Skopelos

A Greek island in the Northern Sporades island group, it is located in the western Aegean Sea and fairly small, with an area of just 96.3 kilometres and has a population of around 5000 people and ideal for island hopping holidays. This means that it is ideal for people who want a quieter holiday experience, surrounded by incredible natural scenery.

Skopelos is blessed with a warm Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters. The best time of year to visit is between June and August, when the temperature averages a pleasant 24 degrees and rain is rare. Spring and autumn are slightly cooler, with the temperature tending to be around 18 degrees. Skopelos is slightly cooler than many of the other Greek islands, making it ideal for people who love to be active, during their holiday.

Skopelos was settled sometime during the Neolithic period, although the first hard evidence we have of human inhabitation is around 1600 BC, when the Minoans of Crete settled the island. By the time of the Persian wars in the 5th century BC, it had developed into a prosperous trading nation, which meant that it decided to remain neutral. After the Persian’s defeat it joined the Delian League, headed by Athens, and installed a democratic system, which lasted until Athens was defeated by Sparta 100 years later. It was famous for its wine during Roman times, with trade flourishing. The island was then occupied by the Byzantines and Ottomans, with the legendary pirate Barbarossa, attacking and slaughtering the population in 1538. Skopelos became a member of the newly formed Greek republic in 1821.

Its quality of its pies, pastries and other baked goods are delicious and plentiful. One particular speciality on Skopelos, is a cheese pie, made with local cheese, although there are also sweet variations of it made with strawberries and almonds. “Avgato” is a sweet made from juicy Scopelian plums in light syrup, while the Scopelian milk pie and the custard filled pastry are also popular with the locals. On special occasions people tend to eat a traditional local pastry made of almonds, known as “chaimalia”.

Take the family on a day out to the Stafilos Beach, known for its shallow waters and proximity to the capital. There are also the Sedoukia Pirate Graves, considered to be haunted in local folklore, which are sure to appeal to children interested in such things. Skopelos has also got a number of hiking trails, which active families are bound to enjoy.

The island is primarily a beach destination, and its many beautiful beaches are what really set it apart from the other islands in the area. This makes it ideal for anyone who wants to kick back and relax in the hot summer sun, amidst beautiful scenery, which will take your breath away. There is also Glossa port, a picturesque small harbour, which runs a number of boat tours and other exciting activities.

Known as a fairly quiet island, it offers a number of relaxed places where you can enjoy a chilled-out drink. The best places to go out are Skopelos Town and Glossa, both featuring a selection of relaxing bars, ideal for cocktails with friends or your partner. The tavernas are also nice, becoming the perfect place to have a meal that lasts long into the night.