Southern Euboea Attractions
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Southern Euboea, known for its many interesting villages, was one of the hardest hit areas during the 2007 forest fires that swept across regions of Greece.
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Amarynthos, Greece
Nine km/6mi from Erétria is Amárynthos, a small fishing port. To the northeast is the monastery of Áyios Nikólaos, with a tiled facade (16th C. frescoes; view).
Zaraka, Greece
From Zaraka there is a view of a long inlet, at the mouth of which is the island of Kavallianí (probably the ancient Glaukonnesos). The road then climbs a hill, from the top of which there are views of the east coast, extending to Cape Kafareús, and southwest to the bay of Styra, with the much indented island of Styra (ancient Aigleia).
Dystos, Greece
To the right of the road from Lépoura is the acropolis hill of ancient Dystos, at the foot of which is the modern village of the same name (with pieces of ancient masonry built into some of the houses). Beyond this the road frequently passes remains of ancient buildings.
Southeastern Euboea - St Stephan's Chapel
2.5km/1.5mi from Khalkís is the chapel of Áyios Stéfanos. It is on the site of ancient Chalkis, with the spring of Arethusa which was famed in antiquity. The bay of Áyios Stéfanos was the harbor of the ancient city.
Styra, Greece
At Styra houses and a white church of the Panayía extend up the slopes of a hill with twin peaks. At Néa Styra, 1km/.75mile away on the coast, is the site of ancient Styra, of which there are only scanty remains.
Dragon Houses
From Styra a visit can be paid to the famous "dragon houses". It is a stiff 30 minutes' climb to a saddle above the village, from which it is another 15-20 minutes' walk, passing ancient quarries (partly hewn column shafts, dressed blocks, etc.), to the foot of Mt Áyios Nikólaos, where there are three "dragon houses" (ancient stone huts, probably occupied by quarry workers).
Bey's Spring, Greece
Half way between Styra and Kárystos is the Bey's Spring.21km/13mi: road on right to the village of Marmári (on the coast 4km/2.5mi south), now a summer holiday resort. Offshore, to the southwest, are the Nisí Petalií, a group of islands (private property), some with houses on them, others uninhabited.
Lelantic Plain - Fylla Castle
In the cultivated Lelantic Plain, to the left of the village of Vasilikó is the medieval castle of Fylla with three Venetian watch-towers.
