Nea Michaniona Beaches: A Local's Guide from Tourbali to Angelochori
We have lived in Nea Michaniona for years, and the question our guests ask most is: “Where should we swim today?” Within a 20-minute drive you have calm family beaches, beach bars, a five-kilometre strand for kitesurfing and a shipwreck in the sea. Here they all are, in the order we would recommend them.
At a glance
Distances are from Theodoras House and approximate.
| Beach | Distance | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourbali (Nea Michaniona) | 1.2 km | Sandy, shallow water | Families |
| Riviera | 4.6 km | Organised, beach bar | Friends |
| Agia Triada | 5 km | Promenade, cafés | Families |
| Angelochori | 6 km | 5 km of coast, wind | Kitesurfing, sunset |
| Neoi Epivates / Perea | 7-9 km | Lively, organised | Evenings out |
| Potamos Epanomi | ~20 min | Open sea, dunes | Nature, snorkelling |
1. Tourbali, Nea Michaniona's beach
- 1.2 km
- Blue Flag 2024
- Showers & changing rooms
- Organised & free
The village's main beach, and the one we recommend first to anyone travelling with children. The sand is wide and the water shallow and clear, so you can walk a long way out before it reaches your waist. In 2024 the Michaniona-Tourbali shore was awarded a Blue Flag.
Part of it has sunbeds and umbrellas run by beach bars; the rest is free for those who bring their own umbrella. There are showers, changing rooms and kiosks.
Theodora's tip: After your swim, walk to the harbour. The fishing boats come in during the afternoon, and the tavernas on the waterfront serve the catch of the day with a sunset view.
2. Riviera
- 4.6 km
- Sunbeds & straw umbrellas
- Beach volleyball
- Beach bar
On the road to Angelochori you'll find Riviera, a clean, spacious and fully organised beach with straw umbrellas, beach-volleyball courts and a beach bar. It opens in the morning and draws a younger crowd. You'll need a car, but it's only 5-7 minutes from the house.
3. Agia Triada
- 5 km
- Blue Flag 2024 (PIKPA)
- Promenade
Agia Triada has a lovely seafront promenade with cafés and tavernas, perfect for an evening stroll. The PIKPA section of the shore also received a Blue Flag in 2024. The water is shallow and calm, another good choice for families.
4. Angelochori: lighthouse, lagoon and kitesurfing
- 6 km
- ~5 km of coast
- Kitesurf & windsurf
- Sunset
If you visit just one beach outside Michaniona, make it Angelochori. The coast stretches for about 5 kilometres of fine sand and fine pebbles, and the water deepens gradually. The area is often windy, so the “surfers' beach” by the little harbour is one of the best-known kitesurfing and windsurfing spots around Thessaloniki, and local businesses rent equipment.
The 1864 lighthouse
On the cape of Megalo Emvolo (Karaburnu), at the entrance of the Thermaic Gulf, stands the Angelochori lighthouse. Built in 1864 under the Ottoman Empire from solid brick, it is 11 metres tall and one of 25 listed lighthouses in Greece. From here you see the whole gulf, Mount Olympus and the Aegean, and it's the best sunset spot in the area.
The lagoon and the flamingos
Just south-west of the village lies the Angelochori lagoon, a shallow Natura 2000 wetland with salt pans beside it. It is a stopover for many migratory birds, and in winter, when numbers peak, you can often see flamingos.
5. Neoi Epivates and Perea
- 7-9 km
- Blue Flags 2024
- Beach bars & promenade
Towards Thessaloniki, Neoi Epivates and Perea are the liveliest beaches in the area: organised, with shallow warm water, beach bars and a long promenade full of tavernas and cafés. In 2024 Blue Flags went to Neoi Epivates and two parts of Perea (Kochyli and Platia Mnimis). Ideal if you want an afternoon swim and a night out.
6. Potamos Epanomi and the shipwreck
- ~20 min
- Open sea
- Dunes
- Snorkelling
South towards Epanomi, the coast opens onto the Aegean. Potamos has soft sand, clear water and views of Mount Olympus. There are beach bars but also quieter stretches, and the dunes and lagoon are great for walks. Thanks to the wind, it's another kitesurfers' favourite.
At the southern end of the beach lies the famous Epanomi shipwreck, a few metres offshore in shallow turquoise water. All you need is a mask and snorkel. We'll give it its own article soon.
Stay in the middle of it all
Theodoras House is a 91 m² home with a garden and barbecue, 1.2 km from Tourbali and 6 km from Angelochori, with free parking for your beach-hopping.
Local tips
- Morning or late afternoon. In July and August, before 11:00 you'll easily find parking and a sunbed; after 17:00 the light is softer and the sun gentler.
- June and September are our favourite months: warm sea, fewer people.
- Car. To see more than one beach, a car is the easiest option. There's free parking at the house.
- Sunset. The gulf faces west towards Mount Olympus. Spend at least one evening at the Angelochori lighthouse.
- Water quality. Each year's awarded beaches are listed at blueflag.gr.
FAQ
What is the closest beach to Nea Michaniona?
Tourbali, the village's main beach, with sand, shallow water and a Blue Flag in 2024.
Which beach is best for families with children?
Tourbali and Agia Triada have shallow, calm water, showers and organised sections. They're perfect for small children.
Where can I kitesurf near Thessaloniki?
At Angelochori and Potamos Epanomi. The wind there suits kitesurfing and windsurfing, and you can rent equipment.
Sources: Γαλάζια Σημαία / Blue Flag 2024 · Δήμος Θερμαϊκού, Φάρος Αγγελοχωρίου · Visit Thermaikos, Angelochori · Visit Central Macedonia
