Skopelos Island, Sporadic Island, Greece
Written by Missy Johnston
Skopelos Town
With no airport, visiting the island of Skopelos in the Greek Sporadic island chain by crewed yacht charter is one of the best ways to see this island. Skopelos is one of the largest of the Greek Sporadic Islands, located between Skiathos and Alonissos. A very green island, as are many of the Sporadic Islands, Skopelos is covered with cooling pine forests and surrounded by crystal clear water with many anchorages for a yacht charter visit to this lovely Greek Sporadic Island.
Skopelos Island local church
Supposedly founded in Greek mythology by one of the sons of Dionysus, Skopelos was always known throughout history for production of great wines. The island of Skopelos has been at different times under the rule of Athens, the Kingdom of Macedonia, the Roman Republic, the Byzantine Empire, the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire, and throughout this history, the villagers on Skopelos were continuously reputed to produce great wines and olive oils.
Skopelos – Harborside Taverna
The main port, also called Skopelos or Chora, on the northern coast of the island, is a town of white washed traditional tile roofed structures with many wooden balconies, alleyways and walking streets ringing the old harbor. Also, of note, is Glossa village on the north western tip of the island, a tranquil traditional village. The town of Skopelos has been decreed a “Traditional Settlement”, which requires that the town maintain the traditional architectural style for any renovations or new structures, retaining the old feel of the main harbor area of this island. Along the waterfront is a tree lined promenade with restaurants and cafes shaded by plane and mulberry trees. And of course, the main harbor area is full of shops tucked into the tiny alleyways, however refreshingly on this island, there is a strong showing in the shops of local crafts including wood carving and pottery.
Skopelos Anchorage
As a mountainous island with a lot of seaside cliffs, beaches are few and far between, and not all are sand, however the anchorages ringed by white cliffs, topped by green pine trees, all reflected in the clear waters below, are beautiful and tranquil and a great location for a refreshing swim. One of the few beaches that are on the island, Kastani Beach, was featured in many of the beach scenes in the movie “Mama Mia”. Inland, this is a great island for exploring on foot, with beautiful green forests of pine trees, extensive olive groves, vineyards and fruit orchards, for hiking or just meandering through.
Skopelos Island view
What to See and Do on Skopelos Island, Greece
Skopelos Town: As a “Traditional Settlement”, this town is a lovely example of a traditional Sporadic Island village with little walking streets that open to lovely little squares. The goods sold in many of the shops are “traditional” as well, being crafts, pottery and other hand made items. This is the largest and oldest settlement on Skopelos, with whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs, clinging to the hills around a natural harbor.
Hiking: This is a great island for hiking inland where there are beautiful pine trees, shaded hiking areas, and lovely olive groves, fruit orchards, and vineyards to hike past.
Agios Ioannis Church: Housing an icon of St. John, this church is perched on the top of a rock outcrop and was the church with the sweeping walkway of 198 steps to reach where the approach to the wedding was filmed in the movie “Mama Mia”. The actual wedding was not filmed in the interior of the church. The location of the church is a beautiful photo opportunity.
Agios Riginos Monastery: The location today of a massive Feast Day on February 25, the current building built in the early 1700’s is no longer home to a monastic community, however there is a nice gift shop that sells items like honey, olive oil and wine made by monks and nuns that live on the island.
Visit Skopelos and relax surrounding by greenery, and beautiful clear water on a crewed yacht charter itinerary cruising through the Greek Sporadic Islands.