Vourvourou holidays

Voulez-vous, Vourvourou? It might rhyme with the ABBA hit, but holidays to Vourvourou swaps disco for daydreaming.

Simple pleasures

Vourvourou doesn't rely on a packed promenade or a long list of attractions to win people over. Tucked along the eastern coast of Sithonia, it’s the kind of place where the scenery does all the talking. Pine-cloaked hills roll down towards sleepy bays, while the sea ripples through a whole Dulux deck of blues. Mount Itamos takes its place on the horizon, and just offshore, nine little islands are sprinkled across the bay. But more on those in a mo.

Nine islands for the price of one

Diaporos is the big name in Vourvourou's island-hopping scene, but it doesn't travel solo. It's the biggest of the bunch, and from above, it looks like it's stretching a friendly arm around Vourvourou's coastline. Eight smaller islands and islets complete the picture, and a boat is your bestie for island-hopping, secluded swims, or tracking down the Blue Lagoon. Sitting between Diaporos and Agios Isidoros, this shallow, sandy channel serves up water so gloriously blue, you'd think you'd sailed straight to the Caribbean.

Beaches? Yes please.

Vourvourou might be a small resort, but it doesn't skimp on beach options – and these are the three headline acts. Karydi is the local poster child, with chalk-white sand, pine trees practically peeking over your shoulder, and 'I can still see my toes' levels of clear water. Fava is the more tucked-away contender, with forest-cloaked hills and a steeper route down to the shore. Then there's Livari Lagoon, which has a little magic trick up its sleeve – a sandbar slices through the shallows, making it look like people are walking on water.

Beyond the beach towel

There's more to Vourvourou than its lovely coastline. Pull on your walking shoes and explore the forested hills around Mount Itamos, where the views stretch across the sea and the little islands below. Or swap trail time for taverna time with a trip to Nikiti. Around 15–20 minutes away by car, it's got a promenade for sunset strolls, shops to browse and plenty of places to settle in for a Greek dinner. Consider it your excuse to put something other than swimwear on.