Edipsos
At a distance of about 20 km from Istiea is Edipsos. Spa town with tradition for its thermal springs.
Apart from the thermal spas and the numerous hotels and rooms to let, Edipsos has many restaurants, taverns, ouzo bars, cafes - patisseries, pizzerias and hangouts for all ages. There are also many shops with traditional products, home art items and unique souvenirs, which are open from early in the morning until late at night, all days of the week, regardless of holidays.
Among the private hydrotherapy centers and hotels, it also operates the "THERMAISYLLA", one of the best hotels and spas in Europe where the style and elegance are combined with relaxation and rejuvenation.
In Edipsos, there is also a children's library where the young visitors of the area can be creatively occupied, as well as a multiplex with various electronic and electric games for all ages which is open from early afternoon until late at night.
Edipsos with its miraculous thermal springs
The thermal springs of Edipsos, although known from mythology and prehistoric times, were exploited during the Roman Rule and in a way that made Edipsos the oldest tourist destination in Europe. «Edipsos has proven to be a common place of residence for Greeks», writes Plutarch among the many he has written about the huge prosperity of the spa town during the period from 200 BC until at least 300 AD.
From this time and due to the identification of Edipsos with the Roman way of life, there was a gradual decline which ended after 1213 in the complete extinction of the glorious spa town.
The new and rapid development of the spa town began in the early twentieth century with initially, very auspicious prospects for Northern Evia, due to the quality of the thermal springs and the unique natural environment of Edipsos. However, various circumstances later slowed down growth rates, allowing European spa towns of inferior value of Edipsos, to enjoy today economic benefits greater than the highest quality, oldest and most beautiful spa town in Europe.
