Skopelos

The island of Skopelo, located between Skiathos and Alonissos, is part of the Northern Sporades. It is a beautiful island that attracts hundreds of tourists every year, which has become very popular for the film Mamma Mia whose scenes were filmed there. The island is also known for its beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and surrounded by pine tree forests, and also for its charming capital, built amphitheatrically in the heart of a bay, and made up of white houses with tiled roofs and narrow alleys with stairs.
It is the greenest island in Greece: more than half of its territory is covered by pine forests.
It has three main ports: Skópelos, Agnóntas and Glóssa.
The island of Skopelos has probably been inhabited since the Neolithic period.
After the Mycenaean period Skopelo was taken by the Dolopians, people of Thessaly, who for many centuries used it as a military base. Later the Chalcidians arrived on the island and founded three colonies: Panormos (today called Glossa), Selino (today's Loutraki) and Peparithos (the current capital of Skopelo city). Later the island was taken by the tyrant Alexander of Pherres and by the Macedonians and the Romans. In the 2nd century AD. C. the geographer Ptolemy was the first to refer to the island with the name of Skopelo (until then the island was called Peparithos), probably referring to the many cliffs that surround the island. Since then the island was called by its new name. The fourth century AD C. was also the beginning of eight hundred years of Byzantine rule of which very few historical testimonies remain. In 1204 the Venetians occupied Skopelo. In 1538 the Turkish pirate Barbarossa attacked the island and massacred its inhabitants. Some of them survived and escaped to Evia and Thessaly only to return much later. In Sedoukia there are the Tombs of the Pirates in memory of the invasions of the past.
The typical dish of the island is the cheese cake made of crunchy spiral-shaped dough and local goat cheese.
Not all towns and villages on the island have tourist facilities and services such as hotels, rooms for rent, restaurants and bars.
On the island the bus services are well organized. Daily buses depart from Skopelo Town to Glossa and Loutraki (journey time is one hour) and stop at every footpath leading to the main beaches such as Stafylos, Agnondas, Panormos, Elios. Three daily buses leave the capital for Milia without any intermediate stops (journey time is 35 minutes) while another two daily buses go directly to Agnontas (journey time is 15 minutes).

The island of Skopelo is connected with the port of Piraeus, Rafina, Agios Kostandinos and Volos. From Skopelo it is then possible to visit the nearby islands of the Northern and Eastern Aegean, the Cyclades, Syros, Santorini, Andros, Chios, Lemnos etc. Then there are ferries that connect Skopelo to the island of Crete. You can reach Skopelo using traditional or high-speed ferry.
During the summer the connections with the various islands are intensified.

Skopelos

There are beautiful places to visit on the island.
Gloss
It is located 25 km northwest of Skopelo Town. It is built amphitheatrically along the side of a mountain, and is surrounded by a forest of pine, almond and plane trees. Glossa is also the second main port as well as the second largest city on the island.
The city is characterized by two-story white houses with wooden balconies and tiled roofs. Its port is called Loutraki. Near the port there are remains of Roman baths and a citadel of ancient Selinous dating back to the 4th century BC. C. and remains of a temple of Athena from the 5th century. Glossa is also the city with the highest altitude in the Sporades.

Palio Clima
It is a very picturesque village near Glossa. It suffered great damage during the 1965 earthquake.

Néo Klíma or Elios
It is located 18 km from the capital, under the forest of Vathias, at an altitude of 688 m. It is a fairly recent city, built in 1981. Very close to the city is the beautiful beach of Hovolos.

Church of Agios Ioannis Kastri
It is a small church about 7 km from Glossa, in the north of the island. Some scenes from the film Mamma Mia were filmed here in 2007. The church is located on a rock and offers a breathtaking view of the island. Its name means San Giovanni sul Castello, probably due to the fact that in the past there was a small castle to protect the islanders from invasions by pirates and enemies. The imposing rock is connected to the island by a narrow path and those who want to reach the church must climb 110 steps.

Timios Prodromos Monastery
It is located 6 km east of Skopelo Town. It was built in the 17th century. The Monastery, open to the public, houses a small museum with sacred icons, ecclesiastical relics and old public documents.

Drakonstósxisma
According to legend, eight hundred years ago a dragon killed the inhabitants of the island and destroyed it. Ayios Riyinos, the patron saint of the island, pursued him. During the chase, a crack opened up in the side of the mountain. The dragon fell into it and died. The cliff was called “Drakonstósxisma” which means “dragon pit”. There is actually a very deep crack at this point in the ground. It is actually a gorge surrounded by the sea and located under a church built on the edge of a cliff. The steep rocks, the pine trees that seem to hang from the rocks and the turquoise waters create a picture of incomparable beauty.
Along the road from Stáfylos to Amárantos there are road signs leading to the dragon's pit.

Episcope
It is a Venetian building built in the 17th century, built on top of an earlier Christian chapel which was itself built on the remains of an ancient temple. The building was supposed to become the seat of the bishop of Skopelo but remained unfinished due to the invasion of the pirate Barbarossa in 1538.

The capital of the island of Skopelo
Skopelos City
It is located in the southern part of the island and, in addition to being the capital, it is also the main port and is the first place you know when you arrive on the island. It stands on a hill and takes its name from the fortress built there in 340 BC. C. by Philip II of Macedonia of which only the remains of the walls have survived. From here the panoramic view is breathtaking and truly magical.
Its ancient name is Peparithos, so called for the son of Dionysius and Ariadne who, according to mythology, was the first inhabitant of the island.
The city stretches along a pretty bay and is surrounded by pine trees. It is a beautiful place that retains all its traditional charm and remains away from mass tourism. All the main activities of the island are concentrated here.
Skopelo Town has white houses with red tiled roofs, flower gardens and balconies, fountains, many small white churches, narrow streets and alleys. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the Aegean.

To be seen
Basilica of Saint Athanassios
In the heart of the capital is the oldest church in the city, built in the 17th century. The central building was built in the 19th century on the remains of a temple dedicated to Athena.

Evangelistria monastery
It is located 3 km east of Skopelo Town, on the slopes of a mountain. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the Monastery was founded in 1712 and offers a wonderful view of the island.

Museums
Folklore Museum
It is housed in a renovated villa dating back to the past century, and houses a rich collection of exhibits related to the island's folklore.
The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00.
Ticket price: €3

Museum of Cultural Heritage
The Museum of Cultural Heritage and the Perseus Athineos Library were founded in July 2008 in Glossa. They are the result of personal contributions by the people of the island to preserve the history of Skopelo.
The museum is located in a stone house built in 1926, renovated by local craftsmen.

Photo gallery
It was opened in 1996 in collaboration with the Elysse Museum of Lucerne and the ICP of New York with the aim of organizing a photography festival. During the festival, photographs by Greek and international authors are exhibited. Photography seminars are also organized during the event.
For more information: +39 24240 24121

Skopelos

Beaches
Most of the most beautiful and interesting and suggestive beaches are located on the south-western coasts of the island. The place is a paradise for everyone who has a boat.

Panormos beach
It is located 12 km west of Skopelo Town and is considered the most beautiful beach in Skopelo. It's a beach with sand, sparkling waters, and a fantastic sunset. Enclosed by two small islands, it becomes very popular and can get very busy during the summer. Near the sea there are remains of ancient walls.

Milia beach
It is located 13 km west of Skopelo Town. It has a beach with pebbles and crystal clear waters. Part of the beach is well organized with umbrellas and sunbeds. Opposite this wonderful beach is the green islet called Dassia which adds a final touch of beauty to this idyllic landscape. Milia is a particularly popular beach for surfers.

Helios beach
It is located 19 km west of Skopelo Town. Also called Neo Klima is a refined tourist resort surrounded by a dense pine forest. Small boats moor in its harbour.

Glyfoneri beach
Very close to the capital, which is just 2 km away, it is a lovely beach surrounded by green hills.

Glysteri beach
It is located 4 km north of Skopelo Town and is characterized by pebble beach and crystal clear waters. The beach is easily accessible by car or boat. Nearby is the beautiful Tripiti Cave.

Hovolo beach
It is located 18 km west of Skopelo Town and is a fantastic beach close to Elios among others. Surrounded by greenery, Hovolo has exotic waters and a very relaxing atmosphere.

Fun
Excellent restaurants and traditional taverns, cafes and bars along the beach with international music. Some bars and nightclubs play jazz and Greek music, all accompanied by local food and wine. During the religious festival days, the women wear the traditional costumes of the island consisting of a long sleeveless silk dress with multi colored embroidery on the sides, a fine short sleeved silk shirt embroidered with gold, and a headdress with gold coins.
During the summer, the municipality of Skopelo organizes a musical event. In the village of Glassa, however, the Loizia Festival is organized in honor of the Greek musician and composer Manos Loizos.
Summer in Skopelo ends with the Plum Festival, where people dance, sing and bake plums while sipping local wine.