Skopelos: One of the greenest Greek islands with dreamy beaches

Let's start with its main trump card. Skopelos, the capital of the Sporades, is the greenest island in Greece. A small paradise in the heart of the country. Most of the island's area (over 67%) is covered by virgin pine forest. In fact, not a small, secluded corner exists without the presence of pine or shrub. The whole island is studded with olive groves, pine trees, plane trees, fig trees, almond trees, plum trees, walnut trees and other fruit trees. And at the same time, running waters and ravines give the final idyllic note to the landscape. In fact, in the last fifteen years, Skopelos has become even more famous thanks to the musical Mamma Mia.

Three days on Skopelos, the greenest Aegean isle

Skopelos with the noble Chora

The town of Skopelos is characterized as a traditional settlement, and it really is a Chora like no other in the Aegean. Its architecture is highly idiosyncratic. In fact, it is a mixture of various architectural styles, the marriage of which gives a very noble image. The numerous churches and the wonderful ecclesiastical monuments, combined with the crystal clear picturesque alleys, enhance this picture.

In Chora, it is worth seeing the Venetian Castle of the 13th century, the old Episkopi, the Folklore Museum, and the house of the writer Pavlos Nirvanas. The important Greek writer lived his childhood in a house built in the center of the traditional settlement of Skopelos, in the district of Agios Ioannis, next to the church of the Three Hierarchs.

The church of Agios Athanasios (9th century), which is the oldest on the island, is worth visiting. Very beautiful images will also give you the Vakratsa mansion (The Old Mansion) and the one in the center of Chora, just above the beach. It is a typical example of a mansion in Skopelos. In its premises are exhibited the heirlooms and personal belongings of the Vakratsas family, while in the green courtyard, with the characteristic palm tree, events are often organized. And of course, their own tone is set by taverns, tsipouradika, and all the small bars that spread their tables under the mulberry trees.

Skopelos: The settlements

The second port after that of Chora is located on the northwest coast, in Loutraki, which belongs to the settlement of Glossa. Glossa is 25 km from Chora and is the second largest settlement of Skopelos. It is a picturesque village, built on a hill with stunning views that offers the most beautiful sunset of the island. Very beautiful is also the seaside settlement of Agnontas in the southwest of the island, which is used as an alternative port when there is bad weather on the island.

Palio Klima is a small village built amphitheatrically on the mountain. The seaside settlement of Elio or Neo Klima, located next to a pine forest, has modern infrastructure and is a good choice for your stay on the island. At 18 km. From Chora, there is also Panormos, a seaside settlement with wonderful nature.

Skopelos: The heavenly beaches

He is undoubtedly the ace up Skopelos' sleeve. These are beaches with a character and profile unique in Greece due to the combination of turquoise waters with the verdant landscape around.

In many of them, you can do water sports, such as kayaking and SUP, but also diving.

Here are a few worth visiting:

Kastani beach is the most famous beach of the island now, the one where the shooting for Mamma Mia took place. With sand, crystal clear waters, and pine trees that reach the sea, it will steal your heart as soon as you see it. It is organized, with sunbeds and beach bars.

Equally well-known is the Apple tree. It has sand, crystal clear waters, and wonderful views of the islet of Dassia, while it is surrounded by dense pine trees. A series of rocks divides the beach in half: one part has umbrellas, sunbeds, and beach bars, and the other is calmer. Note that the beach is exposed to winds.

Near Agnontas is the most pristine beach of the island, Amarantos, known for its two curved pine trees standing on a rock in the sea.

An impressive beach is Panormos, in the north of the island. The easy access, the pebbles, and the gurgling waters promise unique moments!

Hovolo Beach is beautiful, quiet, small, and not organized. You will find it west of Skopelos. Access is via a path, but you will be rewarded when you reach your destination.

Within a 10-minute drive from Chora is Stafylos. It is large, sandy, and fully organized (umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bar, lifeguard, and restaurant). From this beach, you can reach the adjacent beach of Velanio with pebbles and dark waters.

It is divided in half by a rock, which demarcates the one part of it that is for nudists. Sworn lovers also have the beach of Limnonari, a small verdant cove in fact, with turquoise waters and fine sand. It has umbrellas and sunbeds and water sports facilities, and two taverns.

Tasting in Skopelos

The most traditional dish you should try in Skopelos is the Skopelos cheese pie that you will find in all the traditional bakeries and restaurants of the island. Others you should try are: honey, plums, goat from Skopelos, grouper stew, meat with quince, egg (plum spoon sweet), and lobster spaghetti.

However, the shop that everyone will tell you with their eyes closed that you should visit is located in the Castle of Chora and is none other than the tavern-ouzeri "Anatoli". Apart from the delicious appetizers it serves, you will also enjoy a unique view of the sea while enjoying even more the live music by the famous rebeti George Xintaris and his sons. This is an unforgettable experience, for which you should even book a table early.

The next must-visit on the island is the tavern of Mrs. Fotini in the settlement of Pefkia, 5 km. from Skopelos town. Located in a place with lush vegetation all around, overlooking the sea and opposite, in Alonissos, Mrs. Fotini's specialty is undoubtedly her kakavia, which she cooks with seawater. All the vegetables that Mrs. Fotini uses are from her orchard. The following dishes are also famous: grouper stew, scorpion fish soup, cod grilled lobster spaghetti, and plenty of recipes with local meats.

In short... And picturesque bays and wonderful beaches and unique landscapes, and perhaps the most beautiful shaded sea in all of Greece. Like the rest of the Sporades, Skopelos has its own identity, and although popular, it can in no way be accused of aggressive tourism. And one last tip to put in your luggage - do not leave the enchanting island of Skopelos without visiting the chapel of Agios Ioannis.

This is the chapel that appears in the movie Mamma Mia, where Meryl Streep sings to Pierce Brosnan the huge hit "The Winner Takes It All" by Abba.

Since 2008, when the film was screened, every year, many couples from abroad who wish to have their wedding come to this chapel of Skopelos.

Perched on the top of the rock, it is approached after 106 steps carved into the slopes of a rock, and of course, the view from the top is breathtaking.

How to get to Skopelos. From Athens, you can reach Skopelos in several ways. The most common is by ferry from Volo, with itineraries being daily throughout the year. The journey time ranges from 2 to 3 hours. You can also go to Skopelos from Mantoudi in Evia. The duration of the trip is from 1.5 to 3 hours, but the itineraries are in this case more sparse. There is also a seasonal summer itinerary from Agios Konstantinos to Fthiotida with a journey time of 4 hours.

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