Chalkidiki has a rich historical past. In the cavern of Petralona discoveries were made that are dated 700.000 years of age. In Stagira the philosopher Aristotle was born, the teacher of Alexander the Great.

Kassandra was named after the Macedonian king Kassandros, Sithonia after Sithon the son of god Neptune and Athos after the mythical giant Athos.

In the 9th century the first monastic community in Athos was found and today most part of the Athos peninsula constitutes the monastic republic of Agios Oros.