Skopelos, the second largest island in the Northern Sporades archipelago, is covered by dense pine forests, occupying almost 70% of its expanse. Its Hora (main town) has been designated as a traditional settlement since 1978, thanks to its distinctive architecture. Even though it gained international recognition following the release of the film Mamma Mia in 2008, it has not been saturated by mass tourism, nor has it been significantly altered – the only exception being the disproportionate number of beaches featuring sunbeds.

From the panoramic views of the Venetian Castle, perched on the highest point of the town, to the picturesque lighthouse off Cape Gourouni and the Church of Aghios Ioannis at Kastri, landscapes of extraordinary natural beauty will unfold before your very eyes.

Activities in Nature

Discover the trails and hidden beauties of the island with Skopelos Trails (Tel. (+30) 694.524.9328), rent a bicycle and equipment from Skopelos Cycling (Tel. (+30) 24240.223.98), which also organizes rides at night, or explore the rich seabed with Skopelos Diving Center, including the “Christoforos,” the wreck of a cargo ship that sank in 1983, lying at a depth of 30m.

The team at Skopelos Experience prepares delicious street food using local ingredients and organizes a series of games at a farmhouse-multi space near Ditropo, complete with donkeys, goats, hammocks, and picnic benches.

Unforgettable dips

There are many options for good swimming and sunbathing on Skopelos.

At the rocky coast of Amarantos you can enjoy a tranquil and peaceful swim. Admire the amazing sunset at the more exotic, serviced beach of Milia, while at Neo Klima you can feel the cosmopolitan atmosphere at Paraiso Beach Bar (Τel. (+30) 694.849.8668), with its comfortable sunbeds and refreshing smoothies.

Nudists love the turquoise waters at Velanio Beach.

In the mood for art

For the eight year, the urban non-profit organization “Plegma” is planning the Diamantis Paleologos Traditional Dance Festival at the Open Municipal Theater in early July. Approximately 600 dancers from all over Greece will participate in this three-day celebration, featuring multiple parallel events.

The Cultural and Folklore Association of Skopelos holds the “Rebetiko Days” festival, which also hosts the International Conference on Popular Music in Greece, on 14-15 July.

Another significant event is the Skopelos International Film Festival for Youth (SIFFY) (skopelossiffy.com), funded and organized by the Skopelos Foundation for the Arts.

You can also attend pottery wheel classes at the traditional ceramic workshop Rodios Pottery (Hora, Τel. (+30) 24240.227.79).

The Bountalas family also has a long history, spanning seven generations of shipwrights and carpenters. Today, with the closure of the shipyards, they use their shipbuilding techniques to create replicas of sailing vessels using walnut wood from the island. Visit their workshop (Hora, Τel. (+30) 698.103.9495) and learn the secrets of miniature shipbuilding from Regina.

Local delicacies 

From the Rural Women’s Cooperative of Glossa (Τel. (+30) 24240.332.24), established in 1999, you can purchase Skopelitian cheese pie with local cheese and almonds. For organic plums, visit Grypiotis Estate (Kalogeros, Τel. (+30) 694.740.2221), and for organic honey, go to Stamatiou Estate (Elios, Τel. (+30) 24240.338.45), which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

You may also visit the olive mill of the Antoniou family (Glossa, Τel. (+30) 24240.335.17), where you can buy exceptional olive oil and tour the facilities. The Stamataki family has been operating Agnanti restaurant (Glossa, Τel. (+30) 24240.330.76) since 1953, where you will find delicious home-cooked dishes prepared with seasonal and local ingredients, such as pork with bell peppers, herbs and plums. Head to Korali (Agnontas, Τel. (+30) 24240.224.07), a seafood taverna with tables by the sea, for its famous seafood pasta, while Captain Spiros’ tsipouradiko boasts the best classic seafood meze and fresh fish on the island, since he is a fisherman himself. Raise your glasses filled to the brim with SPIRA beer, a local beer from Skopelos.

Skopelos is 3-4 hours from Volos by boat, depending on the itinerary.