Chalkida at a glance
Chalkida is the capital of Evia and the place where the island meets the mainland. The town lies on both sides of the Euripus strait, and two bridges cross it. From Athens it is 78.9 km by car, about 1 hour 28 minutes. Direct trains also run between Athens Railway Station and Chalkida.
The old town and the waterfront promenade are the places to start. Add Karababa fortress, one or both museums and a look at the strait, and you have a full day without a long drive. Euripus is the English name of the strait, Evripos the Greek form.
Our pick: Chalkida old town
A guided tour of the old town's Ottoman, Venetian and Jewish sites.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Chalkida and Evia tours
Guided trips and day tours from Chalkida and across Evia, with live prices and availability.
The two bridges of Chalkida
One moves, one does not.
The old bridge is an electrically moved sliding bridge, not a drawbridge that lifts. It has been in its present form since 1963. It is 42 m long and 11 m wide, with traffic lanes and walkways. The newer high bridge is a cable-stayed bridge. Together they are the way onto the island, which means you can drive to Evia without a ferry. Read more on getting there.
Euripus Strait and its current
A rhythm, not a timetable.
The water in the Euripus changes direction. In regular phases the change comes about every 6 hours. On 6 to 7 days of a month the changes are irregular, with up to 14 in 24 hours. That is a general description, not a schedule for your visit, so do not plan around an exact time. You can watch the strait from the bridge area and the waterfront.
Karababa fortress
On the mainland side of the strait.
Karababa stands on the Boeotian mainland side. The Ottoman administration built it in 1688, and the west bastion holds an exhibition of medieval sculpture. Entry is free. From 1 April to 31 October it is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and closed on Tuesday. From 1 November to 31 March it opens only Friday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. It is closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25 December and 26 December. There is parking at the site.
Museums in Chalkida
Two different buildings. Do not mix them up.
| Museum | Entry in 2026 | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arethousa archaeological museum | €10, €5 reduced | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed Tuesday | In a former industrial building, opened in 2021; parking and a lift |
| Older archaeological museum, 13 Eleftheriou Venizelou | €5, €3 reduced | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed Tuesday | A separate address from Arethousa |
Last entry is 20 minutes before closing, and both are closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday, 25 December and 26 December. Entry is free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and on the first and third Sunday from November to March. Free days do not add a further discount. If you only have time for one, start with Arethousa, which has parking and a lift.
Old town and waterfront
Walk along the strait.
The waterfront promenade runs along the Euripus. Historic sights nearby include Agia Paraskevi and the Emir-Zade mosque. Ask locally whether the inside is open. The Venetians took Chalkida in 1209 and called it Negroponte. The Ottomans conquered it in 1470, after a siege by Mehmed II that began that June. More on the history of Euboea.
Getting to Chalkida
By car or by train.
By car, Chalkida is 78.9 km from Athens, about 1 hour 28 minutes. Direct trains run daily between Athens Railway Station and Chalkida. An example takes 1 hour 22 minutes. Trips are often about two hours apart, and some trains do not run on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. From Athens Airport, the airport line and the Chalkida line are separate, so plan a change at Athens Railway Station. Check the current timetable before you go. See car rental from Athens Airport if you prefer to drive.
A simple day plan: start at Karababa fortress in the morning, because it closes at 3:30 p.m., then cross to the town for one of the museums, which close at the same time. Spend the late afternoon on the waterfront promenade. If you have a second day, continue to Eretria, which is reached by the short ferry from Oropos or by road.
Chalkida: frequently asked questions
How far is Chalkida from Athens?
78.9 km by car, about 1 hour 28 minutes one way. Trains run directly from Athens Railway Station.
Is the old bridge in Chalkida a drawbridge?
No. It is an electrically moved sliding bridge, 42 m long and 11 m wide, in its present form since 1963.
When does the Euripus current change?
In regular phases about every 6 hours, but on 6 to 7 days of a month the changes are irregular, with up to 14 in 24 hours. Do not plan around an exact time.
Is Karababa fortress free?
Yes, entry is free. It is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and closed on Tuesday from 1 April to 31 October. In winter it opens only Friday to Sunday.
Which museum should I visit in Chalkida?
The Arethousa museum costs €10 and the older archaeological museum €5 in 2026. They are at different addresses, and both are closed on Tuesday.