Skyros island

General info:

Skyros, the southernmost and biggest island of the Sporades cluster, covers 200 square km and has approximately 2,600 permanent residents.

It is an island of pure natural beauty with an impressive terrain; its northern side is covered by pine-forests, lush wild vegetation and rural cultivation of lemon and orange trees and vineyards, while its southern side is rougher, rockier and more barren.  This is the home of the famous tiny Skyrian ponies, a wild and rare species.  Its coastline of 135 km consists of beaches of crystal clear waters, small hidden coves, astonishing sea caves, and charming tiny harbours which the visitor is challenged to explore.

The scenery of the interior is quite picturesque with traditional settlements in which the presence of folklore is evident.  A stroll through the winding cobbled alleyways leading to charming cube-shaped houses, beautiful churches and to delightful chapels; take a walk around the tiny squares where the friendly locals gather and visit archaeological sites and you will be convinced that Skyros lives somewhere between the past and the present.

Having retained many traditional customs, with the most well known being the Skyrian carnival festivity which goes back to the ancient worship of Dionysus, and with the love of its inhabitants for folk-art such as ceramics, handicraft and embroidery, Skyros is in fact a living museum.

The island does not have a highly developed tourist industry but, contrary to what it may seem, this adds to the attraction of the island, since the authentic simplicity, romance and home-like atmosphere, the trade marks of Skyros, have remained intact.

Historical profile:

According to mythology, Achilles, the hero of the Trojan War, when he was still a child was hidden here by his mother, to avoid participating in the war in which, according to an oracle, he would be killed.  But canny Ulysses managed to discover where Achilles was hidden and brought him to Troy, where the prophecy came true.

Another myth says that Theseus was treacherously killed on this island by the Athenian king, Lycomedes, who threw him from the cliffs when he felt that his power was threatened by Theseus.

Historically speaking, Skyros has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age as evidenced from archaeological findings at the site of Kastro (Castle).  First settlers are considered to be the Cares, Pelasgians or the Dolopes.

In the Copper Age (2500-1800 BC), the island had already become a significant cultural and commercial centre, as is evidenced by the organised prehistoric settlement found at Palamari , but reached its peak during  the Mycenaean period.  In 475 BC, the Athenians dominated and colonised Skyros and the island was annexed to the Athenian League.  Later on, the Macedonians ruled the island until 192 BC, when it came under Roman rule.  After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines dominated the island. At that time Christianity was introduced and rapidly prevailed and many churches from that era are still preserved on the island.
After the capture of Constantinople in 1204 AD, Skyros passed into the hands of the Venetians whose culture influenced the island considerably and in 1532 it was conquered by the Ottomans.  Though the Ottomans gave many privileges to Skyros, its inhabitants became ardent supporters of the Greek War of Independence and contributed both with an army and naval power when the war broke out in 1821.  Skyros offered a safe shelter to refugees from other Greek islands and was liberated in 1829.

Villages:

Skyros Town (Chora) is the capital of the island.  Built amphitheatrically on the slopes of an imposing mountain and crowned by a 13th century Byzantine Castle, the beauty of Chora is quite enchanting.

The cube-shaped houses with flat roofs and painted in bright white and bold blue hues look to be huddling against the slopes, having a character of their own.  The labyrinthine cobbled alleys, the charming folk-art shops, remarkable churches and chapels with frescoes, the aroma of jasmine and basil and the fact that access to vehicles is not permitted, compose a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere.

It is this tranquillity and its sheer natural beauty that make Skyros an ideal destination for alternative holidays.  The “Skyros Institute of Holistic Health and Fitness” founded in the early ‘80s offers each year a variety of workshops on self-development and activities including yoga, tai chi, dance etc, attracting people from around the world.

The Venetian Castle, with stunning views to the sea; the Folk-Art Museum in which items of everyday day life are exhibited and the Archaeological Museum with important collections of finding of all eras; the Eternal Poetry square at the site of Tris Boukes, where the tomb and the statue of the early 20th century British poet and philhellene, Rupert Brook are found, are only some of the places that sightseers should visit.

Chora offers adequate accommodation facilities; decent hotels built in traditional architectural styles, pensions and, for those who wish to have a taste of the island’s daily life, there are locals who let rooms in their own traditional houses which are adorned with ceramic pots, wooden furniture and embroidery.  

 Along the central road you will find many tavernas that serve delicious dishes from the local cuisine and night life is in accordance with the islands’ general aura; low-key, yet stylish with delightful coffee-shops, sophisticated small, friendly bars with music for every taste and some night clubs which stay open until the early hours.

Approximately 11 km south of Chora lies Linaria, a coastal fishing village and also the main port of Skyros.  Built in a sheltered bay and surrounded by green vegetation, LInaria offers breathtaking sunsets and moments of priceless serenity.  Several accommodation facilities are to be found as well as taverna with excellent fresh fish dishes and small coffee-shops.

Aspous (5 km south of Chora) is a seaside village with few permanent residents and equally few tavernas and accommodation facilities, but the beautiful scenery and the peaceful sandy beach with blue, sparkling waters attracts many visitors.

Atsitsa settlement (18 km west of Chora) is built in the arms of a delightful bay surrounded by pine forests which contrast with the clear blue of the sea.  The bay is ideal for seas sports and for exploring the nearby magnificent sea caves.  The place offers just a few accommodation facilities and even fewer, but excellent, tavernas.

 Another settlement worth visiting is Acherounes (Aherounes) ( 10 km south of Chora), a  tourist resort built in an astonishingly green and hilly location that offers many accommodation and recreational facilities and also one of the most popular beaches on the island with golden sand and excellent blue waters.

Beaches:

When compared to the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos, Skyros cannot boast of its variety of beaches; nevertheless the existing ones are ideal for those who seek relaxation, serenity and crystal clear waters.

Close to Chora (about 10 minutes on foot) are found two of the most popular and livelier beaches of Skyros. The Magazia beach, which is a long stretch of pebbles with clear blue waters is organised and family friendly since the waters here are shallow, but is also ideal for sea sports, thus it can become crowded.  In the resort of the same name you will find many accommodation options, shops and tavernas right on the waterfront, where you can enjoy tasty dishes.  At the northern end of Magazia unfolds Molos beach, an equally popular and organised beach, with fine sand and sparkling clear waters.  The scenery is delightful and from here you can enjoy amazing sunsets.  There are several accommodation facilities, tavernas and coffee-bars.  

If you prefer less crowded beaches you should visit the beach of Acherounes, a delightful beach with soft sand and shallow blue waters surrounded by a fascinating scenery or green; the beach of Atsitsa - a pined-fringed pebble beach with sparkling blue waters; the beach of Pefko, a small beach of thick sand embraced by pine forest and the Agios Fokas beach, an idyllic haven with white pebbles, light blue waters and one of the best sceneries in Skyros. 

Access:

Skyros is reached by sea via scheduled trips with ferries with the port of Kymi ( Evia).  You can travel Kymi either by bus or by car from several regions of the mainland.

The island has its own airport which receives scheduled flights from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) and Thessalonica airport, as well as charter flights from abroad during the summer season.

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