The enchanting natural environment of Aphitos captivates the visitor right from the first moment he comes into contact with it. It is a divine gift that has inspired countless well-know and unknown artists, who have captivated its spirit in their works.

At first, the visitor is taken aback by the contrast that is created by the dry landscape of porous rock and the traditional stone settlement which is embraced by the wild vegetation around it, the water that flows endlessly from the ancient springs found on the slopes of the hill, the swarms of insects, birds and wild animals that find shelter in places that have not yet been reached by indiscreet people. If he is lucky enough he may see badgers, weasels, hares, foxes, rats and a few kinds of snake. He usually meets all kinds of lizard, slowworms, tortoises, different species of insect, colourful butterflies, beetles, wild bees, wasps etc. The mere record of all these insects in spring may constitute the work of a lifetime for a scientist. In the morning and in the afternoon when it becomes cooler he will be enchanted by the singing of the nightingales whose melodies compete against each other and against the ceaseless chirping of the merles.

Then he is left to relax by the turquoise crystal clear water of the sea, which many tourists have described as the best in the Mediterranean especially when the north winds blow away all traces of floating objects.

After that he starts to observe the depths of the sea, a mask and flippers may be an indispensable accessory so as not to lose the magic that the deep holds for him. If the swimmer is fortunate enough, he will see thousands of big and small fish, crabs, octopuses and calamari swimming gracefully around and even gently touching his feet. In general the sea is full of life that proves yet again that even the sea here has remained unspoiled.

The presence of so much "life" is not here by chance as further up the sandy beaches there are small shell rocks, with their folds and creases packed with underwater plants, a splendid biotope where all the species of fish of this marine area come to spawn. The great number of sea urchins that have anchored themselves on these shell rocks protect this invaluable part of nature from the undesirable human approach that brings only disruption and destruction. Taking advantage of the ebb where the waters withdraw from the rocks, the visitor can collect all sorts of sea shells and other sea creatures.

It is worth sacrificing one of your mornings to go to the seashore and watch the sun rise, to listen to the ripple of the sea and the melody of the nightingales and the merles. But what will draw your attention is the aroma that is given off by the rare water lilies or otherwise known as lilies of the sand or lilies of Holy Mary - and this because they blossom around the 15 th August (celebration for Holy Mary) - that intoxicate the senses and daze the visitor. It is not by chance that so many artists, painters, composers and poets have been inspired by them.

If you draw away from the beach you may be able to spot various healing and fragrant herbs like squirting cucumber, snakeweed, edible wild vegetables, thistles, hemlocks, beautiful and fragrant wild flowers, daisies, cyclamens, cornets, wild violets and many, many more.

The majestic indigenous pine trees of Chalkidiki owe their existence to the precipitous slopes on which they stand. Their dominance has inspired many an artist.

The environment of Aphitos is a priceless treasure that has to be preserved at all costs by all of us, locals and visitors alike, in order to hand it over to our children and grandchildren in a better condition.