Skyros
3.4/5Wild horses, Achilles' island and a unique cultural isolation
Wild horses, Achilles' island and a unique cultural isolation
Why 3.4: good value and a genuinely dramatic landscape, and nothing that actively lets it down.
Skyros is reached from Kymi on Evia; a ferry to Skiathos or Skopelos runs only in some summers, and rarely. It is the largest and most isolated of the Sporades, geographically closer to Euboea and culturally a world of its own, with its own dress, embroidery and carved low furniture. The two halves are dramatically different: a barren, rocky south where the wild Skyrian horses roam — a distinct breed, among the smallest in the world and nearly extinct, kept going by a volunteer-run sanctuary — and a wooded north with Skyros Town, a Cycladic-style whitewashed village on a cliff that is the prettiest in the Sporades. A marble-paved street climbs to the Byzantine castle; below it the Faltaits Museum fills a 19th-century mansion. Achilles was hidden here before Troy, and Rupert Brooke lies in an olive grove at Tris Boukes, buried in 1915. Skip it if you are island-hopping the Sporades, or won't hire a car — 209 km², and the two halves are a long way apart. May, June or September for the sea; February or March for the Geros, the carnival figure in goat skins and bells.
Good for
- Travellers who want the prettiest village in the Sporades — Skyros Town, with its own dress, embroidery and carved furniture
- Anyone drawn to an island of two halves — a barren south where the wild Skyrian horses roam, a wooded north
- Carnival travellers — the pre-Lent Geros is wild and pre-Christian, and reason enough to come in winter
Maybe skip if
- If you're island-hopping the Sporades — most of the year there is no ferry from Skyros to Skiathos or Skopelos, and none from Piraeus
- If you won't hire a car — the island is 209 square kilometres and its two halves are a long way apart
Getting there
Small airport with limited Athens flights (Sky Express, summer mostly). No Piraeus ferry — reach Skyros from Kymi (Evia east coast, ~3h drive from Athens), ~1.5h crossing. Logistically separate from the rest of the Sporades.
Read full route
Tip: For most of the year Skyros has no ferry to Skiathos, Skopelos or Alonissos, so plan it as a separate trip via Kymi. In summer there is sometimes a weekly boat to the other Sporades; check the timetable before you build a route around it.
Best time to visit Skyros
Skyros is the southernmost and most isolated of the Sporades — Theseus's death-place, home of the Skyrian pony, and famously preserved traditional dress and embroidery. Easter Carnival here (the Geros) is wild, pre-Christian. Beach season May-October; the Carnival window in Feb-Mar is reason enough to come in winter.
Top beaches of Skyros
Magazia & Molos
Skyros' main beach strip below Chora. Organised section in the middle, quieter at both ends.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 2 km combined
- Depth
- Gradual
- Wind
- Avoid visiting when the wind blows from the northeast to southeast at over 4 Bft. East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Full: hotels, tavernas, umbrellas
Atsitsa
Pine forest runs down to the sea. Clean water, unusual setting for the Aegean.
- Type
- Small pebbles
- Length
- 200 m
- Depth
- Moderate
- Wind
- Avoid visiting when the wind blows from the southwest to northwest at over 4 Bft. West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- Taverna, umbrellas
Kalamitsa
Calm sandy beach 10 min from the port. Mix of organised and wild, family-friendly.
- Type
- Sand
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Shallow
- Wind
- Avoid visiting when the wind blows from the south to west at over 5 Bft. Southwest-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare S/SW winds
- Facilities
- Tavernas, umbrellas
3-day itinerary for Skyros
Read the day-by-day plan on its own page →
Day 1: Skyros Town & Castle
- 11:00 · Linaria (port)
Tiny pretty port on the west coast. Arrival tradition: a ship's horn salutes every ferry. One hour from the main town. - 12:30 · Skyros Town (Chora)
Cycladic-style whitewashed village on a cliff, unique to the Sporades. The main marble-paved pedestrian street climbs to the castle.
- 14:00 · Byzantine Castle of Skyros
Ancient acropolis turned Venetian/Byzantine fort. 360° views over the town and the Aegean. - 🍴 Stop for lunch · Skyros Town (Chora) — see Eat & Drink below
- 17:00 · Faltaits Folklore Museum
In a 19th-century mansion. Skyrian embroidery, carved wooden furniture, Byzantine icons. Best folk museum in Greece. - 19:30 · Magazia Beach (sunset)
Long sandy beach right below Chora. Walk down for a swim before dinner. - 🍴 Stop for dinner · Skyros Town (Chora) — see Eat & Drink below
Day 2: North: Palamari & Beaches
- 10:00 · Molos Beach
Continuation of Magazia beach. Organised with umbrellas, tavernas; becomes wilder further north. - 12:00 · Palamari Archaeological Site
🚗 ≈30 min north of Chora
Early Bronze Age settlement (2500 BC). Small but important site with defensive walls still visible.
- 14:00 · Atsitsa Beach
Pine-shaded pebble beach on the west coast. Hippy vibe, yoga retreat nearby. Lunch at the beach taverna. - 16:30 · Pefkos Beach
Shallow sandy bay backed by a pine forest. Calm, family-friendly. - 20:30 · Drive back to Skyros Town
Drive back to Chora (about 30 minutes from Pefkos). Skyros' main square fills up after dark — try a traditional taverna in the cubic-white village under the castle.
Day 3: Kalamitsa, Skyrian Horses & Linaria
- 09:30 · Kalamitsa Beach
Beautiful sandy bay 10 min from Linaria. Shallow water, good for a morning swim. - 14:00 · Skyrian Horse reserve
See the island's unique native pony breed — among the smallest horses in the world, nearly extinct. Volunteers run a small sanctuary open to visitors.
- 17:00 · Coffee in Linaria before the ferry
Return to port. Coffee at Almyra before your ferry.
Local & Seasonal
Local Specialties
Crafts & Souvenirs
Festivals & Events
How does Skyros compare?
Skyros vs Alonnisos · Skyros vs Skiathos · Skyros vs Skopelos