This island will satisfy the needs of even the most discerning tourists. It offers excellent food and drink, as well as beautiful scenery and attractions.
Skopelos, one of the islands of Greece, is famous for being the location of the 2008 filming of the iconic ABBA musical “Mamma Mia!” starring Hollywood stars. But few people know how advantageous this vacation spot is.
As the Dailymail writes, Skopelos is often referred to as the Green Island because of its lush, green landscapes of pine and olive trees. The air is scented with pine and sage, and there is no escape from the sound of cicadas.
On the island, you can see white houses, local families having picnics on the beaches, fruit vendors on old rusty trucks, and great hotel prices.Video of the dayPlay Video
For example, the Aegeon Hotel, located on the outskirts of the main settlement, Skopelos. Surrounded by a pine forest, this hotel offers simple yet comfortable rooms. All rooms have large balconies overlooking the bay.
The hosts are very hospitable and are happy to take guests to and from the port upon request. There is a large swimming pool with plenty of seating. And of course, the room rates start at $40 per night.
Low prices are common in Skopelos. During the high season, most Aegeon-level hotels can be booked for around \$50 per night, while three-star hotels with swimming pools start at around $80. The tourist season lasts from May to October.
Getting there is easy and inexpensive. Buses on the island run frequently and are inexpensive. Tickets start at $2.5 for a 15-minute trip and go up to $6 for a one-hour trip from the city of Skopelos to Glossa, where there are two ports. In addition, you can rent a motorcycle for as little as $18 per day.
Most beaches are easily accessible by bus, and all of them have free areas where you don’t need to rent a sunbed. Milia and Limnonari were particularly quiet and peaceful, and you didn’t have to spend a single euro. However, even on the most popular beaches like Kastani, sunbeds cost \$18 for an entire day.
It is interesting to visit the St. John’s Chapel in Kastri. To reach it, you need to climb 200 steps carved into the rock. You can drive to this place on bumpy roads, but for those who are afraid of driving, it is better to take a boat tour. Sporades Queen Cruises offers a three-hour tour to see the chapel from the sea, as well as the hard-to-reach areas of the northern part of the island. Tickets cost $34.
This company also organizes boat trips to the North Sporades National Marine Park, the largest protected marine area in Europe, which is home to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. This tour also includes a visit to the island of Alonissos.
The double-decker also stops at the almost deserted Peristera island, which has about 30 residents and some of the cleanest water. This seven-hour cruise costs $47, and the bar on board is not a rip-off either: a beer costs $2.50.
There are many excellent walking routes in the area. A popular route runs from the town of Skopelos to the village of Stafilos and then to the peaceful Velanio beach. After swimming, you can return by foot or by bus.
Skopelos has over 360 churches and chapels, as well as the ruins of a Venetian castle near the port, all of which can be visited for free.
In the old part of Skopelos, some of the best places to eat and drink are the International Cafe, Aktaion Taverna, and En Plo Cafe.
For a quick snack, bakeries and cafes sell strong Greek coffee and pastries, such as spanakopita, for $2.5. Don’t miss the traditional Skopelos cheese pie, which is cooked in a pan and served with honey.
Happy hour cocktails cost around \$9, and traditional Greek dishes like moussaka and souvlaki cost around $12. A liter of good homemade wine usually costs around $10.
