Sporades · The last island of the Sporades
Skyros
Skyros, the southernmost of the Sporades, was long known only for its rare ponies and its role as younger brother to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos. We design private Skyros itineraries around its living traditions, its own farm-fed cuisine and its untouched beaches.
Until recent years, Skyros was known only for its ponies and for being the last island of the Sporades, playing younger brother to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos. Not anymore: the island is gaining the place it deserves on the map.
Heroes, poets and a controversial statue
In mythology, Skyros is where Achilles hid, dressed as a girl, to avoid the Trojan War, until Odysseus offered him a sword and the hero reached for it, giving himself away. Theseus, slayer of the Minotaur, was banished here and thrown from a cliff by Lykomedes, king of Skyros. Oddly, there are no statues of either hero on the island. There is, however, one of the English poet Rupert Brooke, who died just offshore in 1915 and is buried at Tris Boukes Bay, the former pirate bay in the southwest. His statue stands on Plateia Rupert Brooke at the top of the Chora, and it remains controversial because, inexplicably, it is a nude.
Explore Skyros
Skyros is one of the few Greek islands not dependent on tourism: its own agriculture and stock farming produce excellent dairy, meat and all kinds of pies, which is exactly why the food here tastes the way it does.
Skyros ponies
This semi-wild, small-bodied horse breed is one of the rarest in the world and has lived on Skyros for around 2,000 years. It is possible they were used by Alexander the Great in his conquests, and possible too that they are the horses depicted in the friezes of the Parthenon.
Chora
The town of Chora is full of winding, twisting streets that cry out to be explored. Follow the stone paths and wander for hours, soaking up the traditional architecture stacked beneath the castle rock and panoramic views that stretch to the horizon.
Skyrian serenity
Skyros is known for beautiful beaches, a jagged coastline and seaside villages. Steeped in tradition and still relatively untouched, it is the ultimate choice for a romantic, idyllic getaway.
Pairing Skyros
Skyros rewards travellers who come the extra mile, and it closes a Sporades journey begun in Skiathos and Skopelos with something none of its siblings have: an island still living mostly for itself.
Known first-hand
Our best picks on Skyros
- Best Activity The Skyros Carnival
In the weeks before Orthodox Lent, men take the role of the geros, goat men in furry black capes, heavy belts of goat bells and hanging goatskins over their faces, parading the streets with the veiled korela, the Skyrian brides. You have to see it to believe it.
- Best Daytrip Ydrovatis boat trip
The name means walking on water. Pickup at Linaria port, mesmerising blue water at Sarakiniko beach, ladopites with ksynotyri and honey to start, lobster pasta by the Italian chef, and tsipouro with kritamo to round off a truly memorable day.
- Best Local Specialty Loukanopita
The island's beloved sausage pie, at its very best from Miltos bakery. Then continue to Faltaina, famous for ice cream made only from buffalo milk and for the best amygdalota, the classic Greek almond sweet.
- Best Bar Kalypso
Adored by locals in Chora for great cocktails at extremely reasonable prices. For something fun, Kavos in Linaria plays the Space Odyssey fanfare every time a ship enters the port; great for a morning coffee or an early evening cocktail.
- Best Dining Ktima Mouries
A large garden taverna under the canopy of great trees, serving big portions of hearty Greek food. Among many standouts, try the ladopita, a thin olive oil pie, with traditional Skyrian ksynotyri cheese.
- Best Beach Magazia
The island's most developed stretch of sand, where Ammoudia Beach Bar delivers freddo cappuccinos straight to your sunbed. For quieter bays, seek out Agios Petros, Aspous, Pefkos, Kalamitsa, Kareflou and Palamari.
Skyros has a small airport (SKU) with domestic connections, and is otherwise reached by ferry from Kymi on the island of Evia.
Design
Design your experience
Tell us the occasion, the season and who is coming. One of our Epicureans will come back with a first sketch of Skyros, and will tell you if another island suits your dates better.