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 An Introduction to the Greek
Sporades Islands
The
Greek Sporades Islands consist of a beautiful group of eleven islands
that stud the sparkling Aegean Sea in the eastern Mediterranean.
These
verdant islands feature dense vegetation and rugged mountainous
terrain, while the surrounding waters are some of the most pristine a
traveler might ever see. These islands offer a slightly different take
on Greek
Islands holidays from the usual concept of a holiday to the
many islands of Greece.
Despite
their proximity to mainland Greece, the Sporades have only been
partially tamed by civilization. Only four of the eleven Greek Sporades
Islands, namely Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonisos and Skyros, are even
inhabited. Each of the islands offers its own distinct charms, and as a
group, they are some of the most popular Greek islands visited by
travelers. Let's take a look at some of these beautiful islands and see
why.
Skiathos is the smallest but most cosmopolitan of these
beautiful islands. It is also the most developed, and it offers the
perfect base to explore the other islands. It features protected pine
forests, long, sandy beaches and secluded coves, but Skiathos also
offers interesting archaeological sites and an array of restaurants,
bars, and nightclubs for travelers who enjoy a bit of nightlife. There
is only one town on Skiathos, but its large hotels mean that plenty of
accommodation is available. Film buffs might appreciate the fact that
Skiathos provided the setting for the popular film "Mamma Mia."
Skopelos
is larger and less commercialized than Skiathos. Like the other Greek
Sporades Islands, Skopelos is covered with dense pine forest. The
island's capital features cobbled streets, whitewashed churches, and
white Venetian-style houses along with a variety of taverns. Skoplelos
offers rugged, exposed cliffs on its northwest coast, but the southern
coast is calmer and has a series of fine sandy beaches and idyllic
coves. Some of its beaches are fairly well developed and offer water
sports, but many others are more tranquil, allowing visitors to enjoy
the crystal-clear water in more solitude.
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Alonissos
features the
most natural environment of the group and the island and its
surrounding waters have been declared protected areas. Its beaches are
quite remarkable and the water is crystal-clear. In general, Alonissos
is a tranquil island, although some of its southernmost regions can be
livelier. Its colorful villages feature picturesque homes overlooking
the sea. One such village is Rousoum. It has one of the most beautiful
beaches on Alonissos and offers nightlife and houses for visitors to
rent. Alonissos also offers natural attractions, including the National
Marine Park of Alonissos - Northern Sporades.
Skyros is the
fourth inhabited island in the Greek Sporades Islands. It is small but
picturesque and is known for its lush landscapes, hiking trails among
pine forests and quiet, isolated beaches. The island's villages are
lovely and quite scenic. Skyros is a very green and relaxing island,
not as developed as many of the other Greek islands, and it is perfect
for nature lovers.
Chora, its capital, is sometimes called Skyros Town.
It's a spectacular village perched on a mountainside and overlooks a
gorgeous harbor. Its predominant feature is its castle, an ancient
Byzantine fortress with some Venetian-style additions. Chora is also
known for its colorful inns and taverns.
The Greek Sporades
Islands offer spectacular scenery, warm sandy beaches, colorful local
culture, and the opportunity to "get away from it all."
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