Alongside Rodrigues in Mauritius, Great Barrier Island in New Zealand and the Andaman Islands in India, the Greek island of Skopelos has been cited as being one of the ‘best secret islands in the world’.

So ‘picture-perfect’ is Skopelos, with its forgotten coves lined with pine trees, blue-roofed tavernas nestled upon the beaches and tiny whitewashed churches, that even Hollywood are getting in on the exquisiteness of Skopelos action, with the island’s Kastani Beach being the chosen location to film ‘Mamma Mia’.

Skopelos has not gained its reputation as being one of the best secret islands in the world for no reason, and the Greek island is a haven of tranquil and deserted coves, secluded from the main flow of tourism which have remained a secret for centuries. Take a three of the most delightfully secluded coves on Skopelos.

Agnondas Cove

This cove was given its name hundreds of years ago by inhabitants in honour of Agnodas who won the race at the Olympic Games. Located 8km south of Skopelos Town, this beautiful pebbled cove is rarely disturbed by many visitors and instead remains a gem of a find for those seeking peace and serenity in the most stunning of surroundings.

The Cove of Adrina

13km to the west of Skopelos Town the Cove of Adrina can be found. The crystal clear waters that lap the pebbled shores contrast vividly with the verdurous landscape that surrounds this isolated cove, laden predominantly with pine trees.

Limnonari Cove

This tiny secluded bay rarely has more than a handful of visitors and is one of the most isolated coves on Skopelos. Its white pebbles are encircled by stunning views of greenery. Located 9km to the south of Skopelos Town Limnonari Cove can only be reached by foot from a path running parallel to the sea, or by fishing boat.

In combination with the National Offshore Championship, the North Aegean International Sailing Week (Skopelos sailing week 2011) will take place, proving that Skopelos can be used as a competitive venue and the unique diversity within the tourism sector of the island.

Skopelos is a popular location for sailing, with boats of all shapes and sizes seen bobbing up and down on the waters surrounding the island.

The venue for this year’s competition was purposely chosen by the committee of the Thessalonki Offshore Racing Club, who appointed the island because of its immense natural beauty and convenient position in the middle of the Aegean Sea.

In holding the NAISW 2011, the organisers of the competition and the people of Skopelos are intent in demonstrating to the outside world that they are proficient in hosting such an important and revered sporting event. According to organizers of the NAISW:

“With the organisation of the several events in August we have a chance to show visitors and contestants that Skopelos is unique in many ways. We all have to work together and give information to the visitors about the island, show our pure agricultural products, the nature and our hospitality.”

A total of twelve national sailing clubs from across Greece are expected in be represented in the sailing championships in August, with some of the most competitive boats and crews from the nation keen to be involved in the action.

For those that have visited Skopelos a return visit is almost always guaranteed. Being the greenest island on the Aegean Sea, Skopelos is the very essence of the word ‘picturesque’. Hidden beneath a blanket of pine trees, Skopelos is rich in culture and history, fusing the sophisticated and lively with the tranquil and charming.

The fact that this ‘shimmering emerald island’ is hosting such as a prominent sailing event is yet more evidence of the cosmopolitan nature of Skopelos.

To really take advantage of the island’s stunning beauty, you should consider staying at Vintage Travel’s luxury 2 bedroom villa in Skopelos, ‘Maro’, pictured above.

Being without its own airport and surrounded by beautiful pebbled beaches adorning a rugged and wild coastline, visiting the island of Skopelos is absolute paradise for those seeking a serenely unperturbed  holiday in the most striking, yet essentially undiscovered, of destinations.

Villa Meropi

earing Skopelos’ relative anonymity from the masses and immense beauty, it is only natural that Vintage Travel have ‘sniffed out’ this touch of paradise.

Taking Skopelos’ natural beauty to even greater heights are three villas recently added to Vintage Travel’s Skopelos portfolio – Mourtia, Meropi and Natalia.

All three of these exquisite properties have their own private pool and truly sensational views of the turquoise ocean, lapping upon the shores of Skopelos Town – a maze of steep streets, hundreds of steps, white-washed houses and terracotta roofs.

The villa of Mourtia, a stone’s throw from the quintessentially Greek Skopelos Town and its seemingly limitless supply of bars, tavernas and souvenir shops, boasts immaculate lawns lay upon extensive grounds, situated on a hillside speckled with olive trees. Sitting on Mourtia’s terrace, which runs the whole width of the property, taking in the amazing views of this island, is guaranteed to be one of your fondest memories of your holiday.

This spacious two-bedroom house starts from £495 a week rising to £1795 in peak season.

Villa Natalia

Equally as mesmerising are Meropi and Natalia, two beautifully renovated cottages, tucked away on a hillside adorned with olive groves.

The properties both consist of all the delightful and traditional features associated with a traditional cottage, including wood beamed ceilings and tiled floors. The verandah is roofed in vines, offering stunning views of the surrounding scenery, and gives Meropi and Natalia a true ‘holiday’ vibe.

The cottages can sleep six, including an air-conditioned mezzanine, romantically hidden beneath the eaves. Each property starts at £495 a week off peak, rising to £1850 in the peak holiday season.

At Vintage Travel, we excel in finding treasures away from the mainstream trails.

Lightly frequented destinations are a true gem, aiding a place’s appeal. Skopelos certainly fits this description, as with its dazzling white yet old buildings contrasting vividly with the vibrant flower pots strewn to the walls.

This, with the cobalt colour of the sea and the sky, but with a serious lack of people, Skopelos holidays are perfect for a tranquil yet truly Greek escape.

For those wanting to know where was Mama Mia filmed, the answer is easy. The producers needed a quiet, typically greek location, Skopolos island was a simple choice.

The capital of Skopelos is Chora, a large and clean town, spookily quiet for a capital by any standards. In comparison the town of Skopelos is slightly livelier, with discerning tourists taking in the town’s characteristic architecture and quaintly cobbled streets. So beautiful and historically significant is the town that it has been declared as a heritage settlement.

Tiny whitewashed churches settled atop the edge of a cliff are one of Greece’s most fond and charismatic associations. This amiable image is scattered right across Skopelos, enhancing the island’s splendour and charm. For some, pebble beaches are preferable to sandy ones, and most of the beaches on the island are covered in pebbles, free from crowds and great to bathe, swim and explore.

The word Skopelos actually means “rocky” in Greece, and with its deep and dramatic gorges, tall jagged mountains, covered with rich and fragrant forests, it is understandable why Skopelos has been described as being one of the prettiest of the Greek islands.  For luxury Greek holidays, Skopelos is ideal.

Although life is traditional and simple here, with the majority of the locals working in agriculture and the fishing industry, Skopelos is home to quite a few bars, restaurants and clubs – luring a younger crowd to the island.

Tradition is certainly the prevailing feature of this beautiful island, although when a large photography exhibition is held each year, Skopelos is transformed into quite a cosmopolitan destination for the duration of the event.

If you are looking for Greek island villas, in the prettiest of surroundings, a trip to Skopelos will not let you down.

Go hiking on the Greek Island of Skepelos

You may want to get Christmas and the New Year out of the way before you start planning for next year’s holiday, although with the weather getting infinitively gloomier, the nights drawing in at a rate of knots and the Christmas crowds already surfacing in the high street, daydreaming about lands of sunnier climes, sapphire skies and verdurous vistas offers a welcoming relief to the British winter blues.

Being the greenest of the Greek islands on the Aegean Sea and never being too overcrowded, the island of Skelopos is perhaps one of the best places to start your ‘escaping to an idyllic paradise’ fantasies.

This picturesque and tranquil island has many good beaches, but many who have had the pleasure of visiting Skopelos, often cite that the beach of Milia, with its fantastic selection of water sports, Velanio beach, half of which is nudist, and the pretty and tranquil beach of Glisteri, that are the most beautiful of Skopelos beaches and cater for all desires and tastes.

If you do find yourself falling victim to the island’s many scenic and cultural charms then a trip to the extremely picturesque, well preserved and fortunately unspoilt by modern development Skopelos Town is paramount. Although it is the many interesting trails that haphazardly criss-cross this charming island and provide for beautiful varied walks, which are the island’s most unique attractions.

Skopelos Town to Glisteri

This immensely scenic walk is described as ‘easy’ and takes approximately two hours. Walkers experience the delights of Skopelos’ sweet smelling forests, from Skopelos Town down to the pretty rocky coves of Glisteri.

Glossa to Ioannis

Due to some of the paths on the route having crumbled away, the walk from the deserted hilltop village of Glossa to the larger town of Ioannis is not for the more ‘faint-hearted’ and gentle of walkers. This walk, which takes you through the most stunning of scenery, is definitely for more able walkers and takes approximately 4 and ½ hours.

Skopelos Town to Agnontas

To walk from Skopelos Town to Agnontas and back takes approximately 4 hours. Whilst the trial is fairly straightforward, it ascends and descends over Skopelos’ spectacular verdurous landscapes, providing an exhilarating and inspirational walk.

There are many interesting tracks and trials, scattered over this beautiful and unspoilt Greek island and without the crowds, even in high season, the island of Skopelos really can be described as being a ‘walker’s paradise’.

Looking for a luxury villa with a pool on Skopelos?

However, many of the beaches can be reached from Skopelos Town by bus or hire car and range from tiny secluded coves to long stretches of white pebbles or sand/shingle. The water is crystal clear and the swimming/snorkelling is fantastic.

Here’s our guide to the best beaches in Skopelos:

Milia (approx 17km from town). This is pebble and sand beach, which offers an incredibly picturesque setting and has views of rocky outcrops and Dassia Island. It’s not unusual for dolphins to visit here in the early mornings so make sure you get there early. Also, there is a fantastic tavern and beach bar and a bus stop about 500m away.

Milia Beach, Skopelos

Hovolo (approx 20km from town). This beach may only be accessed by excursion boats but is well worth the trip if you are looking to escape the crowds and looking for seclusion.

Hovolo Beach, Skopelos

Limonari (approx 10km from town) is a perfect sandy beach popular for weddings. The only way to reach it is via foot or water taxi as there is no bus stop. Make sure you have an ice cold refreshment from the tavern here – excellent.

Glysteri can only be reached by water taxi as it is a deep inlet on the northern coast with a shingle beach. If you want to lose the crowds then this is a great option and it also has a fantastic taverna on the beach.

Glyfoneri is approximately 20 minutes walk from the old town and is best known for it’s incredible green/blue crystal waters and a small shingle beach. It does get busy here, but you can always escape to one of the several tavernas and ouzeries.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Skopelos please check out our unique range of luxury private villas.