At a glance

The main town of Skopelos is full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that offer a wide variety of entertainment and music; from popular Greek to mainstream and jazz. Throughout the island are authentic tavernas, often perched high on a hill enjoying panoramic sea views, where hearty Grecian food is served and live folk music is played.

Useful Info

Getting There

Fly to Skiathos Airport on a direct charter flight from many regional UK Airports or fly to Athens from all major UK airports and catch an internal 40 minute flight to Skiathos. Skiathos harbour is a 5 – 10 minute taxi drive from the airport. A dolphin hydrofoil to Skopelos will take 45 minutes whereas a direct ferry takes around an hour (or an hour and a half if it stops off first at Glossa).

Language

The national language of Skopelos is Greek

Currency

The currency on the Greek island of Skopelos is the Euro.

Time Difference

Skopelos is + 2 hours ahead of GMT

Out and About

Go for family fun…

The beaches of Skopelos offer plenty of fun for the whole family, whether snorkelling or swimming in the clear turquoise sea, building a sandcastle kingdom or playing ball games together. If you choose one of the larger beaches, there are beachside cafes and tavernas to satisfy those endless requests for ice cream, and there are likely to be other children and families around. The sea to the east of Skopelos forms part of the legally protected National Marine Park of Alonissos, home to the breeding grounds of threatened species of monk seals. Most mornings, you can catch a boat trip excursion out to the Marine Park and hopefully be joined by playful dolphins, swimming and diving alongside the boat. Another enjoyable pastime for the family is to take a nature walk through the interior forests and orchards of the island, and discover a vast array of colourful butterflies, buzzing insects and singing birds. Make sure you take plenty of water and wear hats and sun screen to shade you from the sun.

Go Shopping....

The best place for shopping is in Skopelos Town, where just behind the bay is a small cluster of streets lined with shops. Ceramics, lace, gold jewellery, leather, local wines and spirits (including the famous Ouzo) and olive oil are all available and there are also small boutiques full of clothes, shoes and accessories. Within each village there are normally a selection of bakeries and patisseries and small supermarkets. Often villages will also have a useful general store and perhaps a souvenir shop selling the usual postcards and novelty ornaments.

Get up and go……

Skopelos is an explorer’s dream island; containing white-washed village churches, ancient hilltop monasteries, hidden crystal blue coves, and dense green forests carpeted in pine needles. There is 67km of idyllic coastline to explore featuring long stretches of beach where water sports and beachside cafes will keep the whole family entertained. In addition there are small, deserted coves where the crystal clear waters gently lap the shore and water-front pine forests shade the sand. The main towns of Skopelos and Glossa contain a maze of narrow stone alleyways lined with white-washed villas and churches, pretty flowers gardens and overhanging balconies and small bakeries emitting the mouth-watering scent of freshly baked bread. There are also many village squares surrounded by bright purple bougainvillea plants. Skopelos town has a diverse range of bars and clubs providing lively evening entertainment. Traditional tavernas with large open air terraces often feature live Greek Bouzouki music, with plenty of enthusiastic dancing and singing, where everyone is encouraged to join in the party atmosphere. Many bars and small clubs play live Jazz music.

Take time to go ....

A different way of exploring the island is to hire a small motorboat in Skopelos town and set off around the coastline.

Visit the ancient church of St Athanasius which has wall paintings from the 17th century and is built upon ruins of an ancient temple of Athena.

Spend the evening sampling Greek mezes (similar to Spanish Tapas) and listening to live music under the stars at the Anatoli Ouzerie, perched on a hillside beside Anatoli Castle.

Take a stroll along one of the old mule tracks which wind across the interior of the island, through dense forest, olive groves and fruit-laden plum orchards.

Experience a guided town tour and learn about island traditions.

Wander freely around the uninhabited convent of Agia Varvara and admire its beautiful 15th century frescoes.

Go to the beach…

There is a slight divide in the beaches along the north and west, and the south and east. The northern and western beaches form the largest stretches of coast and are consequently quite exposed and often feature impressive cliffs. The beaches mostly consist of shingle or pebbles, and the waters are a dazzling turquoise and blue. The southern and eastern beaches feature calmer, crystal clear waters and small, idyllic coves. The beaches here tend to be quieter, with finer white sands and pine forests that grow right up to the water’s edge. Water sports are mainly found along the large stretches of beach at Milia and Staphylos. The range that is available is gradually expanding and does change according to the season. In the height of summer you can try your hand at windsurfing, kitesurfing, waterskiing, paragliding and that novelty holiday favourite - the banana boat.

South and West

Staphylos: the closest beach to the capital town, only 500m down a slope from the bus stop which is a mix of sand and fine shingle. There are beachside tavernas nearby, parasols and sun loungers, and space for parking. Can get quite busy.

Velanio: on the other side of the Staphylos headland, reached by a path leading from the end of Staphylos beach. A stretch of thick sand with a natural spring flowing out towards the end of the beach.

Agnontas: a sleepy fishing village with a small port, the beach here is made of fine shingle and enjoys scenic sunsets.

Limonari: the name means ‘waters of the lake’ which is appropriate as the waters here are always calm. Reached down a 1km road from the bus stop, Limonari has white sands and a few waterside tavernas.

Panormos: a large, open bay with fine shingle beaches and turquoise waters. Here you can find water sports, parasols and sun beds (and in peak season quite a few other tourists).

Adrines: a set of small coves with fine shingle beaches, crystal blue waters and shaded by sea-front pine trees.

Milia: a very scenic, long stretch of beach with fine shingle and crystal clears waters. Backed by dense pine forests, and with two areas of sea separated by large white rocks just off of the shore.

Kastani: a beautiful beach with fine white shingle, crystal blue waters and surrounded by sloping rocky outcrops, covered in fragrant pine trees. From the bus stop, a slope of 500m takes you down to Kastani.

North and East

Glisteri: a small cove with big pebbly shores protected by sloping rocky outcrops.

Perivoliou: a small secluded beach with fine shingle, shaded by impressive rocks. Close to Hondros Yiorgos, 4km from Glossa.

Aghios Konstantinos: shingle filled beach with clear blue waters, surrounded by rocky outcrops. On the cliff-top there are traditional tavernas where you can enjoy a cool drink and watch the waves roll in.