Travelling to Skyros

Located in the Aegean sea, and part of the chain of islands known as the Sporades, Skyros is a very beautiful island and is a perfect holiday destination for those who are seeking a more traditional and authentic Greek island.

It is the largest of the Sporades islands, though it is located remotely, east of the coast of Evia island and south of the other islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. Skyros is not one of the most well known Greek islands and is most likely one that many visitors from abroad will not have heard of. This however is what makes the island appealing to many. It has managed to preserve its traditions throughout the years, and has not been affected by mass tourism. The Skyros carnival is just one example of an old tradition and celebration that has remained virtually unchanged throughout the years.

Skyros is an island that is ideal for those who enjoy peace and quiet, as well as walking and exploration. The dense forested north is in complete contrast to the barren and rocky south, and this diversity makes almost makes Skyros an island of two halves.

In the north are the main villages of the island including the capital of Chora. You will find some nice beaches in the northern half of the island, especially the golden sandy beach of Magazia that lies on the north east coast. Villages such as Atsitsa and Pefkos are lovely spots to visit if you have the chance, while the town of Chora is a place that all visitors to the island will head to at some point during their holidays.

The south of Skyros is very barren and does not provide visitors with much to see. The tomb of poet Rupert Brooke is the main highlight of the south, and this does attract many visitors throughout the year. The famous Skyrian horses used to live freely in the southern part of the island. Today visitors to Skyros can see these beautiful unique horses at a couple of places on the island that works to preserve and care for them.

All visitors to Skyros will be based in the northern part of the island, with Chora and the beach resorts of Magazia and Molos being the most popular. It is here that you will find a great choice of accommodation with a number of hotels, studios and apartments located just a few meters away from the sandy beach. There are also accommodation facilities in Chora as well as a few others scattered around some of the more remote parts of the island.

There are a number of museums that you can visit and get a better understanding of the history and traditions of the island. You can also see the archaeological site of Palamari which is located on the north coast of Skyros. Excavations are continuously taking place here and are unearthing more history and findings from this very important ancient location.

Whether you are looking for a holiday destination to simply unwind and relax, or one where you can explore and enjoy the natural surroundings and peaceful settings, then Skyros is the ideal island for you. It offers an authentic experience of the Greek islands, and one that will leave you wanting to return time and time again.

How to Get to Skyros

You can reach the island of Skyros by either ferry or plane. Below you can read more about flights and ferry travel to Skyros.

Ferries to Skyros

Kymi to Skyros Ferry Service

The most popular and easiest way of travelling to Skyros is by ferry boat. There is a daily ferry service that connects Skyros with the port of Kymi on the east side of Evia island. The ferry service is run by the Skyros Shipping Co (www.sne.gr) and the “Achilleas” ferry boat is a modern vessel providing a comfortable journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can take your car on the ferry and then can explore and enjoy Skyros at your own leisure. Alternatively, you can arrange to rent a car at the port of Linaria when you arrive.

Reaching the port of Kymi in Evia

The port of Kymi is about 160km from the city of Athens and it takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach there by car. There are also KTEL National Bus services connecting Kymi with locations around the country. You can contact KTEL National Bus in Athens by telephone on ( + 30 ) 210 8317163 for prices and schedules of routes to Kymi. For information about the KTEL services on Skyros, call ( + 30 ) 22220 91123.

Flights to Skyros

Skyros has an airport that is located in the northern part of the island that caters for domestic flights from around Greece. If you are flying to Greece then you would need to find a flight to either Athens or Thessaloniki and from there take a domestic flight to the island.

Flights from Athens to Skyros

The Athens to Skyros route is operated by Aegean Airlines and the journey time is approximately 30 minutes. Flights take place several times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sundays. For contact, call ( + 30 ) 210 6261000 or visit the website aegeanair.com.

Flights from Thessaloniki to Skyros

The Thessaloniki to Skyros route is operated by Sky Express and take approximately 40 minutes. There are three flights a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can contact Sky Express by telephone on ( + 30 ) 2810 223800 or visit the website www.skyexpress.gr.

If you need to contact the Skyros airport, then you can call ( + 30 ) 22220 91876. You can find more information about the airport by clicking here.

Travelling around the island

Skyros is a relatively large island and at just under 210 sq.kilomters in size, it is the largest of the Sporades islands. If you want to really explore the island then you should have your own transportation. If you won’t want to bring your own vehicle, then you can rent a car or bike when on the island. There are local bus services that you can use, but it would be a lot better to have your own vehicle to allow you to travel around where you want – when you want.

The majority of the 3000 population live in the capital town of Chora or the coastal town of Magazia which is the main beach area on the east coast of the island. The majority of villages and beaches are located in the northern part of the island which is very green with forests and lots of greenery. The southern part of the island is very barren with a rocky landscape. Roads in the south are nothing more than dirt tracks, so if you are planning to explore the south, make sure you drive carefully.

Car Rental in Skyros

Skyros is a picturesque and beautiful island, big and with many sites ideal for exploring and traveling around. Hiring a car when you are in Skyros is a great idea so you can have the chance to travel around and see the beauty and sites of the island at your time and pace.

Using the online car rental system below, you can save you time and money, and also avoid any unnecessary stress. Early online car rental reservations have many advantages, such as the chance to find the car you want that is suitable for your holiday. You can also find many attractive offers and deals for your rental car.

To begin searching for car rental in Skyros, just fill out the short form below and you will find all the options for pricing and availability for the dates you require, where you can make your reservation quickly and securely. In the "pick-up" field simply enter "Skyros" and then select the "Skyros Greece" option from the drop down menu that appears.

Map of Skyros

Click on the map image below to load up the full interactive map of the island of Skyros.

Useful Telephone Numbers

Below are a selection of useful phone numbers for the island of Skyros.

Area Telephone Code: 22220
Medical Help: 22220 92200
Police: 22220 91274
Port Authority: 22220 93475
Airport ( Olympic Airways ): 22220 91625
Municipality: 22220 91206
Skyros Flying Dolphins: 22220 91123
Skyros Taxi: 22220 91666
Ferry Boats – Kymi to Skyros 22220 22522 / 23965