Just 16 kilometers south of Chalkida, where the mainland of Central Greece kisses the South Euboean Gulf, you’ll find Avlida Beach—a six-kilometer stretch of coastal ease layered with mythology and modern charm. Known in antiquity as the departure point for the Achaean fleet to Troy, this unassuming beach town today welcomes far more peaceful visitors: swimmers, weekenders, and history buffs.
Hi! I’m Dimi, tour guide and writer of this blog. I offer affordable, custom private tours (hiking or driving) around Evia. If you need any help exploring the best of the island, get in touch.
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Contents
Getting There and Around
Avlida Beach is reachable by road from both the Athens-Thessaloniki National Highway (via Schimatari junction) and from Chalkida. It also connects to neighboring seaside towns like Dilessi and Skala Oropou via a scenic coastal route. Its geography is intriguing: the beach sits in mainland Central Greece, but it administratively belongs to Euboea, a detail that hints at just how blurred the borders become in this historically dense region.
Where to Stay in Avlida
While Avlida Beach doesn’t overflow with hotels, there are several solid options that cater to families, couples, and anyone looking for a laid-back seaside base just outside Chalkida. Here are some recommendations:
- Villa Marina – A spacious, comfortable villa just steps from the sea, ideal for groups or families. The garden and outdoor seating area make it a perfect spot for sunset dinners.
- Villa Christina – This elegant house combines homey comfort with tasteful decor and a peaceful setting. Great for travelers seeking a more private, longer-term stay.
- Luxurious Apartment 3 – A well-equipped apartment close to the beach, ideal if you’re looking for self-catering convenience with a touch of style. Clean, modern, and practical.
Explore more options on the convenient map below:
Stay22 is a handy tool that lets you search for and compare stays and experiences across multiple platforms on the same neat, interactive map. Hover over the listings to see the details. Click on the top-right settings icon to adjust your preferences; switch between hotels, experiences, or restaurants; and activate clever map overlays displaying information like transit lines or concentrations of sights. Click on the Show List button for the listings to appear in a list format. Booking via this map, I will be earning a small cut of the platform's profit without you being charged any extra penny. You will be thus greatly helping me to maintain and keep enriching this website. Thanks!
A Shoreline with a Story
According to Homeric legend, this is where Agamemnon gathered the Greek fleet and where, following a grim oracle, he was forced to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia at the altar of the goddess Artemis. The sanctuary of Artemis Avlideia once stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking the bay, a site so ancient and embedded in lore that even Strabo called it “a stony place.” Today, the area near Mikró Vathý hosts a modern open-air theater that occasionally revives Euripides’ tragic tale in its natural setting.
A Beach for Everyone
Avlida Beach is more than just its past. It’s one of the most accessible and relaxed summer spots near Athens, thanks to shallow, family-friendly waters, a charming small harbor for fishing boats, and a promenade dotted with tavernas, ouzeris, and cafés. It’s also gained popularity as a weekend escape for Athenians, some of whom have built elegant summer homes along the waterfront.
The beach stretches six kilometers from end to end, making it perfect for morning walks or evening strolls. The calm gulf waters and sandy bottom make it particularly good for children or anyone who prefers wading and floating to rougher surf.
A Town Once Called Dramesi
Before it was rebranded as a seaside destination, the area was known as Dramesi. It officially reverted to its ancient name in 1927. Though it remained relatively quiet for decades, the late 20th century brought waves of seasonal visitors. Today, its permanent population hovers around 3,000, but in summer it swells to over 15,000 as holidaymakers return to their family homes or rental properties.
A Quiet Evolution
Today, Paralia Avlidos strikes a balance between local life and vacation rhythm. Vineyards, olive groves, and fishing still shape daily routines for year-round residents. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs keep the beach scene lively. It may not be as flashy as Greece’s island resorts, but Avlida Beach offers something rare: a gentle seaside retreat with one foot in mythology and the other in the sand.
Vathy Village: The Everyday Heart of the Area
Just 3 kilometers inland from Avlida Beach lies Vathy, the main village in the area and your best bet for everyday essentials. While Paralia Avlidos handles the summer scene, Vathy keeps things running year-round. This is where you’ll find supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries, and the kind of old-school cafés where time slows and locals catch up over backgammon.
Though not picturesque in the postcard sense, Vathy has its own understated appeal. There’s a working rhythm here—farmers, shopkeepers, school kids—which gives the wider Avlida region a sense of continuity beyond the tourist season. If you’re staying for more than a weekend, chances are you’ll find yourself in Vathy sooner or later, whether to refill supplies or simply get a feel for how life flows inland, just a five-minute drive from the beach.
Where to Eat & Drink in Avlida Beach
Avlida may be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to fresh seafood and relaxed seaside dining. Here are some top spots to enjoy a meal by the water:
- Taverna To Kima – A classic taverna right on the shoreline, known for its fresh fish, crisp salads, and honest Greek cooking. Ideal for a long, lazy lunch.
- Papaioannou – Local favorite with a strong reputation for grilled meats and traditional Greek fare. Solid choice if you want something hearty and authentic.
- Sousouro Avlida – A stylish cafe-bar-restaurant that works just as well for coffee and cocktails as it does for modern meze and seafood. Great atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
- Psarotaverna Michalis – A no-frills fish tavern serving up daily catches, fried calamari, and seafood pasta. Simple, authentic, and beloved by regulars.
Places to Visit nearby
- Alykes – Just a short drive north, this coastal stretch is known for its long sandy beach and shallow, family-friendly waters. Popular with locals from Chalkida, it offers beach bars, loungers, and sunset views over the North Euboean Gulf.
- Lefkanti – A few kilometers across the bridge, Lefkanti is one of Greece’s most important yet understated archaeological sites. It’s home to the famous “Heroon” structure, considered the earliest monumental building in post-Mycenaean Greece—an architectural clue to the centuries once dubbed the “Greek Dark Ages.”
- Fylla Castle – Rising above the Lelantine plain, this 13th-century Frankish fortress offers sweeping views and a raw sense of medieval isolation. It’s often empty, which makes it ideal if you’re chasing solitude and ancient stone in equal measure.
- Nea Lampsakos – Just across the bay from Avlida, a small port town with a strong Asia Minor heritage, Nea Lampsakos is known for its excellent seafood tavernas and relaxed seafront promenade. It’s a great place to experience local flavors and catch a quiet meal with views of the Evripos Strait.
- Eretria – About 20 minutes away, Eretria blends seaside charm with layered history. You’ll find a well-preserved ancient theater, a strong archaeological museum, and a walkable old town with seaside cafés and tavernas. It’s the perfect spot to round out a cultural day trip from Avlida.
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Photos
View (and if you want use) all my photographs from Avlida in higher resolution.
