Not famous for anything in particular, Evia is for simple and authentic pleasures. And because family pleasures are simple, it’s a choice destination for families that appreciate the joys of slow travel. Often overlooked in spite of its size and proximity to the mainland, it’s also thankfully quiet and close to Athens.

Five times the size of Singapore at 3,684 square kilometers, Evia is Greece’s second largest island after Crete.  Unless you have weeks to cover its entirety, your first choice typically involves whether you are going north, south, or exploring its center. 

CENTRAL EVIA

Connected by bridge to the mainland, Chalkida (its capital) in Central Evia is where you arrive if you are travelling by car. Along with Chalkida, Eretria was a historically important city with significant archaeological sightseeing. The Evian variant of the Greek alphabet used in Eretria and Chalkida eventually gave rise to the Latin alphabet. 

Otherwise dominated by the Dirfys mountain range, a hiking trip from Steni village where the path starts will take you to its summit. Central Evia also includes the port town of Kymi where you can take a ferry to Skyros.

NORTH EVIA

North Evia is fertile and densely forested, with beaches that are dark and wild. Agia Anna is the hotspot, and where we spend our yearly summers being yiayia’s hometown. An hour’s drive from here is Edipsos spa village, with healing thermal springs that drew Churchill, Onassis and other luminaries in its heyday. From Edipsos, another 40 minute drive to the island’s northeastern corner will take you to Lichadonisia, also known as the “Bahamas of Greece”. Once you’ve completed your tour of the north, head to Mandoudi port where you can continue your journey onto Mama Mia! – famous Sporadic island neighbours of Skiathos and Skopelos, and quieter Alonissos. 

SOUTH EVIA

The arid, stony south is where you will find popular seaside resort towns of Karystos with its Dragon Houses, and Marmari. The shores here are fairer than those in the north. Connected to Athens by ferries journeying from Rafina port to Marmari, Athenians can enjoy quick escape to these parts for a weekend retreat.