Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- Skopelos cannot be reached directly by plane, but you can fly to nearby Skiathos and take a hydrofoil or ferry to the northern port of Loutraki (below Glossa) or to the more popular Skopelos town.

By Boat -- If you're in Athens, take a boat or hydrofoil from Ayios Konstandinos to Skopelos (75 min.). Alkyon Travel, 97 Akademias, near Kanigos Square (tel. 210/383-2545), can arrange the 3-hour bus ride from Athens to Ayios Konstandinos (about 15€/$20) and hydrofoil or ferry tickets.

Coming from Central or Northern Greece, depart for Skopelos from Volos (about a 2-hr. trip). For hydrofoil (Flying Dolphins) and ferryboat information, contact Hellenic Seaways Akti Kondyli and 2 Aitolikou, Piraeus (tel. 210/419-9000; www.hellenicseaways.gr). For ferryboat information, contact the G.A. Ferries line in Piraeus (tel. 210/458-2640; www.gaferries.com). Ferry tickets can be purchased at travel agencies in Athens or on the islands. During high season, I recommend that you purchase your boat tickets in advance through the boat lines. Although you may purchase tickets at Alkyon in person, they will not reserve ferryboat or hydrofoil tickets for you in advance, and these often sell out.

From Skiathos, the ferry to Skopelos takes 90 minutes if you call at Skopelos town, or 45 minutes if you get off at Glossa/Loutraki; the one-way fare to both is about 10€ ($13). Ferry tickets can be purchased at Vasilis Nikolaou (tel. 24270/22-209), the travel agent at the corner of the Paralia and Papadiamandis. The Flying Dolphin hydrofoil takes 15 minutes to Glossa/Loutraki (four to five times daily; 12€/$16), and 45 minutes to Skopelos (six to eight times daily, 14€/$18). From Skiathos, you can also take one of the many daily excursion boats to Skopelos.

There are infrequent ferryboat connections from Kymi (on Evvia) to Skopelos. Check with Skopelos Port Authority (tel. 24240/22-180) for current schedules, as they change frequently. As stated previously, I think hydrofoils are worth the extra expense for hopping around the Sporades.

In the port of Skopelos town, hydrofoil tickets can be purchased at the Hellenic Seaways agent, Madro Travel, immediately opposite the dock (tel. 24240/22-300). It's open all year and also operates as the local Olympic Airways representative, so it can make any arrangements you need.

Visitor Information

The Municipal Tourist Office of Skopelos is on the waterfront, to the left of the pier as you disembark (tel. 24240/23-231); it's open daily from 9:30am to 10pm in high season. It provides information, changes money, and reserves rooms. If you want to call ahead to book a room, the Association of Owners of Rental Accommodation maintains a small office on the harbor (tel. 24240/24-567).

At the travel agency Skopelorama Holidays, about 100m (328 ft.) beyond Hotel Eleni on the left (east) end of the port (tel. 24240/23-040; fax 24240/23-243), the friendly staff can help you find a room, exchange money, rent a car, or take an excursion; they know the island inside-out and can provide information on just about anything. It's open daily from 8am to 10pm.

Getting Around

By Bus -- Skopelos is reasonably well served by public bus; the bus stop in Skopelos town is on the east end of the port. There are four routes. Buses run the main route every half-hour in the high season beginning in Skopelos and making stops at Stafilos, Agnondas, Panormos, the Adrina Beach Hotel, Milia, Elios, Klima, Glossa, and Loutraki. The fare from Skopelos to Glossa is 2€ ($2.60).

By Car & Moped -- The most convenient way to see the island is to rent a car or moped at one of the many shops on the port. A four-wheel-drive vehicle at Motor Tours (tel. 24240/22-986; motortours@skopelos.travel) runs around 65€ ($85), including insurance; expect to pay less for a Fiat Panda. A moped should cost about 20€ ($26) per day.

By Taxi -- The taxi stand is at the far end of the waterfront (left off the dock). Taxis will provide service to almost any place on the island. Taxis are not metered -- negotiate the fare before accepting a ride. A typical fare, from Skopelos to Glossa, runs 40€ ($52).

By Boat -- To visit the more isolated beaches, take one of the large excursion boats; these cost about 65€ ($85) including lunch, and should be booked a day in advance in high season. Excursion boats to Glisteri, Gliphoneri, and Sares beaches operate only in peak season (about 20€/$26). From the port of Agnondas, on the south coast, fishing boats go to Limnonari, one of the island's better beaches.

Fast Facts

There are several ATMs at banks around the harbor. The health center is on the road leading out of the east end of town (tel. 24240/22-222). Plynthria, a self-service laundry, is located (in a basement) just past Adonis Hotel on the upper road at the east end of the harbor (tel. 24240/22-123). It's open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am to 1:30pm and 6 to 8pm. The police station (tel. 24240/22-235) is up the narrow road (Parados 1) to the right of the National Bank, along the harbor. For Internet access, try Click & Surf (info@skopelosnetcafe.com), just up from the police station -- ask for Platanos Square -- then proceed up past the supermarket. The post office, on the port's far east end (take the stepped road leading away from the last kiosk, opposite the bus/taxi station), is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 2:30pm. The telephone office (OTE) is at the top of a narrow road leading away from the center of the harbor; it's open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 5pm.