🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Skopelos lies in the Northern Sporades, between Skiathos and Alonissos. It has no airport. From Athens you take a bus to Agios Konstantinos and then a ferry, or you fly to Skiathos and cross over by boat. There are also ferries from Volos.
📍 Where Skopelos is
Skopelos lies in the Northern Sporades, between Skiathos and Alonissos. The island is shown in red, and in green the ports of Agios Konstantinos and Volos and the airports of Athens and Skiathos.
🗺️ The map of the island
Skopelos is long and narrow, with mountains covered in pine. The town and the main port are on the east coast. A road crosses the island to Glossa in the north, where ferries also stop, at the little port of Loutraki. The beaches are mostly on the south and west coasts.
🗺️ Map of Skopelos
The town is on the east coast. Most beaches are on the south and west coasts. Glossa and Agios Ioannis sto Kastri are in the north. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Benedetto Bordone, 1547 (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Skopelos is an island for nature, swimming at pine-fringed beaches and calm holidays. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- One of the greenest islands in the Aegean.
- A pretty town with red roofs.
- The Mamma Mia chapel.
- Beaches with pines down to the sea.
👎 The cons
- No airport.
- The trip from Athens takes a bus and a ferry.
- Most beaches are pebbly.
- You need a car.
🏘️ The town and the monasteries
The town rises like an amphitheatre above the harbour, with white houses, red and stone roofs, wooden balconies and many churches. At the top are the ruins of the Venetian Kastro, with views over the whole bay. In the lanes you will find small shops, tavernas and the Folklore Museum.
Across from the town, on Mount Palouki, are several monasteries, such as Evangelistria, Timios Prodromos and Agia Varvara. The road up there has lovely views of the town.
Red roofs on the hillside.
With a view of the harbour.
Flowers and wooden balconies.
The ferries arrive here.
One of the monasteries on Palouki.
A monastery like a castle.
Photos: Herbert wie (CC BY-SA 4.0), Chris Taklis (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ant83 (Public domain), dronepicr (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
⛪ Agios Ioannis and Glossa
Agios Ioannis sto Kastri is a small chapel on top of a rock on the northeast coast. The wedding scene of the film Mamma Mia! was shot here, and since then visitors have come from all over the world. You climb up many steps cut into the rock, and from the top the view opens onto the sea.
Glossa is the island’s second big village, high on the mountain on the northwest side, with views of Skiathos. Below it is the little port of Loutraki, with tavernas by the water.
The Mamma Mia chapel.
Steps cut into the rock.
The village and its port.
Photos: Giles Laurent (CC BY-SA 4.0), Long lasting memories (CC BY-SA 4.0), Georgios Pazios (Attribution) · Wikimedia Commons
Besides Agios Ioannis, the film was also shot at Kastani beach. The chapel is very busy in summer, so go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
🏖️ The beaches
The beaches of Skopelos are mostly pebbles, with pines growing down to the water. On the west coast are Milia, one of the biggest, Kastani, where scenes from Mamma Mia! were filmed, and the sheltered bay of Panormos. In the south is Limnonari, with sand, and near the town is Stafylos.
A big beach with pines.
The Mamma Mia beach.
A sheltered bay with tavernas.
A sandy beach in a sheltered bay.
Photos: dronepicr (CC BY 2.0), Athinavaitsi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
- Milia: a big pebble beach with pines.
- Kastani: turquoise water, the Mamma Mia! beach.
- Panormos: a sheltered bay with tavernas.
- Limnonari: a sandy beach, good for children.
- Agnontas: a small bay with fish tavernas.
- Stafylos and Velanio: close to the town.
🍽️ What to eat
Try the Skopelos twisted cheese pie, coiled like a snail and fried, and dishes made with the island’s plums, such as pork with plums. At the little ports you will find fresh fish, and in the pastry shops sweets with almonds and honey.
📅 When to go
The best time is May, June and September: warm sea, a green island and fewer people. In July and August it is crowded and prices go up.
⛴️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus and ferry | About 2.5 hours + 3–4 hours | Athens → Agios Konstantinos | The most common way. |
| Plane and ferry | About 45 minutes + under 1 hour | Athens Airport → Skiathos | Flights mainly in summer. |
| Ferry | About 2.5–4 hours | Volos | Good if you are coming from northern Greece. |
From Ioulianou 50, the intercity bus station on Liosion Street, where buses for Agios Konstantinos leave from, is close by. On the island there are buses from the town to Glossa, but a car gives you more freedom. For ports and ferries, read our guide to the ferries.
🗓️ Three days on Skopelos
The town and the monasteries
A walk through the lanes of the town and up to the Kastro. In the afternoon the monasteries on Palouki and sunset over the harbour.
The beaches of the west
A swim at Milia and Kastani, and lunch at Panormos or Limnonari.
The north
Agios Ioannis sto Kastri in the morning, then Glossa, with lunch and a view of Skiathos.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay on Skopelos?
In the town, for food, strolling and ferries. At Panormos, Limnonari or Stafylos, to be close to the beaches. In Glossa, for peace and views.
Do I need a car?
It helps. Buses run from the town to Glossa and stop near several beaches, but with a car you can get everywhere more easily.
Can I combine it with another island?
Yes. Skiathos and Alonissos are very close, with ferries every day in summer.
How many days do I need?
Three to four days for the town, Agios Ioannis, Glossa and the beaches.
— Kathy
