Agioi Apostoloi, Petries: A Pirate Hideout Until Recently Called Paralia Petrión

Greece | Petries | Kymi-Aliveri, Southern Evia

The village now called Agioi Apostoloi carried a different name until 1940: Paralia Petrión, after the inland village of Petries it serves as the coastal extension of. The harbour sits in a small, protected cove on the southeastern coast of Evia, enclosed enough by low cliffs that local legend holds medieval pirates used this exact bay, along with the surrounding secluded beaches, as a hideout — the steep coastline and calm water offering precisely the kind of shelter from pursuit that would have made it useful for exactly that purpose. There is a separate, unrelated Agioi Apostoloi near Chania on Crete, known for its own beaches and a sardine festival, and the two should not be confused when searching for either.

What is generally called Agioi Apostoloi Beach is, more precisely, Spela — the specific sandy and pebbly stretch inside the harbour itself, shallow and calm, equipped with a beach bar offering coffee, food, and drinks. The wider area around the village contains a genuinely long list of additional named beaches, each with its own character: Klimaki, near Petries, shaded by tamarisk trees and known for its fish tavernas; Kakolimano, whose name translates as rough harbour but which is in fact sheltered from the northern winds and calm; Cheromylos, exposed to the same northern winds and correspondingly wilder; and Korasida, a pebble beach whose stones have been compared to sugared almonds set in clear turquoise water. The rocky islet of Gamila is visible from the port.

Getting There: No Buses, a Drive via Lepoura and Krieza, or a Ferry Shortcut

There is no bus service to Agioi Apostoloi, and a private vehicle is effectively required. From Chalkida, the route heads east past Aliveri, turning at Lepoura toward Karystos via Krieza, then following signs for Petries and finally Agioi Apostoloi — a more roundabout path than a direct line south from Aliveri, and one I would map out in advance rather than relying on general direction alone. The full drive from Athens covers roughly 140 kilometres, about 65 kilometres from Chalkida, and takes a little over two hours.

Two ferry crossings can shorten the mainland portion of the drive: from Oropos to Eretria, or from Agia Marina to Styra, both adding a short sea crossing in exchange for less time on the road. Parking is available at the entrance to the village and along the coastal road, though spaces fill quickly on August weekends.

The Beach: Spela Inside the Harbour, Shallow and Calm, About 300 Metres

Spela, the harbour beach, runs for roughly 300 metres, a mixture of thick sand and small pebbles with shallow, clear water well suited to long swims or simply wading without concern. The cove’s enclosed geometry, framed by low cliffs, gives the whole village an almost secret feel despite a gentle rise in visitor numbers in recent years. Local cats, geese, and seagulls move freely around the tables of the waterfront tavernas, a detail several visitors mention with evident affection rather than complaint.

Beach bars along the sand provide umbrellas, loungers, and drinks without excessive intrusion on the otherwise quiet social atmosphere, while the tavernas spilling onto the waterfront serve fresh fish and traditional dishes with what one account describes as minimal fuss and maximum flavour.

The Surrounding Villages and Dystos Lake

Inland from the coast, the villages of Pano Petries, Krieza, Koskina, Argyro, and Dystos offer their own architecture and cultural character, alongside the wetland of Dystos Lake, a habitat of ecological interest within easy reach of the coastal village. Traditional agriculture and fishing remain part of the area’s identity, alongside the historical monuments scattered through the surrounding countryside.

Agioi Apostoloi, known until 1940 as Paralia Petrión, sits in a small, sheltered cove on Evia’s southeastern coast that local legend identifies as a medieval pirate hideout. The village’s specific swimming beach, Spela, lies inside the harbour, roughly 300 metres of sand and pebble with shallow, calm water, while the wider area contains numerous additional named beaches including Klimaki, Kakolimano, Cheromylos, and Korasida. No buses reach the village, and the drive from Chalkida runs via Lepoura and Krieza rather than directly south from Aliveri. Roughly 140 kilometres and just over two hours from Athens, with ferry shortcuts available from Oropos or Agia Marina.

Drive via Lepoura and Krieza. Swim at Spela inside the harbour. Explore Klimaki or Korasida if you want a different stretch of sand.