halkidiki in October, the quietness of not having many tourists around is something that could be welcomed by some people. And of course, you may be lucky with plenty of sunshine on the specific days you stay (or unlucky with a few showers).

Appreciated the helpful comments regarding Halkidiki in October. Perhaps I will visit Halkidiki in May next year and fall back on Crete or Rhodes. I have visited both islands in October and apart from landing in Crete in a rain storm, The weather has generally been good. Will look for accommodation for Halkidiki later. We prefer a smaller Apartment in a reasonably quiet area.

Before saying to someone NOT to go to a place first, wouldn't it be nice to find out what one is looking for at his/her vacations? If someone is looking for a place to spend a week at the beach, then I wouldn't recommend Halkidiki for October either, however this is not mentioned anywhere at Audrey's post!!! Correct?

If someone is looking for some good bargains for alternative holiday that will include both hitting the beach, and the mountain, as well as visiting small towns of the area, then yes Halkidiki could be the place for October.

But, wouldn't it be safer if we knew exactly the reason why one would like to visit Halkidiki first, before receiving 4-5 generous "NO" as an answer? :-)

I am not saying this in the mean way, and have no intention to insult anyone, and I apologise in advance if I do. My purpose though, is to give an opinion to the person who's asking, according to what she/he has in mind first.

So, if Audrey8003 wants to give us some more clues regarding what she has in mind, then we'll all be happy I think to provide our suggestions.

Best Regards,

Yannis.

Thank you for your comments Yannis. My husband and I have spent our holidays for the last 25 years visiting the Greek Islands. Halkidiki looks such a beautiful area. We like to find an Apartment or Studio in a quiet area with a nice view from the balcony. We are getting on in years, but still active and tend to spend a lot of time exploring the area and visiting the local historic sites. The Asclepion in Kos, The volcano on Nissyros. The Samaria Gorge in Crete. but our enjoyment is finding the best Tavernas with the best food. Also the people we meet along the way who have made our holidays special. It is lovely to return to a particular place and to be greeted by friends. I speak a little Greek, although our Greek Language class has fallen by the wayside, because of Government cuts.If we`ve walked too far, then we will spend a little time by the pool with a book or potter along the sands We usually have two weeks mid May and the a week at the beginning of October , and as you say, fewer crowds. so we are well used to things closing down around us, but there are still plenty of places for our needs We are just looking for ideas at the moment. I appreciated all the comments that have been made Best Wishes to all. Audrey

Dear Audrey,

now it's more clear to what exactly you are looking for, and from your comments, it sounds like the beach is not the only think you'd like to do.

I will be back at home from work a little later today , and I will be able to write a full reply suggesting things to do at October in Halkidiki.

So, check out the posts on this subject a little bit later as well.

Regards for now,

Yannis.

Great! I am at work again and realized that I forgot to write back to you last night, and this is definitely not a good timing for me.

Please send me a p.m if you don't mind, during the day, so that I see it when I go back home and think of couple of things to suggest.

Yannis.

Hi there Audrey, I am back!

Sorry for the delay, but it has been two crazy days at work!

Regarding the things that one could do at October in Halkidiki, I will try to suggest a few. The normal options that one would have during the summer time or early September, would be fewer of course, but there are still nice things for one to do.

If the weather stays good during your stay, you could hit the beach for couple of days, as the weather stay relatively warm in October after a long summer. The waters in October are usually warmer than May or early June.

Then, if you are a "nature lover", this is what you can do. There is a beautiful mountain at Sithonia, called Mt. Dragoudelis, where one could discover its beautiful signed paths and practice some wakling, cycling and hiking. The fauna and the flaura of this mountain, is beautiful and rare, as this is a mountain "protected under the umbrella" of the Natura Treaty, therefore one could observe amazing species while going around the mountain. Later at Autumn or at the beginning of the winter, it's also the best period for mushrooms collection at the mountain. You might be lucky for that as well in October, but only if there is rain. The local mushrooms are extremely tasty, BUT BEFORE YOU TRY EATING THEM YOU MUST ALWAY GET ADVISE FROM A LOCAL PERSON to explain to you whether they are eatable or not!!!!!!!! DO NOT EVER FORGET THIS!!!

Furthermore, there is a beautiful winery at the area of Neos Marmaras, where one could do some nice wine-tasting and explore the vine-yards of the area, plus lots of athletic activities are also available. Those include : swimming, scuba diving, tennis, golfing and water sports. You can find all those at a minimum distance from ALMOST anywhere at Sithonia. There is a casino at the area, where one could spend a nice night, exploring his/her luck, and combining the night with beautiful meals and local wines! Moreover, there are Spa and Thalassotherapy services at the area for a relaxing day.

I would suggest you hired a car, so that you can drive around easily, and therefore I could also suggest couple of nice little towns to explore, while at Sithonia.

Halkidiki is a place that combines both the sea and the mountain, and if one wants to just spend a week off at the beach during October, then Halkidiki is not maybe the right place.

But if one wants to include alternative ways of having fun as well, then he/she could give it a try. Many nice restaurants will be still open, serving tasty and fresh fish as well as local meats. There are couple of small museums at a short distance and also the Petralona Cave an hour away from Sithonia. There is Polygyros, the capital of Halkidiki, to be explored, as well as Mt. Holomontas with its beautiful traditional villages around. There is Arnea (also an hour away maximum) with its UNIQUE architecture!

There are lots and lots of things for one to at Halkidiki, during October, as long as your are willing to explore and meet the area through the eyes of a local person ;-)

Best Regards,

Yannis

P.S. Will be happy to answer any further questions you might have, or help you with any further information you might need.

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