Looking for lush, authentic islands in the heart of the Aegean Sea? Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, three islands forming a veritable golden trio in the Sporades archipelago, are made for you. Immerse yourself in their spellbinding world of spectacular scenery. Marvel at the famous underwater park of the Northern Sporades. Explore the wild mountains of Alonissos. Let yourself be transported by the beauty of the island of Skopelos, chosen as the location for the film Mamma Mia. Finally, bask on the magnificent beach of Koukounariès on Skiathos.
N.B.: This trip to Greece is an individual tailor-made tour, to be personalized with our specialist Greece advisors.
The route
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Step 1 / 4
Étapes 1 & 4
Skiathos
Skiathos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Explore the exceptional beaches of white sand and turquoise water or set off on an adventure along hiking trails in lush green surroundings.
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Step 2 / 4
Step 2
Alonissos
Discover traditional old houses, cobbled streets, small cafés and typical tavernas on Alonissos, a Greek island in the Sporades archipelago.
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Step 3 / 4
Step 3
Skopelos
Discover the island of Skopelos and all the hidden spots that seduced the director of Mamma Mia. Enjoy heavenly beaches and splendid spots to relax or indulge in water sports.
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Step 4 / 4
Étapes 1 & 4
Skiathos
Skiathos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Explore the exceptional beaches of white sand and turquoise water or set off on an adventure along hiking trails in lush green surroundings.
Arrive at Skiathos airport, where a private transfer awaits to take you to your hotel.
The Skiathos waterfront is an ideal place to take a stroll and get to know the Sporades. The Old Port, the New Port of Skiathos and the Peninsula of Bourtzi, a tiny peninsula fortified in the 13th century, give you a first glimpse of the beauty of nature, as well as the delicacy and picturesqueness of local architecture.
Stroll through the town’s narrow streets, a veritable labyrinth of whitewashed houses with blue shutters, typical of the Greek islands. Be prepared to get lost: at every corner, you can discover a new treasure.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skiathos
Day 2
Departure for Alonissos, walk in Chora
Alonissos
A private transfer takes you to the port, where you’ll take the ferry to Alonissos.
Hora, the old town of Alonissos, is one of the island’s main attractions. Take advantage of the wonderful sunset over the Sporades to stroll around. Encounter old traditional houses, hand-paved alleyways, small cafés and typical tavernas, ancient churches and the remains of Byzantine walls… These jewels form a truly extraordinary and exotic whole, in a town that still seems to be living in the era of its great historical and mythical hours: it was in this paradisiacalplace that Peleus, the father of the ebullient Achilles, is said to have ended his life.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Alonissos
Day 3
Marine parks, Day at sea
Alonissos
Alonissos Marine Park, Europe’s largest marine park, offers a taste of paradise. It comprises 6 islands, over 20 islets and around 250,000 hectares of water, for an absolutely enchanting boat tour. Take time to observe Mediterranean monk seals, gulls, cormorants, falcons and wild goats, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales and Cuvier’s beaked whales.
Penetrate bays with crystal-clear waters and land on secluded beaches with soft, voluptuous scenery. Along the way, explore the Greek and Byzantine monuments that dot your route.
We recommend taking advantage of the calm months of May-June and September-October to visit the Alonissos Marine Park. A sea cruise is optional. It lasts from 6 to 8 hours and is an unforgettable experience.
Optional sea trip Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Alonissos
Day 4
Visits to typical northern and southern villages
Patitiri
In the south-east, the village of Patitiri, the main port of Alonissos and the island’s social center, is an almost new village. Completely destroyed during the 1965 earthquake, it has been rebuilt in the style of the time. In this typical village, you’re in the heart of the Storades of the 1960s.
Not far from the port, the Kostas and Angela Mavrikis Museum is a must-see on any visit to Alonissos. Here you can discover artifacts recounting the daily lives of Alonissos residents over the centuries.
Nearby, the beach of Rousoumi is known for its pleasant, serene vegetation and its restaurant set in the sand.
North-east of Patitiri, you’ll find the small fishing village of Votsi. Peaceful and soothing, Votsi has retained all its authenticity. Its picturesque port is bordered by a hillside of ochre cliffs that make you feel as if you’ve lost yourself in Marseille’s calanques.
On the other side of the Patitiri Peninsula is Bigfoot beach, accessible by boat. Here, you can relax and unwind in idyllic surroundings.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Alonissos
Day 5
Start with a long walk in Chora
Skopelos
You arrive by boat at the port of Chora in Skopelos between 1:05 and 1:35 pm. Even before boarding, take time to contemplate this magnificent city, with its brick-tiled houses, white walls and brown wooden shutters. Soak up the depths of the pine forest that surrounds it all. From the port, a private transfer takes you to your hotel. Take a stroll through the town.
On the edge of the harbor, visit the 17th-century church of Panagitsa tou Pirgou, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Don’t miss the climb up to the castle, built in the 5th century BC and restored by the Venetians in the 13th century. The path from the church to the castle is magnificent. Once you’ve completed the climb, you’re rewarded with an incredible view of the Aegean Sea and the island of Skopelos. You can also stop off at one of the countless cafés or tavernas lining the castle.
In the midst of the picturesque lanes and magical atmosphere, two other monuments deserve your attention. The former home of Skopelos-born Greek writer Pavlos Nirvanas has been renovated and turned into a folklore museum. Here you can admire the island’s typical architecture. A little further on, the Vakratsa Manor House has also been turned into a museum. It exhibits mainly medical objects and local handicrafts.
Finally, if possible, come during the Rebetiko Festival held every summer in Skopelos. Rebetiko is folk music that you can hear in the taverns of Chora. The festival combines instrument exhibitions, concerts and film screenings to the delight of locals and travelers alike!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skópelos
Day 6
Discover our selection of incredible beaches, Pause Mama Mia
Chapel of Agios Ioannis
It’s time to discover the paradisiacal beaches of Skopelos, which seduced the director of Mamma Mia, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan!
You begin your journey on the beaches of the west coast. The sandy, pebbly beach of Kastani, filmed in Mamma Mia, is easily accessible and well-equipped. Take advantage of your day in Kastani to visit the little chapel of Agio Ioannis, which has stood majestically on its rocky outcrop for centuries. This is where, in the film, Meryl Streep puts the ring on Pierce Brosnan’s finger.
Nearby Milia, another breathtakingly beautiful beach, is also very well equipped. It offers a splendid view of the islet of Dasia. For water sports enthusiasts, there’s plenty of space for kayaking. Not far from Milia, the beaches of Panormos and Elios are also worth a visit.
On the northwest coast, the bay of Périvoliou, with its blue-green waters and imposing rocks, hides an enchanting pebble beach. To reach it, you’ll have to become an explorer and cross a densely vegetated forest.
The beaches of Stafilos and Velanio, very close to each other, are located on the south coast. Both are well organized and very quiet.
No doubt hungry from swimming and kayaking, discover local specialties in the evening. Enjoy cheese pies and pork with plums, simmered over a low heat. And don’t miss the skopelitiki: this cheese wrapped in filo pastry and fried in olive oil is a real treat!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skópelos
Day 7
Discover the magic of the seabed and some handicrafts
Skopelos
This morning, you’ll put on your adventurer’s costume. Head for Agia Anna beach, enter the caves and dare to dive at the entrances. Get closer to the reefs and coves, and search for an ancient or medieval shipwreck. Finally, hop on a boat to dive again off the island of Dasia.
To recover from these emotions, the afternoon is devoted to shopping. Visit the island’s many pottery workshops, which have preserved this traditional ancient Greek craft to the present day. You may even be lucky enough to take part in a workshop led by a professional. Make your own pottery using local techniques for modelling and decorating clay: have these techniques changed so much since the time of Pericles?
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skópelos
Day 8
Arrival in Skiathos - A day on the beach for every taste
Koukounaries beach
Depart early in the morning (7 a.m.) for a 45-minute cruise to the port of Skiathos. From there, a private transfer takes you to your hotel.
The island of Skiathos boasts a veritable collection of beaches, all different, beautiful and welcoming.
One of the most famous is Koukounaries. Located in the south-west of the island, in the heart of a nature reserve, its tongue of fine golden sand is bordered by a dense forest of umbrella pines. Behind this green barrier lies the saltwater lake of Strofylia. Koukounaries beach manages to combine an exceptional natural setting with perfect beach facilities.
In the center-west, Mégalos and Mikros Adelinos, very close to each other, are white pebble beaches. Megalos is the most popular, with many facilities (including a taverna). Be careful, however: these two wild beaches have very deep, rough waters, potentially dangerous for children.
Vromolimnos, in the south, is one of the island’s most popular beaches. The setting of this small green cove with its soft golden sand is simply extraordinary. Soak up the sun, splash around in the water or pick up some water sports equipment. This lively beach is popular with young people for its festive atmosphere, especially in the evening. So stay and enjoy the sunset over Vromolimnos, between cocktails and dancing!
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skiathos
Day 9
How about a trip to the wild Lalaria beach in the north of the island?
Lalaria beach
Lalaria beach is the emblem of the island of Skiathos. Its expanse of blue-white pebbles is topped by a breathtaking landscape and offers an exceptional view of the Aegean Sea. Accessible only by sea, Lalaria is a secluded spot where you can find serenity amid the wild, eerie scenery of the white cliffs that enclose it. Its turquoise waters have carved a monumental gate in one of these cliffs, through which you can swim or kayak.
Lalaria, part of the Natura 2000 network of protected biotopes, is a must for any visit to Skiathos. You can also take advantage of the sea caves on the way there for diving (especially the Skopili and Garatie caves). Other splendid beaches along the way are also worth a visit.
A boat trip is optional. Boats depart from Skiathos harbor, mornings from 9 to 10 am and afternoons from 2 to 3 pm. Would you like to organize a day trip or cruise? The port of Skiathos is the right place to find all the information you need.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skiathos
Day 10
Hiking trails for sports enthusiasts
Skiathos
Authentic Skiathos is waiting for hikers to reveal their true selves. Covered in forests, with 25 signposted trails and a network of 243 km of paths and roads, the island of Skiathos is a paradise for walkers in search of breathtaking scenery. The itineraries vary in length and level of difficulty, so you’ll have no trouble finding the hike that’s right for you. And don’t hesitate to hire a local guide: you’ll be sure not to miss any of the hidden treasures of this island of a thousand wonders.
If a 2-hour hike doesn’t scare you, opt for the path linking the monasteries of Kechria and Evangelistria, both built in the 18th century. Take a break to admire the beautiful frescoes at Kechria. At picnic time, try to stop off at a site offering panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.
Alternatively, you can opt for the “Hiking in the heart of Skiathos” option, a beautiful 4-hour private walk with a guide (105 € per person).
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner on your own Night in Skiatos
Day 11
Day of departure
Skiathos
Your vacation in the Sporades is coming to an end. Take advantage of these last moments for a gentle stroll around Skiathos. Soak up the soothing atmosphere of one of the most beautiful towns in the Aegean, before a private transfer takes you back to the airport.
The accommodations offered in our programs are selected according to criteria of comfort, service and location. As Greece as a local is a travel agency specializing in tailor-made tours, we strive to meet your expectations as closely as possible by offering you 100% customized programs. That’s why all the accommodations mentioned in our programs are only suggestions, and it’s entirely possible to modify them according to your wishes, your budget and seasonal availability.
List of hotels selected for this trip to Greece
– Skiathos: Vigles Sea View Hotel / Philian Hotels and Resorts
– Alonissos: Yalis Hotel / Ilya Suites By The Sea Hotel
– Skopelos: Hotel Rigas / Hotel Adrina Resort & Spa
– Skiathos: Alas Hotel Skiathos / Aagean Suites
From 1375€, this price is based on 2 participants for the selected accommodations.
The final price of your trip to Greece may vary according to the number of participants, your preferences in terms of dates and availability during the associated period.
Included in this travel
10 nights' accommodation in a 3* hotel with breakfast on a double occupancy basis
8 private transfers
3 sea crossings
Not included in this travel
Skiathos - Hiking in the heart of Skiathos, private - 4h | 105 euros/pax
– Relax on the island’s many beaches. We particularly recommend : Agia Paraskevi, Banana, Kanapitsa Lalaria… Some are more picturesque, such as Ftelia, Kalamaki, Maratha, Megas Gialos (the road to this beach is difficult)… As you can see, you’re spoilt for choice.
– Visit Chora, where the hustle and bustle is at its peak in July and August.
– Visit the ruins of the old citadel, which was abandoned in the early 19th century.
– Rent a scooter or, for the more adventurous, a bicycle to tour the island and discover the small coves that dot the coastline.
– Hikers will love the trails through the forests and along the coast.
– Nature lovers can take the ferry for a day trip to the island of Alonissos.
Enjoy your trip!