• Visit in September for grape harvests
  Many local wineries allow visitors to join in on traditional grape stomping and tastings. It’s a festive and delicious way to experience rural life.
• Try the ferry from Rafina or Agia Marina
  Driving isn’t your only option—ferries connect Evia to the mainland in several places. The boat ride offers amazing views and a relaxing arrival.
• Explore the north for thermal springs and pine forests
  Northern Evia is greener and known for wellness tourism. Towns like Edipsos, Aidipsos, and Limni have great hiking and hot springs.
• The south is drier and windier
  Southern Evia is perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing, especially around Karystos and Marmari. It feels like the Cyclades—without the crowds.
• Eat mountain goat or wild greens in Steni
  Traditional tavernas serve vrasto katsiki (boiled goat) and horta (wild greens) with local olive oil and lemon. The mountain food here is rich and nourishing.
• Look for forest beekeepers
  Evia is famous for its thyme honey. Buy directly from roadside beekeepers for raw, unfiltered honey that tastes of pine and herbs.
• Avoid driving at night on mountain roads
  Some roads are steep and lack lights or guardrails. Plan mountain trips for daytime and keep GPS offline maps handy.
• Pack both beachwear and hiking gear
  You could be swimming one day and hiking snowy peaks the next. Evia’s diversity means packing for all adventures.
• Visit the Sunday farmer markets
  Markets in Aliveri, Chalkida, and Kymi are great for buying local cheese, olives, herbs, and fruit. It’s a cultural event as much as a shopping trip.
• Respect local religious customs
  Monasteries and churches are deeply revered here. Modest clothing and quiet behavior are expected when visiting.

• Feast of Agios Ioannis Rossos (May 27)
  Held in Prokopi village, this major pilgrimage attracts thousands of Orthodox Christians. The atmosphere is spiritual, emotional, and unforgettable.
• Wine Festival in Karystos (August)
  A celebration of local vineyards with tastings, dancing, and live music. It’s a great place to mingle with locals and sample rare Greek grape varieties.
• Chestnut Festival in Metochi (October)
  Celebrate autumn in the mountains with roasted chestnuts, local tsipouro (a strong spirit), and folk music. It’s a warm, cozy event full of tradition.
• Kymi Carnival (February/March)
  One of the liveliest winter events, with floats, costumes, and satire. It draws crowds from all over central Greece.
• Rovies Cultural Summer Festival
  A month-long series of concerts, plays, and art exhibits in the peaceful village of Rovies. Perfect for culture lovers.

• It’s not technically an island anymore
  A narrow bridge connects Evia to mainland Greece at Chalkida. You can drive there without a ferry—unique for a Greek island!
• Home of Aristotle’s final years
  The great philosopher is believed to have spent his last years in Chalkida. A statue and small archaeological site honor his legacy.
• The tidal current changes direction daily
  The Evripos Strait tide reverses direction every six hours. It’s a unique phenomenon observed since ancient times.
• Napoleon III bathed in Edipsos
  The thermal springs were popular with global elites. The spa town once hosted kings, queens, and dignitaries.
• The island has snowcapped peaks in winter
  Mount Dirfys regularly gets snow in winter, offering alpine conditions just hours from Athens. Skiing and snow hikes are possible!
• It’s the second-largest Greek island
  Only Crete is bigger. Yet Evia remains less visited by foreign tourists, offering a more authentic experience.
• Evia has both Catholic and Orthodox communities
  Due to Venetian history, some villages have active Catholic churches alongside Orthodox ones.
• Over 70% of the island is mountainous or forested
  This makes it a paradise for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. Trails and gorges abound.
• There are several waterfalls
  In addition to Drimonas, you’ll find smaller falls in Kerasia and near Dirfys. Spring is the best time to see them in full flow.
• Lichadonisia was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption
  The tiny islets were shaped by lava flows and tectonic activity. Today, they look like the Caribbean in the heart of Greece.

‍Do you need a visa to visit the island?
No visa is required for citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for stays up to 90 days. International travelers should check whether they require a Schengen Visa, as Evia is part of Greece and subject to standard EU entry regulations.

What is the best way to get to the island?
Evia is connected to mainland Greece by bridge at Chalkida, making it one of the easiest islands to access by car or bus. You can also take ferries from Rafina, Agia Marina, Arkitsa, or Glyfa depending on where you're coming from. From Athens, it’s around 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your route.

Should I rent a car on the island?
Yes—absolutely recommended. Evia is huge and diverse, with beaches, mountains, villages, and forests scattered across the island. Public transport is limited outside main towns, so having a car gives you full freedom to explore its hidden gems.

Is the island wheelchair accessible?
Partially. Larger towns like Chalkida, Eretria, and Edipsos have accessible hotels, restaurants, and sidewalks. However, many villages, archaeological sites, and mountainous areas may be difficult to navigate due to uneven terrain and older infrastructure.

What are the island’s most famous landmarks?
Highlights include the Edipsos Thermal Springs, the tide phenomenon at Chalkida, Dirfys Mountain, the ancient ruins of Eretria, and the castle of Karystos (Castello Rosso). Don’t miss the Lichadonisia islets or the monasteries of Agios Ioannis Rossos and Saint David.

What are the best beaches on the island?
For families and soft sand, head to Galazia Akti, Agia Anna, or Almyropotamos. For adventure and nature, explore Chiliadou, Limnionas, or Kalamos Beach. Southern beaches near Karystos are perfect for windsurfing and quieter getaways.

What is unique about the island’s wildlife?
Evia is incredibly biodiverse. You might spot golden eagles, hawks, foxes, turtles, wild goats, and even monk seals along the coast. The island’s forests are home to rare orchids, frogs, butterflies, and bee populations that produce world-famous thyme honey.

What traditional foods should you try on the island?
Don’t miss wild goat stew, fresh mountain greens, Evian cheeses, and local honey. Try loukoumi (a chewy sweet) and halvadopita (nougat wafer), as well as freshly caught grilled octopus and sardines by the coast.

Can you drink tap water on the island?
In most towns like Chalkida, Eretria, and Edipsos, tap water is safe to drink. In remote villages or mountain homes, bottled water is often preferred due to different mineral content.

What is the nightlife like on the island?
It’s mostly laid-back and local. In towns like Chalkida and Eretria, you’ll find bars, beach clubs, and late-night cafés. Elsewhere, expect traditional tavernas with live music, community festivals, and peaceful seaside evenings under the stars.

How can I stay connected to the internet on the island?
Most hotels, cafes, and even beach bars offer free Wi-Fi. Mobile reception is good in populated areas but may be weak or absent in mountainous or remote coastal areas—perfect for digital detox moments.

What are some local souvenirs to bring home?
Take home jars of Evia’s famous thyme honey, olive oil, handmade soaps, local wine, herbs, ceramics, and sweets like loukoumia or halvadopita. In villages, you’ll find textiles and woven crafts made by local artisans.

• Kalimera – Good morning
• Kalispera – Good evening
• Efharisto – Thank you
• Parakalo – Please/You're welcome
• Yamas – Cheers
• Nero – Water
• Loukoumi – Traditional sweet
• Therma – Hot springs
• Psomi – Bread
• Kima – Wave
• Porto – Port
• Plateia – Town square
• Kastro – Castle
• Vouna – Mountains
• Moni – Monastery
• Kefali – Head (used to say "cheers" or jokingly)
• Taverna – Restaurant
• Meli – Honey
• Drimos – Forest
• Agios – Saint

• Aristotle
  The legendary philosopher died in Chalkida in 322 BC. His connection gives the island a philosophical legacy rooted in reason and learning.
• Emmanouil Papas
  A hero of the Greek War of Independence, he helped defend Evia during Ottoman invasions. His name lives on in schools and streets.
• Giorgos Seferis
  The Nobel Prize-winning poet wrote about Evia’s landscapes in his journals. He visited frequently for inspiration.
• Alekos Alexandrakis
  A beloved Greek actor who spent summers in Karystos. He helped promote Greek cinema across the country.
• Queen Frederica of Greece
  Regularly visited the spas of Edipsos. Her visits brought glamour and press attention to the island.
• Mikis Theodorakis
  The composer of Zorba the Greek often retreated to northern Evia. His music resonates with the island’s dramatic landscapes.
• Kostas Voutsas
  One of Greece’s most famous comedians, he performed in festivals around Evia and supported rural theaters.
• Nikiforos Vrettakos
  A poet and resistance fighter whose verses evoke the natural beauty of Greece, including time spent in Evia.
• Manos Katrakis
  Theater and film actor known for his emotional depth. Performed classic tragedies in Chalkida’s open-air theater.
• Fotis Kontoglou
  Painter and theologian who worked on frescoes in churches across Evia. His Byzantine-influenced art left a deep mark on the island.

• “The Island” (To Nisi)
  Some scenes were shot in remote Evian villages due to their untouched charm and resemblance to early 20th-century Greece.
• “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” (2001)
  While mainly filmed in Kefalonia, scenes of Evia’s coast were used for establishing shots of Aegean serenity.
• “Greek Mythology” (TV documentary)
  Dirfys Mountain and ancient Eretria appeared as scenic backgrounds in several episodes.
• “My Greek Odyssey”
  The show spent an episode in northern Evia, focusing on honey-making and spa tourism in Edipsos.
• “Fathers and Sons” (1980s)
  A Greek drama with scenes filmed in Chalkida and Steni. Captured urban and rural contrasts.
• “Zorba The Greek” (1964)
  While not filmed there, Evia beaches were considered during pre-production for their wild beauty.
• “Greece From Above” (Documentary)
  Aerial shots of Drimonas Waterfalls, Dirfys, and Lichadonisia featured prominently.
• “To Nisi Ton Pentarhon” (The Island of Five)
  A 1990s mystery series filmed parts of its opening episodes in mountainous central Evia.
• “Edipsos: Waters of Time”
  A local documentary covering the spa history of Edipsos. Features interviews and rare footage from the 1920s.
• “Greece’s Hidden Gems” (Travel Channel)
  Evia was spotlighted in an episode focused on untouristed destinations.