An easy guide for how to get to Skopelos by Ferry, schedules and prices for the Ferry to Skopelos and recommendations for public transportation and services. Explore the website and find all necessary details for the Ferry to Skopelos; Connected Routes with departures and frequency, Accommodation options with real-time Availability and helpful tips for transfer opportunities in Skopelos!
We have prepared a small user guide that will help passengers to get to Skopelos as easily and pleasantly as possible.
Find useful information on how to get to Skopelos, local public transportation options to reach your overnight hotel in Skopelos, port addresses and embarkation offices, ferry schedules and prices for Skopelos ferry, and real-time departures and arrivals with the ferry to/from Skopelos.
Public transportation services in Skopelos
The ferry ports of Skopelos
The island has three ports:
- Skopelos is the main port (in town/Chora)
- Glossa port (known also as Loutraki port), northwest of the island and closer to Skiathos
- Agnontas port (a southwest port which is used on some days when the north winds hinder the approach to the harbour of Skopelos)
Road network on Skopelos
- The road network on Skopelos covers a distance of 37 km from Chora (town) of Skopelos to the port of Glossa/Loutraki.
- There are many bends but the routes are wonderful through the dense forests.
- In general, the network is good and lay with asphalt.
- There are many potholes but you will not come up against problems with your transports.
Public bus services on Skopelos
- The island has 4 buses running all round year from Chora to Glossa and Loutraki port with stopovers to countryside and beaches. Distance 32 km, duration approx. 55 minutes, price 6,00 Euro.
- There are buses that run daily from Skopelos to Stafylos, Agnontas, Panormos, Milia, Elios, Klima and back through Loutraki, Milia and Agnontas. There are also several buses daily to Agnontas. Extra bus services are added during the peak season.
- Bus Terminal: 100 meters from Skopelos main harbour next to the taxi rank.
- The timetables are updated shortly after they are posted in each bus station. Usually, indicative information is updated in the first days of each month.
Taxis on Skopelos
- The main taxi stand is in Skopelos Town (Chora) near the bus station and about 100 meters from the main port. Taxis have fixed rates to various destinations.
- Taxis in Chora: +30 6944843738, +30 6972693375, +30 6944132143, +30 6982539919, +30 6945999596, +30 6945149342, +30 6944820468, +30 6972429568
- Taxis in Glossa: +30 6988544272, +30 6979031303, +30 6944734024, +306978025718
- Taxi in Neo Klima: +30 6972841329
Tip: Most of the hotels on Skopelos have their own minibus and will transfer you from the hotel to the port or vice versa. Try ringing them to find out if this service is available!
Note: All above information for Skopelos was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice.
Schedules, prices & availability to Skopelos
Book your ferry ticket to Skopelos with any ferry company that suits you better and enjoy your journey in Greece! The “Easy-Way” booking system of go-Ferry.com, allows the most reliable online ferry reservations and offers cheaper, faster and better services for your ferry ticket.
With go-ferry.com you are able to connect online with the reservation systems of the most Greek shipping companies, to compare prices, to find information about routes and vessels, to look for alternative routes and to print instantly your Skopelos ferry confirmation.
Ferry timetables may change by season, so take an optical canvassing via our search engine to receive the latest cull of dates, schedules, prices and availability. With so many accommodation options to cull from, you can be sure to find the best deal for the ferry to or from Skopelos at a price that fits your budget.
There are 3 different ways to get to Skopelos island by ferry
- From the port of Agios Konstantinos (Kamena Vourla). The distance from Athens to Agios Konstantinos is approx. 120 km and the drive takes about 2 hours.
- From Volos. Approx. distance from Athens to Volos: 300 km in 3,5 hours.
- From Thessaloniki (suspended)
- From Skiathos
Getting to Skopelos by ferry is the best option you have and it can be a very nice and exciting experience and especially if you are doing some island-hopping too. Greek islanders are seasoned ferry experts and they prefer to travel by ferry because of the convenience and flexibility it affords!
Cars are allowed on most ferries with an additional fee and children usually travel for half price!
- There is a choice of regular and High-speed catamaran ferries running frequently to Skopelos with stops along the way.
Give a departure port and a date and find all possible ferry destinations!
Notice: Each year and depending on the period, there may be more or fewer connections. The biggest shipping companies (ferry operators) announce the new ferry schedules to and from Skopelos by the end of December and the rest of them by January-March each year!
Book in advance your ferry ticket to Skopelos
Arrange your ferry journey in advance
It is very important that you have organized your ferry to or from Skopelos in advance, having arranged all the details. You don't want something to go wrong, and you can achieve perfect holidays with a great organization. In addition to hotel accommodation and air-tickets, when you book the boat tickets to or from Skopelos you know that everything is under control even before leaving home.
There are many reasons why you should arrange to book in advance your ferry to Skopelos. Here are some of the most important:
Pay for Hotel in Skopelos without using it!
During the high season in Greece, and especially in July and August, it is likely that you won't find ferry tickets to popular destinations, such as Skopelos, if you don't book them in advance. So, don't make the mistake to book your hotel without having booked the ferry pass. The last thing you want is to get to the port and not find an available ferry!
Save time in Skopelos!
Although we charge a commission for acquiring ferry bookings, this allows you not only to secure your ferry tickets to Skopelos but also to save time; besides receiving a service and attention of first.
Have a bigger choice of Ferry Tickets!
Buying in advance gives you a better chance of getting the ferry tickets to Skopelos, on the ferry you prefer and at the schedule you want. It does not make sense that your trip to/from Skopelos is interrupted by not finding available ferry departures, but it is possible.
Find more Ferry routes!
If you want to organize your vacations to or from Skopelos, it is wise to check all the possible routes and timelines in order to make the right combinations between Skopelos and other destinations as well as between the air and the ferry tickets. Online, you can have an overview of all the available routes.
Get the best deal by Skopelos Ferry prices!
Ferry tickets can be expensive, so it’s natural to want to get the best deal on them. It has become a regular practice for ferries to announce special rates and deep discounts for booking ferry tickets to or from Skopelos up to 3-6 months in advance.
Feeling Great having ferry ticket in your pocket!
You will feel a great feeling when having the ferry confirmation to or from Skopelos in your hands. The reservation with us will allow you to secure your ferry to or from Skopelos, you will be relieved to have the confirmation in your hands or on your smartphone!
Ferry accommodation options
Find out about the ferry types, choose the ideal accommodation option on the ferry to Skopelos and get fresh and relaxed at your destination. Comfortable armchairs, business class comfort seats, outside and inside cabins or economy deck chairs. There is a range of accommodation options to choose for a day or night ferry to Skopelos.
About Skopelos
It is the biggest in length island (after Skiros) in North Sporades complex, 80% of which is covered by pine forests, plum trees, vineyards and olive groves. According to mythology its first inhabitant was Stafilos, son of Dionysus (or Thiseas) and Ariadne. The island extends over a surface of 101 km2, its coastline is 67 km long and it has 5,000 inhabitants.
The island was inhabited probably in the Neolithic period. Its ancient name was Peparethos and is mentioned by the pre-Hellenic people of Asia Minor who settled in the Aegean region in the period 2800 - 2000 BC. This name is mentioned likewise by Thoukydides.
Around 1600 BC Cretans whose leader was the mythical king Staphylos, son of Theseus and Ariadne, settled the island.
As tradition reminds us, Theseus, son of Aegeas king of Athens, was sent with 7 young boys and 7 young girls to the Cretan king Minos, as a duty demanded by Athens, intended to be offered as sacrifice to the Minotaur (a strange creation of mythology, half man, half bull) who lived in the labyrinth underneath the palace of Knosos in Crete. There, Theseus became acquainted with Ariadne, Minos' daughter. Ariadne fell in love with him and helped him, giving him a ball of wool, to escape from the labyrinth and to survive. Theseus found the exit, kidnapped Ariadne and left Crete.
But on the island of Naxos he abandoned Ariadne who in her loneliness discovered the God Dionisos who in his turn fell in love with the girl and took her to Lemnos. In Lemnos Ariadne and Dionisos had four sons, Thoantas, Oinopionas, Staphylos and Peparithos. Peparithos was the first to settle on the island of Skopelos.
Until today his name survives in this place full of olive trees and pine forests.
At the end of Staphylos bay there is a peninsular. At the tip of this peninsular the tomb of King Staphylos was discovered containing his sword and many other artifacts, representing some of the most important finds of workmanship from the Mycenian and Minoan period. The sword handle is covered in gold, a precious sword for a precious king Staphylos.
The handle and sabre of Staphylos
The sabre of Staphylos with the handle, 32 cm long, was found in a pit like tomb, together with other Cretan-Mycenian findings by the archeologist N.Platonas during excavations in 1936. The tomb was attributed to the mythical hero Staphylos. Probably the most convincing proof for the tombs identity is the name of the region, which for thousands of years has remained the same. The sword is kept on display in the Archeological Museum of Athens.
History - Antiquity
Skopelos participated in all the wars, and was a colony of the Athenians. The political system of the island was Democratic. The island took part, too, in the Greek athletic games. In fact Agnontas, an athlete from Peparethos, had won the running competition in 569 BC, and to honor him today's bay of Agnontas was given his name.
To honor the oracle of Delphi the inhabitants of Peparethos had dedicated a statue of the God Apollon, to celebrate beating the Kares in battle.
Peparithos had important ancient towns too, such as Knosos, Panormos and Selinos. Today a large part of the castle of Panormos is preserved. Knossos' name was changed to Glossa, Selinos' name was changed to Loutraki, where some remains of an ancient castle and an ancient settlement are still visible today.
In Skopelos "armaka" is the name given to the accumulation of many large stones gathered together, a pile of rocks we would say. The whole island is full of such piles; we hope future scientists will uncover their secrets.
In the 13th century BC, King Ilkon of Pellas captured the island. Skopelos remained stagnant for quite some time until the 6th century BC when the export of wine and olive oil began. This brought back prosperity and progress to the island.
Aristotelis refers to the famous wine of Peparethos renowned for its aphrodisiac qualities.
In classical times, people of Peparethos, were allies of the Athenians, but after the battle of Chaironia in 338 BC, the island passed into the hands of the Macedonians until 146 AD when the Romans conquered Greece.
The name Skopelos appears for the first time in the texts of Ptolemaios who wrote in the 2nd century AD. The name is most probably a reference to the many shoals and reefs that protrude around the island.
Byzantine Epoch
During the Roman and Byzantine period the island was in decline. The Byzantines used it as a place of exile. After the conquest of Constantinopel by the Franks, the island was united with the Dukedom of Naxos and later passed into the administration of Guizi in the years of the reign of emperor Michael H' Palaiologos. It remained in his possession until 1453 AD when the inhabitants offered their island to the Venetians in order to escape the Turkish occupation.
In 1538 the Algerian pirate Barbarosa came to the island and slaughtered the inhabitants. Around 1600 survived and escaped to Evia and Thessaly but later returned to the island. Then the Turkish occupation started, though these occupiers treat the population more gently. The inhabitants were self governed and simply had the duty to pay their taxes and to assign 30 sailors to serve one year in the Turkish fleet. No citizen of Turkish origin ever settled on the island.
During 1750 AD the first Greek partisans and guerilla fighters started to come to the island from Olympus, Chalkidiki and Thessaly. But from 1810 onwards there were fights between the locals and the guerillas of central Greece. During the revolution of 1821 the captains of Skopelos helped their brothers wherever they were needed. When the revolution failed in Thessaly and Macedonia, 70.000 people, men, women and children settled again in the island - exhausted by epidemics and poverty. .
Finally Skopelos became part of the Greek state in 1830.
What to see in Skopelos
In the north, the exquisite little town of Skopelos, the small houses close together as in a tight embrace, surrounding the castle and spreading down to the port, nowadays the barbarians don't threaten the island any more.
Between the houses, innumerable little churches which the Skopelitans care for with special respect, continuing to strictly preserve their religious traditions.
Narrow cobblestone streets leading uphill, interrupted every now and then by landings of stairs, and steps enclose the neighborhoods, immense bouganvillia embrace balconies and freshly whitewashed walls which enclose small yards.
During recent years the strictly dark brown doors and windows of the past have given way to other more lively colors.
Though the shades of brown from light beige to dark chocolate continue to predominate traditionally, the Skopelitans dare now to decorate their doors and window frames with green, light and dark blue and emerald colors, even red inflames a door here and a balcony there.
Sunrise as you can see it from the Castle
You should wander around the small alleys From the "Little well", you can climb up towards the castle and from there you can walk down to the harbor, stopping every now and then to admire the breath taking view. Should you get lost in one of the countless streets, simply follow them downhill until you reach the port.
The walk from the church "Panagitsa tou Purgou" at the end of the harbor up to the castle is inspiring. It seems to be a journey into the past. Wonderful churches, picturesque alleys, steep rocks with the Aegean Sea stretching out and imposing itself on you.
Such is the beauty of the town, and the breathtaking colors, it will win you heart and admiration at first sight.When you come to Skopelos you will find our enthusiasm justified.
Glossa
The village of Glossa is located at the northwest side of the island. It is the biggest village in Skopelos, the “highest village” as it was characterized by A. Papadiamantis in his novel “The Nostalgic”. The settlement is built in a height of 250m and it’s fairly named the balcony of Sporades as one can see the endless blue of the sea and the mountains of Skiathos and Evia.
Klima
Klima is one of the colorful villages of the island of Skopelos. Today little has changed in spite of all the interfering into its traditional character. It is situated near Glossa, that means on the southwest side of the island that looks towards Skiathos and Evia.
Until the begining of the decade of 1950's the village was divided into two neighborhoods - earlier called "Machalades" - upper Klima and lower Klima. Lower Klima as the inhabitants say is the older one.
It was founded, according to sources from the 18th century, by inhabitants of Glossa who set up something like a small farmer settlement, in the style of Ananias and Kalogeros, which until today exist on the island.
The village church "Ag. Anarguri" was built in 1828. A little chapel may have existed there even earlier.
The lower village has a square at the place "Tsitsiraflos", very impressive - you could see from there Glossa, Loutraki, Pelion, Skiathos - where a big tree stood very imposing, and known to everybody - Tsitsiraflos -.
In the dry riverbed that separated the two settlements, until recently some old olive presses could be found, "Kalliagres" as the locals call them. The earthquakes of 1950 were the reason that the village started to lose its luster and beauty.
The inhabitants moved either to the upper village, either to Loutraki and very few only stayed on until 1965 when the other earthquake, that destroyed the upper village, drove them away forever.
Elios
Exactly underneath the forest of Vathia at Mountain Delphi (688m) and next to the sea the village Elios is situated. At a distance of 18 km from Skopelos, this new settlement was built in 1981, after the destruction of Klima by the earthquakes of 1965.
Grown over with pine trees, magical this region of Skopelos where Elios was erected, with the beautiful beach of Hovolo and the gorgeous shades of its waters very close to the village.
The beach stretches along the whole length of the village, partly with small pebbles, partly with bigger ones, with stones or sand; standing out though is amazing Hovolo beach.
Churches of Skopelos
In Skopelos there are 360 churches, the following of which are worth seeing:
- The monastery of Evaggelistrias (1712), on a slope of mount Palouki, 3.5 km E
- The monastery of Metamorfosis tou Sotira or Transfiguration of Jesus (end of 15th – beginning of 16th century), also on mount Palouki
- The monastery of Aghia Moni (16th century), 6.5 km W
- The monasteries of Aghia Varvara (1648) and Timios Prodromos (1612)
The nunnery of St. John the Baptist (Prodromos)
The monastery is only 300 meters from St. Barbara. The beloved monastery of all the locals and the benevolent nuns who still take care of the monastery. In 1721 the holy monk Filaretou rebuilt it on top of the old foundation, as the inscription at the entrance tells us.
The church of the monastery of Prodromos is of the same type as the church of Metamorphosis (cross shaped with four pillars), the only difference is the existence of two choirs on the sides, following the style of Mt. Athos. There is a gilded altar screen of woodcarvings with rich decorations of vine leaves, birds, animals and 15 illustrations of the main orthodox celebrations.
Also of importance are the icons of the monastery, which date back to the 16th, 17th and 18th century A.D. In the monastery's dining room is a wall painting relating to the founding of the monastery. In the conch is an illustrated prayer and on each side St. Haralampos and Filaretos the holy monk and founder.
