Chalkida port

Chalcis (Greek: Χαλκίδα, Chalkida) (population 102,223 in 2011) is the biggest city of the island of Evvia (or Evia or Euboea) in Sterea Hellada (east central Greece). It is the capital of the Prefecture of Evvia. Through the Middle Ages the city was a Venetian fortress, known as "Negroponte".

Understand

Climate

Chalcis
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       45     13 7       48     14 7       43     16 8       28     20 12       17     25 15       9.7     30 20       4.2     33 23       4.6     32 22       12     29 19       48     23 15       51     19 11       67     15 8 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.8     55 44       1.9     56 44       1.7     61 47       1.1     69 53       0.7     78 60       0.4     86 68       0.2     91 73       0.2     90 72       0.5     84 67       1.9     74 59       2     65 53       2.6     58 47 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Get in

New Chalkida Bridge.

Chalkida sits at the entrance to the island from the mainland. The city is built both on the Evvia (island) and the Viotia (mainland) coasts of the strait of Evripos. The two coasts are connected with two bridges.

The city is 69 km away from the Greek capital, Athens. The tour takes approximately 45 minutes. The city can be reached by bus, car or train. There is also a suburban railway connection.

Chalkida is mostly a stop for tourists wanting to see the beautiful beaches of the island, which are mostly laid at the eastern coast (1 - 2.5 hours from Halkida).

Get around

Chalkida has a wonderful urban coastline area, built on the two coasts of the strait of Evripos. As a Greek island, Evia has a warm summer which allows the residents to swim at the many small beaches of the northern section of the city (at both coasts).

See

Castle of Chalkida

• 1 Church of Agia Paraskevi. The Church of Agia Paraskevi is Chalkida’s most notable historic church, originally Byzantine but heavily remodelled under Venetian rule. Its elongated basilica form combines Orthodox tradition with Western Gothic features such as pointed arches and rib-vaulted chapels. The building incorporates reused classical and early Byzantine elements, reflecting the city’s layered past. (updated Jul 2026)
• 2 Karababa Castle. The Karababa Castle stands on a hill on the mainland side of Chalkida, overlooking the Euripus Strait. Largely rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 17th century, it offers sweeping views over the city, the strait, and the surrounding coastline. Only limited traces of earlier fortifications survive, but the setting alone makes it well worth the climb. (updated Jul 2026)
• 3 Diachronic museum Arethousa. The Diachronic Museum Arethousa is a modern archaeological museum in Chalkida, housed in a restored early-20th-century distillery building. Its exhibitions trace the history of Euboea and Skyros from prehistory to modern times, organised thematically around society, economy, religion and cultural identity. Highlights include finds from sites such as Lefkandi and Aulis, alongside multimedia displays that bring the region’s past to life. (updated Jul 2026)
• 4 Kokkino Spiti (red house). Built in 1884 by the French architect Flegish. (updated Jul 2026)
• 5 Emir Zade mosque. A rare surviving Ottoman mosque, built in the 15th century. It was abandoned after the War of Independence, now used for occasional exhibitions. (updated Jul 2026)
• One of the things you should see is the opening of the old suspension bridge which opens every night for half an hour, but you should ask the port authority for a schedule.
• Watch the scientifically interesting tide of Euboean gulf, a phenomenon mostly observed at oceans.

Nearby

• 6 Ancient Aulis. Aulis is best known in Greek mythology as the harbour where the Greek fleet gathered before sailing to Troy. According to legend, the winds failed, and King Agamemnon was compelled to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess Artemis. Today, the site preserves modest archaeological remains, including traces of the sanctuary of Artemis, linking the enduring myth to a real ancient cult centre on this quiet stretch of coast. (updated Jul 2026)

Do

Take the mini-railway (vehicle) making a 30 minute sightseeing circle in the city.

• 1 Liani Ammos Beach. Closest beach to town; simple but convenient. (updated Jul 2026)

Eat

Shells in fish taverns.

Along the coastline you can find plenty of fish taverns, restaurants or just grills with Greek salad and souvlaki. Recommended: "Dioskoufoi" (near the old bridge), "To piato" at Kouredi beach, "Ta Kaikia" under the Venetian fortress.

Drink

Local wine. Visit for a drink: Mostar (bar at the old bridge).

Also, if you want to get a sense of Greek viticulture and wine production, complete with wine tastings, you can visit the Tzivani Winery, which sits inland on the mainland side in the communities of Ritsonia-Avlida.

Sleep

• Hara Hotel, Loukianou Karoni 21 (on mainland side), a functional hotel where rooms have views of the North Euboean Gulf and there's a rooftop bar and complimentary breakfast.

Go next

In summer visit intown: Souvala, Papathanasiou, Kourenti, Sikies, Liani Ammos (best for wind and kite surfing), or nearby beaches: Alikes Drosias (most popular), Leukanti, Nea Artaki (plenty fish taverns). Also visit Eretria (20' by car), a known resort.