|
Across the waters
from the eastern coast of mainland
Greece are the four islands of the
Sporades – Skiathos, Skopelos,
Alonissos and Skiros. The
islands are becoming very popular and
it is advisable to book early,
especially in the high season. In
addition to hotels, there are villas
and rooms to rent from individual
families. A list of private lodgings
can be obtained from the local tourist
police.
Skiathos
Skiathos is 41
nautical miles from the town of Volos.
The island is green and idyllic, with
70 sandy inlets, several bays and three
harbors. Its highest wooded summit
rises to 438m (1437ft). Nine smaller
islands surround Skiathos. Two of
these, the Tsougries, lie
across the main harbor, offering safe
anchorage to boats and a small marina
for yachts. The main town, also called
Skiathos, was built in 1830 on two low
hills. It is the hub of the tourist
summer season, with several hotels,
villas and rooms to let. There is a
good road which hugs the southern coast
with its many bays, linking the town
with Koukounaries, the
famous pine grove beach. Another way to
get around Skiathos is by motor launch.
They run at regular intervals to the
more popular beaches for a moderate
fare. There are also motorboats for
hire. The nights in Skiathos are
especially lively, with tavernas, bars
and discotheques. There are beaches at
Koukounaries, Mandraki, Lalaria (pebble
beach) and Agia Eleni. Worth
visiting is the ancient walled town of Kastro,
northeast of Skiathos town. Skiathos
has many facilities for tourists
including a marina with a supply
station, a medical centre, tourist
police and a garage for light car
repairs.
Skopelos
Skopelos
is 58
nautical miles from Volos. The island
has small bays, golden sands and slopes
covered with olive trees, churches and
monasteries. The main town of Skopelo,
a seaport with narrow cobbled streets
and a sandy beach, is quieter than Skiathos. There are beaches which have
shallow and safe waters for children at
Stafylos Cove; at Limnonari
– to which one crosses by boat from Agnondas;
at Panormos, a wind-protected
bay; at Milia and Elios;
and at Loutraki, the Glossa
port. For those who prefer shingle
beaches, there is Agios Konstandinos.
The Tripiti Grotto is also worth
visiting.
Alonissos
Alonissos
is 62
nautical miles from Volos. The centre
of the island has been submerged,
leaving two small islets and several
smaller ones still. A rock mass called Psathoura,
where there are several grottos with
stalactites, is all that remains of
ancient Alonissos. With only 10km (6
miles) of roads on Alonissos, the best
way of getting about is by motorboat,
sharing the fare. These ply between the
islands and beaches and excursion
sites.
The beaches at Kokkinokastro,
Palavodimos, Steni Vala, Ai-Nikolas and
Kalamakia, are 30 minutes from
the small port of Patitiri and
offer excellent bathing. On some of the
surrounding, virtually uninhabited
isles there are isolated, good beaches
but no amenities. There are
guest-houses and rooms to rent as well
as bungalows and small hotels. Other
services include a medical centre, port
authority, customs, police and
motorboat rentals for fishing trips and
excursions. Cyclops’ Cave,
decorated with stalactites and
stalagmites, is to be found on the
island of Gioura. Psathoura
has remains of an ancient city, most of
which are submerged. Divers will see
traces of streets, houses and windows
in shallow waters. When the sea is calm
they can be seen from the surface.
Skiros
Skiros (Skyros)
is 25 nautical miles from Kimi, in
Euboea, and 118 nautical miles from
Piraeus. The island’s main port is Linaria
and there are beaches nearby at Magazia,
Molos and Girismati. The
more distant beaches of Ahili, Aspi,
Kalamitsa, Pefkos, Atsitsa, Tris Boukes
and Aherounes also offer good
bathing and can be reached by car.
However, only the road to Ahili, Aspi
and Aherounes is asphalt. Atsitsa
and Pefkos are more isolated
beaches. In most places there are small
tavernas by the sea and, in summer,
cruises round the island with small
boats are organized.
Climate: In the
summer months (June to September) the
temperature averages between
23°-27°C. In the winter (October to
May) the temperature averages between
10°-20°C.
|
