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The Sporades
The Sporades are the Greek islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros, and this page has information on hotels, restaurants, and what to do.
Even within such a small group as the Sporades, with only four major islands, there is a great deal of diversity… and yes, they are ‘Sporadic’, as the name means ‘scattered’ in Greek. They have all been opened to tourism to varying degrees, in roughly inverse proportion to their size. The smallest, Skiathos, is by far the busiest and has the best beaches, while the largest, Skyros, is the one that most retains its traditional Greek feel.
The islands were once extensions of the Pelion peninsula, and like that part of the mainland they are green and thickly-wooded with pine trees. The lushness does mean that mosquitoes can be more of a problem here than in the drier islands further south in the Aegean, so come prepared.
Not that mosquitoes prevent the crowds from rushing to Skiathos in high summer, and if you want any of its superb beaches to yourself you will have to visit in the spring or autumn. Another option is to take the ferry to the neighbouring island of Skopelos, which is scenically much more dramatic (making it a good base for walkers) and with beaches almost as good as on Skiathos. Yet somehow it has escaped, so far, the worst excesses of tourism that have blighted its little brother.
Alonnisos is an unusual island, long and thin with few roads, it was left behind in the tourist boom though many foreigners, notably from Germany, bought property here either to live in cheaply or to start up tiny businesses. Alonnisos has many small islets around it, and it is here that is home to Europe’s rarest animal, the Mediterranean monk seal. In 1992 the Greek government created the country’s first National Marine Park here, to protect the seals and bring eco-tourism to Alonnisos.
Finally there is Skyros, where old customs and costumes survive, helped by the fact that it is remote from the other islands, and harder to get to from Athens and the mainland. Whether that will survive now that a new airport has opened remains to be seen.
Click on the image below to take you to the specific page for each of the Sporades islands:
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
Other Sporades Pages
Skyros in the Sporades Islands of Greece
Travel advice and information on Skyros in the Sporades islands, with details of ferries and flights, and the best things to do on Skyros in Greece.
Skopelos in the Sporades Islands of Greece
Travel advice and information on Skopelos in the Sporades islands, with details of ferries and flights, and the best things to do on Skopelos in Greece.
Skiathos in the Sporades Islands
Travel advice and information on Skiathos in the Sporades islands, with details of ferries and flights, and the best things to do on Skiathos in Greece.
Pictures of Skiathos
This page of pictures of Skiathos in the Sporades by photographer Nick Karvounis will help you decide whether you want to visit this beautiful Greek island.
Best Things to do on Skiathos
The best things to do on Skiathos include seeing Skiathos Town, enjoying its beautiful beaches, hiking in the forests, and visiting ancient monasteries.
Best Beaches on Skiathos
The best beaches on Skiathos are the best in the Sporades, and some of the best in the Greek islands, ranging from busy and crowded to quiet and remote beaches.
Alonissos in the Sporades Islands of Greece
Travel advice and information on Alonissos in the Sporades in the Greek islands, with details of ferries and flights, and the best things to do on Alonissos.
Northern Greece Guide
The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.
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