Skyros Island
Welcome to Skyros, an idyllic island located in the north Aegean somewhat isolated from the typical tourist’s circuits of the south Aegean. This helped to preserve the island’s traditions and authentic feel.
The north side of the island is green pine trees similar to the islands of the Ionian Sea and the north of Greece, and the south side of the island is low shrubbery just like the islands of the Cyclades. In Skyros you can have the best of both worlds!
Skyros in ancient times was renowned for its marble and gold production. It supplied its natural resources to Athens, the city state to which it was subject.
In mythology, Skyros is where Odysseus and Achilleas left for their adventures in Troy, and where Theseus began his journey to Crete to fight the Minotaur. On the islands northwest coast there are ruins at Palamari, which was the site of an ancient port active in the marble and gold trade.
Today Skyros is known for its ceramics, the Skyrian Horse, Kasseri cheese and lobster. The village as you see it today was built in the 1300’s, and many of the small houses have survived until this day. The main street in the village, or the Agora, is where you will find all the islands shopping, and plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
Skyros has lots of things to do and see, but on your short trip to the island here are some of the our favorite places and activities which we recommend for your time on Skyros!
Chora
The villages of Skyros have preserved their traditional architecture, with the small whitewashed houses, the flat roofs, and the paved paths. Chora, the capital village, and Linaria, the port, are main villages on the island.
Beaches To Explore
There are a lot of beaches to explore in Skyros! The northeast beaches are located closest to the village and face open seas. This makes them sandier but also more wavy if it is a windy day. The south and west beaches are very calm even on a windy day. They tend to have colder water, but overall are more scenic, many set-in little coves amongst pine covered mountains. For a more happening beach check out Magazia. For more scenic beach check out Pefkos or Kalamitsa. For the more adventurous spirits who want a small private beach where you might be the only people there, try Pontikonisi, Agalipa, or the unnamed beach to the right of Kavos (all three require a little hiking).
Northeast Beaches (closest to village, 5 minutes) –
Magazia– The main beach of the island. It is the closest to the village (walking distance) and also the largest/longest with the most restaurants and beach bars. If you want to spend the day in a lounge chair being served drinks and good food check out Magazia. If you are looking for a laid back taverna on the beach check out Ammoudia. The Juicy bar is next door and has a more colorful Caribbean feel, and slightly further down the beach towards Molos you will find Asterias Restaurant. On the other end of the beach is Agkyra and Erma beach bar. This is the best beach if you want to hangout and enjoy cocktails on the beach! One of our favorite tavernas located on Magazia is Stephanos. If you have time, we highly suggest eating at this taverna for lunch or dinner.
Gyrismata– Further north from the village past Molos is a long beach with smooth rocks and beautiful water. There is one beach bar on Girismata but overall it is more chill and has nicer water than Magazia. If you’re looking for lobster and spaghetti before lounging on the beach check out O Stelios Fish Restaurant located on Gyrismata. This has been a favorite of the groom’s for many years!
Aspous– This beach lies between the port of Linaria and Skyros town located on the east coast. This is a sandy beach that is accessible via a foot path across from Lambros Taverna. The very north end of the beach also has a beach bar called Aspous Beach Paradise but it is somewhat removed from the beach itself. The main beach does not have any establishments to serve sun-beds so be sure to bring a towel.
South Beaches (closest to Port of Linaria, 10 minutes from village) -
Pefkos– This beach is on the south side of the island and in a cove surrounded by green pines and is very scenic. There is a short stairway that leads down to the beach which has green water. There is a beach bar on the beach that offers coffee, drinks, and umbrellas. Drive a little further past the beach and there is a Taverna on the left with great homemade meals and seafood. On your right there is a small stone dock that is great for diving off as the water below is very deep. To get here leave the village and drive towards the port of Linaria, you will get to a fork, and you will see a sign directing you to make a right to go towards Pefkos. That road takes you directly to Pefkos. As your leaving Pefkos you will see a sign for Agios Fokas and a road going up the mountain. If you take that road you will find yourself at a small church at the top of the mountain called Agios Pantelemonas with breathtaking views of Pefkos bay, the port of Linaria, and the south side of the island below. Continue on this road to get to Agios Fokas.
Kalamitsa– This beach has a sweeping view of the Vouno, the large mountain the occupies the south side of the island. The water here is always calm, but it is also probably the coldest water of all the beaches on the island. This makes it very refreshing on a hot day in Greece! Pay attention to the water, there is fool’s gold floating in in that makes it sparkle in the sunlight. If you continue driving past the beach for a few minutes south you find yourself at Nifi, a natural spring with delicious drinkable water. There is a very good Taverna right on the main part of the beach which is great for a quick snack while relaxing. To get here, head from the village towards the port town of Linaria, and make a left at the intersection once you pass Aspous.
Acherounes– This beach is just past the port town of Linaria on the left-hand side. This beach is very accessible and has calm waters making it very popular.
West Beaches (close to airport, but least crowded, 25 minutes from Village)
Atsitsa– This bay set in lush green pine trees has large stone columns that are relics of an old port system. The beach is small but there is a restaurant there and it is a nice scenic place to stop for coffee. To the right of the old towers there is a small path, if you find it, it will take you down to a small secluded emerald beach. This beach is on the backside of the Island and is the furthest from the village. We highly recommend taking a taxi to the Sunset Bar and Cafe to watch the sun go down near Atsitsa beach.
Agios Petros– To get here pass the airport and as you are following the road you will see a fork, if you go straight on a dirt road (which has a sign overhead that says Agios Petros) and follow the dirt road you will eventually come out on this long sandy beach which also has people camping on it. As you head that way there is a taverna on the right-hand side in the mountains that has some of the best meat on the island. There are also small dirt road turn offs on the left that will take you to Navagio or Agalipa beaches.
Navagio– shipwreck beach! Difficult to get to, involves some hiking. Best to go with a local who knows the way.
Agalipa– An incredible crystal-clear blue water and pink sand but difficult to access. The dirt roads do not have signage and you need a 4×4 to travel them. Also involves hiking (very steep at one point) to get down to this beach. If you plan to go bring a cooler with beer and food and make a day out of it. Best to go with a local who knows the way.
Sarakino– Beautiful electric blue waters and white sand, only accessible by boat. There are two boats that leave from Linaria daily that offer a cruise to this beach stopping at the sea caves also. One is Psariotis, which serves you lobster spaghetti meal for lunch, the other is Hydrovatis, which serves souvlaki.
