Skopelos
Pine hills, a stone-paved old town and south-coast beaches on the greenest island in the Aegean.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Skopelos is a Greek island in the western Aegean Sea, part of the Northern Sporades in the Thessaly region. Pine, oak and olive woodland covers almost 80% of its area, which is why it is called the greenest island in the Aegean. The port and capital, Chora, has stone-paved lanes. New building in the old town is capped at two storeys, with sloped roofs and wooden balconies. The island has more than 360 churches and chapels. Most stay closed except on their dedication feast day, so dress modestly when you visit.
The south coast has sandy beaches, including Staphylos, Velanio and Panormos, many set in pine woods. The north and east coasts are mostly rocky and steep. Skopelos has no airport. Visitors arrive by ferry or hydrofoil from Volos, Agios Konstantinos or, in summer, Kymi in Euboea. Skiathos lies 6 to 7 km to the west and Alonnisos 3 to 4 km to the east. Summer is the busiest season, and parking in Chora is often congested. A week is enough for the town, a few beaches and one walk.
Skopelos in five
- Fly to Skiathos and take the boatThere is no airport on Skopelos, so many visitors fly to Skiathos and cross by ferry or fast boat. Check the timetable and the port you arrive at.Skiathos
- Choose Skopelos Town or Glossa as a baseThe main town has the harbor and most services; Glossa and Loutraki sit on the north-west coast. A bus runs along the main road.
- Rent a car or scooter for the covesThe road runs along the west coast, and many beaches need a drive or a short walk. Book ahead in summer.
- Walk up to the clifftop chapel at duskA chapel on a rock near the east coast is a well-known viewpoint. Check access and parking, and avoid crowds at peak hours.
- Add Alonnisos if you want a quieter islandA boat links the islands, and Alonnisos has a marine park.Alonnisos
Things to do in Skopelos
See all attractions in Skopelos
Need to know
- Airport
- None; fly to Skiathos (JSI) and take a boat
- Getting there
- Ferry from Volos or Agios Konstantinos; boats from Skiathos
- Getting around
- Coast road bus; rental car or scooter
- Best base
- Skopelos Town for evenings; Glossa for views
- Time needed
- 3–5 days for the old town, beaches and walks
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low9°Cool, wetJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 143 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Cool, wetFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Mild, windyMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Spring, quietAprilClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, quiet
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Warm, greenMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, peakJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, peak
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm sea, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low15°ShowersNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Cool, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
Average daily high and low in Skopelos Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Skopelos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 60%
Skopelos
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°14°60%Monday: Rain. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Tue20°15°68%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Wed16°14°10%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu14°12°15%Thursday: Rain. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Fri12°10°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat13°10°13%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sun13°11°7%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 7%.
Updated 10:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Skopelos
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Skopelos, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU visitors are fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
- Dress modestly when you visit churches. Most of the island's 360-plus churches stay closed except on their dedication feast day.
- Monk seal breeding areas are protected by the Alonissos-Northern Sporades National Marine Park. Keep away from seals when you swim or boat.
- Beer and bulk wine bottles carry a deposit paid at purchase and refunded when you return the bottle.
Plan around Skopelos
Busier neighbor island with an airport
Read the guideAlonnisosQuiet island with a marine park
Read the guidePelion PeninsulaMainland coast with mountain villages
Read the guideEviaLarge island near Athens, linked by road
Read the guideAll of GreeceAthens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideSkopelos FAQ
How do you get to Skopelos?
By ferry from Volos or Agios Konstantinos, or by boat from Skiathos after flying in. Check the timetable and the port.
How many days do you need in Skopelos?
Three days covers the old town and a beach; five days allows a drive and a walk. A day trip from Skiathos is possible but tight.
Is Skopelos worth visiting?
Yes, for a quieter island with pine hills, a pretty old town and small beaches. It is not a party island.
Where should you stay in Skopelos?
In Skopelos Town for evenings and boats, or in Glossa for views. A car makes the coves easier.
Skiathos or Skopelos for a first visit?
Skiathos for beaches and an airport; Skopelos for a quieter, greener feel. Many people combine them.