Northern Evia feels less like a destination than an invitation to exhale. A short hop from Athens, the island-like peninsula unspools a coastline of almost cinematic breadth: mile-long crescents of sand where you can decide, on a whim, between a languid lounger with a cocktail in hand or a private patch of untamed shore that’s yours alone. Beyond the beach, cypress-lined gorges double as natural catwalks for hikers, waterfalls offer impromptu freshwater plunges, and the island’s famed thermal springs – ranging from ramshackle rock pools to hushed, high-design spas – serve up wellness in every register.
The villages, spared the excesses of mass tourism, trade postcard perfection for something rarer: unfiltered charm. Whitewashed homes bear the patina of real life, café terraces are shaded by generous mulberries, and strangers greet you as if you’ve been absent, not foreign. It’s here, in the measured cadence of an afternoon coffee or the lingering note of an ouzo toast at dusk, that Northern Evia’s quiet luxury reveals itself – a place where authenticity is the most coveted amenity of all.
Villages to Explore
Limni
Facing the North Euboean Gulf and the coast of Atalanti, Limni is one of Northern Evia’s most beloved villages. Neoclassical mansions line the waterfront, interspersed with tavernas and ouzeris. Tucked into the hills behind, you’ll find stone-built homes and peaceful old neighborhoods. Life unfolds along the promenade, where locals and visitors gather for swims, sunbathing, or a long, lazy lunch by the sea.
Loutra Aidipsou
Known for its famed thermal springs, Aidipsos has long drawn visitors in search of healing waters. Nearly 80 mineral springs bubble up in the region, with temperatures ranging from 93°F to 180°F (34–82°C). You can bathe for free at public spots, or book a luxurious treatment at one of the local spa hotels.
Rovies
Set between olive groves and the sea, Rovies offers a relaxed, understated charm. The village itself is simple—stone houses, mulberry trees, a few traditional cafés—but it’s the beach that steals the show: long, wide, and ideal for days spent doing absolutely nothing.
Ilia
Just beyond Rovies, Ilia is a tiny fishing village tucked between lush mountains and the sea. There’s a thermal spring right by the beach, turning every swim into a restorative soak. Quiet, green, and unspoiled, it’s the kind of place that lends itself to slow mornings and early nights.
Agios Georgios
A larger and more organized village with a small harbor, Agios Georgios offers a range of accommodations, tavernas, and cafés. From here, you can take a boat across to the dreamy islets of Lichadonisia.
Agios Kampos & Orei
Agios Kampos serves as both a beach destination and a ferry port to Glyfa on the mainland. Nearby, the harbor village of Orei lies just a few miles from Istiaia, Northern Evia’s largest town.
Asmini & Pefki
These coastal villages gaze toward the Pagasetic Gulf and remain summer favorites for their easygoing vibe and classic seaside charm.
Eastern Villages
On the Aegean side, this string of beach villages offers a slower, simpler pace. Agia Anna stands out for its beauty and popularity, but each spot has its own quiet rhythm. Other villages in this area are Agios Nikolaos, Psaropouli, Vasilika, Achladi, and Agali.
Beaches To Claim
For a livelier scene
Head to Limni, Kochyli Beach, Aidipsos, Agia Anna, Agios Kampos, Neos Pyrgos, or Vasilika for beach bars, energy, and a social vibe.
For quiet and relaxation
Try Ilia, Rovies, Agios Nikolaos Beach, Mouni (just past Aidipsos), Rododafni, Mylos Gialtron, Kavos, Chrysi Akti, Nisiotissa, or Pefki.
For solitude
Seek out the far ends of Rovies’ long shoreline or Krokidia, where it’s just you, the sea, and open space.
For natural thermal waters
Swim beneath the Town Hall in Aidipsos, or soak in warm seawater at the edge of Ilia’s beach—no fees, just nature.
For magic
Take a boat to Lichadonisia—volcanic islets with dazzling turquoise waters and a dreamlike setting you won’t forget.
Sights To Discover
Magnesite Lakes
A surreal, manmade wonder: fourteen deep, blue-green lakes formed in abandoned mining quarries. Two clusters exist—one near Paraskevorema and another on Mount Kandili near Kalyvia. Their eerie stillness and color make them a rare inland spectacle.
Ancient Kirinthos
Above the stream of Voudouros and just past Agia Anna Beach lie the ruins of Kirinthos, mentioned in Homer’s Iliad. Though mostly vanished, fragments of fortification walls and a large stone gate remain.
Waterfalls
Nature lovers can hike to the Drymonas Waterfall, whose waters tumble into a pristine mountain pool. Other cascades include Dafnokouki near Ilia, Kremasi near Vasilika, and the green-shaded Gerakio waterfall near Gouves and Pefki.
Culture & Curiosities To Enjoy
Bee Naturalles
More than just a honey producer, Bee Naturalles brings together traditional beekeeping and scientific expertise to create award-winning organic honeys inspired by Northern Evia’s wild landscapes. Their fennel-blossom “gastro-honey” has earned international acclaim for its bold, anise-scented flavor, and their nomadic hives follow seasonal blooms across forests and wetlands. Tasting sessions and apitourism experiences are available year-round by appointment at their workshop in Nea Artaki.
Folklore Museum of Limni
Housed in a beautifully restored neoclassical mansion in the heart of Limni, this small museum preserves local life artifacts—traditional costumes, tools, photographs, and personal mementos dating back to the 19th century. Open seasonally with regular daytime hours, it offers a gentle journey through the region’s domestic and maritime heritage.
Monastery of Saint David
This historic monastery (known also as Osios David) sits tranquilly in the forested slopes near Rovies and remains an active monastic community welcoming visitors daily. Founded centuries ago and still revered today, it offers spiritual serenity, mountain air, and access to a cool natural spring often associated with healing. Open year-round, typically from early morning until evening.
Natural History Museum of Istiaia
Located in Istiaia town, this museum—founded by the local hunting association—features a curated collection of over 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, shells, rocks, and minerals. Open six days a week, it’s a top choice for nature-minded visitors and families seeking educational discovery.
Church of Ag. Ioannis the Russian
Located in Prokopi near Istiaia, this active pilgrimage church houses the relics of Saint John the Russian, venerated across Greece. The sanctuary completed in 1951 draws many visitors, and continues to hold daily services and regular feast-day celebrations, making it a meaningful spiritual site.
Women’s Cooperative of Ilia
An active local initiative where women produce and sell traditional jams, herbal teas, and sweets using rural seasonal ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. Small workshops or stalls often welcome visitors for tastings and purchases, supporting sustainable and community-based tourism.
Getting There
Northern Evia is easily reached from Athens in about three to five hours, depending on your route. By car, you can drive north on the E75 highway to Arkitsa and take the ferry to Aidipsos (45 minutes), or cross the Evripos Bridge at Halkida and continue through the island’s inland roads toward Limni, Rovies, or Istiaia.
KTEL buses also run from Athens’ Liosion Station to towns like Aidipsos and Pefki, usually combining a bus ride with a ferry crossing.
Ferries operate year-round, but schedules vary seasonally—so check ahead. Having a car is highly recommended for exploring the region’s remote beaches, villages, and thermal springs.
