Make a difference with holidays in North Evia
There are so many reasons to choose North Evia for your holidays. The beaches are amongst the most varied in Greece and there are thermal springs that have been enjoyed literally since antiquity. Excursions here effortlessly mix culture, nature and amazing local produce, all within easy reach of each other… and let’s not even get started on the Lichadonisia isles. You’d never believe that this exotic place exists in very short distance of 2 hours driving from Athens. It all made the wildfires here in the summer of 2021 so much harder to take. But as the landscape recovers and tourism returns, North Evia (or Euboea) finds itself as a focal point of local and national initiatives – echoed by the New York Times, which included it as one of 52 Places for a Changed World – in which travellers are encouraged to be part of the solution rather than the problem by making holiday choices that make a difference. So here it is… your chance to make a difference as you discover all the fantastic things to do on your holidays in North Evia.
Visit the original spa town of Edipsos
Edipsos is where Hercules came to recharge between each of his 12 labours. And who could blame him? There are more than 80 thermal springs here, with steamy, mineral-rich waters renowned for their healing properties. The early 1900s architecture of the grand buildings on the waterfront (as well as the tavernas and cafes) are testament to Edipsos being Greece’s original spa town (Maria Callas and Greta Garbo were fans). Natural springs warm the sea – making it a favourite of winter swimmers – and there is a choice of hotels incorporating thermal springs into their facilities, as well as a municipal bath complex with a large communal pool and personalised baths (and a small archaeological collection in its main building).
You can hire a bike and explore at your leisure. And there are nearby attractions, like the Cave of Sylla (named after a Roman general who apparently visited the springs to cure his arthritis) and the beaches of Agios Nikolaos (long, with a mix of sand and fine pebbles) and Porto Pefko (a little further away but worth the drive). But you’re probably here for some ‘me time’. So don’t rush.
Take a day trip to the Lichadonisia isles
Just when you thought you’d seen it all in Greece, along come the Lichadonisia isles to shake things up. The islets off the northwest coast of North Evia offer a feeling of pure escape, with turquoise waters and exotic bays. They can be reached by boat from Agios Georgios (close to Gregolimano) and Kammena Vourla on the mainland, from where day trips include visiting a selection of wonderful beaches and let you enjoy the underwater magic in a glass-bottomed boat. Amongst the attractions is a shallow WW2 wreck, which is also due to become a scuba diving spot.
Explore more coastal settlements
The beauty of North Evia is that each coastline offers something different. You’ve already seen the magic of Edipsos, Limni and Agia Anna and there are other seaside settlements to explore on the west-facing Euboean Gulf. In Rovies, the waterfront tavernas, cafes and ouzeries beckon you with local products sourced from farms on the doorstop. (One of Evia’s most fertile areas, it was affected by the fires but is producing again.) And there is the curiosity of a medieval tower from the Frankish occupation that served as a pirate lookout. Meanwhile, just next door, Ilia has a long, pebbly beach, with sunbeds, tavernas and year-round warm waters due to thermal springs.
To the northwest, the Lichada region has perhaps the most beautiful and pristine beaches in North Evia. Gregolimano and Chrissi Akti beach (generously covered in sand and with shallow water and pine trees) are out of this world but also offer facilities. Meanwhile, Kavos beach creates a unique swimming experience around the tip of northwest Evia and is free of facilities (other than some beachside tavernas with sunbeds) and the picturesque little villages of Loutra Gialtron and Agios Georgios Lichados have authentic fish tavernas and boats that take you to the Lichadonisia isles (see below).
Further along the north coast, atmospheric Orei (Oreoi) is 5km west of Istiea (Istiaia), with fish tavernas that offer a relaxing scene whatever the season and the Bull of Oreos, an exquisite 6-tonne marble sculpture from the Hellenistic era, on display near the port. Nearby, Nisiotissa beach boasts plenty of sand, deep blue water, palm trees and views of an islet with the ruins of an ancient tower. And just along the north coast, in an area also recovering after the fires, is Pefki, popular with families and friends because of its 4-5km organised beach and numerous tavernas and nightlife options. With the Pagasetic Gulf (and the treasures of Pelion) just opposite and the Sporades islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos within easy reach from here, yachts are moored in Pefki’s little harbour ready to set sail.
Delve into the religious heritage of North Evia
Visiting the monasteries of North Evia, you delve even deeper into the culture and history of the region. The Monastery of St John the Russian, in a beautiful plane by the Kireas River near Prokopi, is an important pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians, containing the remains of the saint brought by Greek refugees from Cappadocia after the 1923 population exchange with Turkey. The Asia Minor Civilisation Museum in Prokopi tells the story of the Greeks who settled here and elsewhere in the region.
The Monastery of St David the Elder, near Drymona, is built on the site of a church founded by St David of Euboea in the 16th century when it operated as a hidden school for the non-Muslim population before being destroyed by the ruling Ottomans. The current monastery dates from the 1870s and contains the remains of its founder. And just south of Limni, the Monastery of St Nicholas Galataki (built on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to the sea god Poseidon) features rare icons, manuscripts and other relics, as well as a defence tower and beautiful views of the sea. (Nearby Galataki beach is a bonus.) Other religious highlights include the Monastery of Agios Georgios in Ilia, the Monastery of St Irinis Xrisovalantou in Rovies and the chapel of the Virgin Mary Dinious near Istiea.
Help put the petrified forest of Kerasia on the map
And while the Petrified Forest of Lesvos has rightly gained international attention, North Evia’s petrified forest around Kerasia remains a hidden gem. Efforts are now being made to demarcate it between the villages of Kerasia, Agia Anna and Papades. The fossilised remains of trees and wildlife from 10-15 million years ago are believed to be amongst the richest in Europe, as you’ll learn by visiting the recently refurbished Museum of Petrified Mammals in Kerasia. It displays paleontological finds that include the remains of prehistoric elephants, horses and rhinoceroses as well as finds from the petrified forest and other wildlife.
Make the most of that amazing coastline
One look at the still waters and coastline of the Euboean Gulf in the likes of Limni and you’ll need no second invitation to hire a kayak or Stand up Paddleboard (SUP) and there is a diving centre in Rovies that offers a selection of underwater excursions and diving courses. For something more active, the Aegean offers windsurfing (or even kitesurfing) in Pefki on the north coast or Vasilika on the east. Elsewhere, waterfront activities are the main event, such as beach volleyball or yoga by the sea. And if fishing is your thing, you’ll be interested in an initiative to work with local fishermen to take you out for the morning. Even if the activity isn’t available where you are, you can always ask around. North Evia is that kind of place.
Events
If you’re an open water swimmer, North Evia hosts an event that will intrigue you. The Authentic Marathon Swim, which takes place around the start of July in Artemisio on the north coast, aims to become the swimming equivalent of the Athens Marathon by building on a fascinating backstory. The 10km route is the same as that swum by Skyllias and Hydna 2,500 years ago to warn their Greek compatriots of an impending Persian invasion. But don’t worry, there are 1.5km, 3km and 5km options as well as an 800m route for kids.
Another initiative breathing life into North Evia is the Evia Film Project from June 15-19, with film screenings as well as masterclasses, workshops and educational programs in Edipsos, Limni and Agia Anna that are free to the public. The open-air Apollon Theatre in Edipsos has been refurbished for the event after being closed for decades and screenings across all five days include iconic films of ecological interest that raise awareness about the repercussions of human actions on the environment.
Τhe North Evia Festival from 18-22 of July 2022 consists of five days full of music workshops, hiking, gorge crossing, swimming under waterfalls and in the sea, during daytime, and free concerts open to everybody after the sunset. See the detailed line-up and daily schedule here.
Put some outdoors adventure on your wish list
If you love outdoor activities, here’s one for your list of things to do on your holidays in North Evia. As greenery returns, so we can once again set out on hiking trails and go chasing waterfalls. Untouched by the fires, Mt Telethrio and Mt Licha (near Edipsos) offer numerous signposted hiking trails (with more continually being marked out). The best experience is to join an organised excursion where your guide can tell you about the local flora and fauna.
And when it comes to waterfalls, where do we start? The Dafnokouki Waterfalls near Ilia (for hiking and canyoning), Gerakiou Waterfalls near Pefki (reachable by foot or car) and Kremasi Waterfalls in Agdines (in a hard-to-reach part of the forest) are all highlights. The most popular are the Drymona Waterfalls (on a hiking route that passes the Monastery of St David the Elder) in an area affected by the fires but that is now a focal point of conservation efforts (another opportunity to witness nature regenerating). And who said it was only hiking? Horse riding can be enjoyed in Kamatriades, on the slopes of Mt Telethrio (as well as in Mantoudi and Agia Anna, as mentioned above).
Nature continues to play a leading role in the experience of visiting Evia, even after the fires. The places that were unaffected continue to offer the same feeling of escape and wellbeing. And the areas that suffered damage, whilst not as beautiful as before, now provide an opportunity for reflection and even hope. Visiting allows you to observe the natural regeneration for yourself and be a witness to the process where, from nothing, a forest is being reborn. It’s as if nature is giving us all a life lesson in the power of recovery through a determination to overcome adversity. It’s another reason behind the mass outpouring of support for North Evia.
Taste the difference everywhere you go
You’re in for a treat when it comes to the food in North Evia. Everywhere you visit seems to have a culinary story to tell. Honey scented with thyme, pine and even the rare combination of fennel and aniseed can be picked up in villages and roadside stalls, as well as in speciality stores selling beehive products such as royal jelly and wax-based cosmetics. There is also a great initiative called Beegin helping to support the beekeeping ecosystem as the bees’ habitat recovers.
There are wineries you can visit in Gialtra (Vriniotis Winery) and Istiea (Istiaia Wines), where you’ll learn about local varieties such as the red Vradianos and Kartsiotis grapes being revived and white Asproudes. And there are producers in the likes of Strofilia taking humble ingredients such as red peppers, olives and sardines and turning them into gourmet fare distributed throughout Greece.
Olive presses come alive during the autumn harvest period, with the cooperative in Rovies being particularly active (an olive press is opening near the town that will offer olive oil-tasting tours). And figs are picked and dried in many locations, especially in Taxiarhis whose local cooperative has secured Protected Destination of Origin status for their product. Pomegranates (especially in Limni and Kirinthos) are picked and pressed and cheeses like feta are barrelled (Istiea and Kechries stand out) until they mature to somehow perfectly match the local wine and tsipouro.
Look out for walnuts in Pefki and produce picked straight from family-owned vegetable patches (you have to try the red peppers from Limni), as well as wild fennel that adds a special aroma to so many local dishes. You’ll enjoy it all (as well, of course, as the locally sourced meat and seafood) in traditional tavernas throughout North Evia.
