Skopelos is the largest island in the Northern Sporades Islands. The island is located east of mainland Greece, northeast of the island of Euboea and is part of the Prefecture of Magnesias in the Periphery of Thessaly. Skopelos is also the name of the main port and the municipal center of the island. The other communities of the island are Glossa
and Neo Klima (Elios).
The geography of Skopelos includes two mountains
over 500 meters; Delphi (681 meters) in the center of the island, and
Palouki (546 meters) in the southeast. With an area of 95 km² (36.6 mi²)
Skopelos is slightly larger than Mykonos (85 km²) and Santorini (73 km²). The nearest inhabited islands are Skiathos to the west and Alonissos to the east. Skopelos is one of the greenest islands in the Aegean Sea. The
island has a wide range of flowers, trees and shrubs. The local
vegetation is chiefly made up of forests of Aleppo Pines, Kermes Oaks, a
small forest of Holm Oaks, fruit trees and olive groves.
Visitors
to Skopelos are often surprised to find that Skopelos is blessed with an
excellent selection of beaches, all of them scenic, and offering delightful
swimming. Skopelos’ pristine coastline was without doubt why it was chosen as
the main filming location for the dreamy Greek paradise island in ‘Mamma Mia’. You
will find that there really is a beach here to suit all tastes-whether you are
the sort of person who can only really get comfortable on a sun lounger,
sipping on an iced drink, or if you prefer to get away from it all, and relax
on a tiny shingle cove that is you can call your very own.
Stafilos beach, the closest
beach to the town, if you use the bus, at a distance of 4,5 km, Stafilos is
popular and prone to get crowded. A sloping road, 500 meters off the bus
route brings you to the beach. Mixed sandy and shingle, with umbrellas, sun
beds and beach bar, in a delightful setting. There are two taverns nearby. It was named after the mythical
Prince Stafilos. His grave was found on the small cape at the right side,
together with his golden sword, which is displayed at the Archaeological Museum
of Athens. The grave is similar to the royal Mycenaean ones. It is believed
that Prince Stafilos with a group of Cretans settled here and founded a town,
in 1600 B.C.
Agnondas beach. A charming fishing hamlet, 8 km from the town. Small, shingle coast with waterside taverns
and scenic sunsets. Popular and crowded. Agnondas is used as a second harbour, when the
weather is bad. It got its name from the runner Olympic winner Agnon, in 569 B.C. When the
winner returned from Olympia, he landed at this port, which was named after him.
Limnonari beach.
1
kilometre on from Agnondas is what many consider to be the loveliest sandy
beach of the island. Limnonari is located in a sheltered bay, backed by very
steep pine and scrub covered hills The sand is fine and a pale golden colour,
the aquamarine sea translucent and usually very calm; (although you need to
take care as you enter the sea as there is a slippery shelf of rock close to
the shore.) There are a couple of tavernas here, both of which also have rooms
to rent.
Panormos beach. The distance from Skopelos town is 12 km. A fabulous, wind protected bay
with turquoise waters; consists of a large shingle beach and lots of
coves. The beach is popular and crowded, with water sports,
umbrellas, sun beds, and an adequate number of waterside taverns,
cafes and other shops.
Milia beach.14 km from the town of Skopelos. A lush,
shingle beach with crystal water. Well organized with sun
beds, umbrellas and beach bar, in magnificent surrounding
scenery. Milia is crowded during the high season, but if you
walk towards the end of the beach, you will find a quiet
cove, behind the rocks. It is well worth lingering and
watching the sun setting.
Velanio beach. Next to
Stafilos, on the other side of the headland, much larger and wider, with umbrellas and sun
beds. Impressive beach, with fine thick sand and water spring at the very end. Some years ago it was the most popular
(unofficial) nudist beach of the island.
Sources: www.skopelos.net and www.skopelos.co.uk
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