Skopelos is a member of the Sporades complex of islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos). It is a green mountainous island, with beautiful nature and interesting archeological remains. A rich greenery that reach the sea, beautiful coasts with sandy beaches and picturesque gulfs, small islands in its waters attract a great current of tourism every year.

Skopelos was inhabited from ancient times. The first name of the island was Peparithos. The island took its name from Peparithos, who, with Staphylos, led the Cretans, who first colonized the island. Mythology says that Peparithos and Staphylos were sons of Ariadne and Dionysus and that they introduced the cultivation of grapes on the island. In Classical times, Skopelos was an allay of Athens. Later, it was under the domination of Macedonia. In the 2nd Century BC, the name of the island changed to that of Skopelos. In the Middle Ages, the island belonged to Venice. In 1538 it was conquered by the Turks, who dominated it until 1830, when it was liberated and became part of Greece.

Features of Skopelos

Skopelos covers an area of 96 km2 and has a coastline of 67 km. The terrain of the island is mountainous, with some green, fertile valleys that reach the sea. Its products are olives, excellent wines and fruits. Particularly the plums are a well-known product of the island.

The island has two ports: Skopelos, the capital of the island, on the eastern side of the island and Loutraki, on the western side, opposite the coast of Greece. Near Loutraki, there is one of the most characteristic settlements of the island, Glossa, a mountainous village, with a wonderful view of the sea. Skopelos and all the other Sporades Islands have waters particularly rich in fish.

There are many important monasteries and almost 360 churches throughout the island, with interesting frescos and icons. So the island, with its history and traditions, with its churches and monasteries, is a very interesting place for visitors. Of interest also are the handicrafts of the folk art, like ceramics, embroidery and paintings, beautiful and well-known products of the island.

Architecture of Skopelos

The architecture of Skopelos has not lost its character and, like in all the other Sporades islands, its white houses have roofs of tiles, small balconies and little flower gardens. An important element of its architecture is the great number of churches, in both the capital and in the rest of the island.

Antiquities of Skopelos

• The tomb of Staphylos, 4 km from the capital. Its rich treasure led archeologists to deduce the tomb was that of an ancient king. Today the treasure can be seen in the museum of the nearby city of Volos, on the opposite coast of Greece.

• The few remains of the temple of Asclipio (4th Century BC), on the beach, near the capital.

• The Venetian Castle of the city of Skopelos (13th Century), high above the capital, at the site of the ancient acropolis. Today very few ruins remain in place.

• The Ancient Tombs excavated in the rocks, at Sentoukia, in Mount Delphi. Due to their location, they can be reached only by foot.

Monasteries of Skopelos

• The Monastery of Panagia Livadiotissa (17th Century), 2 km from the capital, with interesting icons.

• The Monastery of Evanghelistria (18th Century), 4 km from the capital, in a beautiful place, with very valuable icons.

• The Monastery of Agia Varvara, 5 km from the capital, with a wonderful view of the sea.

• The Monastery of Timio Prodromos (17th Century), 6 km from the capital, with Byzantine icons.

• The Monastery of Metamorphosi (1600), near the capital.

• The Monasteries of Prophet Ilia and Agios Nicolas, in the center of the island, on Mount Delphi.

Ferry boat connections to Skopelos

• Scopelos is 58 n.m. from Volos, 61 n.m. from the port of Agios Constantinos, in the prefecture of Fthiotida, and 120 n.m. from Thessaloniki. The island has two ports: Skopelos and Loutraki. The distances and the times are for the port of Skopelos.

• Ferryboats connect the island with Volos (5 hrs), Agios Constantinos (4 hrs) and Thessaloniki (8 hrs).

• Hydrofoils connect the island with Volos (2 hrs 15 min) Agios Constantinos (2 hrs ) and Thessaloniki (4 hrs).

• These connections link also Skopelos to nearby Skiathos, Alonissos, Skyros, Evia, to some other islands of the Aegean Sea and to the peninsula of Halkidiki.