Thermal Destination
Good to Know
Aidipsos · Greece
On the green northern coast of Evia, the spa town of Aidipsos has drawn bathers to its steaming, mineral-rich waters since antiquity — the same springs where the Roman general Sulla once took the cure.
Getting there
Aidipsos (Loutra Edipsou) sits on the north-west coast of the island of Evia. The quickest approach is the short car ferry from Arkitsa on the mainland, which crosses to Loutra Edipsou in around 40 minutes. By road, cross the bridge at Chalkida onto Evia and drive north; Athens International Airport (ATH) is roughly a three-hour drive away, making the town an easy addition to a wider Greek itinerary.
Best time to visit
The thermal springs flow hot all year round, so Aidipsos is a genuine four-season destination. Spring and autumn bring mild weather that is perfect for long soaks and coastal walks, while summer lets you pair the spas with swimming in the Aegean. Even winter has its devotees, when bathing in open-air thermal water as the sea steams around you is at its most atmospheric.
What to see
Do not miss the open-air thermal cascades, where naturally hot water tumbles over the rocks and meets the sea in clouds of steam. Stroll the palm-lined seafront promenade, visit the EOT hydrotherapy centre, and seek out the remains of the ancient Roman baths. The town’s belle-époque hotels recall a glamorous era when Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas all came to take the waters.
Waters loved by the Romans
More than 80 thermal springs surface in and around Aidipsos, with temperatures reaching up to around 84 °C. Rich in salts and minerals, they were prized in antiquity for treating rheumatism and fatigue — a reputation that drew Roman aristocracy and gives the flagship Thermae Sylla its name.
Roman Aidipsos
Where Sulla and emperors sought the sacred waters
The hot springs of Aidipsos were famed across the ancient world. The Roman dictator Sulla came to ease his ailments — lending his name to the Thermae Sylla — while Aristotle, Strabo and Plutarch all wrote of waters that have welled up from the earth, unbroken, for more than two thousand years.
Plan your stay
Found your reason to visit? Now find the perfect place to stay beside the springs.Where to stay in Aidipsos