Hiring a boat is Thessaloniki is an excellent chance for you to visit the magnificent coastline, the multiple beaches of Kassandra and get a chance to catch sight of the famous landmarks from a completely different perspective. You can enjoy sailing gently away from all the crowds and traffic, and dock your boat in the various beaches and bays of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki offers multiple marinas where you can find the ideal catamaran, sailboat, yacht or speedboat of your choice. For the ideal boat you can directly contact the owners or simply allow a BednBlue travel expert to guide you with some suggestions.
You have plenty of available options:
You can book and hire a sailboat or a speedboat with a skipper, or without if you own a license, and enjoy a one-day cruise to Halkidiki. You also have the opportunity to explore the coastline of Kassandra with a motorboat, their fast cruising speed will allow you to visit many beaches in a short amount of time. For a memorable day by the sea, book and hire a catamaran which is spacious, stable and ideal when throwing a party or family-reunion event. Finally, you can hire a luxury sailboat and go for longer trips to the Sporades islands or the northern Aegean islands closer to Turkey for as many days as you wish.
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece located on the northern side of Greece at the Thermaic Gulf, bounded by Chalkidiki to the east and Kassandra to the south. Thessaloniki is often referred to as the “Nymph of the Thermaikos'' when king Cassander of Macedonia gave the name of the city in honor to his wife which also happened to be Alexander the Great’s half-sister. During the Roman and Byzantine eras, Thessaloniki also became the second wealthiest city with a prosperous commercial hub. Till the present day the major port is equally important to many Greeks and Balkans. The white tower of Thessaloniki, Arch of Galerius and Aristotelous square which marks the center of the city, are all historical landmarks that bring thousands of visitors every year. The fact that they are close to the sea means you can explore multiple sights from afar, a completely different perspective whilst you get to cruise into the waters of the Aegean Sea.
Sailing in Thessaloniki gives you the flexible option to enjoy the famous seafront in the Thermaic Gulf or enjoy a relaxing day in the Toroneos Gulf. The Toroneos Gulf consists of Kassandra, Pefkohori and Sithonia, which are all part of the peninsula of Halkidiki. You can spend multiple days with a motorboat in the lovely bays of the gulf making stops to any of the destinations you please. For a half-day cruise in Thessaloniki you can sail to the Neoi Epivates area for lunch and or a stop for a great swim in the lovely beach of Agia Triada. If you want to extend your cruise, you have the opportunity to head along the beaches in the western side of Kassandra which include Elani, Possidi and Siviri beach, all ideal for families and children. Your skipper can handle the ropes and either head to Pefkohori or directly to Porto Koufo for an overnight, the choice is completely yours. Pefkohori is the most popular tourist resort of Kassandra where you can enjoy lunch and a vivid nightlife, one of its popular beaches is Golden Beach where you can swim in crystal clear waters. Other great beaches include Glarokavos and Lemos beaches which are ideal for boats due to the calm waters.
For day trips from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki do not miss the great uninhabited island of Kelyfos also known as ‘Turtle island’. The island is popular for swimming and snorkeling with a catamaran or sailboat, you can even head to Neos Marmaras port where you can reward yourself with food and shopping opportunities. For a two-day or three-day charter experience from Thessaloniki head to Porto Koufo and the various beaches along the coast of Sithonia. Porto Koufo is a deep fishing harbor which provided anchorage for Toronian shops and today is regarded as one of the safest ports in Northern Greece. Many boat rentals in Halkidiki tend to depart from here too as it is a fantastic stopover port for both Thessaloniki and Sithonia cruises. You have the option to dock your yacht and eat at the many taverns and restaurants, every September you can also be part of the Festival of the Tuna which Porto Koufo hosts.
For a 4-day or 5-day yacht charter experience in Thessaloniki you can enjoy the areas that are entirely part of Halkidiki or cruise to the Sporades islands in the northwestern side of the Aegean. In Halkidiki, Ammouliani is located 120km from Thessaloniki containing a complex of little islands known as Drenia at the southern-tip. Many charterers offer boat trips in Halkidiki to this destination since it is the idyllic combination of sea, golden sand, vegetation and giant rocks that will ensure you will have some quality time away from all the crowds. Alternatively, heading to Sporades you will come across Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros which have retained their authentic beauty for centuries.
If you want to explore new extravagant destinations in Northern Greece for a week or more, you can customize your island-hopping itinerary and head to Limnos, Samothrace (Samothraki) and Thasos which are further away. Thasos is one of the greenest islands in Greece with many paradisiacal beaches and Limnos is famous for its wines and is a top sailing destination because of its excellent wind conditions. You may want to check the weather forecast if you are to head to Samothrace due to its particularly strong winds, the beaches and bays are very limited but if you are an advanced sailor you may enjoy a slow route in the open deep sea with a sailboat.
Marinas and various anchorages for your sailing trip in Thessaloniki:
Aretsou Marina, Thessaloniki: has a berthing capacity for 242 cruise boats and yachts of up to 30m. The marina has friendly staff and is open all year round with various facilities and services.
YAC Kalamarias marina: within the picturesque harbor of Kalamaria and offers a lot of diving opportunities
Sani Marina, Kassandra: hosts 215 individual berths for yachts up to 33m in length. Offers a beautiful setting area with lovely beaches and is a great access point to the Sporades islands.
Porto Koufo: a fishing port that allows mooring for several boats and yachts, includes bareboat options for those who want to self-drive in Sithonia. Has outstanding sceneries, beaches and even a diving center for scuba diving fans.
Neos Marmaras: offers bareboat and crewed yacht rentals, allows space for 10 yachts for even 4-cabined vessels. A great port for heading to Kelyfos island and various other beaches and bays.
Marina kavala: A berthing capacity for 80 yachts and offers excellent protection from the winds. All types of boats depart or dock here and head to Thassos or Halkidiki.
Airport of Thessaloniki: the second biggest airport in Greece, 14km from the city center and serves 3.5 million passengers a year.
Thessaloniki connects with the three islands of the Sporades’ group during the summer months only
During the summer, ferries depart 2 or 3 times a week from the port of Thessaloniki to the islands of Mykonos, Naxos, Syros and other Cyclades islands.
Thessaloniki has a wide bus network connecting the city with major cities and towns in Northern Greece, including Kavala and Igoumenitsa.
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