Blog - Read More About Your Favourite Islands

Skyros is an island in the Sporades Island group, yet it is often forgotten about because it is much further away than the rest. It is the largest of the Sporades and has a tilted hourglass shape with a thinner section in the middle. Most of the population and therefore the accommodation is on the northern end of the island, with only a few beaches and small villages on the southern half. In this article we’ll tell you more about Skyros so that you can see why you may want to visit this remote beauty.

How to get there
There aren't regular ferries from the other Sporades islands due to Skyros's location out of the way from the rest of them. The most reliable ferries, therefore, are from Kymi on the island of Evia. The best way to get to Skyros though, is by internal flight. There is an airport on the north of the island which connects with both Athens and Thessaloniki so you can fly there and then connect onto Skyros.  

​Chora
The Chora (also known as Skyros Town) is the most instantly recognizable place on the island, with houses crawling up the hill towards the Monastery and Byzantine Castle at the top. It is also the largest town on the island and has a lot to see and do. The two must see places in the town are the above-mentioned Byzantine Castle and the Monastery of Agios Georgios. Both date back to the 10th century and the Monastery in particular is very well preserved. From this  vantage point you get a wonderful view across Chora and down to Molos. For more history of the island, check out the Faltaits Folklore Museum and the Archaeological Museum, both of which are in Chora, where you can take a dive into the local culture or see finds from ancient sites across the island. Skyros is a very traditional Greek island and as such you can find plenty of tavernas and cafes which serve authentic Greek food littered around the town. Walking around the town you will likely end up on Megali Strata, a street which leads to Kyprou Square. This square is also known as Brook Square, named after the English war poet Robert Brook, who died and was buried on the south of the island during World War 1. 

Located just off the coast of Turkey, Kalymnos is an island in the Dodecanese Island group. Like Samos our Destination of the Week last week, Kalymnos used to be an island visited by many UK tourists on package holidays back in the 80s and 90s. Since this has dried up, Kalymnos has reinvented itself as a hub for activity holidays in Greece, especially rock climbing. In this article we’ll highlight what Kalymnos has to offer those looking to get active on their holiday.

How to get to Kalymnos
Kalymnos has a small domestic airport which connects to Athens, Kos, Leros, Rhodes and Astypalaia. These flights are limited however and therefore we recommend when coming from the UK you fly into Kos and then catch a ferry across to Kalymnos. You can get ferries to Kalymnos from Kos Town and Mastichari. We can advise which is best for you at time of enquiry. 

Rock Climbing
Kalymnos has naturally very rocky and mountainous terrain due mostly to it being the site of an ancient volcano, this rocky landscape makes it perfect for rock climbing. Kalymnos became known for rock climbing back in the 1990s when many scenic paths of varying degrees of difficulty began to be discovered. Since then, it has become the premier place for rock climbing in Greece and throughout the world. The limestone rocks make Kalymnos a great place if you’re just starting out or are wanting to improve on an established skillset. For more information on climbing on Kalymnos visit https://climbkalymnos.com/

One of a number of Greek islands which seemed to drop off the map for UK tourists in the late 80s/early 90s, Samos doesn’t deserve this fate. An island full of rolling hills and mountains covered in green vegetation, its home to many beautiful beaches and towns with white walls and red tiled roofs. Perhaps it is because there is only one direct flight a week from the UK, but this shouldn’t discourage you as it is the same for 90% of the Greek islands. Instead there are plenty of routings through Athens or Thessaloniki, which would not differ to trying to catch a ferry for another island. In this article we’ll take you through the joys of this island to show you why you should give Samos a visit.

Towns and Villages
The capital of Samos is Samos Town (or just Samos) yet locals still refer to it by its old name, Vathy. Located in the Northeast of the island, the town is home to lots of accommodation, mostly made up of small boutique hotels and apartments. Some ferries go into here so if you’re looking for a day trip to Chios then this is where it will go from. There are a wide range of bars, restaurants, tavernas and cafés in the town, meaning you’ll never be short of places to choose from. Samos Town is a good place from which to explore the rest of the island whether by car or by the public transport which stops here. 

A green and quiet island, Alonissos is located in the Sporades Island group, next to Skopelos and Skiathos. It is an island of outstanding natural beauty and is home to a natural marine park. The waters there are beautiful and clear which makes it a perfect place to go and snorkel or scuba dive. Whilst it may not be as well known as its neighbours, it’s a great place to relax and let the world go by. In this article we’ll show why this island is well worth a visit, whether it be for a day trip or to stay longer term.
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How to Get to Alonissos
Alonissos doesn’t have an airport and as such has to be reached by ferry. We recommend flying into Skiathos and then catching a ferry from there. These run fairly often amongst the Sporades islands as well as from Volos, Evia and Agios Constantinos. You can fly directly into Skiathos from the UK at London City, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and Gatwick.