Skopelos

Skopelos is an island in the archipelago of Sporades in Greece. The island of the northwest Aegean Sea is a popular destination for relaxing vacation, renowned for its lush vegetation and heavenly beaches. Skopelos rose in popularity through the Mamma Mia musical that was shot on the island! On this Ferryhopper page, you can read about the best vacation experiences, beaches, food and attractions, and find all ferry schedules to Skopelos to book cheap ferry tickets.

 The capital of Skopelos, built on the hillside above the port

Vacation in Skopelos

Apart from the beautiful backdrop to Hollywood movies, Skopelos is a picture-perfect green island with lush pine forests that hug the island’s coasts. It’s a great destination for laid-back holidays away from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities and crowded tourist resorts. Skopelos is particularly beloved by couples and families with kids, due to its gentle nights, visitor amenities and romantic atmosphere.

How to get to Skopelos

You can reach the island of Skopelos by ferry from 5 ports in mainland Greece: Volos, Thessaloniki, Agios Konstantinos, Kymi and Mantoudi. The ports of Mantoudi and Kymi in Evia, as well as Agios Konstantinos in Phthiotis are the closest to Athens, approximately 2 hours by car. If you’re in Northern Greece, Thessaloniki and Volos are the most convenient ports to Skopelos. Have a look below for more information on how to get to Skopelos by ferry.

Tip: You can also fly to Skiathos and catch a ferry from Skiathos to Skopelos. There are 3 daily crossings between the islands during high season.

What to do in Skopelos

In Skopelos you will discover extraordinary landscapes, beautiful hiking trails, quaint villages and dreamy beaches. The island is great for outdoor activities in amazing natural sceneries. You can try kayaking, diving and hiking. If you’re a natural born swimmer and you’re intrigued by the secrets of the sea, it’s worth taking a day trip to the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, one of the largest marine parks in Europe.

Apart from serene holiday moments and a plethora of outdoor activities, Skopelos offers many entertainment options too. In Chora, there are bars and tavernas, where you can enjoy a drink and taste scrumptious local dishes. Explore the villages of Skopelos, visit archaeological sites and natural wonders and join the fun at the traditional kafeneia to live like an islander!

Beaches in Skopelos

If you’re looking for picture-perfect beaches, Skopelos is the perfect place! All beaches have crystal-clear waters and most of them are surrounded by trees and lush vegetation. You can find most beaches in the southwestern part of the island, but there are also amazing coasts in the northeastern part, close to Chora. Here are the top 8 beaches in Skopelos:

1. Kastani: The beach of Kastani is one of the most famous in Skopelos, as Mamma Mia was shot there. This beautiful sandy beach has crystal-clear waters and it’s surrounded by pine trees. There are visitor amenities such as umbrellas, sun loungers and a beach bar.
2. Stafilos: This is a sandy beach with emerald green waters, 10 minutes from Chora by car. It’s a large popular beach with umbrellas, sun loungers, a beach bar, lifeguards and a restaurant.
3. Velanio: It’s a splendid beach with pebbles and dark blue waters. A large rock divides the beach into two coasts. The part of the beach beyond the rock is popular with nudists. You can access the beach on foot from Stafilos.
4. Milia: Milia is one of the most popular beaches on the island. It’s a sandy beach with clear waters and an amazing view to the islet of Dasia. The beach is surrounded by tall pine trees and it’s divided into two coasts by a series of rocks. There are umbrellas, sun loungers and a beach bar on one part of the beach, while the other part is more peaceful. It often gets windy.
5. Limnonari: It is a small green cove with thin sand and turquoise waters. There are umbrellas, sun loungers, water sports centers and a couple of tavernas.
6. Hovolo: The thin sand, imposing white rocks, emerald green waters and pine forest create a magical scenery. There are no visitor amenities and access is via a challenging hiking trail. The exotic beauty of Hovolo is surely worth it!
7. Pethameni: This is one of the prettiest and more serene beaches in Skopelos. You can expect emerald waters and amazing cave-like formations. You can get to the beach driving on a dirt road and then taking a short hike. There are no visitor amenities, so make sure you come prepared. It’s better to explore a different beach if the wind blows from the north.
8. Aggeletou: It’s the perfect beach for seclusion in Skopelos. Located in a magical wild scenery, the beach enjoys natural shade during most of the day. You can approach its crystal-clear blue waters via a short hike from the beach of Perivoli. There are waves when there’s a north wind blowing.

Tip: If you want to enjoy the sunset on the beach, the best viewing points on the island are Kastani, Panormos and Hovolo.

Good to know: When the wind blows from the north at the port of Skopelos, you’d better avoid the beaches on the north part of the island. These include Perivoli, Aggeletou, Glisteri, Agios Konstantinos and more. Instead, it’s a great opportunity to head to the western and southern part of Skopelos, where waters are normally calm.

The amazing beach of Kastani in Skopelos

Activities and sightseeing in Skopelos

Skopelos is one of the best destinations in Greece for nature and history exploration. There are many hiking trails in Skopelos for hiking enthusiasts. The trails leading to Mount Palouki are some of the best. You can also explore the island by car. The lush forests of Skopelos create amazing sceneries for road trips and there are plenty of viewing points, where you can stop for photos! Moreover, don’t miss the chance to try water sports, such as kayak, SUP and diving.

Skopelos has been inhabited since ancient times and it boasts a rich tradition. Visit some of the best cultural and historical attractions on the island to get a glimpse of the past. Here are some of the most popular sights on the island:

• The stone-carved Prehistoric Pirate Graves in Sendoukia
• The ruins of the Venetian Castle in Chora
• The ancient ruins of the citadel of Selinounta in Loutraki
• The remnants of the Sanctuary of Asclepius in the south coast
• The Folklore Museum of Skopelos
• The Museum of Cultural Heritage in Glossa
• The Photographic Center of Skopelos
• The Chapel of Saint John (Agios Ioannis) in Kastri
• The Monastery of Evangelistria
• The Diocese of Skopelos

The beach and chapel of Agios Ioannis in Kastri

Nightlife in Skopelos

Nights in Skopelos are laid-back and atmospheric. There are lounge bars and restaurants in Chora and Glossa, the two most vibrant villages in Skopelos. You can enjoy Greek wine by the sea, have dinner under the stars and walk around the villages to shop and experience the care-free feeling of holidays on the island. As for late-night entertainment, there are only few loud bars and small dance venues that stay open until late.

If you want to live like a Greek, most locals gather at the traditional kafeneia and tavernas all over the island to taste amazing dishes and drink Greek spirits under the sounds of live rebetiko music.

Tip: If you’re looking for a romantic spot to spend the night, visit the all-day cocktail bar Vrachos in Chora.

Food in Skopelos

The cuisine of Skopelos is distinguished by its variety and traditional cooking methods. The all-time favorite of the island is the cheese pie, great for breakfast, brunch or as a beach snack! Ferryhopper suggests that you try the delicious sweets by the Women’s Agricultural Cooperative of Glossa, promoting traditional cooking and local ingredients. Here are some delicious products and dishes to try in Skopelos:

• Strifti tiropita: local cheese pie
• Avgato: sweet preserved plums
• Dusky grouper and plums stew
• Meat and quinces stew
• Lobster pasta
• Goat cheese
• Honey
• Plums
• Skopelos goat

Tip: Visit the traditional taverna Anatoli at the Castle of Chora for mouthwatering mezzes and a beautiful view to the blue sea. You can listen to live rebetiko music by some of the best musicians in Greece!

Villages in Skopelos

There are many villages in Skopelos that charm visitors with their quaint beauty and impressive architecture. Built on hillsides or by the beach, they are distinct in character, offering plenty of visitor amenities such as hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Chora, the island’s capital, is on the east coast of Skopelos and it’s one of the most beautiful villages in Sporades. The traditional houses, white alleys and multitude of chapels are simply captivating! Here are some of the villages worth visiting in Skopelos according to ferryhoppers:

• Chora
• Glossa
• Agnontas
• Palio Klima
• Elios (Neo Klima)
• Panormos
• Atheato

Warm summer night at a taverna in Skopelos

Useful information for Skopelos

You can find everything you need during your vacation in Skopelos at Chora and Glossa. There are banks, medical centers, supermarkets, pharmacies and ATMs. As for accommodation, there are plenty of options from luxury villas and family-friendly hotels to short-term vacation rentals all over the island. Moreover, there are many car rentals close to the port of Skopelos, as well as gas stations on the main roads of the island.

Useful phone numbers for your stay in Skopelos

Find some useful phone numbers for your trip to Skopelos below:

• Port Authority of Skopelos: +302424022180
• Port of Glossa: +302424033033
• Municipal Health Center of Skopelos / First Aid: +302424022222
• Regional Medical Center of Glossa: +302424033504
• Municipality of Skopelos:+302424350101
• Citizen Service Center of Skopelos (KEP): +302424029064
• Public bus service (KTEL): +302424022900

Transportation in Skopelos

Getting around Skopelos is quite easy, as there is a frequent public bus service from Chora to Glossa, stopping at major villages, beaches and attractions. There are also taxis on the island if you want to get from A to B faster. If you want to be more flexible during your holidays in Skopelos, we recommend that you bring your own vehicle by ferry or rent one on the island.

Ports in Skopelos

The 2 main ports of the island are in Glossa and Chora. The port of Chora is in the island capital and it’s great if you’re looking for traveler and visitor amenities. There are car rentals, hotels, cafés and restaurants, as well as banks and supermarkets in the area. For your transport needs, there is a parking lot, a public bus stop and a taxi rank by the port terminal.

The port of Glossa is in the village of Loutraki on the northwestern coast of the island. It’s 25 km from Chora and it’s a smaller port. There are hotels, restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, taxis, a bus stop and a parking lot in the port area.

Good to know: The picturesque village of Agnontas operates as an alternative port, in case weather conditions do not allow for disembarkation at the two main ports.

Island hopping from Skopelos

Skopelos is a great starting point for island hopping in the Sporades, as there are frequent ferry routes from the two ports on the island and ferry tickets are affordable due to the short crossings. 

Catching the ferry to the island of Skiathos is one of the most popular trips and it is surely worth it! You can also travel directly by ferry to Alonissos throughout the year, as well as to Skyros via Alonissos or Kymi in Evia.

On Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, you can find all ferry routes from Skopelos, to plan your island-hopping trip in the Sporades. Get inspired, plan your itinerary and sail across the archipelago!

The wild untamed coast of Skopelos

Skopelos ferry: schedules and tickets

You can catch a ferry from mainland Greece to Skopelos at the following 5 ports: Mantoudi and Kymi in Evia, Agios Konstantinos in Fthiotis, Volos in Thessaly and Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. Ferries arrive at two ports in Skopelos: Chora and Glossa. The fastest ferry route to Skopelos is from the port of Mantoudi, or via highspeed ferry from Thessaloniki.

Here are more details about ferry routes to Skopelos:

• From Volos to Skopelos: Ferries from Volos to Skopelos depart daily throughout the year and it’s the easiest way to reach the island from mainland Greece. Depending on the type of vessel and the destination port, the trip duration is 3 hours on average. 
• From Mantoudi to Skopelos: The fastest way to reach Skopelos by ferry is from the port of Mantoudi in Evia, as the journey duration starts at 1.5 hours. Normally, there are 4 sailings per week from Mantoudi to Skopelos. The route is operated by Anes Ferries.
• From Kymi to Skopelos: The ferry connection from Kymi to Skopelos is seasonal and schedules often change. Normally, there are around 4 routes per week and the trip duration is 2.5 hours.
• From Agios Konstantinos to Skopelos: The crossing from the port of Agios Konstantinos to Skopelos is available during the summer. It takes around 4 hours to reach Skopelos.
• From Thessaloniki to Skopelos: Depending on demand, there may be a ferry from the port of Thessaloniki to Skopelos during high season. It takes 2 hours to reach Skopelos with highspeed vessel.

Tip: Make sure you check your arrival and departure port in Skopelos, to have a smooth journey.

Book ferry tickets online to Skopelos

Are you looking forward to exploring the emerald waters and impressive natural landscapes of Skopelos? Find all the information you need for your vacation and compare ferry companies, departure ports, fares and schedules on Ferryhopper, to easily book ferry tickets to Skopelos in just 4 clicks!