Euboea: Antiquity, forests and the Aegean

Euboea offers a variety of themes for a trip: ancient sites, hiking trails, forest landscapes and the Aegean. There is also regional cuisine and places with a history of their own. Two bridges near Chalkida connect the island to the Greek mainland: a modern, tall cable-stayed bridge and a historic swing bridge. This connection is a notable landmark to bear in mind when planning your arrival. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you would like to focus primarily on culture, nature, the beach or outdoor activities.

Ancient remains and monastic history

The Archaeological Museum of Eretria displays finds from excavations in ancient Eretria, Touba, Xiropoli of Lefkandi and Amarynthos. The collection thus brings together finds from several sites. Eretria is also home to the ancient theater, one of Euboea’s most significant archaeological monuments. Its auditorium has a capacity of approximately 6,300 spectators. The museum and theater offer culture enthusiasts two different points of interest: finds from several excavation sites on the one hand, and a large ancient structure on the other. If you are especially interested in archaeology, these sites may influence where you choose to stay on the island.

Monasteries are also part of Euboea’s history. The Monastery of Saint David, one of the island’s historic monasteries, is near Rovies. The Sotiros Convent is located near Kymi. It is said to have been founded in the 15th century by monks from Mount Athos.

Forests, trails and water

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can hike along old trails in Euboea. The Kotylaia Forest near Kymi is suitable for mountain sports and offers views of the Aegean. The Petrified Forest near Kerasia is estimated to be around 20 million years old. These three nature experiences are quite distinct: hiking on old trails, mountain sports with views of the sea, and a landscape known for its fossilized remains. When planning your trip, you can decide which kind of nature experience appeals to you most.

In northeastern Euboea, Agia Anna is known for a large sandy beach with crystal-clear Aegean waters. This is a different focus from the forests and historic sites. The Purple Cave near Zarakes, in turn, is an underwater cave accessible only by sea. If you plan to visit this cave, you will need to take access by water into account. The beach and the cave thus offer two different water-based experiences, each involving a different kind of outing.

Regional cuisine and marble history

Euboea’s local cuisine includes seafood and famous figs. For travelers who enjoy discovering regional specialties, these offer a culinary point of interest alongside cultural and nature excursions. Another distinctive feature is the marble from the quarries of Karystos: the famous white-and-green stone adorned significant buildings in ancient Athens, Rome and Constantinople. The history of this material therefore extends beyond Euboea. When choosing a holiday apartment on the island, you can pick the focus that suits you—ancient culture, forests and mountain sports, the beach or regional cuisine, for example—and use the places you would like to learn more about to guide your choice.

More destination pages

If you would like to explore individual places further, you can find their destination pages here: Marmari, Styra, Eretria, Skyros, Amarynthos, Oxílithos, Pefki, Chalkida, Rovies, Politika, Ilia, Agii Apostoli, Agia Anna, Kymi, Artemisio, Loutrá Aidhipsoú, Mytikas, Aliveri, Platana, Límni, Paradisi, Avlonari, Faros, Agiokampos, Mpoufalo, Mourteri, Neos Pirgos, Gialtra, Nerotrivia, Almiropotamos, Oreoi, Psachna, Istiaia, Prokopi, Zarakes, Konistres, Vasiliko, Skroponeria, Figias, Kirinthos, Kato Steni, Steni Dirfyos, Aidipsos, Káristos, Agii Apostoli, Kotsikia, Porto Lafia, Tsakei, Kato Seta, Kamaria, Paralia Kimis, Kanatadika, Paliouras and Agios Ioannis.

For the broader travel overview: Central Greece.