 Connecting, from mainland Greece to Evia central by way of the suspension bridge is the most used and popular travel route to the island, and is an ideal option for those who wish to travel to the island with their car or vehicle. The journey over the bridge is very short, and within minutes, you will be on one of the most famous and popular Greek islands, without even setting foot on a ferry boat. This is the island that thousands of Greeks flock to from Athens, both for weekends and longer holidays and vacations.
Further on, a string of hamlets and fishing villages dot the route until the junction at Lepoura, where the road forks north towards Kymi. Several branch roads to the sea are worth exploring, and the beach at Kalamos is divine. Along the coastal road south of Eretria you may still see the scorched hillside from the August 2007 forest fires, especially between the small towns of Amarinthos and Aliveri. Inland, in the direction of Steni and Mt Dryfys, several villages were devastated by the fires, resulting in the tragic loss of precious lives. From the hillside town of Kymi, a rough but passable mountain road leads west above the north coastline to Paralia Hiliadou. The region of Evia central is very well suited for tourism, and you will find a huge selection of different accommodation including Evia hotels, apartments and rooms to let. There are also many travel agencies operating in the area, who will be more than willing to help you arrange a selection of excursions, activities and cruises around Evia and the surrounding area.
Today, it's a lively industrial and agricultural town, but with nothing of sufficient note to warrant an overnight stay. However, if you have an hour to spare between buses perhaps, take a look at the Archaeological Museum (telephone number 22210 60944) at Leoforos Venizelou 13. It's worth the effort, it costs just €2 and is open to the public between 8:30am to 2:30pm on Tuesday through to Sunday. It displays pre-historic, Roma and Hellenic finds from Evia's three ancient cities of Halkida, Eretria and Karystos, including the torso of Apollo from the temple of Dafniforos at Eritria. 
BUSES From Halkida station (telephone number 22210 22640) located on the corner of Papanastasiou and Venizelou, buses run from this Evia central position to:-
TRAINS The Halkida train station (telephone number 2210 22386) is on the mainland side of the bridge. Frequent trains make the run to Athens, via Ioni (normal €5.10 - 1½hours - hourly; intercity €9.40 - 1 hour - 3 daily) and Thessaloniki, via Ioni (normal €12.90 - 5½hours - 6 daily; intercity €33.10 - 4½ hours - 3 daily).
Ancient Eretria was a major maritime power and home to an eminent school of philosophy. The modern town was founded in the 1820's by islanders from Psara fleeing the Turkish. SIGHTS From the top of the ancient acropolis, at the northern end of the town, there are splendid views from Evia central over to the mainland. West of the acropolis are the remains of a palace, temple and theatre with a subterranean passage once used by actors. Close by, the Archaeologicla Museum of Eretria (telephone number 22290 62206) contains well-displayed finds from ancient Eretria. The admission fee is €2 and it opens its doors at 8:30am and closes at 3:00pm Tuesday to Sunday. A 200m walk will bring you to the fascinating House of Mosaics, and ends 50m further at the Sanctuary of Apollo.
Milos Camping (telephone number 22290 60420) Having as a background the mountains of Attica and with the marine breeze of the Evian Gulf to embrace it, Milos is a modern and hospitable camping area and is particularly close to Athens. In Eretria of Evia central, less than 1 kilometre from the city in the region of Milos (Mill) - where the name of the camping came from - in a place that combines ideal natural environment, historical value, clear sea Milos camping is ideally located to offer an ideal and memorable holiday. The location is also very convenient for sightseeing in Athens which is 95km away, Eretria just 1.5km as well as the rest of Evia. It is also possible to travel by public transport. The site is very modern and hygienic with high levels of cleanliness, offers:-
The camp site is open from April to September and the cost is €6/€4.50 per adult/tent. Island of Dreams Hotel (telephone number 22290 61224) Tucked away on a nearby islet connected by a 20m causeway, the palm tree and bungalow setting is ideal for kids who can play Ping-Pong and mini-golf while mum and dad sip a coolone at the beach bar. Prices are
Just past the supermarket, this busy waterfront taverna is know for well-priced fresh fish, along with appetisers like taramasalata (purée of fish roe, potatoe, oil and lemon juice)
Ferry Ferries travel between Eretria and Skala Oropou (€1.40 - 25 minutes - hourly)
Leave 'Evia Central' for the 'Island of Evia'
|
After crossing the bridge to Halkida (Chalkida), the road veers south, following the coastline to Eretria, a bustling resort and major archaeological site.
Heading southeast from Halkida, Eretria is the first place of interest, with a small harbour and a lively boardwalk filled with mainland families who pack its fish tavernas on holiday weekends.
