©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Evia & the Sporades Includes ¨ Why Go? Evia ............... 446 Evia (Εύβοια) and the four Sporades islands (Οι Σποράδες) re- Skiathos ........... 452 main largely off the beaten path. Although Evia is Greece’s Skopelos .......... 456 second-largest island, it seems hidden in plain view, only sep- Alonnisos ..........460 arated from the mainland by the narrow Evripos Channel at busy Halkida. Away from this commercial hub, the pace slows Skyros ............ 465 as the landscape stretches out, dotted by hilltop monasteries, small farms, vineyards, hidden bays and curious goats. The Sporades (‘scattered ones’) seem like extensions of the forested Pelion Peninsula, and, in fact, they were joined Best Places in prehistoric times. Skiathos, easily the most developed of the group, claims the sandiest beaches in the Aegean. to Eat Low-key Skopelos kicks back with a postcard-worthy har- ¨ Dina’s Amfilirion bour and forest meadows. Remote Alonnisos anchors the Restaurant (p449) National Marine Park of the Northern Sporades. Skyros, the ¨ Taverna-Ouzerie southernmost of the chain, is known for its culinary and ar- Kabourelia (p454) tistic traditions that date from Byzantine times when these islands were home to rogues and pirates. ¨ To Perivoli Restaurant (p459) ¨ Hayiati (p464) When to Go ¨ Stefanos Taverna (p468) Skiathos Town °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 0.79/20 Best Places 30/86 to Stay 0.39/15 ¨ Hotel Nefeli & Skyrian 20/68 Studios (p467) 0.2/5 10/50 ¨ Atrium Hotel (p456) 0/32 0 ¨ Pension Sotos (p457) J FDM A M J J A S O N ¨ Liadromia Hotel (p463) Feb & Mar Carni- Apr & May Spring Jun & Sep Perfect ¨ Perigiali Hotel & Studios val season keeps is in the air and temperatures and (p468) things warm with Easter festivities clear skies – ideal plenty of merry- linger long into the hiking and swim- making. night. ming conditions. 445 THESSALY Thessaloniki (85km) Psathoura Larisa (55km) 020 km Gioura 012 miles Volos Piperi Kyra Panagia Alonnisos Pagasitikos Pelion Skiathos Peninsula Loutraki Kalamakia Gulf (Glossa Port) AEGEAN Skiathos Peristera Patitiri SEA Platanias Town SPORADES Skopelos Cape Skopelos Dio Adelphi Artemisio Town TH & EVIA Paralia Ellinikon Skantzoura Pefki Kamatadika Vasilika Artemisio Glyfa Oreï Bay Istiea Skyros Kotsikia Skyros Agiokambos Town Angeli Edipsos E Linaria Loutra Rovies SPORAD Edipsou Camping Skyropoula Strofylia Mantoudi Cape Sarakinko Limni Pili Arkitsa Prokopi Agios Evia es Konstantinos Paralia Hiliadou Gulf of (3km) Evia Mt Dirfys Kymi TH & (1743m) Paralia Kymis Politika Steni Platana STEREA E Psahna Loutsa Kambia S ELLADA Ohthonia E75 Nea Artaki Avlonari P Theologos Kalamos OR Halkida Neohori Lepoura A Milos Camping Eretria Aliveri D Agia Apostoli es Lefkandi Amarynthos Krieza Delphi Bay Lake Dhistos H (51km) Thiva Skala Gulf of Zarakes IGHLIGHT (Thebes) Oropou Porto Evia Boufalo Nea Styra Agios Agia Marina Dimitrios Archamboli Kallianos Beach Niborio Styra Mt Ohi S Alkyonides ATTICA Dimosari Gorge (1398m) Gulf Petalia Marmari Lenosei Antia Gulf Myli Potami Elefsina Karystos Rafina Helleniko E94 (Eleusis) Megara ATHENS Petali Karystos Platanistos Bay Corinth Cape Kafireas (Cavo D'Oro) Vouliagmeni Evia & the Sporades Highlights 1 Swimming year-round in only national marine park at 6 Hearing bouzouki music the thermal-fed bay at Loutra Alonnisos (p461). above the kastro overlooking Edipsou (p448) on Evia. 4 Finding crimson poppies Skopelos Town (p457). 2 Hiking the lush 10km and majestic butterflies while 7 Dancing with masked Dimosari Gorge (p451) in hiking the inland meadows of revellers at the carnival in south Evia, then cooling off in Skopelos (p460). Skyros (p465). the sea near trail’s end. 5 Nuzzling up with one of 8 Sampling the monks’ wine 3 Watching for dolphins the gentle and rare Skyrian at Moni Evangelistrias (p455) and cliff-dwelling falcons horses on Skyros (p469). on Skiathos. while sailing around Greece’s .