Pick the area first, then the hotel
Evia is the second largest island in Greece, and driving between its regions takes hours. For a hotel search that means one thing: choose the area that matches your plans, then look at rooms. The north has the hot springs town of Edipsos and the seaside village of Limni. The centre has Chalkida with its bridges and Eretria with its coast and ancient site. The south has Karystos beside Mount Ochi and the ferry port of Marmari.
These are practical areas for planning, not an official division of the island. Room prices change with the date, so compare current offers for your own dates. If you would rather have the days organised, see our Evia tours and day trips before you decide where to sleep.
North, centre and south compared
Route times are guides from the road, not live traffic.
| Area | Base towns | Good for | How you arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Edipsos, Limni | Hot springs, a seafront village, the monastery near Limni | Ferry from Arkitsa to Loutra Edipsou, or the road over the Chalkida bridge (Athens to Limni 154 km, about 2 h 34 min) |
| Centre | Chalkida, Eretria | Bridges, museums, the ancient site and the harbour | Road or train to Chalkida, ferry from Oropos to Eretria |
| South | Karystos, Marmari | Mount Ochi, the sea fortress, the Dimosari route and the dragon houses | Ferry from Rafina to Marmari, or the road (Athens to Karystos 191 km, about 3 h 29 min) |
| East coast | Kymi | A harbour on the Aegean side | Road; ferries to Skyros leave from here |
For most short trips without a car, Chalkida is the easiest base, because trains and buses run there from Athens. With a car, pick one region and stay put rather than trying to see the whole island from one hotel.
Our pick: a day out from the central coast
The wine tour picks you up in Chalkida, Eretria or Amarynthos, so you can stay there without a car.
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.
Tours and day trips on Evia
Boat trips, hikes and guided day trips from the island's towns, with live prices and availability.
Where to stay in the north
Edipsos and Limni.
Edipsos
Edipsos, also called Loutra Edipsou, is the hot springs town. Thermal water meets the sea here, and a paid bathing facility is separate from the natural springs by the shore. In the 2026 season only the outdoor pool is in use. A stay here suits you if the springs are the reason for the trip.
Edipsos guide →Limni
Limni is a seaside village on the northern gulf with neoclassical houses and a harbour. The Galataki monastery lies nearby. The north is a long way from the south, so Limni suits a stay focused on this coast.
Limni guide →The 2021 fire
The north was hit by a large fire in August 2021, and a state reconstruction programme is still running. Do not assume unchanged landscapes along every trail, and check current conditions before you plan a hike.
Where to stay in the centre
Chalkida and Eretria.
Chalkida
Chalkida lies on both sides of the Euripus strait and is the capital of Evia. Direct trains run between Athens and Chalkida every day, and the bridges carry the road. It is a well connected base, with a promenade, the Karababa fortress and two archaeological museums.
Chalkida guide →Eretria
Eretria sits on the southern Evian Gulf, across from Oropos, with a harbour, a promenade and beaches. The ancient city and its museum are in town. The Oropos ferry takes about 20 minutes, so Eretria works as a base if you cross from Oropos.
Eretria guide →Where to stay in the south and on the east coast
Karystos, Marmari and Kymi.
Karystos
Karystos is a southern coastal town with a harbour, neoclassical buildings and Mount Ochi behind it. The Bourtzi sea fortress, the Dimosari route and the dragon houses are regional sights. It is the right base if the south is the goal.
Karystos guide →Marmari
Marmari is the port where the Rafina ferry lands. The ferry does not land in Karystos, so check how you will get from the port to your hotel.
Kymi
Kymi is a harbour on the Aegean side, away from the bridges and the gulf. It is the ferry port for Skyros, a separate island.
Before you book
Four checks that apply to every area.
Ask about parking
Parking at a hotel or in a town centre cannot be taken for granted. Ask before you arrive with a car.
Check the season
The public thermal bath in Edipsos runs from 6 July to 30 or 31 October in 2026, and the Karababa fortress opens fewer days from November to March. Match your dates to what you want to see.
Count the drive
Use the distances above to place your base. A day trip across the island means several hours behind the wheel.
Compare current offers
Prices and availability depend on the date. Compare rooms for your own dates. For the route in, read about getting to Evia from Athens.
Where to stay on Evia: frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay on Evia?
It depends on the plan. Choose Edipsos for the hot springs, Chalkida for easy rail and bus links, Eretria for the ancient site and a coastal setting, and Karystos for the south. Evia is large, so avoid one base for the whole island.
Is it better to stay in Chalkida or on the coast?
Chalkida is well connected, with trains from Athens and the bridges. Coastal towns such as Eretria, Limni and Karystos offer a seaside setting but are farther from each other.
Can I reach Evia without a car?
Yes. Direct trains run from Athens to Chalkida, and the bus operator KTEL Evia serves the island. Check the current timetable before you travel.
How far is the north from the south?
From Chalkida it is about 127 km to Edipsos and about 118 km to Karystos, each roughly 2.5 hours by road.
Where should I stay for the hot springs?
Edipsos, also called Loutra Edipsou. In the 2026 season the public bath runs from 6 July to the end of October, daily 08:00–16:00, with the outdoor pool only. Compare current rooms for your own dates before you book.