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The four islands of the Sporades, just off the east coast of Pelion mountain and Evia, are, with the exception of Skiathos, quiet green gardens, surrounded by crystal clear blue and green waters and covered with dense pine forests.
With more than 60 beaches around its coastline, Skiathos is a favored destination for many Greeks who prefer its forests and lush vegetation to the harsh, sun drenched and windswept beauty of the Cyclades. Don't be fooled though: Skiathos is a party island, almost on a par with Mykonos and Santorini.
The two main attractions are Skiathos Town, the island's capital on its southeast shore, and Koukounaries ("Pine Trees") beach, often hailed as one of the country's best.
Skiathos Town is an Aegean settlement of whitewashed houses, around two pretty, little harbors. Locals claim that, in the 1960s, the Beatles tried to buy Tsougrias, a little island just off the coast, facing Skiathos Town, which today attracts peace-minded holidaymakers.
Skopelos lies between Skiathos and Alonissos and it is the second most developed tourist destination of the Sporades. Despite the rapid growth of tourism in the last few years, the island maintains its architectural and cultural traditions.
The island features archeological sites, Byzantine monasteries and traditional settlements. Chora, or Skopelos Town, is a protected traditional village, along with several of the island's other towns. Even though the north part of the island is wildly beautiful, the best beaches are on the south side, near Chora. The people are very friendly and accommodating, which helps explain the high number of the island's repeat visitors.
Skyros is the largest island of the Sporades, at 215 square kilometers. Although Skyrian architecture reminds one of the whitewashed Cycladic islands, more than haf the island is covered with a dense pine forest. Skyros is famous for its amazing beaches and for its beautiful capital town.
The island is not a major tourism destination and surface access is limited to the ferry boat from Kymi, in Evia. The only boat that runs this route is aged and the trip takes about 2 hours although the distance is very short.
Alonissos is a beautiful and peaceful island that is a perfect destination for nature lovers. The island is home to the first marine park to be declared in Greece and also one of the 6 Mediterranean islands that have instituted special protection and preservation programs for the monachus-monachus seal, which is threatened with extinction.
Alonissos is a place for a quiet vacation and a choice for those who seek to be surrounded by nature during the holidays. The island has no significant nightlife and is not a major tourist magnet. Although the last few years have seen some activity, with the opening of a number of nice establishments in Old Chora, and tourism seems to be picking up, the island seems to be almost indifferent to the development of a tourism infrastructure and seems to be focusing instead on the preservation of its natural beauty and environmental concerns.
