Evia (North)
3.6/5Thermal springs, Lichadonisia islets and the wild northern coast — Edipsos is the base
Edipsos as your base for two nights of thermal springs, the Lichadonisia day-trip, and the wild north Aegean coast.
Why 3.6: genuinely low prices and easy access — but you cannot do it without a car.
Northern Evia is the Greece of mineral hot springs and forested coastlines — quieter than the south, more therapeutic than touristic. Edipsos has been a thermal-bath destination since Homer; today it's a faded resort town that's exactly the right kind of faded. Limni is a sleepy fishing village next door. North of Limni, the Lichadonisia islets give you turquoise water that looks Caribbean. And the seaside villages of Agia Anna, Pefki and Rovies give you the wilder, less-developed Aegean side. Three days is enough to bathe, swim, and drive the loop without rushing.
Good for
- Anyone who wants thermal bathing — the Edipsos springs run all year, free where they flow into the sea
- Drivers taking a short break from Athens — 1h45 north to Arkitsa, then a 40-minute ferry that takes cars
- Travellers after quiet forested coast at genuinely low prices — Limni, Rovies and Agia Anna are villages first
Maybe skip if
- If you won't drive — north Evia is 1,200 km² of coast and scattered villages, and you cannot do it without a car
- If you want nightlife or a proper island feel — Edipsos is a faded spa town and mainland-adjacent
Getting there
North Evia is reached from Athens via Arkitsa (mainland) — drive 1h45 north, then a 40-minute ferry to Edipsos.
Read full route
Faster than going via the Chalkida bridge plus the long internal drive. Frequent crossings, takes cars.
Tip: Use the Arkitsa ferry, not the Chalkida bridge — saves 90 minutes and the Aegean crossing is part of the trip.
Best time to visit Evia (North)
Northern Evia revolves around the Edipsos thermal springs (Greece's most famous spa baths) and the Lichadonisia islets. The springs work all year — even January is fine in the steaming pools while it rains outside. Beach season is June-September. The island took heavy fire damage in 2021; the north has recovered well, the forests are growing back.
Top beaches of Evia (North)
Agia Anna Beach
- Type
- sandy
- Length
- Depth
- Wind
- Facilities
Lichadonisia
- Type
- rocky
- Length
- Depth
- Wind
- Facilities
Pefki Beach
- Type
- sandy
- Length
- Depth
- Wind
- Facilities
3-day itinerary for Evia (North)
Read the day-by-day plan on its own page →
Day 1: Athens → Edipsos & the Springs
- 10:00 · Drive Athens → Arkitsa → Ferry → Edipsos
Drive 1h45 north to Arkitsa, then a 40-minute ferry crossing puts you in Edipsos. Faster than driving via the Chalkida bridge.
- 🍴 Stop for lunch · Edipsos — see Eat & Drink below
- 15:30 · Edipsos Thermal Springs
The free public springs (Cave of Sulla) flow into the sea — bring a swimsuit. Or pay €15-25 at Thermae Sylla or Galini hotels for a private hot pool.
- 19:00 · Sunset stroll — Edipsos seafront
The promenade is lined with Belle Époque hotels and shaded cafés. Walk it slowly, end at one of the older kafeneia for ouzo.
Day 2: Lichadonisia & Limni
- 09:30 · Lichadonisia Day-Trip Boat
From Agios Georgios (15 min from Edipsos), boats run all day to the Lichadonisia islets. Turquoise water you don't expect this far north — Greece's answer to a Caribbean lagoon.
- 🍴 Stop for lunch · Lichada — see Eat & Drink below
- 17:00 · Limni Village
Sleepy fishing village 30 minutes south of Edipsos. Stone houses, narrow lanes, working fishermen. Walk to Galataki Monastery (10 min drive) for the views.
- 🍴 Stop for dinner · Limni — see Eat & Drink below
- 23:00 · Drive back to Edipsos
Long drive back across the north (about 45 minutes from Limni). Dark coastal road, mostly empty at this hour. The thermal town centre is quiet at night — perfect for one last late-night spring soak before bed.
Day 3: Agia Anna Coast & Departure
- 10:00 · Drive south to Agia Anna
1h15 south through pine forests on the wilder Aegean side. Stop at Pefki on the way — small fishing harbour with two good kafeneia. - 12:00 · Agia Anna Beach
1.5km of fine sand and cedar trees right next to the water. One of Evia's longest beaches, never crowded outside August. Few tavernas at the south end for lunch.
- 16:00 · Drive back via Chalkida → Athens
From Agia Anna, the fastest way home is south through Chalkida (2h to Athens). The bridge crossing at sunset is a nice closing image.
How does Evia (North) compare?
Evia (North) vs Evia (Central) · Evia (North) vs Evia (South)