Chalkida: The city of crazy waters

The city of Chalkida welcomes you with wonderful seafood and a unique tidal phenomenon, the "Crazy Waters"

The city of Chalkida is located in the oblong Evia, the second largest island of Greece... But you don't have to take a ferry to get there. Instead, there are two bridges. The magnificent suspension bridge is impressive but the real magic, the "crazy waters" of the Euboean Gulf, is best seen from the old bridge of Chalkida a little further.

It may seem like a very small tide for those accustomed to the Atlantic, but this phenomenon is not observed anywhere else on the planet. Every six hours the tides here change direction, for reasons that science is not yet able to fully explain.

Hundreds of visitors come to Chalkida on a day trip from Athens, though not just to see the strange tides. Most likely, they are attracted by the cozy atmosphere, cafes and bars, walks by the coast and delicious seafood.

Things to do in Chalkida

Cross the bridge and welcome to Evia

Under the old bridge that connects Chalkida with mainland Greece, you will see something that does not happen anywhere else in the world. Every six hours, the currents swell and change direction. This strange behavior is somehow due to the moon's gravitational pull and the difference in sea level between the northern and southern parts of the Euboean Gulf, but the details remain a bit murky.

Walk along the waterfront with seafood delicacies

The lively beach of Chalkida invites you to walk among fishermen, wandering artists and street vendors and then sit down for a coffee or a drink among groups of happy friends. The waterfront is lined with tavernas, each with its own trademark style. Choose the one that attracts you and discover delicious fresh seafood. In the evening, city lights illuminate the sea while enjoying a cocktail at one of the music bars along the coast.

Visit the castle that once protected Chalkida

Time to visit the one remaining castle of the two that guarded Chalkida until the 19th century. The castle of Kanithos, or Karababa if you prefer, is located on the top of the green hill of Fourka and is one of the most impressive sights in the area. It was completed in 1684 and proved vital in preventing the conquest of Chalcis by Francesco Morosini during the Turkish-Venetian war that was raging at that time. It no longer protects the city, but still has the best views of the bay and mainland opposite.

The hidden gems of Chalkida

Archaeological Museum of Chalkida

You will be greeted by a headless hermaic column located in the Venetian fortress. In the courtyard, you will find capitals, tombstones and larger-than-life statues from the Roman era.

The architecture

Among the beautiful old buildings you will find in Chalkida is the Red House, built in 1884. the House of Statues, constructed by the Society of Euboean Studies in 1891. the Town Hall, a mixture of Baroque and Italian eclecticism. and the Kriezotis mansion and the Karakostas mansion.

The mosques

In the capital of Evia, you will discover a story that will surprise you. Of the eleven mosques that existed in the city, only the one on Kotsou Street survives, its minaret was removed. The mosque of Emir Zade was built in the first years after the Turkish conquest. An engraved inscription in Arabic can be seen at the entrance and inside there is a nice collection of Byzantine mosaics and ceramics.

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