Evia

Evia island or also called Eubea and also Negroponte by extension is the second largest in Greece after the island of Crete. It is almost attached to the mainland and almost seems more like an extension of Attica rather than an island.

Despite its proximity and the ease of reaching it via a very convenient bridge that crosses the sea and you can get there in an hour by car or bus, it is still unknown to foreign tourism, only the Greeks invade it in any season for convenience , perhaps for its immense beauty but above all because they have clearly understood how amazing this island is and can satisfy any type of visitor.

From Evia it is also possible to go to another unknown pearl of Greece, the island of Skyros which is connected by sea to the port of Kymi in the southernmost part.

Evia, despite its surface area of 3684 square kilometers (you feel like wandering around it all), is not very populated, many areas are completely deserted and for this very reason they are still intact and in their natural state. Through its winding roads, you pass through a rugged landscape where the mountains dominate. The western part, near the continent, is low, sandy and irregular with more or less small seaside resorts one after the other. Its hinterland, on the other hand, is a succession of steep and frightening mountains and plains where rural communities still deal with agriculture, cultivating olive trees, vineyards and livestock farming. The northern part is also rich in thermal springs which is why many Greeks come here to benefit from the healing properties of the water. The Aegean coast, on the other hand, is high and jagged with deserted beaches and coves that are unreachable or perhaps only with a boat but that's not a given, you can console yourself by looking at them from above.

The island offers its visitors many beaches where even in high season there could be only you or very few people, making you feel like real privileged people. You could also live the fantastic experience of being the only guests in a tavern and there you will consider yourself a real VIP. The best known is Lichadonisia beach, in reality they are a group of small islands in the north-west where there are coasts of soft white sand surrounded by lush vegetation and bathed by a sea of astonishing colors so as to give it a typically tropical flavour. in fact they are also called the "Greek Seychelles". A second very particular one is the beach of Rovies also to the north east which, further up a beach, will make you feel like you are on the shores of a Swiss lake.

Even the villages are something amazing, from those on the sea to those in the hinterland to the mountain ones that seem to have come out of a nativity scene. Also to the north is the city of Edipsos or Loutra Edispou, the most famous spa resort in Greece, a sort of open-air spa with more than 80 thermal springs immersed in lush nature and some right on the seashore, perfect for relaxing to the sound of the waves! Existing since time immemorial, it hosted the emperor Marcus Aurelius and more recent famous people such as Greta Garbo and Aristotle Onnassis.

One of the most touristic areas of Evia is undoubtedly Kimi which is located on the east coast more or less in the middle of the island. A seaside town that is excellent as a starting point for the many tourist attractions and perfect if one day you don't feel like clocking up the kilometers so much, preferring a lazy day on the beach. Here you can choose between different coastlines where you can lie down and be caressed by the sun's rays.

If you are a history lover, the area to choose is Eretria where you can also find wonderful beaches such as Kalamos.

Finally, whether as a place to stay during your holiday in Evia or just for a trip out of town, the town of Chalkida, the capital of Evia, is certainly worth a visit. With a lively spirit, it presents itself as a modern location with a good choice of restaurants and typical taverns and an imposing 15th century fortress waiting to be discovered.

Unknown, quiet but full of natural wonders, this is what awaits you in Evia. Put it on the list of Greek islands to see and it will be a surprising surprise.