Description of Euboea

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The region of Euboea is actually an island, the second large one in Greece after Crete. The close proximity of Evia to Attica and the fact that it is linked to the Central Greece with two bridges has decreased the meaning of the word island to Euboea. The rich diversity of landscape and the combination of pine trees and sandy beaches has made it more popular to Greek families for holidays rather than tourists from abroad. Evia offers accommodation facilities in hotels and is a famous short trip destination especially for Athenians all year round.

Geography of Euboea

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Euboea or Evia as it is pronounced in Greek is the second large island of Greece after Crete and is situated to the east of Central Greece in Aegean Sea. The neighbouring regions are Attica and Boetia in the mainland. The island closer to Evia is Andros and is separated by Kafireas Strait. Euboea is linked to the mainland with two bridges, the Old Bridge and the New Bridge being one of the largest ones in Europe. The region of Evia spans an area of 3.684 sq. km. on the island of Evia and 395 sq. km. the part of the mainland that belongs to the region as well. The total population is 218.032 inhabitants. The capital city of the region is Chalkida and other significant towns are Edipsos, Karystos, Eretria, Istiaia.

History of Euboea

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Evia has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and the cities of Euboea in the eighth century BC had become major trading powers in the region famed for their ceramics. During this century the Euboeans began to establish colonies in southern Italy and on the eastern coast of Kimi. The eighth century BC was the century when Euboea reached its peak but the period of prosperity came to an end when the Lelantine War broke between the State of Chalkis and the State of Eretria. Evia passed under the control of Athens during the Peloponnesian war and then passed under the control of Macedons until the Roman conquest in the first century BC. Evia passed in Franks and then Venetians until it was conquered by Ottoman Turks in 1470.

Sightseeing in Euboea

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The capital city of the region is Chalkida and it is a very famous short break destination for mainlanders. One of the most charming riddles of Greece lives in Chalkida and especially in Euripus Strait, a narrow channel of water that separates the island of Evia from the mainland. The current in the channel reverses direction around seven times daily, an event whose full explanation has eluded observers since Aristotle, but it still remains a mystery. Some of the most visited places in Evia are also the church of St. John the Russian and the towns by the seaside like Edipsos, famous for the thermal baths since antiquity, Eretria, Karystos, Rovies but also mountainous villages like Papades, Pefki, Tsapournia.

Useful Phone Numbers in Euboea

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Police: +30 22210 25211
Hospital of Chalkida: +30 22210 21901-2
Bus services: +30 22210 20400
Railway: +30 22210 22386