logo
Greece's second largest island that you won't have heard of has a new hotel – and you can walk to it from the mainland

Greece's second largest island that you won't have heard of has a new hotel – and you can walk to it from the mainland

Scottish Suna day ago

Plus, the affordable holiday island for Brits with white sand beaches and Dubai-like restaurants that is loved by celebs
ISLE GO Greece's second largest island that you won't have heard of has a new hotel – and you can walk to it from the mainland
THE second largest island in Greece is less than an hour from Athens - but most Brits wont have heard of it.
Evia is split off from the mainland by only about 50 metres so visitors can cross the bridge from the mainland.
Advertisement
5
Evia is Greece's second largest island and is home to beautiful beaches
Credit: Alamy
5
It also has a number of thermal springs
Credit: Alamy
The island is welcoming a new hotel resort as well upgrading a current one.
One of the largest hotel investments in Evia is being developed in the Cheromylos area, including a five-star hotel.
The resort will span across 54-acres on the seaside and have a total of 71 rooms, seven bungalows with private pools, wellness facilities, conference rooms and a number of eateries.
Only electric vehicles will be allowed within the hotel complex and at the front of the resort there will be around 200 metres of sandy beach.
Advertisement
Heading over one of the Two Bridges - the Old Bridge and the newer suspension bridge - travellers will find themselves in Chalkida, the capital of the island.
Just 80km away from Athens, Chalkida acts as the main gateway to the island.
And here is where another destination is getting an upgrade.
The Saint Minas Beach hotel is being upgraded to offer better services and facilities.
Advertisement
Throughout the Chalkida there are pedestrian lined streets with quaint cafes and restaurants.
Key landmarks include the Red House - a neoclassical building that features four clay statues.
The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach
5
And it only takes an hour to get there from Athens
Credit: Alamy
The town hall also features stunning architecture.
Advertisement
Visitors won't be short of choice when it comes to historical spots too with The Archeological Museum, the Roman Aqueduct, the Folk Art Museum and a range of breathtaking churches.
Chalkida was even used as a filming location for Triangle of Sadness, which follows the story of a celebrity couple who are invited on a uber-luxury cruise captained by a questionable individual.
Also on the island is Aidipsos - a famous resort which is capable of accommodating 40,000 tourists during the summer season.
Here, travellers can relish in thermal spas that even Aristotle and Plutarch used to visit, according to Discover Greece.
Advertisement
In fact, Aidipsos is home to more than 80 thermal springs with temperatures ranging from 28C to 86C.
Sun-bathing fans are also spoilt for choice, with beaches including Aghios, Minas, Asteria, Rodies and Liani Ammos.
5
The capital of the island was even used as a filming location for movie Triangle of Sadness
Credit: Alamy
One particular beach - Alikes - is home to several vibrant bars that are a great spot for dance lovers wanting to boogie.
Advertisement
And Kalamos Beach features azure blue waters, with one visitor commenting: "One of the most beautiful beaches on Evia".
The same visitor said on Tripadvisor that there are some local tavernas close to the beach and also showers available.
Alternatively, you could head to Armyrichi Beach, which one visitor said on Tripadvisor was "just magical".
The visitor added: "The place [is] untouched by modernism. Both family and romantic couples the place is a must vacation stop."
Advertisement
Prices across the island are pretty cheap as well, with a beer costing around €2.50 (£2.13) and medium glass of white wine costs around €3 (£2.56).
It takes just under an hour to drive from Athens International Airport to Evia.
Brits are also swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches.
Plus, the affordable holiday island for Brits with white sand beaches and Dubai-like restaurants that is loved by celebs.
Advertisement

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight
I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight

SOL LONG I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AFTER years of bouncing between the usual Spanish hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol, there's one beach town I keep going back to - and hardly any Brits know about it. Called El Palmar de Vejer - or just El Palmar by locals - this little surf town on the south-west coast in the province of Cádiz, is one of Spain's best-kept secrets. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 I've found the quieter side of Spain without the Brits Credit: Alamy 7 It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret Credit: Lee Bell 7 There's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts Credit: Alamy It's laid-back, raw, and totally free of the usual Brits-abroad buzz. And that's exactly why it's so good. It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret. Spanish locals love it - especially those from Madrid, who drive down for the summer holidays. But it's rare you'll hear anyone speaking English, and I've never once seen a big group of British tourists here. If you want sun, space, proper Spanish food and a bit of surf, this is the place. El Palmar is all about the beach - and it's a big one. It's long, wide and open, with soft golden sand and a breeze that rolls in off the Atlantic. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' because it's got that same laid-back, surfy vibe you get in California. And they're not wrong - it really does feel like Spain's answer to the west coast of the US. Just less polished - and no loud Americans. Phew. What's more, there's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts. Instead, you'll find only small holiday apartments, beachside glamping sites and independent surf lodges. A lot of the accommodation is low-key - think bungalows behind the dunes or boutique guesthouses a short walk from the beach. One of Spain's oldest beach bars that was loved by A-List stars forced to close — as fans say goodbye to €4 beers and sea views 7 It feels more like California Credit: Alamy The town itself is more of a strip - a few shops, surf schools, and beach bars, all built into the landscape. There's no real centre, but that's part of the charm. It's the kind of place where you can go barefoot all day and no one would batter an eyelid. The whole of El Palmar feels peaceful and raw in the best way. It's not overly polished or fancy, but that's the appeal. You wake up to the sound of waves, stroll out to a café for breakfast, hit the beach, maybe do a surf lesson or just lie in the sun, then head to one of the chiringuitos for lunch. These chiringuitos are what make it for me. These are beach bars right on the sand, serving cold drinks and some of the best seafood I've had in Spain. You can get a table with your feet in the sand, order a plate of prawns or tuna tartare, and just sit watching the waves roll in and the sun in your face. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' for the surfy vibe Most places also do proper Andalusian paella, fried fish, grilled sardines - all cooked fresh and served with a side of salty air. It's not expensive, either. You can get a great meal with drinks for under €20 if you know where to go. In the evenings, some bars have live music - usually acoustic, sometimes a bit of flamenco. It's never full-on party mode, but it's sociable and fun. You won't find bar crawls or club reps here - just locals and in-the-know visitors enjoying the sunsets, which are nearly always amazing. El Palmar's great for doing absolutely nothing. But if you fancy mixing things up, there's a lot to explore nearby. About 15 minutes inland is the whitewashed hill town of Vejer de la Frontera. Here you'll find quaint narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and sweeping views. 7 Visit the nearby Vejer de la Frontera Credit: Alamy 7 Make sure to explore the Old Quarter too Credit: Alamy You can head up for lunch or dinner, wander the old quarter, and enjoy a change of scenery without going too far. Further down the coast is Tarifa - Europe's southernmost town and the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Med. It's more built-up, with a mix of surf shops, Moroccan cafés and tapas bars. It's a great spot if you want something a bit more lively for a day or two - or even to bolt onto your El Palmar trip. And just up the coast is Cádiz city, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Cadiz is full of history, with colourful buildings, crumbling castles, seafood markets and buzzing tapas bars. You could easily spend a day there before heading back to your beach base. How to get there El Palmar's not the easiest place to reach - but that's why you don't see many tourists there, adding to its charm. Hiring a car from airports Seville or Malaga is probably your easiest option. It's under two hours from Seville, and about 2.5 from Málaga. The roads are easy, the views are decent, and once you're there, you'll be glad you didn't mess about with transfers. But if you're lacking a driving licence but have plenty of patience, you can still get there by public transport. From Seville, take a train to San Fernando Bahía Sur station, which is about 1.5 hours away and costs about €17 (£14). From there, it's a 35-minute taxi ride to the beach, which will cost about €70 (£60). You can also go via Cádiz, which has a direct bus to El Palmar run by Transportes Generales Comes. It takes just over an hour and is fairly cheap, between €5–€14. However, buses aren't super frequent and can be even more limited outside of summer. Coming from Málaga? You'll need to train it to Cádiz first (about 3 hours), then catch the same bus down to the coast. All doable, but if you want to avoid the faff, just hire a car. Where to stay, when to go You're not going to find anything super lux at El Palmar, but that's part of its appeal. If you want somewhere stylish but low-key, look at Nexo Surf House, it's got spacious, airy rooms, a restaurant and surf lessons all rolled into one. For something more rustic, the glamping options at Kampaoh are worth a look. Here you'll find safari-style tents with proper beds and private bathrooms, all a short walk from the beach. There are also plenty of local Airbnbs scattered along the coast, many within walking distance to the beach. Some are simple studios, others are bigger houses that are ideal for groups or families. Wherever you stay, you're never far from the sea - and that's the whole point. In the busier summer months of July and August, however, be sure to book well in advance as rooms do get booked up fast by locals. Even then, it's mostly Spanish families, not hordes of tourists. The beach is big enough that it never feels rammed. It's not built for mass tourism, and that's why it's so good. If you want a quieter vibe, I'd opt to go in June or September. The weather's still hot, the sea's warm, and there's lots of space. Flights to Seville from the UK start from around £25 return if you book early enough. If you want a break that's off the beaten track, full of charm, and free from the usual Brit holiday clichés, this is the place to go.

This Brooklyn bar turns viral Dubai chocolate into a boozy cocktail
This Brooklyn bar turns viral Dubai chocolate into a boozy cocktail

Time Out

time3 hours ago

  • Time Out

This Brooklyn bar turns viral Dubai chocolate into a boozy cocktail

Some trends are just too delicious to resist. Most recently, Dubai chocolate has captivated sweets lovers across the globe, drowning social media feeds and emptying wallets everywhere. Already, there are a half dozen places to find Dubai chocolate in NYC. The viral, pistachio-and-phyllo–flecked confection even inspired Sweet Graffiti bakery to add a Middle Eastern twist to their menu, lacing vanilla soft-serve ice cream with Dubai-style chocolate sauce, pistachio cream, and toasted kataifi. Now, another, much boozier rendition has debuted the Arlo Williamsburg: the 'Dubai Me A Drink' cocktail. Sip your dessert by sidling up to the bar at Sungold, the Italian leaning, seasonally-driven restaurant set inside the Brooklyn hotel. Rather than replicate the original Arabic treat, mixologist Armando Acevedo made it his own, infusing his spiked interpretation with nostalgic, high-impact flavors. The creamy, dreamy 'Dubai Me A Drink' swirls 100-percent American corn vodka with house-made pistachio cream, rich chocolate liqueur, cacao bitters, roasted pistachios and a luxurious hint of saffron. To mimic the dazzling, green and gold bars first created by Emirati Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, curvy coup glasses are embellished with generous swipes of chocolate and showering of crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo). The textural contrasts in this cocktail are deliciously thrilling — we can't wait to taste it alongside one of the restaurant's decadent desserts, like Orange Blossom panna cotta or flourless chocolate terrine with raspberry gelato.

Thousands of flights avoid Iran after Israeli strikes
Thousands of flights avoid Iran after Israeli strikes

The Guardian

time3 hours ago

  • The Guardian

Thousands of flights avoid Iran after Israeli strikes

The thousands of aircraft that fly between Europe, North America and Asia moved away from Iranian airspace on 13 June after Israel struck the country with missiles. Aircraft moving east or west through the region instead flew over Saudi Arabia, then south of Israel and over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. The Gulf region is home to two leading transcontinental hubs: Qatar and Dubai. Since the closure of Russian airspace to many airlines after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the region has become one of the main pinch points in global air transport between the eastern and western hemispheres

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store