Skopelos, Greece

Agios-IoannisSkopelos is an island on the eastern side of Greece, in the Aegean Sea. The island shot to fame in 2008 as the filming location for “Mamma Mia.” As you tour the island you will recognize many settings from the movie, especially the Agios Ioannis chapel, perched atop a rocky outcrop that juts into the sea. But to the locals, Skopelos is known for its beautiful landscapes. Every beach boasts beautiful clear blue water, white sand or pebbles, and green pines. You can see the sunrise on the eastern beaches, then cross the island and see it set in the west.

It takes a bit of doing to get to Skopelos Island. From the port of Agios Konstantinos it is a three-and-a-half-hour scenic cruise to Skopelos Town. I suggest departing on the earliest ferry (about 9 am) which will get you to Skopelos Town by midafternoon. It also might be a good idea to pre-book a hotel or B&B, especially if it’s in the busy summer tourist season. Once settled in, take a walk in the historic town center, get a bite to eat for lunch at one of the harbor-front cafés, and maybe visit a church or two.Skopelos-2

Skopelos Town, the island’s capital, was built around a medieval castle, which provides breathtaking views of the Aegean. The city is filled with iconic white stone houses with courtyards, narrow paved streets and Byzantine churches. It is the typical Greek island town. You can visit the Folklore Museum to find out more about the folk tradition of the island. The museum is housed in a perfectly-preserved traditional house. And no trip to Skopelos would be complete without sampling the local traditional dish: a crispy pastry filled with local goat cheese.

I suggest staying on the island at least two nights so you’ll have a full day to explore beyond Skopelos Town. It is cheap and easy to rent a car in town and then you’ve got it all day to drive to some remote beaches and visit off-the-beaten-path churches and historical sites.

SkopelosJust north of Skopelos Town is the Monastery of Agia Varvara, the island’s oldest monastery. It was built in 1648 and is surrounded by fortress-like walls. The monastery is abandoned today, but it is well worth a visit to see the 15th-century frescoes and the views of the Aegean. Or you may want to stop by Dragon’s Chasm. Legend has it that, in the 4th century, when Agios Riginos arrived in Skopelos as the new bishop, the island was being terrorized by a dragon. As he was pursuing the dragon, the mountain split apart and the dragon fell into the abyss and died. There is a small shrine at the spot where the dragon was killed. Agios Riginos became the patron saint of the island and his tomb is located at the Monastery of Agios Riginos. You can also climb up to Sendoukia to see the pirate graves, carved into the rocks to face the sea.

For your third day, consider booking the midafternoon ferry back to the mainland. This will give you the entire morning and several hours of the afternoon to relax in Skopelos Town. I like to return to Agios Konstantinos and set up for the evening in the beach resort area just north of town.

 

Ready to see Skopelos for yourself? Join me this summer on The Best of Greece Tour.

Your Adventure Starts Here!

David