The Greek islands get all the postcard glory, but northern Greece has a trick up its sleeve. Halkidiki — a trident-shaped peninsula jutting into the Aegean from just outside Thessaloniki — packs in some of the country's loveliest beaches without the ferry queues or the island-crowd crush.

The geography alone makes it interesting. The peninsula splits into three 'fingers', and the easternmost, Mount Athos, is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 20 Orthodox monasteries where around 2,000 monks live. Visits are restricted to men only, so most travellers focus on the other two prongs, Kassandra and Sithonia, where the hotel scene ranges from glossy resorts to low-key boutique boltholes.

Condé Nast Traveller UK has rounded up its editor-approved picks, and the spread says a lot about what kind of holiday you can build here. Travellers wanting a kid-free escape are pointed towards Domes Noruz Kassandra, an adults-only option on the livelier western finger. Families get Eagles Palace Resort, proof that a stay with children in tow doesn't have to mean surrendering all peace and quiet. For those who like everything wrapped into one price, Ikos Olivia is the all-inclusive play — a category that, done well, removes almost every decision from your holiday. And if you'd rather skip the big-resort feel entirely, Avaton Luxury Beach Resort is the boutique pick.

The editors' criteria matter as much as the names: they look beyond obvious luxury for design-led properties with strong locations, warm service and genuine sustainability credentials, and the list is refreshed as new hotels open. So it's a living shortlist, not a one-off ranking.

Logistics are refreshingly simple. You fly into Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, and drive out to the coast — no domestic hop or boat required. If you can swing it, budget a night or two in Thessaloniki itself before or after your beach stay. The city's large student population has fuelled a genuinely good food and bar scene, and it's far better explored without children in the group.

Who is this for? Halkidiki works particularly well for families who want resort-grade facilities with a more relaxed mainland vibe, and for couples who'd rather have an adults-only pool than an island sunset scrum. It also suits travellers who've 'done' the islands and want a different slice of Greece — one with monasteries on the horizon and city nightlife an easy drive away.