Greece is home to many beautiful and picturesque villages that attract tourists from all over the world. While some of these villages are well-known, there are others that are not as famous but are equally stunning. One such hidden gem is the village of Arnea in Halkidiki. CNN has voted it as one of the ten most beautiful villages in Greece. If you haven’t visited Arnea yet, it’s time to add it to your travel itinerary. This charming and unique village is worth a visit any time of the year.
Arnea is a charming village located in Halkidiki that is not as well-known as other villages in the area. It is situated an hour and a half away from Thessaloniki and has the power to captivate the hearts of those who visit it. With just over 2,000 inhabitants, Arnea could be classified as a town, but it has the feel of a cozy village where you can relax and unwind for days, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The village is surrounded by lush greenery and has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It’s no wonder that CNN has voted Arnea as one of the ten most beautiful villages in Greece. If you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque getaway, Arnea is definitely worth a visit.
Arnea is a small mountainous village in the Holomontas foothills of Halkidiki, Greece. It is built at an altitude of 600 meters at the foot of Mount Holomontas and is renowned for its typical Macedonian architecture, as seen in several well-preserved stone buildings. Walking in the cobbled streets you will see a uniformity in the street layout of the village and well-preserved stone buildings that give you the feeling of time travel as you think you’re in a past decade. Apart from that, it is drowned in greenery and running water. CNN placed Arnea in third place with the most beautiful villages in Greece, leaving behind more popular settlements.
What not to miss in Arnea
Even if you’re only there for two or three days, there are some things you shouldn’t miss in the area. One of them is definitely the church of Agios Stefanos, which is one of the most special and unique churches in Greece. It has been destroyed by fires twice, but this misfortune has brought to light something great - three older buildings in the area of its foundations that seem to have been constructed in the early Byzantine/Christian years. This means that the church now has transparent floors so that visitors can see these findings. It’s easy to see why this church is so special.
If you find yourself in Arnea, don’t miss a visit to the Folklore Museum. There you will see the old preserved house of all Halkidiki, built in 1750. It’s a two-story traditional residence that still has a loggia and a tower. Arnea is a pleasant surprise in Halkidiki and a way to explore and get to know it… otherwise!”
As for CNN’s list, along with Arnea, it had the following villages:
