Central Greece
Evia
Greece's second-largest island — connected by bridge and almost entirely ignored by tourists.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Moderate
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Ferry only
In pictures
Evia
Evia is the Greek island that international tourism somehow overlooked entirely, despite being Greece's second-largest island and connected to the mainland by two bridges. It stretches 180 kilometres from north to south and contains within it several entirely different Greek landscapes: the spa town of Loutra Edipsou in the north, where thermal springs used since antiquity (Aristotle reportedly bathed here) still draw Greek visitors for therapeutic cures; pine-forested central mountains; and the remote, dramatic beaches of the far south around Karystos. The Drakospita — mysterious ancient stone houses built without mortar from enormous limestone slabs — are an archaeological puzzle not yet fully resolved. Almost entirely visited by Greek families, Evia offers something genuinely rare: authentic Greek summer life at prices that have not been inflated by foreign demand.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
The bridge connection means it doesn't feel like an island. Some areas are heavily built up with Athenian holiday homes.
Where it sits
Central Greece, Greece
Evia — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Evia? +
- The best months to visit Evia are May to October. It's busy but manageable in peak season, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Evia from Athens? +
- Evia has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Evia good for couples? +
- Evia is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Evia good for families with kids? +
- Evia is a great choice for families — calm swims, walkable towns, and short transfers.
- Is Evia expensive? +
- Evia is one of the cheaper Greek islands — and it's one of the better-value picks in its tier.
- Do you need a car on Evia? +
- You'll want a rental car on Evia — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Evia? +
- The bridge connection means it doesn't feel like an island. Some areas are heavily built up with Athenian holiday homes.