Blog - Read More About Your Favourite Islands

Often known as the Mamma Mia island, Skopelos has grown in popularity for tourists since the films release. It is still however, less busy than its neighbour Skiathos. The island serves as a perfect mix of its two neighbouring islands, the aforementioned Skiathos and the tranquil Alonissos. As we say at The Greek Specialist however, each island is completely different, which is why in this article we’ll be telling you what Skopelos has to offer and why it is worth visiting.
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How To Get There
You can’t fly directly to Skopelos as it doesn’t have an airport, the nearest being on Skiathos. From there you can get one of the ferries which run regularly between the closest three Sporades islands. You can fly directly into Skiathos from London City, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and London Gatwick. 

​The Town
The main settlement on the island is called Skopelos Town. It is here where the main port is and where most of the ferries come into. Despite its recent increase in tourism, Skopelos has still managed to maintain its traditional atmosphere. In the town this can be seen in its architecture, which still reflects the islands history, as well as many tavernas found throughout the streets and waterfront, serving up authentic dishes. It is something you get a sense of when you step off the ferry for the first time. The town has plenty to see, for example it has over 360 churches within its limits. The best of these is the Church of the Virgin Mary, which from its tower you get a wonderful view across the town and marina. For a different view visit the Venetian Castle. It was built in the 13th century and stands on top of the ancient city of Skopelos. Now just ruins, this site gives you an insight into the history of the island. With loads of narrow streets filled with shops and cafes, the best way to explore the town is to wander around soaking it all in as you go. 

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. 

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.