Skiros Palace Hotel
Skiros - Gyrismata
Set in Skiros, 80 metres from Girismata Beach, Skiros Palace Hotel offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a garden.
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The goddess Thetis chose Skyros, the largest of the Sporades islands, to hide her son Achilles, a demigod who had been prophesied at birth a fatal fate. Achilles did not escape his epic death, but the years of childhood and adolescence spent on this wonderful island must not have been bad.
A place of myth, Skyros is also a special island compared to other Greek islands. The locals maintain a proud reserve and rarely allow themselves to be seen by tourists, more akin to Sardinian islanders than rowdy Greek islanders.
Yet Skyros is unmistakably Greek: it has the good climate typical of the northern Aegean, the same traditional architecture as the Cyclades, forests reminiscent of the neighbouring island of Evia, and pastoral products that make it similar to Crete or the inland mountains.
Its territory seems to be sharply divided in two, marked by completely different landscapes: on one side of the island, small bays are framed by pine forests and fertile countryside; the southern part, on the other hand, is a succession of barren hills and steep rocky coastlines.
Difficult to reach, the remote island of Skyros has for many years attracted a small minority of travellers in search of destinations untouched by mass tourism and bird-watching enthusiasts.
The number of tourists has slowly increased, but Skyros is still the ideal destination for those who want a holiday of seaside dips, green walks, visits to ancient ruins and typical tavernas in a relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
Skyros is perfect to visit in summer because you can enjoy the warm weather without the crowds and high prices you might find on other Greek islands, plus you can count on more frequent planes and ferries.
Another recommended time to go to Skyros is during Carnival, which, depending on the year, takes place in February or March.
Unlike other islands, Skyros is inhabited all year round, with many bars and shops remaining open even in winter. Taking advantage of very low hotel prices, winter might be a good idea for those who want to come to Skyros for trekking.
During your holiday in Skyros, you will need at least half a day (or more) to unhurriedly visit Chora, a small town full of things to see, after which set aside some time for a walk or a boat trip.
The top attraction of Chora (or Skyros Town) is undoubtedly the Byzantine castle at the top of the hill, an exceptional vantage point from which you can enjoy splendid views of the sea and the Northern Sporades.
The castle ruins also include a 9th century church and a castle-monastery from the following century inside which is preserved the gold medal of Spyros Louis, the first Greek marathon champion at the modern Olympics.
Not to be missed is the Manos Faltaïts Folk Museum, the best introduction to the rich heritage of local customs and traditions of which the islanders are so proud.
Housed inside a 19th century mansion, this labyrinthine multi-level folklore museum was founded in 1964. It displays a multitude of beautiful handicrafts, traditional clothes, ceramics, embroidery, period furniture, vases and old photographs, plus a goat mask and heavy bells worn during Carnival celebrations.
The other important local museum is the inevitable Archaeological Museum, with exhibits covering all phases of the Helladic period plus some Roman remains.
Other attractions to see in the Chora are:
Scattered all over the island you will find scenic beauty and curious attractions. They may not be so famous as to be included in an island tour, but discovering them will make your holiday on Skyros more interesting and enjoyable.
What to look for? Natural water springs, islets (Skyropoula is the largest, with a 12th-century church), underwater caves, inland rural villages and the famous Skyrian ponies, a local breed that is unfortunately on the verge of extinction.
In addition, the island is criss-crossed by a dense network of hiking trails, with itineraries for all levels. Don’t miss a tour of the island by boat: it is the only way to see underwater caves and beaches that cannot be reached on foot.
One of the liveliest carnivals in Greece is celebrated on the island of Skyros. It is loved by the locals and has become a magnet for international tourists as well.
The centrepiece of the festivities is the frenetic goat dance, performed by the masked islanders through the streets of Chora.
Each group is led by a yeri, a menacing figure wearing a goat’s cape decorated with garlands of heavy bells and wielding a shepherd’s staff; the yeri compete with each other over who can ring the bells the longest and loudest. To these figures and rituals are added others that are no less enigmatic and suggestive.
Although there is no shortage of beautiful beaches and the sea that washes them is the same azure Aegean that laps the shores of other, more famous islands, Skyros does not attract a purely seaside tourism but attracts more tourists with the wild beauty of its landscape.
It is therefore no coincidence that the most beautiful beaches on Skyros are solitary and remote, surrounded by nature, framed by green pine forests and rocky promontories. Sandy beaches predominate, both free and equipped, but rocky and pebble beaches can also be found.
The beaches closest to Chora are Molos, Magazia, Papa, Houma and Lino. Of these, the former is the most frequented. On the north side of Skyros, the beaches not to be missed are Petritsa, Kyra Panagia, Agios Petros and Theotokos.
Although tourism on Skyros has grown in recent years, the number of accommodations on the island is still scarce, so it is always a good idea to book before you go.
The good news is that hotels and B&Bs on Skyros are quite cheap compared to those on more famous islands, and it is possible to find elegant and comfortable studios made out of traditional white cottages at very affordable prices.
The beautiful Chora, or Skyros Town as it is written in some guidebooks, is a typical Greek town perched on the slopes of a mountain: a charming cascade of white cottages looking out to the sea, with an impressive Byzantine castle on top dominating the town from above.
For many, Chora is the best place to sleep in Skyros, and indeed the advantages are many: the tranquillity of a car-free town, the chance to immerse yourself in the daily life of the islanders, small handicraft shops for shopping, bars and restaurants to spend the evening in, and a wealth of useful services.
Although it lacks the personality of Chora, Linaria is also an excellent base for those wishing to stay on Skyros. The island’s main port, it is a small but lively resort, recommended for those who want to stay along the coast.
If proximity to the beach is more important to you than restaurants and nightclubs, look for a room or flat in the seaside resorts of Molos, Magazia and Gyrismata.
These are small resorts developed for holidaymakers, with few amenities and little nightlife but many residences and villas near some of the island’s most famous beaches.
We offer a selection of hotels at Skyros to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Skyros, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Skyros. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Skyros are in high demand.
Although not the most distant of the Greek islands, Skyros is certainly one of the most difficult to reach.
The least complicated way to get to Skyros is to take a cheap flight to Athens or Thessaloniki and from there a domestic flight to the island. Unfortunately, however, these flights are operated by smaller companies and are not confirmed every year.
If you cannot find a domestic flight, the only way to get there is to take a ferry from another island in the Sporades. Evia is the one with the most connections, but in summer there are ships also departing from Alonissos and Skopelos.
What's the weather at Skyros? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Skyros for the next few days.
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