Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Skyros
Paralia Kymis
1¾hr
€9
1-2 daily
TOP OF CHAPTER
Central Evia
From Halkida, the road veers south, following the coastline to Eretria, a bustling resort
and archaeological site. Further on, a string of hamlets and fishing villages dot the route
until the junction at Lepoura, where the road forks north towards Kymi. A rough dirt
road winds west from Kymi to the beach at Paralia Hiliadou.
Halkida Χαλκίδα
POP 69,940
Mentioned in the 'Iliad', Halkida (aka Halkis) was a powerful city state in the 7th cen-
tury BC. The name derives from the bronze that was manufactured here in antiquity.
Today, it's a gateway to Evia and is a lively commercial centre. As evening approaches,
the waterfront promenade by the Old Bridge comes to life.
To glimpse Halkida's interesting religious history, head up Kotsou towards the
kastro
(castle) to find a striking 15th-century
mosque
and 19th-century
synagogue
, adjacent to
Plateia Tzami. About 150m south is the Byzantine
church
of Agia Paraskevi. An
Ar-
chaeological Museum
(Leoforos Venizelou 13; admission €2;
8am-3pm Tue-Sun)
displays
marble and bone figurines from the Early Bronze Age.
Sleeping & Eating
Best Western Lucy Hotel
HOTEL $$$
( 22210 23831;
www.lucy-hotel.gr
;
Voudouri 10; s/d/tr/ste incl breakfast €60/80/110/130;
)
Rooms at the well-managed Lucy are on the modern side, with stylish furnish-
ings and long desks. The multilingual staff can clue you in to the adjacent boardwalk
cafe scene.
Pantheon 1900
TAPAS $
(Voudouri; tapas €3-7; lunch & dinner)
Nestled in a handsome waterfront neoclassical
building, this smart tapas bar features great Greek wines, along with tasty small plates
and snappy service.
