The industrial port of Halkida is the capital of Evia. Halkida is very much a working island capital, with lots of industry, including cement works, and a large population. Its attraction includes a lively Turkish quarter, but the town should not be taken as a reflection of the island as a whole.

Halkida is worth a day or two for its museums, old town, and waterfront areas. The main waterfront is to the left as you cross the bridge; here you will find restaurants, cafes, ouzeries, and hotels. Many houses in Kastro testify to the Turkish and Venetian legacies of the town. A community of Muslims from Thrace, much farther to the east, brings an unusual touch of the Orient to this part of town, augmented by an imposing fifteenth century fortress.