Evia Island, Hotels inEvia, Tours in Evia, Tickets to Evia, Transfers to Evia, Nightlife in Evia, Fun in Evia

The Prefecture of Evia (pronounced Evia) belongs to the Region of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece) and includes the islands of Evia and Skyros, as well as part of the mainland (Aulis and Anthedona). Its coastline is 900 km long, it extends over an area of 3,900 sq.km. and has a population of approximately 210,000 inhabitants. This geographical conglomeration, along with the two bridges that connect Chalkis to Sterea Ellada provide the Prefecture with its dual nature, as it is both island and mainland. The name Euripos gains its etymology from eu (good) + ripe (flash), while Byzantine name Egripos was translated by the Venetians into Negroponte. The town is built along both sides of the narrow straits, hugging the two shores with typical neoclassical buildings, as well as multi-storey buildings, providing the illusion that a swiftly flowing river runs through the town. It was the important geographical position of Chalkis, striding the Euripos straits that connect the northern and the southern gulfs of Evia, providing a safe sea passage connecting the Maliac and Pagasitic Gulfs with the Saronic Gulf and the Southern Aegean Sea, that made the town a crossroads for ideas and civilisations, attractive to all invaders.

The city of the sacred spring Arethusa, Chalkis, built along the straits of Euripos traces the etymology of its names to the root of the word Chalkos, which means bronze, and the workshops processing the metal which existed there. The oldest documentation proving the existence of Chalkis appears in the Homeric Epics and specifically the city is listed in the catalogue of ships in the Iliad (Book 2, 536-541). Elephenor was one of Helen’s the suitors (the woman who became known as the beautiful Helen of Troy). He was King of the Chalcideans, leader of the Abantes from Evia, and according to the epic he was at the head of forty ships, which the lords of the island contributed to the Achaeans’ fleet, as it set out for Troy. The Early Helladic settlement of Manikas (3000-19000 BC) has been identified as prehistoric Chalkis. The fort settlement of Glyfas on the coast of Boeotia, the tholos tomb at Pei, and the chamber burials at Aghia Eleoussa, Panagitsa and Kamares with their rich grave goods are proof of the region's development during the Mycenaean period.

In antiquity, next to Chalkis, this was ranked as the most second important city on the island. Along with other Evian cities, Eretria took part in the Trojan War (Iliad, II, 537) and in the 8th century BC established colonies along the coasts of Macedon, Corfu and mainly in the West (Italy and Sicily). Its powerful and active commercial interests made the city wealthy and the sanctuary to Apollo, the first observed vaulted temple was built during that era . Eretria played an important role in processing the Evian Alphabet and in spreading its use to the West, through colonisation. In the Archaic era the authority of the Aeinautes was established here, and the city developed into a considerable marine power. At the close of the 6th century and on the site of an older temple to Apollo a monumental peripteral temple of the Doric order was built, which was later destroyed by the Persians, when they invaded in 490 BC. The Western pediment (510 BC) of the temple, showing the Battle of the Amazons, contained a sculpture complex showing Theseus seizing Antiope (now in the town's Archaeological Museum).

The region around Chalkis offers many opportunities for interesting excursions. Arriving from Athens you encounter the historical Municipality of Aulis whose capital is Vathy, and which includes the municipal departments of Kalohori-Panteihio, Paralia Avlidos and Pharos. Known from Homer as the site of the Sacrifice of Iphigeneia, Aulis is on Boeotian coastline on the Southern Gulf of Evia. The surrounding area has beautiful shallow beaches, a fishing refuge, pension and rooms for rent, taverns and ouzeri, and is renowned for its night life. There is also a rapidly-developing market for weekend and holiday homes in the area. The Municipality of Aulis is connected by a beautiful coastal route to Dilesi, Halkoutsi, Skala Oropou, as well as Athens, and there is a regular long-distance bus service and trains. Viticulture is very developed in Aulis and several large wineries are established there. We have no reservations in recommending to visitors that they should seek out wines from the region.

Leaving behind you Chalkis and Messapia, you meander up the bends of Agios. Along the entire trip, up to the highest point, picturesque taverns offer choice local meats and cheeses, and specialise in peasant spaghettis and their famed frying pan bread. There is a wonderful pine forest, with arbutus, plane, elm and oaks trees that accompany your progress until you reach the height at which you find the first firs. After the first few turns on the descent, you enter the infamous Derveni, in the past the most inaccessible and well defended position. At 52 km into your journey you encounter Prokopi, a refugee village, which took its name from Prokopion in Cappadocia. In the past it was known as Ahmetagha. Today it is known throughout Greece as the site where the relics of Saint John the Russian, which the pious refugees brought with them during the exchange of populations. From Prokopi you take the road that leads to Pili, and its wonderful beach, and continue along the Aegean coastline towards Vlahia and Sarakiniko. Continuing along this road leads you to Mantoudi (seat of the Municipality of Kireos), through the dreamy landscape of the centuries old plane tree forest, along the bed of the Kireas river. Greenery is rampant and the landscape is perfect for nature lovers and hikers. The beaches, too, are unique: Pili, Atalantos, Kymassi, Krya Vryssi: all reward even the most demanding visitors.

The road from Aliveri to Kymi leads you to South Evia - Karystia and the gateway to this region would be considered to be the crossroads at Lepoura, when you head south. From this point on visitors can follow the road to the furthest settlement on Evia, in the region Kaphereus (Cabo Doro). The first stop on your way is the Municipality of Dystia. Its many points of natural beauty and its untouched nature it is particularly welcoming to those who love alternative forms of tourism. Nature lovers will fall in love and will enjoy countless hours hiking the footpaths through beautiful landscapes and watching rare water birds on the wetlands of Lake Dystos. The lake, which has a fragile ecosystem and constitutes a transit point on the migratory path of many birds, is part of the NATURA 2000 Network (GR2420008). The seat of the Municipality is Krieza, which gave its name to the war leader Nikolaos Kriezotis. The region’s history fades into the depths of the centuries. Major finds indicate that it has been constantly inhabited since the Neolithic Age. Points of interest: · Ancient Dystos and the Venetian Tower on the hilltop inside the lake. · The Sarai, a complex of buildings inside the precincts of the lake, a remaining monument of the feudal form of economic relations · The excavations of an Early Christian basilica at Aghia Triada