Beautiful landscapes, authentic hospitality, and delicious food await you on the southernmost and largest island by area of the Northern Sporades. All the reasons to choose Skyros for your holidays.
Affordable, authentic and welcoming, half lush and fertile and half wild and arid, Skyros has its own special charm. Full of surprises and contrasts, the southernmost and largest island of the Northern Sporades, east of Evia, is an ideal destination for peaceful holidays. Access is by air or sea (from Kymi in Evia you'll take the ferry that will carry you to Skyros' port, Linaria, in an hour and a half). In Skyros you'll discover beautiful landscapes, beaches with amazing waters, traditions that endure over time and flavors you'll never forget.
The picturesque Chora and the castle
Perched on a precipitous hill, Skyros' Chora, with narrow winding lanes and whitewashed houses on the slope, strongly recalls the Cyclades. The settlement 'embraces' a towering rock, crowned by the Byzantine castle with the Monastery of Saint George, the island's patron. The climb up is tiring, but it rewards the visitor. The view takes your breath away.
Wander through Chora's picturesque alleys scented with jasmine and basil. Stroll along the main cobbled lane, the Megali Strata, which runs through all of Chora and is lined with lovely little shops selling everything, as well as cafés and ouzeries serving local delicacies. In the lovely Square of Eternal Poetry (or Brooke Square) you'll see the statue of Rupert Brooke (an English Romantic poet who died on a French hospital ship off the island in World War I and was buried on Skyros) and enjoy fantastic views of the Aegean. Don't miss stopping at the Faltaits Museum, one of Greece's first folklore museums, which houses fascinating and rich collections of Skyros' traditional culture and history.
Skyros' beaches
On the west coast (10 km from Chora) lies the island's port, Linaria, from where the main roads set off to the other villages. Acherounes is the first beach (sandy) you'll come across as soon as you arrive at the port. Below Chora, Molos and Magazia - the island's two best-known resorts - meet on a large, crescent-shaped sandy beach that's perfect for glorious swims. Another beautiful beach that's fairly large and draws people is Gyrismata.
It's also worth visiting the pine-fringed northwestern beaches: Agios Fokas, Pefkos, the sheltered Kyra-Panagia, and Agios Petros with its long sandy shore. Atsitsa is a picturesque little village with many small coves and pebble beaches. Kalamitsa is one of the island's largest beaches and a favorite with windsurfers. The beach at Aspous is ideal for families with young children, as it's quite shallow with fine sand and warm waters.
Finally, don't miss the chance to take a day trip to the islet of Sarakiniko with its crystal-clear waters, and to the secluded sea caves of Pentekali and Diatripiti. The boats depart from Linaria.
Activities for everyone
The blend of mountain and sea opens the door to many activities, such as hiking (there are eight waymarked trails to discover the diversity of Skyros' landscape), cycling, horseback riding, climbing, birdwatching, 4x4 routes for jeep enthusiasts, windsurfing, diving, sailing and boat trips to secluded beaches.
The Skyrian horse
The small-statured Skyros horse breed is today one of the world's rare breeds. It's one of Greece's indigenous horse breeds, present throughout the country in antiquity. It managed to survive on Skyros, hence the name. Today, there are 260 Skyrian horses across Greece, 187 of which are on Skyros and live in small herds. You can see them at farms and estates open to visitors on the island, such as Mouries Estate.
Local flavors
Skyros' traditional cuisine will impress you with its quality and simplicity. The star of most local dishes is wild goat, as well as lobster - the famous lobster pasta is served almost everywhere and is well worth trying. Among the cheeses, standouts include graviera with a spicy taste, fresh and aged myzithra, and xinotyri, a wonderful white soft cheese made from goat's and sheep's milk with a slightly tangy flavor and a yogurt-like texture. The local pies are also renowned, such as ladopita, made with fluffy dough and served with Skyrian cheese.
Accommodation
- Themis Homes: Just outside Skyros' Chora, set within grounds filled with olive trees, wild sage and thyme, Themis Homes blends authentic island architecture with modern comforts, creating an ideal destination for peaceful, quality holidays.
- Apademia: Just a five-minute walk from the central square of Skyros' Chora, these brand-new apartments, which combine contemporary luxury with minimal aesthetics and natural materials, are designed to make you feel right at home.
- Nefeli Hotel: At the town's entrance, this 4-star hotel pairs quality services with discreet luxury. It comprises 5 buildings, each of which has been decorated with its own distinctive style.
- Skyros Trias: Just steps from Gyrismata beach, Skyros Trias' five luxurious suites are built in perfect harmony with the island's natural environment and combine luxury with modern amenities.
- Filia Skyros: Embraced by nature's tranquility on Gyrismata beach, these boutique residences, designed with minimalist luxury and bohemian aesthetics in mind, are an ideal refuge for those seeking relaxation and a genuine connection with the landscape.
- Dioni Hotel: In a beautiful and peaceful location, between the shoreline of the settlement of Aspous and the cluster of hills that surrounds it, the Skyrian-architecture apartments of Dioni Hotel unfold like a white town.
