Evia

(Also Known as Evvia or Euboea)

Evia is the second largest of the Greek islands after Crete, and although it's extremely popular with Greeks, it remains a little off-the-beaten-track for most visitors to Greece. It often gets overlooked by guides to the Greek islands as it is connected to the mainland by a short bridge, but it gets missed out of guides to the Greek mainland because it is still an island.

A pebble beach on Evia in Greece, https://www.greece-travel-secrets.com/Evia.htmlA Pebble Beach on Evia

It's one of only two Greek islands we can think of that you can walk to, or drive to without taking a ferry – the other is Lefkas, also connected to the mainland by a bridge.

So what does the island have that makes for a great Greek holiday? For a start it feels like that mysterious 'real Greece' that we're all looking to find. It hasn't been spoiled by hordes of holiday-makers, partly because it's not got a lot of good beaches. It does have some impressive mountains, so appeals to people who like hiking or watching for wildlife.

Church in Kymi on EviaChurch in Kymi on Evia

Evia, like Crete, is long and thin. It's about 109 miles (175kms) from one end to the other at the longest point, and varies in width from about 30 miles (48kms) to 4 miles (6kms). Its highest point is Mount Dirfys, which is 5,737ft (1,749m) high. It's also a very fertile island, with lots of orchards and olive groves, and grapes that are said to produce some of the best retsina in Greece – reason enough to go there, in our view! 

The capital is Chalkida, which is the closest point to the Greek mainland. It's just 130ft (40m) across at the narrowest point, and the channel is noted for the strange behaviour of its currents. On some days the tide changes direction ten or more times, and on other days not at all. Even the locals don't understand it.

The main archaeological site on the island is Eretria, which was destroyed in 87BC. The modern town grew up on the same site, but there are still plenty of places where you can see the remains of the ancient town. There are several other archaeological sites too, although nothing like the number that there are on Crete. Evia doesn't have Crete's beaches either. But it does have its own wonderful charm, and for most people is certainly one of Greece's travel secrets. 

Evia Sunset

You might like these other Evia pages...

  • Chalkida on Evia

    The capital of Evia is Chalkida, or Chalkis, the industrial port which you drive into if crossing from the Greek the mainland over the Evripos Channel.

  • Exploring Evia

    There are lots of pretty towns and villages to explore on Evia, and these are some of the places worth seeking out, including Karystos, Kymi, Steni and Prokopi.

  • Eretria

    Ancient Eretria is the most important historical site on Evia, a city that at one time fought with Chalkida for dominance of the island.

  • Driving in Northern Evia

    This drive exploring northern Evia takes you from the busy town and port of Chalkida, out along the coast road and up into the mountains.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. New Stations for Athens Metro Line 3 Ready by Summer 2022

    Once completed, the three new stations – Maniatika, Piraeus and Municipal Theater – will connect Piraeus with Athens’ center and the Athens International Airport.

    Read More

  2. Mitsotakis Calls for UK to Revise Greece Travel Restrictions

    Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday urged his British counterpart to revise the UK’s travel restrictions for Greece. The Greek PM met with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson while attendin…

    Read More

  3. Greece Extends Covid-19 Rules for International and Domestic Travelers

    The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has updated its Covid-19 aviation directives (NOTAMS) and extended travel rules for passengers of international and domestic flights in Greece.

    Read More

  4. EU Digital COVID Certificate for Travel is Now Official

    The EU Digital COVID Certificate, a European Union-wide initiative to facilitate travel in Covid-19 times, was signed into law on Monday by the presidents of the three EU institutions, the European Pa…

    Read More

  5. Greece to Accept Negative Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Tests for Entry

    Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis recently said that Greece will soon permit entry for travelers who present negative rapid antigen tests on arrival, as proof that they are not infected with the…

    Read More

  6. Northern Greece Plays a Big Part in Country’s Tourism Restart, Says Minister

    Northern Greece has a leading role in this year’s opening of the country’s tourism, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said following his official visit to Thessaloniki on Friday. While in the Gre…

    Read More

  7. Thessaloniki Ready to Welcome Hollywood Stars for Film Shoot

    A big Hollywood production is getting ready to begin filming in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, the governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said on Friday. According to Tzitzikostas, thi…

    Read More

  8. Ferry Travel: Greek Seamen to Strike on Wednesday, June 16

    Ferry transport in Greece is expected again to face disruption after thirteen Greek seamen’s unions announced a 24-hour strike in all ship categories for Wednesday, June 16. The unions – part of the u…

    Read More

  9. Greeks outraged at concreting of ancient site

    Installation of new pathway and lift has been criticised by archaeologists and called ‘a scandal’

    Read More

  10. United States Eases Travel Advisories for Greece

    The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US State Department eased travel advisories for dozens of countries including Greece this week. The US State Department revised on Tuesd…

    Read More