A few words about Skyros
The Aegean island of Skyros is the largest and southernmost island of the Sporades, located northeast of Kymi and at a distance of 22 nautical miles from it. Its area is 200 square kilometers, its coastline is 130 kilometers, and it has approximately 2,900 inhabitants.
The island's continental relief shows strong geographical similarities to Evia, to which it also belongs administratively.
An island with deep roots in myth and history, it is connected to the Trojan War as well as to the hero of Athens, Theseus. It was inhabited during both the Mycenaean and Geometric periods and remained under Athenian rule until 86 B.C. Later, it fell into the hands of the Romans, became a place of exile during the Byzantine Empire, and for a time belonged to the Venetians. It was liberated in 1830 after participating in the Greek War of Independence.
The ship disembarks you at the port of Linaria, a base for boat excursions and a spot for fresh fish.
The capital of the island is the eponymous Skyros or Chora.
In the traditional settlement of Chora, it's like being in a living museum of unique architectural style, with narrow winding streets, old shops, and whitewashed houses with flat roofs climbing up the impressive hillside towards the medieval castle and the Byzantine monastery of St. George. Forget about your car, wander through the narrow alleys, and enjoy the view from above.
As you ascend from the market towards the castle, you will encounter many small chapels. At the chapel of St. John the Theologian, take a rest on the benches in its courtyard while gazing at the coastal settlements, such as Magazia with its wide sandy beach and Molos, a small harbor with boats. In the distance, and in the same northeastern direction, you can spot Pouria and Gyrismata. When you reach the castle, pass through its impressive entrance adorned with a marble lion-dragon and enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the hill.
Returning from the castle towards the town, take the road on the right that leads to Eleftherias Square with the statue of the Philhellene Robert Brooke, a symbol of eternal poetry. Here you will find the Manos Faltaits Folklore Museum, the Archaeological Museum, and the newly built open-air theater, which hosts cultural and artistic events.
An interesting aspect is the exploration of the northern part of the island, where the landscape of the Skyrian Olympus and the pine-covered beaches strongly resemble northern Evia. For your swimming, try the northwestern beaches of Agios Fokas, the sheltered Kira-Panagia, or the quieter beach of Agios Petros with its emerald waters.
It's also worth taking an exploratory walk towards the mountainous southern part of the island, where the scenery changes completely. It becomes wild and lunar, with rocky outcrops extending down to the sea. You can also reach the Three Coves, a large natural harbor whose entrance is blocked by two islets. On the way to the Three Coves, you'll also encounter on your left the grave of the British poet Robert Brooke.
The final destination of this tour is the pebble beach of Renes, where you can enjoy a swim. On your way back, make a stop and refresh yourself at the Nyfi spring.
WE SUGGEST YOU
To visit:
• The medieval fortress built on the site of an acropolis. The view from the top of the hill is amazing!
• The Castle Monastery of Saint George, a dependency of the Great Lavra Monastery of Mount Athos!
• The Archaeological Museum with artifacts from 2500 BC to the Classical period, including funerary steles, sarcophagi, and fragments of sculptures!!
• The Mano Faltaits Folklore Museum with traditional costumes, embroidery, wood carvings, and ceramics!
• The excavations of the prehistoric fortified settlement at the Palamari bay, a port for the transport of metals from the 3rd millennium BC!
• Atsitsa, a beautiful pine-covered area with impressive rocks and small “nooks” with pebbles for swimming. Here you can also see the stone columns for the rail carts that transported iron and chromium from the quarries to the port!
• The Skyrian house near the castle!
• The wood carving and ceramics workshops!
• The Proto-Geometric and Geometric tombs at Magazia!
• The ancient quarry at Pouria!
• The Monastery of Saint Demetrius, 3 km northeast of Chora, situated in the forest!
To swim:
• At the bustling sandy beach of Magazia!
• At the northwestern beaches of Agios Fokas and Achitsa with their charming tavernas!
• At the southern and sheltered beaches when the northern winds blow on the island. Prefer the quiet Kolympada with pebbles (a 10-minute walk from the road) and the more crowded and family-friendly Kalamixta!
Don't miss also:
• Take the caique from Linaria to the secluded eastern Pentekali and Diatripi sea caves with their stalactites and green waters, a day trip you’ll never forget!
• Visit the southern part of the island (Kalamitsa-Nyfi-Ferenes) by car and enjoy the small Skyrina horses in their natural habitat, a rare breed of horse found only on Skyros Island!
• Walk through the pine forest of 60,000 acres in the northern part of the island!
• Celebrate one of the island's festivals with the locals, where meat with potatoes and pilaf is served after Vespers!
The biggest festivals of the island are:
• St. Ermolaus on July 25
• St. Panteleimon on July 27
• The Transfiguration of the Savior on August 5 and 6
• The Dormition of the Theotokos on August 14 and 15
• St. Myron on August 16 and 17
• St. Mamas on September 2
• The Panagia of Limpianis, on Mount Olympus, on September 8.
Taste:
The lobster pasta, a specialty of the island, since the area is renowned for its abundant fish and lobsters. Just make sure to notify the restaurant in advance!
• The local goat meat and Syrian cheeses like mizithra and graviera!