Edipsos Baths Evia
The ancient Edipsos town is located in the southwest part of beautiful Evia at the very beginning of the island. The capital Chalkida, on the other hand, is much further south, almost two hours by car.
A village that has existed since time immemorial, you think it dates back to more than 20,000 years ago, considered a gift from the Gods where illustrious characters such as the emperors Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Constantine the Great have passed to benefit from its miraculous waters. Greek mythology tells that the Goddess Athena asked her brother Hephaestus to give life to these springs for her hero Hercules so that she could regenerate after each of her epic efforts. Another story instead binds it to the Goddess Hera consort of Zeus who advised Pyrra and her husband Deucalion to take a bath in the warm waters to generate healthy children, after a short time Ellin was born, the progenitor of the Hellenic people
In 1997 the Edipsos municipality merged with the Loutra Edipsos municipality, Agios and Gialtra thus giving life to this miraculous area where in the past also personalities of the Greek and international jet set starting from Aristotle Onassis, Greta Garbo and Omar Sharif just for give you an example, they used to retire for a healing period.
The Edipsos holistic spa boasts more than eighty natural springs with waters of various temperatures ranging from 28 to 86 degrees, all immersed in lush vegetation that reaches the sea.There are many centers, you can find public and private ones able to satisfy any request and above all for all budgets. In recent years, the Edipsos thermal baths are becoming popular not only for Greeks but also for tourists who, curious and also to explore this multifaceted and wonderful island, decided to come here for their holiday in Greece. The healing properties of the waters are ideal for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases, for the skin, for gynecological problems and for rheumatism. Obviously they are also used for practical therapies such as mud therapy, electrotherapy, balneotherapy and the Turkish bath. A wide range of treatments can be done at Edispos and the result will be to feel regenerated and at peace with the world. For those who can't afford a spa, there is always the sea which in some points enjoys this wonderful natural effect with its warm waters.
Edipsos is the largest bathing establishment in Greece and is managed directly by the Greek National Tourist Board. The top however is the spa center of the Thermae Sylla Spa & Wellnes Hotel dating back to 1896, one of the oldest in the country and considered one of the ten best wellness centers in the world where a spring flows inside that reaches a temperature of 75- 80 degrees of mineral water and rich in therapeutic radon.
The town is very pleasant, it offers a promenade where you can take a walk in an atmosphere that almost seems to have stopped in the last century thanks to its historic buildings. There is no shortage of luxury and cheaper hotels, trendy restaurants, typical taverns, small bars and shops, in short, everything that is needed for a comfortable and relaxing holiday. You don't come to Edispos just for the spas, you can enjoy interesting scuba diving, mountain biking to discover the hinterland, horse riding, hiking and its beaches such as Paidikou Stathmou beach, Monopetra beach, the three Moloi or the Thermai Sylla beach with its cave. From an archaeological point of view, a trip to the thermal baths dating back to the Roman period becomes a must, to the Koumpi hill a couple of kilometers from Loutra, one of the most important sites dating back to the Neolithic period where ancient ceramics have been found. Also don't miss the Agios Panteleimonas, Saint Anargyron Church and the Agios Fanourios Church.
About three kilometers from Edipsos is the fishing Agios Nikolaos village where you can enjoy a refreshing swim on its sandy beach, play sports like a good game of beach volleyball and then end up in one of the typical taverns where you can taste excellent fish fresh.
Let's say that Edipsos reconciles well being, sea, entertainment and culture and only for one of these reasons is it to be included among the things to do and see in Evia.