| Travel Destination Guide - Ouranopolis |
Travel Eye on Ouranopolis
(Halkidiki)
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This town is situated on the third "finger" of eastern Halkidiki; it is the last village of the Athos Peninsula, before entering the borders of the Athonite Republic (own by the Mount Athos monasteries). It is the gateway to monastic Athos, from where daily boats are going to the Holy Mountain of Eastern Orthodoxy.
Ouranopolis (Town of the Sky or of Heaven) is a beautiful town built on the shores of the Singitic Bay on the site of an ancient city of the same name.
In 1292, the entire region belonged to the Vatopedi monastery but refugees from Asia Minor settled there after 1922 and founded a fishing village which developed into the town we see today.
Worth-seeing is the huge tower of Prosphorius, made of stone and dating from 1344 which is kept in very good condition; it is the largest tower of Halkidiki.
The town of Ouranoupolis is surrounded by many beautiful golden sandy beaches with limpid clear waters.
Visitors in Ouranoupolis shouldn't miss the special, tasty dish of the town made following an old recipe from Constantinople, which consists in baked mussels covered with a delicious tomato sauce and various herbs and spices; a real delight. The attraction is the proximity of the Athos monasteries and the relative tranquillity of the area. Not for those seeking anything beyond a reasonable beach and very relaxed atmosphere. Caters to British, but predominantly German visitors.
Many small hotels and guesthouses exist in the village, the better and larger hotels are on the road leading into the village.
Ouranopolis can be found on the west coast, near the neck of the Athos peninsula (90 mls SE of Thessaloniki, 85 mls SE of its airport). It is located on flat land sloping gently to the sea, facing small offshore islands and surrounded by scenic countryside. The road to the peninsula and Mt Athos is surfaced to Ouranopolis then peters out within 1 ml or so.
Relatively clean town beaches of pale sand and gravel, located between breakwaters on 2 sides of the town. There are small sandy coves and larger beaches are strung out to the NW, along the 5-ml strip towards Tripiti. All are gently shelving and safe for swimming. Sunbeds and parasols are available towards the Ouranopolis end of the Tripiti strip.
All the basic necessities available for self caterers, tourist shops selling the usual range, including silverware, ceramics and fake icons.
During the daytime the popular activities are beach- and water-based, including windsurfing and water-skiing. There are also rambles in the surrounding countryside. This is a generally a "fair weather" town, and can be rather miserable in the rain.
The nightlife here consists a few bars along the sea front, otherwise, hotel based with dancing and "Greek nights".
There is an adequate choice of restaurants facing the harbour and in the street behind, and there is nothing to get excited about. Varied local fare with the usual fast-food and pizza possibilities.
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