Skopelos: Excursions and Touring

Beginning with the fabulous capital and port, Skopelos or Chora, there is much to explore and learn about this paradisiacal island.  Because Chora is dealt with separately we go on to visit the rest of the island.

From Chora, you can take the paved road south to Stafylos Bay, which is a lovely combination of sand and pebble, some accommodation and tavernas, though a bit crowded in the high summer months.  Walking eastward, you can enjoy the clothing optional beach of Velanio.  No taverna, but there is a small cantina during high summer.  Following the paved road westward from Stafylos, you will reach the small bay and port of Agnondas, also with a bit of accommodation and tavernas, plus caiques departing for the nearby beach and bay of Limnonari, a nearly half-kilometer stretch of fine sand.  You can also reach this by footpath in about 20 minutes, and then either return to Agnondas on foot or with caique.  Working your way up the west coast on the main road, the next area that you reach will be Panormos, which has now grown into a resort area with water sports and all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a well-developed area.  Even though quite built up, it occupies a beautiful setting, has a good sandy beach, and looks across to a tiny, very green islet called Dassia.  If you prefer less chaos, do continue on to Milia, possibly the longest sand/pebble beach on the island and one of the best that you’ll find anywhere in the Aegean.  Here, the pine trees march steeply down the hillside nearly reaching the shore, and you can again see the islet of Dassia in the sea.  Continuing up the coast, the next important beach that you see, before reaching the village of Glossa/port of Loutraki, is called Elios.  It’s a nice long sandy/pebbly beach with a small settlement overlooking it, but it is dramatically backed by beautiful pine-filled hills.  If you are using the public bus and combining that with walking, then from here you can catch the trail that leads up to Glossa, passing through the oldest village on the island, Atheato.

The village of Glossa, known for its almond production, sits two kilometers above the port of Loutraki.  It’s a lovely village of traditional architecture dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, where the island’s old customs are still alive, such as the wearing of traditional island garb.  The sea views from the village are outstanding, as you might imagine, as is the positioning of the village within the forest.  Here there are a few tavernas and Greek coffee shops (kafenia), with a bit of accommodation on offer.  Nearby are three towers dating to the 4th century BC.  Below, the port of Loutraki also has a small pebbly beach and busy waterfront facilities during high season.