The Couple's Guide to Skyros

T H E C O U P L E S G U I D E T O S K Y R O S

HISTORY

Welcome to Skyros, an idyllic island located in the north Aegean somewhat isolated from the typical tourist’s circuits of the south Aegean. This helped to preserve the island’s traditions and authentic feel.

The north side of the island is green pine trees similar to the islands of the Ionian Sea (where the bride is from!) and the north of Greece, and the south side of the island is low shrubbery just like the islands of the Cyclades. In Skyros you can have the best of both worlds!

Skyros in ancient times was renowned for its marble and gold production. It supplied its natural resources to Athens, the city state to which it was subject.

In mythology, Skyros is where Odysseus and Achilleas left for their adventures in Troy, and where Theseus began his journey to Crete to fight the Minotaur. On the islands northwest coast there are ruins at Palamari, which was the site of an ancient port active in the marble and gold trade.

Today Skyros is known for its ceramics, the Skyrian Horse, Kasseri cheese and lobster. The village as you see it today was built in the 1300’s, and many of the small houses have survived until this day. The main street in the village, or the Agora, is where you will find all the islands shopping, and plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.

Skyros has lots of things to do and see, but on your short trip to the island here are some of the couple’s favorite places and activities which we recommend for your enjoyment on Skyros island.

FOR BREAKFAST | COFFEE

Many of the coffee shops and bakeries on the main street or the Agora in the village also serve up tasty breakfast treats and coffee. Our favorite is Neoptolemos, on the top of the Agora which has a lovely people watching in the morning, and the bakery right next door for fresh bougatsa or tiropita (cheese pie).

Cavos-(Linaria) located above Linaria bay and built into the rocks, Cavos coffee shop/Bar is one of the best places for a drink or coffee any time of day or night, especially twice a day when the ferry boat is coming in when the bar has a special surprise for the people on the boat! Come in your swim suit, because below the seating area you can walk down and take a dive into the cool Aegean Sea.
Anatolicos Anemos (Xorio)- located beneath the statue of Sir Brook on the backside of the village, the view of the sparkling sea in the morning from this restaurant is stunning and they serve American and English style breakfast
Anemomilos (Molos)- Near Girismata beach and the instagramable “rock church” on the north tip of the island just passed molos this is an old lighthouse converted into café and has a great view of the village.

BEACHES

Skyros has a wide variety of types of beaches, some organized and some rugged. The northeast beaches are closer to the village, but they are also wider and face more open sea. This makes them sandier but also more move wavy if it is a windy day. Even on windy days the beaches on the south and west of the island will never be wavy. They tend to have colder water, but overall are more scenic, many set in little coves amongst pine covered mountains. For a more happening beach check out Magazia. For more scenic beach check out Pefkos or Kalamitsa. For the more adventurous spirits who want a small private beach where you might be the only people there, try Pontikonisi, Agalipa, or the unnamed beach to the right of Cavos (all three require some hiking). Our favorites are highlighted.

Northeast Beaches (closest to village, 5 minutes) -

Magazia- The main beach of the island. It is the closest to the village (walking distance) and also the largest/longest with the most beach bars. If you want to spend the day in a lounge chair being served drinks and good food check out Magazia. Our favorite beach bars are Ammoudia (our hosted Welcome Party is here on Wednesday) for its hippie laid back vibe. Juicy is next door and has a more colorful Caribbean feel, and slightly further down the beach towards Molos you will find Thalassa which has a very Aegean vibe. On the other end of the beach is Ankara and Erma beach bar which is the most sophisticated, and is the only place on the island where you can get fresh sashimi. This is the best beach for hanging out, day drinking etc. and they only place you will find a volleyball court.
Girismata- Further north from the village past Molos is a long beach with large smooth rocks which give the water a beautiful color. There is one beach bar on Girismata but overall it is more chill and has nicer water than Magazia. Great beach when it is a calm day, but if it’s a windy day we would go elsewhere.
Aspous- This beach is where the Groom grew up in the summers, it is south of the village half way between the village and the port town of Linaria. The main aspect of the beach is wide and sandy (though some years has a lot of seaweed washed up to shore). It is accessible via a foot path across from Lambros Taverna. The very north end of the beach also has a beach bar that has a super chill Hawaiian vibe called Aspous Beach Paradise but it is somewhat removed from the beach itself. The main beach has no establishments to serve you so bring a towel.

South Beaches (closest to Port of Linaria, 10 minutes from village) -

Pefkos- This beach is on the south side of the island and in a cove surrounded by green pines and is very scenic. There is a short stairway that leads down to the beach which has green water. There is a beach bar on the beach where you can get coffee and has some umbrellas. Drive a little further past the beach and there is a Taverna on the left with great homemade meals and seafood. On your right there is a small stone dock that is great for diving off as the water below is very deep. To get here leave the village and drive towards the port of Linaria, you will get to a fork, and you will see a sign directing you to make a right to go towards Pefkos. That road takes you direct. As your leaving Pefkos you will see a sign for Agios Fokas and a road going up the mountain. If you take that road you will find yourself at a small church at the top of the mountain called Agios Pantelemonas (one of the grooms favorite views on the island) with breathtaking views of Pefkos bay below. Continue on this road to get to Agios Fokas.
Kalamitsa- This beach has a sweeping view of the “Vouno”, the large mountain the occupies the south side of the island. The water here is always calm, but it is also probably the coldest water of all the beaches on the island because lots of natural springs drain cold mountain spring water into this bay. This makes it very refreshing on a hot hot day! Pay attention to the water, there is fool’s gold floating in in that makes it sparkle in the sunlight. IF you continue driving past the beach for a few minutes south you find yourself at Nifi, a natural spring with delicious drinkable water. There is a very good Taverna right on the main part of the beach which is great for a quick snack while relaxing. To get here, head from the village towards the port town of Linaria, and make a left at the intersection once you pass Aspous.
Acherounes- This beach is just past the port town of Linaria on the left-hand side. Very calm waters and easy access make this beach popular as well as the fact that there are two Tavernes with good food right on the water.

West Beaches (close to airport, but least crowded, 25 minutes from Village)

Atsitsa- This bay set in lush green pine trees has large stone columns that are relics of an old port system where merchants in medieval times used to load wares on to ships. The beach is small but there is a restaurant there and it is a nice scenic place to stop for coffee. To the right of the old towers there is a small path, if you find it, it will take you down to a small secluded emerald beach. This beach is on the backside of the Island and is the furthest from the village
Agios Petros- To get here pass the airport and as you are following the road you will see a fork, if you go straight on a dirt road (which has a sign overhead that says Agios Petros) and follow the dirt road you will eventual come out on this long sandy beach which also has people camping on it. As you go there is a Tavern on your right-hand side in the mountains that has some of the best meat on the island. There are also small dirt road turn offs on the left that will take you to Navagio or Agalipa beaches.
Navagio- shipwreck beach! Difficult to get to, involves some hiking. Best to go with a local who knows the way
Agalipa- An incredible crystal-clear blue water and pink sand but difficult to access. The dirt roads do not have signage and you need a 4x4 to travel them. Also involves hiking (very steep at one point) to get down to this beach. If you plan to go bring a cooler with beer and food and make a day out of it. Best to go with a local who knows the way.

Sarakino- Beautiful electric blue waters and white sand, only accessible by boat. There are two boats that leave from Linaria daily that offer a cruise to this beach stopping at the sea caves also. One is Psariotis (our hosted Thursday activity for all of the out of towners), which serves you lobster spaghetti meal for lunch, the other is Hydrovatis, which serves souvlaki.

RESTAURANTS | TAVERNES

Skyros has exceptionally good food compared to many of the other islands, largely because of the lower volume of tourist. There are no tourist trap restaurants in Skyros, and most of the establishments you will find will have very good and very affordable meals with all locally sourced ingredients. All the places on the main road in the village are good, as are all the Tavernes on the beaches. Some of our favorites:

Pappous Kai Ego (Xorio)- A small family restaurant (the owner is the Groom’s Uncle) on the main street in the village, this restaurant has authentic Skyrian recipes and a traditional Skyrian atmosphere. Always a good choice to try some eclectic tasty food.
Lambros (Aspous)- No frills, but some great grilled chicken and grilled lamb at very affordable prices. They also make an incredible Bifteki Gemisto which is like a large spiced meatball stuffed with feta cheese which is a must try if you eat there.
Stefanos-(Magazia) a good spot for seafood, set overlooking Magazia beach.
Istories tou Barba (Magazia)- Great placed for tapas style plates and seafood, and wine or tsipouro overlooking Magazia beach
Koutoki tou Apostoli (Magazia)- This is a whole in the wall restaurant on the cobblestone street next to Ammos hotel that leads down the to the beach, great for a glass of wine and some appetizers and on some nights has live music.
Mouries- (Kalamitsa)- on the way to Kalamitsa beach across from the Skyrian Horse refuge, they do everything well here, and the outdoor seating beneath the trees is simply lovely.
Tzanou Taverna- On the dirt road on the way to Agios Petros beach, this tavern has very large pikilies (assorted meat platters) that are fresh as the owner of the tavern is both a shepherd and butcher and the meat is top quality. Highly recommended for a meal after going to the west side beaches, but probably hard to find at night if you don’t know where to go.
Psariotis- (Linaria)- A seafood taverna on the port with great fish and lobster spaghetti
Marigo- (Linaria)- Another very tasty seafood restaurant on the water, owned by the same great chefs as Pappous Kai Ego (Uncle of the Groom).
Tiropitas- At the top of the main road in the village, a great spot to grab and go for a fresh cheese pie or Bougatsa (Farina filled sweet pie) in the morning or afternoon.
Faltainas- A sweets shop on the main road in the village with excellent pastries and also excellent homemade Gelato!

NIGHTLIFE

All the nightlife on the island with the exception of restaurants and Tavernes is located in the Xorio (village) and mostly centered around the village square. On some nights some of the Tavernes outside the village (Mouries, Asteria, or Koutouki) will have live Greek music and can be great for a meal and dancing the night away.

Hroon- This bar located right on the front side of the main village square is the go to spot for people watching and late-night drinking and dancing.
Maritsa- On the main road in the village, an old style no frills “kafenio” which is a popular hangout largely because of the cheap wine/beer and trays of “Banane” shots.
Artistico- If you love Laika, Rembetika, Entexna or any old school Greek music, then this is the bar for you. The drink of choice here is Tsipouro and the DJ is always blasting old Greek tunes.
Agora- This is a bar in the same style as Hroon but a little more calm and located on the back side of the village square
Akamatra- on the downhill corner of the village square this bar has great cocktails and rooftop that’s great for a casual drink and looking up at the stars
Nostos- This bar located above the village square plays loud music all night long and can get a little crowded at night

Lots of other bars up the village road are more casual spots for having a drink such as Rhodon and Oinos, many with rooftop seating.

DAY ACTIVITIES

In the early morning or late afternoon you can explore the upper part of the village. Follow signs for Brooke (a statue of an English poet) which offers sweeping views of molos below. Just under the Statue of Brook you will also find the cultural and archeological museums of Skyros. If you continue walking uphill towards the “Kastro” you will eventually find the monestary of St. George and an old Venetian fortress located at the very top of the village. Getting lost in the windy streets leading up the monastery is worthwhile as the houses and views are very picturesque

Skyrian Horses- There is a farm on the road leading from the village to Kalamitsa Beach that has several Skyrian horses that you can visit with. These horses are found only on Skyros island and where the horses Alexander used to conquer the East
Boat Tours- If you can't make our hosted boat trip on Thursday, and have an additional day free, we highly recommend a boat tour with Psariotis or Hydrovatis boat tours which can be booked in Linaria. These tours will take you to the beautiful Sea Caves and to a stunning beach called Sarakiniko. We prefer Psariotis because he serves seafood, while the fare on the other boat is Souvlaki. The tours take about 5 hours.
Winery - a new winery just opened in Skyros which produces Lalari which can be found in white, red, and rose varieties at some Greek restaurants in the US. The winery is located close to Linaria Port on the main road on the right hand side when driving towards Skyros Village. Go have a taste! You can check out their instagram here.