Explore Skyros, The Forgotten Greek Island

The sunset from Chora, with a view of Molos

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.  

An Aegean Airlines plane flying over an island

​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. 

Chora

The Rest
Molos is a town close to and overlooked by Chora. There’s plenty of accommodation here, most of it being self-catering boutique apartments. Molos is a beachside resort and all of this accommodation is no further than 5 or 10 minutes from the lovely sandy beaches which surround the town on two sides. Also in Molos is one of the most unique and strange churches you will see, the Church of Agios Nikolaos, which is built into the bottom quarter of a rock and whose inside is hollowed out and carved from that rock.

Linaria is the port of Skyros. As well as its port, there are a number of cafes, serving Greek cuisine as well as some studios and apartments which you can stay at. In this cove there is also a sandy beach perfect for lounging at if you’re staying in the village. Very close to Linaria is the village of Acherounes, which has a beach of its own and is very popular amongst water sports enthusiasts on the island. 

Molos at night

Things to Do
Palamari is the site of a Neolithic settlement which is one of the most important in the Aegean. What remains now are the foundations and low dry-stone walls which give you an idea of what it would’ve looked like. All the finds from the site can be seen at the Archaeological Museum in Chora. 

The island still hosts a number of religious and cultural festivals across the summer which will, if you are there at the right time, give another way to experience life on a more traditional Greek island. In July there are holy mass’s at the church of Agios Panteleimon and at Agios Ermolaos, which is on a small inlet just off the coast from Molos which all the locals get boats to. On August 15th the Assumption of the Virgin festival is held and attended by most of the island. Another of the most popular events on the island is the Carnival which encompasses a number of old traditions.
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You can get small boat trips to one of Skyros’s little secrets, a number of sea caves with stalactites which these small boats can take you into. These visually stunning caves provide a different way to see the island. 

Small boats in Skyros harbour

Beaches
Skyros is home to a number of sandy beaches up and down its length. We’ve already mentioned the great beaches at Molos, but just down the road you find Achili beach in the village of the same name. This beach is where, in mythology, legendary warrior Achilles left to go and fight in the Trojan War. Lovely pebbled beaches can be found by the villages of Pefkos, Agios Fokas and Atsitsa, where the later is perfect for swimming and has beautiful clear water. Finally, up by the airport, are the beaches of Agios Petros and Agalipa. Agios Petros is a large sandy beach which isn’t organized. Agalipa has some of clearest water on the island, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. 

Agalipa Beach

We hope this has given you a brief insight into Skyros and what it has to offer and why it should be put back   some insight into why if you want activities, Kalymnos is the place to go. To find out more about the rest of Greece, take a look around our website or call us on 01157843388. If you know where you’re looking to book, call us, email [email protected] or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your Greek holiday needs. If you've been to Skyros, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages

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