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6 + 1 PLACES TO VISIT ON SKOPELOS ISLAND
Skopelos is an island of exceptional beauty, with amazing beaches, delicious food, and rich tradition.
First, relax in the beautiful beaches and pools of the Adrina Hotels. After enjoying a rich breakfast and fresh fish, go to know Skopelos Island better.
For your convenience, these are some of the best locations we recommend you not to miss!! Being on this lush island here are some places you must see in Skopelos.
Agios Ioannis in Kastri
Do you want to feel like you are in the middle of the Aegean Sea? Do you want to visit the place where Dona Sheridan finally married her true love? Would you like to sing at the top of your lungs “The winner takes it all” by Abba and not be misunderstood? Then you must visit Agios Ioannis in Kastri, the small church on the top of a steep rock, on the northeast side of Skopelos Island. Make sure you have your camera ready to take many selfies with spectacular backdrop views. Now you are the envy of friends and family that could not join you on this holiday!
Directions: From the town of Glossa head towards the provincial road Skopelos- Loutraki and after about 200 meters take a left. You can follow signs for Agios Ioannis in Kastri. A 5.5 km drive will get you to your destination.
Skopelos Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum of Skopelos is housed in one of the mansions of Skopelos from the 18th century. The building was originally built in 1795 but had a lot of damage in the 1963 earthquakes so it was restored to its old glory in 1971.
In the museum, you can see what a household of the previous century would look like. There are original embroideries and hand-carved furniture that were donated to the museum from the older generation of the island. You can also see the traditional outfit of Skopelos. There is also a great selection of knives, small replicas of boats, ceramics, and paintings contributions from the families of the island.
It is well worth visiting the museum since you can get a glimpse inside the life of a traditional Skopelos family and also get a sense of the great artwork that the people of Skopelos have created.
Giorgos Xintaris
Rembetiko is a form of Greek music that began at the end of the 19th century and became well-established in the mid-20th century. This music was a product mainly of the working class of the various ports of Greece such as Piraeus, Thessaloniki, and Volos.
The basic musical instruments used in this type of music are the bouzouki, the guitar, and the baglamas (a string instrument that looks like a very small version of the bouzouki). As percussion instruments, spoons or zilia (finger cymbals) are used.
Giorgos Xintaris is one of the most representative musicians of Rembetiko. He is a native of Skopelos and was born on the island in 1952. In 1972 he started singing in Athens professionally. No doubt he is one of the revivers of this form of music. He has worked with the most-known names in the industry in Greece.
For more than 20 years now, Giorgos Xintaris has welcomed friends and visitors at the place that he sings named Anatoli during the summer.
Panagitsa tou Pyrgou
The church of Panagitsa tou Pyrgou (Holy Mary of the Castle) is the small church you can see when entering the port of Skopelos.
You can visit the church after walking up quite a few steps. Inside the church, you can see icons from the 18th and 19th centuries and the temple dates back to the 17th century.
The most impressive part of this church though is the view you get of the Aegean Sea from one side and the town of Skopelos from the other. As the day leaves and it starts to get dark you can see the moon glimmer on the water and the lights from the town of Skopelos twinkle like small candles.
Rodios Pottery
Nikos Rodios is the third-generation potter of the most famous pottery in Skopelos and in fact Greece. He took after his father who took after his father. The first Rodios came to Skopelos in 1900 from the island of Kythnos to get married.
As a young potter, Nikos Rodios senior (grandfather of the man you can meet today on the island) was very skillful and could create not only pots that could be of use in a household but also created a lot of art. His inspiration comes from the ancient forms of pottery. Following the techniques of the ancient Greek potters of Athens and Corinth, he created beautiful forms based on the Kylix, the Alabastron, and the Aryballos. Rodios pottery also became famous because of the black burnished pots he produced. He has won many awards and national and international distinctions for the quality of his work. Nikos Rodios has a reputation that still carries on.
Today you can visit the store and studio of Nikos Rodios on the 3rd. In the same place and on the same kick-wheel his grandfather use to work on. You can also purchase some of the most beautiful and well-made pottery in the world.
Sentoukia
On the mountain Karia of Skopelos, you can visit 4 rock-cut tombs. Those date back to the Roman or early Christian period. Rock-cut tombs were carved into a porous part of the rock in the shape of a box (larnax). They were family tombs and they usually belonged to families. Three of them are completed and have 2.5-meter covers. When they were discovered there were signs that the tombs were despoiled. The fourth one isn’t completed.
Even though the tombs are of great archeological value and worth visiting, the trek up the mountain isn’t easy. You will have to drive up a dirt road up to a certain point. Then follow the marked path to the tombs. Make sure, once there, to let your eyes wander to the horizon where you can see all the way to Mt Olympus on a clear day.
Directions: From Skopelos Chora, drive through the main road towards Kastro. Then turn right towards the provincial road Skopelos- Loutraki. About a kilometer down the road, you must take a sharp left towards Mt Karia. Follow the road for another 5.5 km. There you will almost have to make a right U-turn on the dirt road for Sentoukia. 1.3 km up the mountain and you will have reached your destination.
Vakratsa Mansion
Antigoni Vakratsa donated her house to Skopelos island a few years ago. Her purpose was to become a museum so people can admire the lifestyle of Skopelos. You can visit this mansion and witness the true architecture of the island.
The mansion features a beautiful garden. Moreover, you can admire all the personal items that belonged to the Vakratsa family.
The mansion is in the center of the town of Skopelos. It is not very far from the beach. Therefore it could be ideal to combine this cultural visit with an excursion to one of the breathtaking beaches nearby.
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