City of Unique Beauty

Peaceful and picturesque, Karystos in Evia exudes an aura of cosmopolitanism from another era.

Neoclassical buildings, wide streets, squares, and modern urban planning are owed to the Bavarian engineer Mirbach, who designed the modern city in 1843 on the orders of King Otto.

Built at the end of a horseshoe-shaped bay and protected from the winds, the city combines the tranquility of a provincial town with the tourist development that has emerged in recent years.

Divided between the Evian Gulf and the Aegean Sea, the region of Karystia is famous for its rare flora, picturesque villages, beautiful gorges of the Ochi mountain range, and sandy beaches with the wild beauty of the wider area.

It is known for its rocky landscape with steep coves and deep blue waters – but above all, for the wind-swept Cape Kavo Doro (Caphareus).

Crossroads of Civilizations

The area has a rich history. Its geographical location made Karystos a crossroads between mainland Greece, the Aegean, and the East from ancient times.

The city particularly flourished during the Roman era due to the intensive exploitation of its quarries.

The Famous Karystos Marble (Cipollino Antico)

With its characteristic green or red “veins,” it became a major export product and remains a popular choice in architecture to this day.

The city was an important commercial center in more recent times, as evidenced by the medieval monuments that remind us of the passage of the Franks, Lombards, and Venetians.

A Landscape Full of Contrasts:

The villages of Karystia have a rich tradition in livestock farming and winemaking and are characterized by the variety of the landscape, so don’t miss the opportunity to visit them.

Aetos, with its gardens and orchards, is located to the east of Karystos, while 5 kilometers north of the city is the village of Myloi, named after the mills that once stood by the stream running through the area.

Admire the panoramic view and the crystal-clear waters in the villages of Grambias and Mekounida, located west of Castello Rosso, which supplied water to the castle through a Roman aqueduct, and enjoy the lush landscape in Kalyvia.

Heading south, 25 kilometers from Karystos, you will find Platanistos, the largest of the villages in Kavo Doro.

Centuries-old plane trees, chaste trees, and willows create an oasis of coolness in the dry and rocky landscape of the cape, while nearby lie the ruins of a settlement dedicated to Poseidon.

The Most Unique Village of Kavo Doro

Undoubtedly, the most unique village of Kavo Doro is Antiás, located between the peaks of Aidóni and Miliá of Mount Ochi. The reason? The whistling language, a communication code composed entirely of whistles.

Since the village’s inhabitants are now few, don’t miss the opportunity to visit them and hear this unique language.

Must-See Sights:

Bourtzi: The Venetian fortress at the eastern edge of Karystos’ harbor is a well-preserved medieval monument and the city’s trademark.

The fortress is two-storied with a hexagonal shape, featuring many battlements and 24 cannon ports in its outer fortification.

During the summer months, Bourtzi hosts an art exhibition with works by artists from Karystos and Southern Evia.

Giokaleio Cultural Center: The legacy of benefactor Nikolaos Giokalas is located on the beach of Karystos, almost opposite Bourtzi and the Bournias Park. It houses a library with 11,000 volumes and a reading room, as well as a multi-purpose hall for events.

Archaeological Museum of Karystos: Housed in the western wing of the Giokaleio Cultural Center, its collection includes sculptures, inscriptions, and figurines from the wider region of Karystia, with exhibits dating from prehistoric times to the Roman period.

The museum also showcases findings from the legendary Dragon Houses of Ochi.

Castello Rosso: The imposing Red Castle, as the locals call it, is located at the foothills of Mount Ochi, between the villages of Grambias and Myloi.

Gaze at the panoramic view of Karystos Bay from the medieval Castello and admire the rare wildflowers growing on the fortress walls.

The Dragon House of Ochi: Just before the summit of “Prophet Elias” on Mount Ochi and east of the chapel of the same name lies the most impressive of the mysterious Dragon Houses of Evia.

The cyclopean structure – the slab above its entrance weighs 10 tons – remains a subject of research, inspiring countless legends.

Activity Suggestions:

The area offers both sea and mountain activities. Choose from diving at the shipwrecks of Kavo Doro and jet ski races in Karystos to mountaineering and hiking on the stunning trails and gorges of Ochi.

Explore the waterfalls of Platanistos and the cave of Agia Triada in Kalyvia, go mountain biking, or enjoy horseback riding at the Karystos Riding Club. The options are many, so… get ready.

Best Beaches:

From organized beaches and endless sandy shores to secluded small coves, the beaches of Karystos cater to every preference.

For those seeking comfort and organized facilities, Kremala, Ria, and Galida are ideal choices, a short distance west of the city center.

The sandy beaches of Psili Ammos, Bouros, and Alykes (Kavos) are a must for water sports enthusiasts and families, as their shallow waters are perfect for swimming and playing with children.

All three beaches are located on the eastern side of Karystos Bay and have tourist facilities.

If you seek tranquility, choose one of the four consecutive coves of Agia Paraskevi, with its mildly rocky landscape, west of Karystos.

For those who love contrasts, head to Kavo Doro: About 30 kilometers from Karystos lies Potami, a wide strip of sand at the mouth of the Platanistos stream, with a view of the island of Andros, which will enchant you.

Harmoniously combining the blue of the Aegean Sea with the beautiful plane tree forest close to the sea, this beach is the most popular along the Kavo Doro coastline and is ideal for free camping.