In this short guide, we will show you the best Skopelos beaches. Furthermore, we will reveal why they are so appealing and how you could visit them.
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Best and Most Beautiful Beaches in Skopelos
Skopelos, known for its lush green landscape meeting the clear blue Aegean Sea, offers many beautiful beaches. Skopelos beaches are renowned for their incredible natural beauty, characterized by the striking contrast of deep emerald-green pine forests meeting the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.
Here are some of the most highly rated and beautiful Skoelos beaches:
Milia Beach
Milia Beach is one of the most famous, largest, and arguably the most beautiful beaches on the island of Skopelos, Greece. Often cited as the best beach, it’s a long, well-organized stretch of fine pebbles and sand with stunning views of the nearby islet of Dasia. The lush pine trees provide natural shade. It’s a long, beautiful stretch of shore, typically a mix of fine, white pebbles and coarse sand (shingle). The waters are renowned for being crystal-clear, turquoise, and ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Milia perfectly embodies the “Green and Blue” reputation of Skopelos, as it is backed by lush, dense pine forests that reach down close to the shore. A small, picturesque, green island called Dassia sits directly opposite the beach, providing a stunning backdrop, especially at sunset. It’s possible to visit Dassia by renting a canoe or paddleboard. Milia is one of the more organized beaches on Skopelos, offering a good balance between amenities and natural beauty. The public bus service on Skopelos runs regularly between Skopelos Town and Milia (and other major beaches). The bus journey from Skopelos Town takes around 20-25 minutes, followed by a short walk down to the beach. Like most of Skopelos’s west coast, the beach is surrounded by a spectacular, lush pine forest that extends all the way down to the shore, providing natural shade.
Kastani Beach
Famous as a primary filming location for the movie Mamma Mia!, it features mesmerizing turquoise waters, a sandy and pebbly shore, and is backed by a pine forest. It’s organized and very popular. It is a beautiful cove with a mix of fine sand and small pebbles (sometimes described as the “sandiest” beach on the island). The water entry is generally gentle and great for swimming. The waters are famously crystal-clear and have a striking turquoise-to-aqua color. Kastani Beach was the backdrop for several key musical numbers in the 2008 movie, including “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Does Your Mother Know. The beach is now a major tourist attraction, often included in organized “Mamma Mia!” tours of the island.
Note: If you want to learn more about Mamma Mia tours and locations, you should read our related guide.
Panormos Beach
A very popular, long, sheltered, pebbly beach with calm, sky-blue waters and tavernas right on the shore, known for beautiful sunset views.
Panormos Beach is one of the largest and most well-known beaches on the island of Skopelos, offering a beautiful, highly organized resort experience. Panormos is situated on the southwestern coast of Skopelos, approximately 12-15 km from Skopelos Town (Chora). Its central location on the main road makes it easily accessible. The bay is lovely, framed by lush pine forests that extend down to the shore, creating a stunning contrast with the blue-green waters. Panormos is primarily a pebble beach (sometimes with small stretches of sand mixed in). The pebbles are smooth and rounded. The water is known to deepen quite quickly close to the shore, which is excellent for swimming but requires caution with small children or inexperienced swimmers. Panormos is one of the most organized and comprehensive resorts on the island. Easily accessible from Skopelos Town via the main road. There is parking available by the roadside, though it can fill up during peak season. The local bus service runs frequently between Skopelos Town and Panormos, making it a convenient and direct public transport option. The bus stop is very close to the beach. Furthermore, it is just a half-hour walking distance away from Milia beach.
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Hovolo Beach
Considered one of the most beautiful, it’s an excellent, secluded spot near Neo Klima/Elios, known for its towering white cliffs, turquoise waters, and lush vegetation. Hovolo Beach is one of the most famous, beautiful, and picturesque beaches on the island of Skopelos, known for its dramatic natural setting and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It is highly regarded as a more secluded and wild/unspoiled beach, ideal for those seeking natural beauty away from fully organized crowds. The beach is defined by tall, stunning white cliffs with pine trees growing right out of the rocks, creating a spectacular contrast with the vivid turquoise and emerald sea. The beach itself is a mix of white pebbles and coarse sand/shingle. The shallow water and clear visibility make it excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Accessing the central part of Hovolo can be an adventure and is part of its charm. It is considered less easily accessible than other main beaches. Hovolo is unorganized, mainly with minimal to no tourist amenities (no sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, or restrooms directly on the picturesque coves). Arriving early is best to secure a good spot on the secluded coves. The white cliffs provide some shade during the morning, but the beach is fully exposed to the sun from noon until sunset.
Stafilos Beach and Velanio Beach
Stafilos Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Skopelos and is easy to reach from Skopelos Town. It features beautiful, clear waters and a mix of sand and pebbles, set against a lush, pine-covered mountain. The beach is named after the legendary Minoan Prince Stafilos.
Nearby, you can find Velanio Beach, which you can reach by a short path from Stafilos. Velanio Beach is quieter and is the island’s official nudist beach. It also has a mix of sandy and pebbled areas with clear waters and a small beach bar. The beach has a large rock formation that divides it into two sections. One side is partly organized and used by clothed bathers, while the other side is quieter and more secluded for naturists. At the end of the beach, there is a natural spring with fresh, drinkable water.
Perivoliou Beach
Located near Glossa, it boasts a wild beauty with emerald waters, stunning rocks, and is partly organized. Perivoliou Beach is a lovely, wild, and somewhat secluded beach located on the northeastern coast of the island of Skopelos, near the village of Glossa.
It is highly regarded for its dramatic natural beauty and clear, deep waters. The beach is famous for its impressive vertical cliffs, which are often carved by the wind and create a dramatic, untamed backdrop.
How to Get to Skopelos Beaches
If you are staying on Skopelos
To get to the beaches in Skopelos, you can use the public bus. This bus travels frequently from Skopelos Town to Glossa and stops at major beaches and villages along the west and south coasts, including Stafilos, Agnontas, Panormos, Milia, Kastani, and Neo Klima/Elios/Hovolo.
You can also rent a vehicle. Renting a car or scooter gives you the freedom to explore all the beaches, especially the harder-to-reach ones like Perivoliou or Agios Ioannis. Taking a taxi is another option. Taxis are available, especially from Skopelos Town, for quick, direct rides.
Finally, you can rent a boat. Boat trips or excursions are the best way to access some remote beaches and coves, but this option is usually the most expensive.
If you are staying on Skiathos
Getting from Skiathos to Skopelos is easy, mainly by ferry. Ferries leave from Skiathos Port to Skopelos Town (Chora) Port, taking about 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. You can also take a quicker ferry to Glossa (Loutraki) Port, which takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Another option is a Water Taxi or Private Transfer. This is the fastest choice, getting you to Glossa in about 15-20 minutes. This option is excellent if you plan to stay on the island for more than one day. You can rent a car, scooter, or ATV to visit sites like Agios Ioannis Chapel and Kastani Beach. The island also has a public bus along the main route.
You can also book a boat tour. This usually includes transport to Skopelos, bus rides to essential spots, and a guide who shares details about the island and its movie history.
Main Difference Between Skopelos and Skiathos Beaches
In summary, if you prefer long, golden sandy beaches with a lively and bustling atmosphere, Skiathos is the better choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy fine pebble beaches with crystal-clear waters set against a dramatic and secluded natural backdrop, along with a more relaxed and authentic vibe, Skopelos is ideal.
Most of Skiathos’s famous beaches, particularly on the south coast, such as Koukounaries, Vromolimnos, and Banana Beach, feature fine golden sand. These beaches are usually well-organized and offer plenty of sunbeds, beach bars, and water sports, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
In contrast, many of Skopelos’s beaches consist of beautiful small white pebbles and shingle, often blended with some coarse sand. This unique composition is what gives the water its stunning, brilliant turquoise-green clarity.
Note: You can check out the related guide if you want to learn more about the Skiathos beaches.
Skopelos beaches and Meltemi winds
The Meltemi is a strong, dry wind that blows from the North or North/Northeast (N-NE) across the Aegean Sea in the summer, usually from May to September, peaking in July and August.
In Skopelos, the Meltemi affects which beach you should visit each day. Since it comes from the North/Northeast, beaches on the Western and Southern coasts are more sheltered. These beaches, like Styfilos, Agnontas, Limnonari, and Panormos, have calm, clear waters that are great for swimming. For other beaches, check the wind conditions before you go.
Tip: The most famous beach from the Mamma Mia tour is exposed to the wind, so we recommend avoiding the tour when the Meltemi is blowing.
©sunvil.co.uk/travel.gr
Where to Stay
Skopelos offers a variety of great locations to stay, depending on whether you prioritize direct beach access, a lively atmosphere, or proximity to specific beaches. Firstly, Panormos is widely considered the best area to stay for a beach-focused holiday because of its central location on the west coast and its large, beautiful bay. However, if you want a vibrant town atmosphere, the widest selection of restaurants, shops, and nightlife, and use public transport to explore, Skopelos Town is the ideal base.
Located just 4 kilometers (about a 10-minute drive) from Skopelos Town, Stafylos is perfect if you want to be close to the capital’s amenities while having a beautiful beach right outside your door.
Another option is Neo Klima. It is a modern village and a great choice if you prefer a quieter, less tourist-heavy feel than Skopelos Town, with excellent access to one of the island’s most beautiful coves. It’s located next to the highly-rated, stunning white-cliff beach of Hovolo, and right on Elios Beach. It also offers reasonable proximity to the Panormos/Milia area.
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Feature photo credits: skopelos.com
