Evia, the island in Greece, beaches, nature, car rental pictures and information, hotels and apartments

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The island of Evia or Euboea in Greece

The green and mountainous island of Euboea Evia is the second largest island of Greece (Crete is even larger). It measures 3580 km2, and has approximately 165,000 inhabitants. Evia is a very green island and still hardly discoverd by the mass tourism. It is ideal for people who like peace and quiet and nature. You can do wonderful hiking.

Through Skiathos the island of Evia is connected by the ferries with the islands in the Cyclades group in the south and with the other Sporades islands in the north. It is also accessible by ferry from the port of Rafina near Athens (a half-hour drive from the airport). From Rafina you can go with the boat to Marmaris / Karystos or you can go from Agio Marina on the mainland to Nea Styra on Evia. Even by bus or by train from Athens Evia is easily accessible. According to some travel guides Evia doesn't have many beaches or sights and so it not really on the tourist map. I think it is just more due to the fact that the island of Evia is unknown, because there are quite a few beaches and monuments.

Evia is located on the northeast side of Attica and is connected to the mainland through a 30-metre-long suspension bridge. The capital of Chalkida or Chalcis lies on both sides of the sea and thus partly on the mainland. It has about 75,000 inhabitants. On a number of other places, there are ferries between the island and the mainland. In ancient Greece the Chalkida capital was stategicly located on an important position and nowadays it is mainly a modern happening. Chalkida is the center of the island and from here the buses on Evia depart.

Around Chalkida are a number of towns, of which the most striking is Eritria. It is slowly becoming a touristresort. Like Chalkida Eritria was an important city in the ancient Greek time (6th century BC), before Athens began to dominate the area and the city turned into decline. In the 19th century, the population had shrunk so much that the city was used to house the residents of the island of Psara. They fled in 1824 for the Turkish occupying forces. Therefore Eritria is also known under the name Nea Psara (new Psara). In the area of Eritria are plenty of archaeological remains of the old city and to the east of the port is a good beach.

Loutra Edipsos in the northeast of the island of Evia , is connected by ferry to the village Arkitsa on the mainland. Loutra Edipsos is the main spa of Greece as well as a tourist destination in its own right. Here, as many as 80,000 people can find a hotel room. On the seashore are the major luxury hotels and in the city is a wide choice of restaurants, tavernas and cafés. Along the promenade at the port are eucalyptus and pine trees. The coastal town of Limni (also in the northwest just below Loutra Edipsos) and Pefki on the north coast are more fun. Pefki is a harbour where sometimes hydrofoils to the Sporades islands depart.

The southern part of Evia is dominated by the two ports Karystos and Marmari both with a ferry link to the Athenian port Rafina. Many Athenians make a weekend crossing to escape from their busy metropolis. Karystos is the best of the two and lies in a wide bay with a Venetian style port and the fortres Boutzi. In this picturesque fishing village are also a number of fine neoclassical buildings. Above Karystos is the Castello Rosso (Red Castle). Mamari is less attractive but from here excursionboats depart to the green islands Megali Petali and Xero in between Evia and the mainland .

The seaside resort of Kimi on the east side of the island of Evia is the place where the ferries to the island of Skyros in the Sporades and in the high season a few times a week to other islands in the North Aegean area leave. It is a very beautiful little town and just below the harbour is a beautiful beach. Unfortunately, here in this village it is no easy to find accommodations. Especially northern Evia is very mountainous and besides the few more touristic spots, there are beautiful beaches and unspoiled villages to be found. The wooded hillsides are dense with pine trees and other trees and streams are running through it. In addition there are the valleys with olive trees.

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The holiday let of Robin and Marijke Bombeeck in Kimi on Evia

For rent on Evia (Kimi paralia beach - on the east coast of the island) guesthouse with cooking facilities for 2 to 3 persons with a view of the sea. The house is situated at a 5 minutes walk from the beach and the port with its nice restaurants. Evia is ideally suited for those who like peace and nature, and there are pretty walking trails. Robin and Marijke live on the island and can also give you some good tips about the things that you can do and where the best restaurants of the village can be found. It is possible and very easy to combine Kimi with a visit to Skyros island. From Kimi daily ferries depart to this Sporadic Island.

Telephone in Holland 040-2427139, in Greece 0030 22220-22223
Send an e-mail to Robin and Marijke Bombeeck of this guesthouse in Kimi, Evia.

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Agnadi Hotel - Rovies, Evia - Small hotel with doubles, triples and suites

The charming Agnadi Hotel is proudly situated right next to the sea, amongst beautiful gardens and olive groves, close to the coastal village of Rovies, Evia. Each room has been decorated to offer warmth and comfort, with some featuring beautiful open fire places. Guests can also enjoy a magnificent view of the sea and sunset from their private balcony. The beach, directly in front of Agnadi, is perfect for swimming and water sport activities and there are plenty of local tavernas providing evening entertainment. The nearby village of Rovies is a great place for visitors, with its historic Venetian castle and lush olive groves.

Check availability and prices & book the Agnadi Hotel CLICK HERE

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Sights on the island of Evia

• The beautiful nature and the pinetree forests covered mountains on the Greek island of Evia are worth a visit on its own.
• The Euripus channel at Chalkidi where the flow of the water can change at any moment (8 tide changes per day). The Euripus channel is 30 meters wide. People have been trying to explain this phenomenon and there is a story that Aristotle drowned himself here when he jumped into the sea because he wanted to know how these tide changes emerge.
• Signs to the old city Chalkidi are difficult to find, but in the Archaeological Museum of Chalkidi are the many finds that were discovered on the entire island. In Chadiki are the remnants of ancient temples and there is a 15th century fortres (Karababas). The current city Chalkidi is essentially a modern happening but on the quay, with its quaint hotels and cafes there is still a bit of the old atmosphere.
• The remains of the old rival of Chalkidi, the old city Eritria, has more antique remnants to take a look at. Chalkidi and Eritria fought many wars to get control on the plain between the two cities. There is a theater, a marketplace, the foundations of a number of houses and a part of the city wall with the best-preserved gate of this period in Greece. In Eritria there is also an archaeological museum.
• Kimi, 90 miles northeast of Chaldiki, is one of the oldest cities on the island. It is situated high in the mountains (with a port 4 miles away where the ferries arrive). In Kimi you can find a folklore museum. There are remnants of the old town and there is a Byzantine monastery. In Kimi there are many beautiful neo-classical buildings.
• In Limni in Loutro Edipsos in the north of the island are remnants from the ancient time. In Loutro Edipsos are the remains of the ancient spa, because the village has been a spa since the ancient times. Most dates from the Roman era and were build under the reign of General Scylla. There are also remains of the Temple Dafniforos Apollo, the Palaestra with beautiful mosaics and an old theater. On a 7 kilometers distance of Limni build at the foot and against a mountain ia the beautiful Byzantine nunnery Galataki that dates from the 7th century. It stands on the ruins of the Temple for Posidon Aegeas and has a courtyard, so-called "cells" for the monks (rooms for the monks - or in this case the nuns) and a medieval Byzantine tower. This is the oldest monastery on the island and there are beautiful frescoes to be seen. Also here are the remnants of the old cities Aiges and Elymnion and there are small chapels from the Middle Ages in the area.
• The fishing village of Rovies was called Orovies in earlier times and it was a fairly major city in antiquety. There was also an oracle of Apollo. During an earthquake in 428 B the city was partially destroyed but then rebuilt and expanded. Also in the Byzantine and later in the venatian time, it was a town of importance, as witnessed by the remaining Venetian tower from the 13th century. Today Rovies a modern city with about 1500 residents and it attracts a lot of tourists.

The history of the island of Evia

Evia has been inhabited already from the pre-historic times. The first major settlement was Chaldiki. This town is the closest to the mainland. There were copper mines and trade was driven. The name of the island means "rich in cattle". In the 5th century BC was Evia part of the Athenian Leage and stood against Persia, that destoyed the city Eritria. In the 4th and 5th century it was a major cultural center. In the 3rd and 2nd century BC Evia was besieged by the Romans and the island became part of the Roman Empire. In the Byzantine Period were many churches and monasteries were built on the island. The island had to resist many attacks by pirates. In the 13th century the island became a part of the Venetian empire, and after that it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. The war of independence against the Turkish occupation began in 1821.

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The beaches of the island Evia

• The beach of Alikes lies not far from the capital Chalkidi. In the summer you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds and there are tavernes and snack bars open. There is a long sandy beach where you can also enjoy water sports.
• The beach of Edipsos in the village / spa with the same name is located in the north of the island. It is a nice beach with facilities and tavernes.
• The beach of Eretria is close to the centre of the city. There are tavernes and other facilities. It is popular with the Greeks themselves. It is usually not very busy. At the beach of Eretria are palm trees.
• The beach of Istiea or Istiaia is a long beach in the north of the island of Evia, near the town with same name.
• The beaches of Kalamos lie in the east of the island south of the village Kimi. It consists of a quantity of small bays with fine sandy beaches in a spectacular setting. OIn the area are some tavernes and a single hotel.
• The beach of Lefkandi or Lefkanti is situated just under the capital Chalkidi between Chalkidi and Eretria. It is a two kilometer long sandy beach. There are a number of tavernes and there are also a few accommodations.
• The beach of Limnionas is a beautiful beach on the east side of the island of Evia, an hour and fifteen minutes driving distance from the capital Chalkidi. Near the beach are two tavernes.
• In the north of the island lies the village of Pefki. In this area are also beautiful long sandy beaches. The landscape in the area is very green with olive trees and pine trees. In the summer there are sometimes hydrofoils to Skiathos and the other Sporades islands.
• Near the villages of Rovies in Limni, in the northwest of the island of Evia you can find the long beautiful pebble of Rovies.
• The beach of Xiliadou lies on the east coast of the island behind the Dirfhis mountains, about an hour's drive away from the capital. It is a quiet and beautiful sandy beach with some tavernes and a few small hotels.
• In the southeast not far away from Styra lies the beach of Zarakon. It is located in a quiet bay and usually it is not very crowded. On the beach are two tavernes.

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The naturistbeaches of the island Evia

• The beach of Hikiadou. Once one of the best naturist beaches of Greece, but in recent years a little less, imeaning more people in swimwear and busier. The beach is located on the north side of the island just west of Kimi. Outside the high season and on weekends worthwhile to try.
• The beach of Potami in the southwest of the island. Follow the path of Karystos to Aetos and keep following the coastal road. Here is more quiet and there are several quiet beaches suitable for naturism.
• The pebble beach on the northern side of the campsite Rovies, located in the northwest of Evia, is used by naturists, often on the basis of "first come".
• The southern section of the beach at Vasilika in the northeast of the island of Evia is used by naturists.
• The southern part of the beach of Agia Anna is also used by naturists. Great beach with room for everyone.

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Robin Bombeeck, Ton van Kessel, Hans Huisman, Hotel Agnadi www.angelfire.com/super2/greece 2009 <XMP></body></xmp>