Pili, Evia: An Unspoiled Paradise for Nature Lovers We’ll Always Return To
When we told our friends we were going to Pili in Evia, even most Greeks were like, “Where is that?!”… As it turned out, Pili is a perfect example of why it’s worth heading to the places no one has heard of.
Before we reached our hotel, we knew we would fall in love with Pili. Wrapped in lush green forest, mountains surround the village with the treeline leading right down to the beach. A craggy, dramatic cliff-face gives panoramic views of the quiet bay and the mysterious outline of Skopelos island shimmering in the distance. The air from the open Aegean sea here even has a fresher feel.
Where to Stay
Our accommodation (Xenia Residence) has a truly outstanding location, perched on the cliff edge above the beach. It’s a modern, tastefully designed apart-hotel.
The Basics: Where is Pili, Evia?
Pilio (Pili) is not to be confused with Pelion, the peninsula south of Volos. Pili in Evia is a small rural village close to Prokopi in North Evia. It is about 1 hour from Halkida (Chalcis) and 2 hours from Athens Venizelos Airport. The region surrounding is mountainous and sparsely populated, perfect if you are looking for a quiet break with hiking opportunities.
They have an excellent restaurant on site (Blue Restaurant) offering fine dining style cuisine. The staff are wonderfully friendly. It has a relaxed homelike feel whilst still being luxurious. As a avid review checker, when I saw one of the very few negative reviews was a complaint that “the town is toooooo quiet🙄🙄🙄🙄has nothing, no bar, no souvenirs, no shopping, nothing” I took that as the sign it was perfect for us.
Pili Beach is a 5 minute walk from the hotel via a path directly down the cliff. It’s a beautiful walk through the trees but it’s not stroller-friendly, so if you have a baby you need a carrier. Alternatively, you can walk on the road (20 minutes) or drive.
Visit Pili, Evia for:
- Unspoilt nature
- Blissful quiet
- Natural beaches
- Beautiful tavernas
- Authentic village feel
- Boutique, family-friendly hotel with the best views
What to Do in Pili
We spent two nights in Pili and used the time to fully relax. We visited the beach and took advantage of the view from our balcony. On our main day, we took a walk into the village. In future, when we return, I intend to explore hiking opportunities in the region.
There is a hike which takes you across three peaks of the mountain behind the village (Mavrovouni, Elatakia and Pyharias) which involves 1350 m of ascent and about 20 km walking – not for the faint-hearted!
Additionally, the drive south down the coast to Limnionas seems like an adventure I will blog about one day – probably one where will be thankful to have a 4WD and Steffen’s driving skills.
Beaches in Pili
There are a couple of beaches nearby. Pili Beach is the largest and fills the whole bay. A short walk along the coastline brings you to the beautiful Karvouna beach, much smaller and more natural. It’s not accessible via road and the footpath requires you to be steady on your feet. We took our little one in the baby carrier – it’s definitely not accessible with a stroller. The beach is stony – but the smooth kind – so it is great for swimming.
Pili Village
It’s definitely worth taking a walk to the village. Pili village seems to have been unimpacted by the relentless modernisation of the rest of the world. It’s not big but there are a few traditional shops – butchers, bakers and grocery stores, a church and naturally, a coffee shop. The houses are small and beautiful with shady gardens, tomatoes and beans running up wooden stakes outside. Notably, the tavernas are particularly beautiful. We stopped to eat in Petrino Taverna, which is not only stunning but has great food!
Sometimes I write a post and I’m literally thinking – I don’t want people to read this, I want it to stay off the radar. Pili was definitely one of those places. We absolutely loved our stay and will definitely be back. As exhausted parents, it was exactly the peaceful environment we needed to relax. It is now our go-to place for having some much-needed time out. Next time, we will be back for a longer stay – and to check out those hiking trails!
Undiscovered Evia
A continuous blog series exploring activities and cultural aspects of Evia – the best hiking routes, authentic cuisine, most beautiful beaches, traditional villages, local artisans and products. Experience from myself as a foreigner living on the island of Evia, for visitors to Greece.
AI Disclaimer
AI was used during the writing process for this post.
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