How Not To Get Lost In Skiathos And The Sporades Islands Of Greece

How Not To Get Lost In Skiathos And The Sporades Islands? So…, after another one of my Overseas Incidents I thought this would be a great title for this blog post. Which is quite funny actually as Skiathos is not really somewhere you can get lost in REALLY for very long but anyway…

Here We Go Again! For anyone curious this is quite a funny question because YES I got lost In Skiathos (kind of). You can add this to the list of;

• Prague,
• Malta,
• Budapest,
• Mallorca,
  and Cape Verde….

where in each place I have found myself in desperate situations – although I will admit this time wasn’t so bad.

I mean it could have been – I was very fortunate but STILL I think this could be an entertaining story to tell before I actually tell you about Skiathos and what it is actually like to visit, as well as its neighbouring Islands.

So, what happened? Well, let me tell you…

How Not To Get Lost In Skiathos And The Sporades

Now, I didn’t drink on this trip, I haven’t drunk alcohol for just over 9 months now including on my last 2 holidays to Malta and Lanzarote but typically (as I do) I still managed to get myself in a situation. I guess people would say perhaps it isn’t just the alcohol with me lol but staying sober on holiday it is a different experience and it isn’t as boring as some people will think it is.

So, Skiathos – you can’t really get lost here – it’s pretty easy to navigate. If I hadn’t left the actual Island I’d have been alright. It’s really quite an easy place to get around – if you ever come here on holiday just make sure to remember the bus stop number that your staying by!

Basically, there is one main road that goes round the Island and all the bus stops are numbered from 1 to 20.

You can easily get around the Island by following the numbers of the bus stops up and down the road. It might be a long walk though but this is a good thing to know and of course you can always just get on the bus for 2 euros.

It’s that easy But anyway – the reason I got lost (kind of) is because I left the Island on a boat tour from Skiathos which should have took me back to Skiathos later on, but it did not. After my tour finished at 9pm at night I was in mainland Greece.

The crew on the boat were laughing about it. It was a nightmare for me – the sort of thing you just can’t make up with me and my travels. I just wanted to cry thinking about how badly this could have gone but I will say it is pretty funny considering how this all happened. So, let me tell you about this…

How I Got Lost In Skiathos And The Sporades

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As it happened, my dilemma was that I ended up in Mainland Greece at Amalipollis Port near Volos after getting on the wrong boat during my 2nd boat tour of the holiday. My first cruise was on the same boat I got on (I think) – definitely the same cruise line (Elizabeth Cruises) – pretty sure the same captain was on both tours.

But here was the thing – this boat tour I ended up on by mistake wasn’t an English speaking tour (French I think it was). They have different cruises for different tourists – one where they speak English and others where they don’t.

So anyway, I knew after the boat had left Lalaria Beach on Skiathos that I wasn’t supposed to get on here. My friend who was also on Holiday in Skiathos said to me that “I must have done this on purpose”.

I really want to be honest as possible about this – I was joking on Facebook about the boat I was on. It looked like it had seen better days, and as I was typing about this it left the beach.

It must have came back to pick the rest of the tour up after I left but after my boat drove off there was Elizabeth Cruises boat next to it being boarded.

In my head I thought maybe they was dropping us all off for us to board the other boat but really I wasn’t 100% sure about this – I kind of thought what the hell – I’d just get on and hope this was what I was supposed to do.

Very silly, it didn’t take me long to realise what I’d done – the first stop was Skopelos after this, and really I should have stayed here and found my way back via one of the sea taxis but I thought I would save my money and get back on the cruise boat and hope for the best. That it would go to Skiathos.

I kind of had to just sit there and hope no one spoke to me because I’m sure if they realised I was English I would have been found out.

I was talking to my friend on Facebook before the boats last stop I was going to meet up with him to watch the football. On FB messenger I wrote “I’m almost back according to Google Maps”. At one point I was about 20 minutes away from Skiathos but then the boat just kept going, and going further away.

It just got worse from that point onwards – it then dawned on me that I couldn’t top up my Caxton travel card and I had no other cards on me to transfer any money.

I’d have been stuck in Greece with only 40 euros, a phone that was about to die and a flight to catch the next day from Skiathos.

It would have been horrible for me – if I didn’t get back on the boat and tell them what happened I would have been stuck in mainland Greece.

I was worried no one would speak English on the cruise ship but they did and they was very understanding of my situation – I am guessing I am NOT the first person this has happened to. I spoke to the captain and he said stay on the boat tonight we are going to Skiathos on the first stop of tomorrows tour.

I was pretty well accommodated for as well – they give me a blanket, a pillow and a free Coffee in the morning. The place I’d like to go back to one day but so glad I didn’t end up stuck there.

The boat trip back was pretty funny because I never see any Dolphins on my first tour but on the way back I see 3 of them.

An amazing experience, although watch out for the La La La song – if you sing it you get free drinks – if you don’t they throw you off the boat lol (that’s what they say)

I will share the song below…

Now, so I thought I would share this post to tell my story. This is pretty much it but this was only one day this happened and I was in Skiathos for a week so let me tell you about that.

What Is It Like In Skiathos, Greece?

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It wasn’t my typical vacation where I go to the zoo and all these different tours. You have the boat tours but besides this Skiathos to me seems more like somewhere you go to admire the natural beauty of the surroundings and to eat, drink and party – lot’s of bars and restaurants. I would go back but I don’t feel like I missed much.

It is somewhere you can definitely relax, and between Skiathos and the other 3 inhabited islands in the Sporades – Skopelos, Alonissis and Skyros the vibe seems to be pretty similar.

you shouldn’t have to much trouble with finding your way around any of these Islands I don’t think. They are small enough not to have this problem (in my opinion) but honestly, I can only really say this about Skiathos as it’s the only one I have stayed on, and I did not go to Skyros whilst I was here.

Skopelos and Alonissis I stopped off at on my first cruise. They are very similar with the kind of shops and restaurants. They are kind of like mountains with buildings going all the way up. Its like these are the only places to build. The views are absolutely amazing and for these alone its worth the trip.

I was kind of a bit over cautious really on these visits, I would have liked (I think) to have stayed for longer and had more time to explore each island. Especially, Alonissis and it’s nature reserve.

The Island hopping tour with Elizabeth Cruises on Viator is good for this to get to see what these Islands have to offer. Although, you can travel between these Islands by water taxi for I think 20 euros each way.

I didn’t do this I think I would if I went back. I’d probably like to maybe spend 5 days in the Sporades and then head to mainland Greece. It is all good getting return flights but the best way to travel I think is to get a one way flight and then book a flight when you’ve actually got to go to everywhere you want to see.

I would like to go to so many places really just like this but besides the point…

Why YOU Might Want To Come To Skiathos?

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The Sporades are a stunning group of islands in the Aegean Sea, known for their natural beauty, lush greenery, and clear blue waters. Among the 4 Sporades Islands, Skiathos stands out as one of the most popular destination, attracting visitors from all over the world for its picturesque beaches, vibrant nightlife, and charming towns. Skiathos is likened to a Caribbean Island. I’ve never been to the Caribbean but this is what many travel agents will tell you.

Skiathos: The Jewel of the Sporades

Skiathos is the westernmost island of the Sporades and the closest to mainland Greece, making it a convenient and accessible holiday destination. For any tourists that do decide to book a stay here – these are the main attractions…

1. Beaches: With over 60 beaches, Skiathos is a beach lover’s paradise. The famous Koukounaries Beach is considered one of the best in all of Greece, offering golden sand, calm waters, and a backdrop of pine forests.
2. Nightlife and Dining: Skiathos Town is a lively hub with plenty of bars, restaurants, and tavernas. Its old port is lined with vibrant nightlife spots, offering a mix of traditional and modern experiences, from Greek cuisine to trendy cocktails.
3. Nature and Hiking: Despite its party vibe, Skiathos offers peaceful nature escapes. Hiking trails across the island take you through pine forests, to secluded beaches, and historic monasteries like the Monastery of Evangelistria – a hidden gem in the island’s hills.

   
   4. Getting Around: Skiathos is small enough to explore by bus, taxi, or even on foot. For more secluded beaches or hidden spots, renting a a Quad Bike or Moped can easily get you around the Island from top to bottom.

Booking boat tours is something else certainly worth a mention. I will typically recommend Viator for any holiday destination but even without this – all you literally need to do is go to Skiathos Town and there are boats everywhere that you can hire for their tours – it really depends on what you want to do.

The Other Sporades Islands

While Skiathos is the most popular, the other islands of the Sporades also have much to offer:

Skopelos: Famous for being the filming location of the movie Mamma Mia!, Skopelos boasts scenic villages with whitewashed houses, charming churches, and equally stunning beaches. It’s a quieter, more laid-back alternative to Skiathos.

Alonissos: Known for its pristine nature and as part of a marine park, Alonissos is a haven for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility. It’s great for snorkeling, diving, and wildlife watching, especially the Mediterranean monk seal.

Skyros: The southernmost and largest island of the Sporades, Skyros has a more traditional and rugged vibe. It’s known for its folklore, handicrafts, and unspoiled landscapes.

Also, the other place you can go to from Skiathos is where I went Volos in mainland Greece. It is a couple hours away though so you may want to stay over the night.

Just don’t get stuck on a cruise ship like me – I was grateful to be allowed to stay on there but one thing I will moan about – I was bitten alive by the mosquitos – after bite is an absolute must and this is even if you do have a nice room.

Where To Stay In Skiathos

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During my 7 days In Skiathos I stayed in Koukanaries at Cabana Studios / Apartments. This was a Jet2 Holiday package. I got really lucky because my friend booked to come here but he could not go in the end so he let me buy his holiday for cheap.

The price Including flights and transfers for him was £1100. The room I didn’t think was anything special really but I was quite happy with this.

I do usually gravitate to hostels and airbnb – whatever I can find is more budget friendly but in this case I did think it was worth it. It was nice NOT to have the usual hassle of hostels and public transport etc.

Although, I think for my friends this deal was more of a last minute thing. The others who came to Skiathos stayed in the hotel across from me and it was much more luxurious from what I could tell and they paid the same price.

I think that you can actually book here much cheaper but you have to book many months in advance. This is the best way I think – I know it is annoying waiting but perhaps you could find a cheap city break somewhere else in the meantime.

It is worth the wait as for 1 year in the future looking now I can see on Jet2 Holidays that you can get a package deal to Skiathos for around £650 per person.

The Best Skiathos and Sporades Tours

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When visiting Skiathos and the Sporades, there are several amazing tours that highlight the beauty, history, and natural charm of these islands. Here are some of the best tours to book:

1. Boat Tours Around the Sporades

• Island-Hopping Tours: A full-day boat tour that takes you to neighboring islands like Skopelos and Alonissos. These tours allow you to explore hidden beaches, picturesque villages, and swim in the clear waters.
• Mamma Mia Tour: Since parts of the movie Mamma Mia! were filmed in Skopelos and Skiathos, this tour takes you to iconic filming locations, including the famous Agios Ioannis chapel.
• Skiathos Coastline Cruise: This relaxing tour typically stops at the stunning Lalaria Beach, accessible only by boat, as well as the iconic Kastro fortress. You’ll have opportunities to swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters.

2. Snorkeling and Diving Tours

• Marine Park of Alonissos: Explore Greece’s first marine park, which is a haven for wildlife including the Mediterranean monk seal. Many tours offer snorkeling and diving excursions where you can see vibrant marine life and underwater caves.
• Shipwreck Diving: Some dive tours offer the chance to explore wrecks and underwater ruins, ideal for diving enthusiasts.

3. Sailing and Yachting Excursions

• Private Yacht Charters: For a luxurious experience, charter a private yacht for a day trip around Skiathos and the neighboring islands. These tours can be customized to your preferences and include gourmet meals, snorkeling, and secluded beach stops.
• Sunset Sailing Tours: Enjoy a romantic evening sail around Skiathos and witness the stunning sunset from the sea. These tours often include drinks and snacks on board.

4. Hiking and Nature Tours

• Skiathos Hiking Tour: Discover the island’s natural beauty on foot, including trails that lead to historical monasteries such as Evangelistria Monastery, and viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas of the Aegean Sea.
• Mount Palouki Trek in Skopelos: This guided hike takes you through Skopelos’ lush forests and hills, ending with panoramic views from the summit of Mount Palouki.

5. Cultural and Historical Tours

• Skiathos Town Walking Tour: Explore the charming streets of Skiathos Town with a local guide, learning about its history, visiting Bourtzi Fortress, and stopping by cultural landmarks like the Papadiamantis House.
• Historical Tour of Skopelos: Visit monasteries, chapels, and ancient sites on Skopelos, including the Folklore Museum and the old Venetian Castle.

6. Wine Tasting and Culinary Tours

• Skiathos Wine Tasting Tour: Discover local Greek wines through vineyard tours and tastings. Some tours also include traditional mezes, offering a chance to taste local flavors.
• Cooking Classes: Join a hands-on cooking class in Skiathos or Skopelos and learn to make traditional Greek dishes using local ingredients.

7. Kayaking and Paddleboarding

• Guided Kayak Tours: Explore the coastlines of Skiathos or Alonissos on a guided kayak tour, paddling through sea caves and stopping at secluded beaches. Some tours also offer paddleboarding for a more active experience.

8. Skiathos Off-Road Safari

• 4×4 Adventure: For an adventurous day, join an off-road safari tour that takes you through the rugged interior of Skiathos. You’ll visit remote beaches, ancient monasteries, and less accessible parts of the island, providing a unique view of its landscapes.

Booking these tours is typically easy via local travel agencies, online platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator, or through your hotel in Skiathos.

In Conclusion

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After getting back from Malta it was like I was homesick for my AirBNB – I really was thinking how great it would have been to just get back home, take care of business and get straight back on the plane. One day I will do this lol but anyway I really wanted another holiday and the timing of this could not have been better.

It was just over a month after I got back from Malta and before I found out my friend was selling this holiday I was thinking about going to Corfu. It was just like I was kind of coming up with whatever excuse I could not to go SO when I found out this holiday he was selling was in Greece I wanted this so much.

And it was a beautiful place to come to – it was unfortunately raining for a few days and there was a big thunderstorm. The Greek God Zeus was out in full force! So maybe September is not the best month to come but it was still nice – it was raining but not for the whole day when it stopped after a couple hours it was nice again.

So yes it was a great place to visit and yes I would recommend it – if anyone is after sun, sea and scenery Skiathos is a great place to come to – there were people there that said they come back every year and yeah it is somewhere you could do that.

I shall finish this article up here but if you would like to continue this discussion leave a comment below and I will look to respond ASAP!