Skopelos · Getting there
Skopelos has no airport, only a helipad for emergencies, so everyone arrives by sea. The island has two ports: Skopelos town on the north-east coast, where most boats dock, and Loutraki, the harbour below Glossa in the north-west, which the boats call 'Glossa' in their timetables. When a strong northerly closes the town harbour, the fast boats use the sheltered bay of Agnontas on the south coast instead. The usual ways in are a flight to neighbouring Skiathos and a short hop by boat, or a ferry or fast boat from Volos, with summer sailings from Agios Konstantinos, Mantoudi and Kymi on Evia, and Thessaloniki.
By plane
The nearest airport is on Skiathos, next door, with charter flights from much of Europe in summer. Check the boat times against your flight before you book: on a late arrival you may need a night on Skiathos.
Skiathos, next island to the west
Direct charter and seasonal flights from much of Europe in summer, and domestic flights from Athens. The quickest way in.
Into town: Take a taxi to Skiathos port, about 5 minutes, then a fast boat or ferry to Glossa (Loutraki), about 20–30 minutes, or to Skopelos town, about 45–75 minutes.
Spata, east of Athens
Flights from all over Europe and beyond, all year.
Into town: Take a bus or drive about 2.5 hours to Agios Konstantinos (summer boats), about 4 hours to Volos, or about 3 hours to Mantoudi on Evia, then the boat.
South-east of Thessaloniki
Flights from much of Europe all year.
Into town: Drive or take the bus about 2.5 hours to Volos for the boat. In high summer a fast boat sometimes sails straight from Thessaloniki.
By ferry
Volos is the year-round gateway, with at least one boat a day even in winter and more in summer. Seajets and Aegean Flying Dolphins run the fast boats; the conventional ferries carry cars. Fast boats are cancelled in strong winds, so leave a spare day before a flight home.
Volos Skopelos town
Fast boats call at Skiathos and Glossa on the way. Conventional ferries take cars and are slower.
Volos Glossa (Loutraki)
Get off here if you are staying in Glossa, Klima or Elios: it saves the 25 km drive from town.
Agios Konstantinos Skopelos town
The closest port to Athens by road, about 2.5 hours north of the city.
Mantoudi (Evia) Glossa & Skopelos town
Car ferry from the north-east coast of Evia, about three hours' drive from Athens over the Chalkida bridge.
Kymi (Evia) Skopelos town
Some sailings go on to Skyros. Check the season's timetable; it changes often.
Thessaloniki Skopelos town
Island hopping
Skopelos Skiathos
Shortest from Glossa. Easy for a day of beaches and the old town of Papadiamantis.
Skopelos Alonissos
The quiet island next door and the National Marine Park, home of the Mediterranean monk seal.
Skopelos town Marine Park day trips
Day boats sail round Alonissos and the islets of the park, with swimming stops and a chance of dolphins.
When you land
Check which port
Boats call at both Glossa (Loutraki) and Skopelos town, which are about 25 km apart by road. Get off at the one nearest your bed, and listen for announcements: in a northerly, the town boats land at Agnontas instead.
Hire a car or a scooter
One main road runs from Skopelos town along the south and west coast to Glossa, with the beaches down short roads off it. A small car is the easiest way to explore; the inner roads are often dirt tracks.
The bus along the coast
Buses run several times a day along the main road, between Skopelos town, Stafylos, Agnontas, Panormos, Milia, Elios, Glossa and Loutraki, and very often in July and August.
Taxis and water taxis
Taxis wait on the town waterfront by the bus stop and have fixed fares. For an early boat, book the night before. In summer, water taxis and caiques run from the harbour to beaches with no road.
Times and frequencies are typical for the summer season and change every year. Check the current timetable before you book.
Rooms with a view, picked for how they feel, not for star ratings.
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