Evia (South)

Day 1: Athens → Karystos & Castello Rosso

Overnight: Karystos

1. 10:00 · Drive Athens → Rafina → Ferry to Marmari
   30min drive to Rafina, then 1h ferry to Marmari (frequent crossings, takes cars). Marmari to Karystos is another 15 min drive.
2. 13:30 · Lunch — Cavo D'Oro (Karystos seafront)
   Right on the harbour, tables almost in the water. Order grilled octopus and the local kavourosalata (crab salad).
3. 16:00 · Castello Rosso (Bourtzi)
   13th-century Venetian-built castle on the hill above Karystos. 30-minute climb up — sunset views over the bay are the reward. The lower 'Bourtzi' tower in town is also worth the 15 minutes.
4. 20:00 · Dinner — Stou Reuma (Karystos)
   Slightly inland from the harbour, family-run, traditional. The lamb in lemon and the bourdeto (spicy fish stew) are why people drive over from Athens.

Day 2: Mt Ochi & the Dragon Houses

Overnight: Karystos

1. 08:30 · Drive to the Mt Ochi trailhead (Mili village)
   30min drive northeast to Mili — the village at the foot of Mt Ochi where the trail begins. Park, fill water bottles at the village spring.
2. 10:00 · Hike Mt Ochi → Dragon Houses
   3-hour hike to the summit (1,398m). The reward is the prehistoric Drakospita — massive stone structures of unknown origin from ~600 BC. Views across to Andros and the open Aegean.
3. 14:00 · Lunch — Mili village taverna
   Back at the trailhead. Whatever the family has cooked that day — lamb on the spit, wild greens, mountain potatoes. Closes when the food runs out.
4. 16:30 · Kallianos Beach (or rest)
   If you have legs left — drive 30min to Kallianos for an afternoon swim. Or back to Karystos for an iced coffee on the harbour.
5. 20:30 · Dinner — Marina (Karystos)
   Modern fish taverna at the marina end of town. Lighter than Stou Reuma — fresh sashimi-style raw fish, ouzo with mezedes, local wine.

Day 3: Dimosari Gorge & Departure

1. 09:00 · Drive to Lenosaioi village (Dimosari trailhead)
   40min drive northeast through the mountains to Lenosaioi — the village where the gorge walk starts. Or hire a 4x4 transfer; the locals know.
2. 10:00 · Walk Dimosari Gorge
   3-hour walk through one of Greece's prettiest gorges — running water year-round, plane trees, small natural pools to swim in along the way. Ends at Kallianou beach.
3. 13:30 · Lunch & swim — Kallianou Beach
   The gorge spits you out at one of the wildest beaches on the island — rocks, clear water, no development. Two seasonal canteens for cold beer and grilled fish.
4. 17:00 · Drive back to Marmari → Ferry → Athens
   1h drive back, 1h ferry to Rafina, 30min drive to Athens. Total ~3h door to door. Book the ferry in advance for summer weekends.