Right in the heart of Greece, just one and a half hours away from Athens, lies a hidden gem- Steni Evia, a place that is no secret to residents of the Attica basin. Indeed, on weekends, you’ll find many Athenians seeking a brief escape from the daily grind, winding their way up the slopes of Mt Dirfis to this pretty village, perched at an altitude of 400 metres. We had been longing to revisit this place after quite some time, but there was a missing puzzle piece – we didn’t have the right car for doing so. Fortunately, Avis helped us find the perfect solution.
At Avis.gr, we found the ideal vehicle for this excursion – a Peugeot 3008, which is a sturdy SUV that’s capable of comfortably accommodating four people along with their luggage. It was simultaneously agile and swift, just right for those who want to delight in scenic drives through nature while also prioritizing fuel efficiency, a particularly vital concern in times of soaring fuel prices.
Upon exiting the motorway we followed the road that begins in Artaki and winds its way to Kymi. Our destination, Steni, is nestled in between the two. The village is renowned for its regular winter snowfall, but in early October there’s no hint of snow. Instead, a thick mist hangs in the air, creating an ethereal ambiance.
The wider region is a paradise for those who love driving. Our journey would have been considerably more challenging had the fog lights on our car not been in perfect working order, guiding us along the misty road to the village. The only unexpected encounter during our trip was a fox that popped onto the road, shortly before we reached Steni. I am happy to report that our SUV’s brakes performed flawlessly.
Waters, herbs and greenery
A scenic heaven, Steni, which means ‘narrow’, is named for its amphitheaterical-type positioning along a narrow stream. At the heart of Steni lies a charming cobblestone square, adorned with several shops and tavernas, each with outdoor seating under mulberry and plane trees. Round nearly every corner, you’ll come across a cold-water spring flowing from the mountains, a particularly refreshingsight during any time of year. Among the more than 40 springs in Steni, “the doctor’s fountain” is the most renowned. It’s located just outside the village centre, next to the beautifully tree-covered stream that meanders through the settlement. Here, on weekends, stalls are set up selling traditional products such as mountain tea, local herbs from Dirfis, spices, homemade pasta, trahana, honey, walnuts, jams, and spoon sweets.
Between Steni and Loutsa is the Byzantine chapel of Panagia Palaiopanagia, which can also be visited on foot. However, the absolute must-walk is in the Aesthetic Forest of Steni, on the slopes of Mount Dirfis and part of the Natura network. It’s genuinely breathtaking, with flowing waters, gorges, plane trees, chestnut trees, fir trees, oaks, and fragrant wildflowers in abundance.
Starting from Steni’s football field, seasoned hikers can follow trail S-1 towards the well-known Dirfis mountain refuge, perched at an altitude of 1120 metres. The refuge’s location offers stunning, uninterrupted panoramic views, looking to both the Evian Gulf and the Aegean Sea.
We, however, lacked the stamina for such a demanding trek, so on the following day, we opted for an adventurous yet enjoyable drive that started in Steni and ended in Kymi. As we ascended and descended the road leading towards the side of Evia lapped by the Aegean Sea, we were awestruck by the raw beauty of the rugged mountainous terrain, occasionally punctuated by fir tree forests.
The most awe-inspiring spectacle, however, was the sheer cliffs and rocky formations juxtaposed against the azure expanse of the sea on the horizon. Naturally, we navigated this stretch of the journey at a pace that allowed us to fully savour the landscape. The large, clear windows of our car, combined with its impeccable handling on the winding turns, made the experience truly exhilarating.
At Paralia, the charming seaside village in Kymi, we took a leisurely stroll along the beach, indulging in tasty seafood meze dishes, local sweets, and Kymi figs, a signature delicacy of the region, before setting off on our return journey.
During our return to Athens we faced relatively challenging weather conditions, as it was pouring with rain. However, once again, the SUV proved its stealth. We had a smooth and, above all, safe trip. Without a doubt, we will seek to enjoy another such escape soon. Until then, we will keep an eye on the Avis.gr website for their plentiful and continually updated car rental offers, such as the autumn discount of 15% that is valid until October 31st.
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