©Lonely¨Planet¨Publications¨Pty¨Ltd Evia & the Sporades Why Go? Evia ...........................439 Evia (Εύβοια) and the four Sporades islands (Οι Σποράδες) The Sporades ............444 remain largely off the beaten island path, though two bridg- es at Halkida join Evia to the mainland. But away from its Skiathos ....................444 commercial hub of Halkida, the pace slows as the landscape Skopelos ....................448 stretches out, dotted by hilltop monasteries, small farms, Alonnisos ...................452 vineyards and not a few curious goats. Skyros ........................ 457 The Sporades (‘scattered ones’) seem like extensions of the forested Pelion Peninsula, and, in fact, they were joined in prehistoric times. Skiathos, easily the most developed of the group, claims the sandiest beaches in the Aegean. Best Places to Eat Low-key Skopelos kicks back with a postcard-worthy har- ¨¨Dina’s Amfilirion bour and forest meadows. Remote Alonnisos anchors the Restaurant (p441) National Marine Park of the Northern Sporades. Skyros, the southernmost of the chain, is known for its culinary and ar- ¨¨Taverna-Ouzerie tistic traditions that date from Byzantine times when these Kabourelia (p446) islands were home to rogues and pirates. ¨¨Nastas Ouzerie (p450) ¨¨Hayati (p456) ¨¨Taverna Mouries (p462) When to Go Skíathos Town Best Places to °C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm Stay 40/104 0.79/20 ¨¨Hotel Nefeli (p459) 30/86 0.39/15 ¨¨Atrium Hotel (p448) 20/68 ¨¨Pension Sotos (p450) 0.2/5 10/50 ¨¨Liadromia Hotel (p454) 0/32 0 ¨¨Perigiali Hotel & Studios J F M A M J J A S O N D (p460) Feb & Mar Carni- Apr & May Spring Jun & Sep val season keeps is in the air and Perfect tempera- things warm with Easter festivities tures and clear plenty of merry- linger long into skies – ideal hik- making. the night. ing conditions. 438 THESSALY Thessaloniki (85km) Psathoura Larisa Gioura (55km) 0 20 km 0 12 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 Evia & th Artemisio Town Skantzoura Pefki Kamatadika Artemisio Glyfa Vasilika Oreï Istiea Skyros Town Kotsikia Agiokambos Skyros E Edipsos Angeli Sporad Linaria Loutra Rovies Agia Anna Camping Skyropoula Edipsou Strofylia Cape Sarakinko Limni Pili Arkitsa Prokopi Agioses Evia Konstantinos Gulf of Paralia Hiliadou (3km) & Evia Mt Dirfys Kymi T (1743m) Paralia Kymis h Politika Steni Platana E STEREAS Psahna Katheni Ohthonia ELLADAP E75 Nea Artaki Avlonari or Halkida Kalamos A Neohori d Lepoura Eretria Aliveri es Milos Camping Agia Apostoli Lefkandi Amarynthos Krieza Delphih Bay Lake Dhistos (51kmighligh ) Thiva Skala Gulf of Zarakes (Thebes) Oropou Porto Evia Boufalo Cape Kafireas (Cavo D'Oro) ts Agia Marina Nea Styra Styra Kallianos Niborio Mt Ohi Alkyonides ATTICA Dimosari Gorge (1398m) Gulf Petalia Marmari Lenosei Antia Gulf Myli Elefsina Rafina Karystos Platanistos E94 (Eleusis) Megara Platanistos ATHENS Petali Karystos Bay Bay Corinth Vouliagmeni Evia & the Sporades Highlights 1 Swim year-round in the 3 Find your favourite orchids 5 hear great bouzouki music thermal-fed bay at Loutra and butterflies while hiking the after midnight above the Edipsou (p441), on Evia inland meadows of Skopelos kastro overlooking Skopelos 2 Watch for dolphins and (p448) Town (p449) falcons while sailing around 4 Nuzzle up with the gentle 6 Sample the monks’ wine greece’s only national marine and rare Skyrian horse on at Moni Evangelistrias on park at Alonnisos (p454) Skyros (p457) Skiathos (p444), where greek independence was declared in 1807.