I’ve spent the better part of my adult life traveling around the world and have so far been to nearly half of all countries. I have certainly seen my share of our planet’s beauty. However, when people ask me about my favorite place on Earth, I never hesitate to answer with my home island, Evia.
Obviously, that’s primarily my own emotional predilection. But quite objectively, too, you wouldn’t do this island justice by describing it as anything short of Heaven on Earth. With its numerous wild mountains and lush forests, vibrant cities and remote villages, medieval castles and ancient ruins, Evia offers a plethora of options to keep the visitor entertained. But of course, being an island, it is not more renowned for anything other than its paradisal beaches.
Evia is a rather huge island. Comprising a coastline of over 500 km, it has literally hundreds of lovely beaches. Hence the task of picking out the best ones isn’t by any means a straightforward one. Since I write a blog post and not a book, I am obliged to leave most of them out. So I have included only some of my personal favorite beaches on Evia Island while trying to keep the list diverse for different kinds of tastes.
Affiliation disclosure: By purchasing goods or services via the links contained in this post, I may be earning a small commission from the seller's profit, without you being charged any extra penny. You will be thus greatly helping me to maintain and keep enriching this website. Thanks!
While a few of these beaches are reachable by public transport, the majority of them are really remote and you can get to them only by your own means. If you don’t own a vehicle already, your best option for aptly exploring the island is to rent a car. Alternatively, if you can’t drive, you may also arrange reasonably priced transfers via this site.
Chiliadou
Chiliadou Beach is probably the single most popular beach on Evia among Athenian weekend-trippers and international travelers alike. The main strand is a little more than a km long and consists of a mixture of sand and pebbles. The sea is deep and crystal-clear, and the abrupt surrounding mountains compose a painting-like landscape. As it faces north, it is exposed to the prevalent summer winds which offer a cherished relief from the heat.
The adjoining settlement is moderately developed and maintains a few taverns, cafes, and grocery shops. The beach is mainly frequented by campers, but there is also a hotel available on the spot. Hundreds of tents may dot it at any given summer weekend, while many free-spirited campers make there their homes for the entire summer season.
By the west end of the beach, behind a large separating bluff, there is also a smaller beach which is one of the few officially designated beaches for nudists on the island. A little further west lies yet another little secret beach by the name of Damianos which is accessible only by boat or a strenuous climb over the rocks.
Chiliadou is situated on the eastern, Aegean coast of central Evia, a 136-km drive away from Athens which typically takes a little more than two hours. The latter part of the drive passes over the stunning central ridge of the island, below its highest mountain, Dirfys, and through several picturesque mountainous villages such as Steni. In the summertime, you may reach the beach by public transport, changing a bus in Chalkida.
More on Chiliadou Beach:
Chiliadou Beach, Evia Island – Info & Travel Guide
Limnionas
Limnionas Beach is similar to Chiliadou in every respect but is half as long and significantly less crowded. Most people camp, but there are also a few hotels in the tiny settlement up the hill by its verge and a couple of taverns. It is marked by a characteristic rock that cuts it in half, wherefrom one can engage in fun cliff jumping. A charming sea cave is concealed within the rocks on the north side of the bay, which one may reach in some 15-20 minutes of swimming. Its entrance is tiny and hard to locate, but you will usually see other people heading to it and thus become aware of its position.
The beach is located some 20 km north along the coast from Chiliadou, but it is reached via a completely different road. From Chalkida, follow the main road to Northern Evia until the town of Psachna and then take the mountainous road to the beach via Kontodespoti village. It takes a 124-km drive from Athens. Unfortunately, Limnionas isn’t accessible by public transport.
If you visit the area, you should also check out the smaller, isolated beaches of Akti, Petali, and Vithuri that are situated further south along the craggy coast.
More on Limnionas Beach:
Limnionas Beach, Evia Island – Info & Travel Guide
Thapsa
Moving still down the scale of popularity and accessibility of Evia’s gorgeous east-coast beaches, we meet the beach of Thapsa. This is formed inside a narrow bay, which means that its waters are particularly calm for swimming and take on a delightful turquoise color.
It is situated near the historic town of Kymi, a 155-km drive from Athens. Although some crazy enough folks will drive down to it in small cars, you should better have a 4×4 to tackle the final 10 km of rough dirt road. A small cluster of summer houses are the only structures present on the spot. Besides a small canteen that opens sporadically, there are no hotels, restaurants, or shops. If you intend to stay overnight, you’ll have to camp and carry your own food. It is adjoined by an equally lovely beach called Tsilaros.
Vlachia
This is another isolated beach on Evia’s central-east coast. It is situated below the village of Vlachia, on the eastern foot of Pyxarias Mountain. Although it’s about 300 meters long, there is but one summer house built by its west end. No road leads down to it, and it can be reached only by a short hike from the closest dirt road. The trailhead is located at 38.7508, 23.6711. Even if you visit at the peak of the summer, there is a good chance you’ll have the whole beach to yourself. A few more nice beaches in its vicinity are Kastri, Steno Linari, Makrigialos, and Sarakiniko.
Agia Anna
Now leaving the wilder central part of Evia and its mostly campers-oriented beaches, we move to the beach of Agia Anna in the island’s more populated north. This is one of the longest beaches on Evia with a total sandy length of nearly 7 km. Numerous restaurants, shops, and hotels are situated along the beach as well as in the nearby village of Agia Anna. Free camping is not common but there is an organized camping ground ideal for campervanners. It can be reached from Athens within about two hours by either car or bus.
Mourteri
Mourteri Beach is located south of Kymi town and consists of a several-km-long stretch of sand and pebbles. The two rudimentary settlements of Mourteri and Agios Merkourios that are found along its length accommodate several lodges and taverns. The hills above the beach host some of the island’s most historic villages and archeological ruins.
Megali Ammos & Petalii
Megali Ammos Beach, literally meaning great sand, is situated on the southern part of Evia, by the foot of the renowned for its mysterious Dragon Houses, majestic Mount Ochi, and between the towns of Marmari and Karystos. It is particularly famous for its consistent, strong winds which make it a popular hub among wind and kite surfers from all over Greece and Europe. Right off its shore is also located the island complex of Petalii with its own adorable beaches. It is easily reached from Athens by ferry from Rafina Port.
Kavos & Lichadonisia
Kavos is a two-way-facing beach formed on the northwesternmost tip of Evia— its “beak” if you see the island like the bird it resembles. Not facing the Aegean Sea directly, it is calmer and shallower than all the previous beaches. It is situated relatively close to the town of Aidipsos, which is connected to the mainland by ferry and is particularly popular due to its thermal spas. Lodges are available by the beach, and free camping is also common. If you visit, make sure to also arrange a boat ride to the Lichadonisia Islands across the beach.
Dafni
The best beaches of Evia are generally situated on the east coast, where landscapes are wilder and the sea cleaner. But that doesn’t mean that the west, Euboic-Gulf coast lacks nice beaches of its own. One of my favorite ones on this side is the beach of Dafni. It is located a little way north from Politika village and can be reached within some 30 minutes from Chalkida. It would be an ideal option if you’re only after a quick day trip from Athens and want to avoid the long drive to the east coast. Further north from Dafni, there are several hidden beaches along the foot of the steep Mount Kandyli. These can be reached solely by boat, but if you get there, you are definitely going to enjoy some serious privacy. Here you can browse hotels near Dafni Beach.
More on Dafni Beach:
Dafni Beach, Evia Island – Info & Travel Guide
Pefki
Lastly, I am including in the list a beach for the ones of you who are looking for something more lively. Pefki Beach is about 4 km long and is situated by the northernmost edge of Evia, near the Istiaia city. Owing to ferries coming from the nearby touristically hot Sporades Islands, it is one of the most popular beaches among international tourists on all of Evia. Besides accessing a wealth of accommodation and dining options, one can here enjoy nightlife and sociability.
