A calm beach village on Sithonia peninsula with clear turquoise waters and nine small islands. Pine forests stretch to the sandy shore, creating shaded spots near the water.
Vourvourou, a coastal village in Sithonia, Greece, started as a small fishing settlement and grew into a summer destination. You can swim in the Blue Lagoon where the water appears glacier-blue against the white sand bottom, take a boat to explore Diaporos and its eight neighboring islands, or spend the day at Karidi Beach with its powder-white sand. The village extends along the coastline without a defined center, with private resorts and family-run apartments scattered among pine forests.
Getting to Vourvourou
Vourvourou sits 103 kilometers from Thessaloniki International Airport, requiring about 90 minutes by car. Public buses run from Thessaloniki with several changes, but only 3-4 times daily during summer. Most visitors rent cars at the airport to reach the scattered beaches and nearby villages.
The Blue Lagoon and Diaporos Island
The Blue Lagoon lies between Diaporos Island and a smaller neighboring island, creating a shallow bay with a white sand bottom that colors the water light blue. You can access the lagoon by renting a small boat, joining an organized tour, or paddling a sea kayak. The bay around the islands stays sheltered throughout summer, making it safe for beginners to navigate.
Beaches Around Vourvourou
Karidi Beach, at the southern end of Vourvourou, fills up by mid-morning with visitors attracted to its fine white sand and shallow waters. Come before 9 AM to find parking and a good spot. Fava Beach, just south of Karidi, has deeper waters for swimming and usually half the number of visitors. The main Vourvourou beach extends along the village, with many beachfront apartments having their own small sandy sections.
Mountain Activities
The ridge behind Vourvourou has hiking trails leading to viewpoints 200 meters above Diaporos Island and the bay. The path runs through pine forests for 3 kilometers, and on clear days, you can see Mount Athos 40 kilometers away. Local rental shops provide mountain bikes for the trails.
The University Settlement
In the 1960s, professors from the University of Thessaloniki established a private resort area in Vourvourou. Professor Thales Argyropoulos planned the buildings around existing pine trees, creating one of Greece's first environmentally conscious resort developments.
Daily Life in Vourvourou
Unlike typical Greek villages, Vourvourou has no central square or gathering point. Small groups of shops, tavernas, and apartments line the coast. Summer brings more activity, but the village remains quiet with no nightclubs or loud bars. Most visitors spend their days on boats, at the beach, or reading under pine trees.
