Skopelos Town Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful harbour towns in the Aegean, the capital of the island is built amphitheatrically around the port. Tiers of whitewashed houses, interspersed with tiny chapels descend down the hillside to the waterfront, which is lined by mulberry trees, cafes and tavernas. This is the focus of life in the summertime, in the morning you can drink a coffee and watch the brightly painted caiques bring in that day's catch of fish, lunchtime can be spent lingering over a meal, and evenings enjoying a drink in a range of bars accompanied by music ranging from Greek, to pop to classical. If you only have an hour or two in Skopelos town, be sure to take the stepped path which leads up the western edge of the village, with its string of churches, culminating in the remains of the Venetian fortress 'Kastro' at the top. The stark contrast of the whitewashed walls and spires, with the blue sky and sea will captivate and inspire all. Once you reach the Kastro, pick one of the tiny streets and wind your way down back to the waterfront through the maze of stepped streets, discovering pretty houses, and courtyards full of bougainvillaea and jasmine. For those of you with longer to spend in the village, take the same walk in the late evening; there is an ouzerie at the Kastro named 'Anatoli' (open from July through to early September) where you can eat simple Greek mezes and listen to very good 'rembetiko' (folk) music. See Excursions for details of a guided walk through the town.

The Monasteries of Palouki The steep mountain opposite to Skopelos, Palouki, has three of Skopelos' most interesting monasteries. The one which is visible from the waterfront, is called Evangelismos and was built in 1712 on the site of another monastery . It boasts a beautiful altar screen and wonderful views of the village and harbour.You can get there by foot or by taxi, but as with all the monasteries, go in the morning, until 1300, or the evening from 1700 as it is closed for the midday. Further up the hillside, at the top of a ravine amid cypresses is Metamorphosis monastery which is one of the oldest monasteries on the island, dating back to the 16th century. It belongs to Mount Athos and is occupied by one monk in the summer months. The third and largest monastery is Prodromou, close to the peak of Palouki. Renovated in 1821, it was occupied by monks until the 1920s when it became a nunnery, and is today occupied by 5 nuns. who make textiles and handicrafts.

Agnondas Imagine a sheltered bay surrounded by fragrant pine forests, with a translucent sea, dotted with small caiques. Over a sun-bleached old jetty hang fishing nets drying, and as you sit at the waters edge, waiting for a meal of freshly caught fish or lobster, you are watching the sun slowly sinking in the sky...this is the essential beauty of Agnondas, a small seaside hamlet approximately seven kilometres from Skopelos town. This is also the port which is used by the hydrofoils and ferryboats if there is a strong Northerly wind which sometimes makes the approach into the town harbour too rough. You can reach Agnondas from town by bus, taxi and for those who are fairly fit and enjoy walking, by foot.

Aghios Yiannis Tou Kastri At the other end of the island from the chora but lying on the same coast, is this small church which occupies a wonderfully scenic position on the top of an outcrop of rock just off the coast. The rock is linked to the beach by a causeway, from which you climb up over a hundred steep steps to the chapel. The road down to Aghios Yiannis winds dramatically, passing through some lovely countryside. You will need to have your own transport to go-take some water and a snack also-its also worth taking your swimming costume-you might want to have a cooling swim after climbing up all those steps!

Glossa and Loutraki At the same end of the island as Aghios Yiannis, lies the second main town, Glossa, and its port Loutraki. Glossa is built high up on the hill, in amphitheatrical style. There has been human habitation of this site since ancient times; statues dating back to 600 BC have been discovered here, and to the north you can see the remains of observation towers dating back to the 4th century BC. Much smaller than Skopelos' main town, Glossa has just a couple of cafes, and tavernas. Its worth taking a wander around the narrow cobbled streets-the architecture is similar to that found in Skopelos main town, but the village has a more rustic, laid-back feel to it. The traditional kafeneion is located in the town's central square and shaded by a a mimosa tree. This is the meeting place for the older men, where they can drink a coffee, and talk politics. Loutraki is the port of Glossa, and can be reached from there either by the road which winds its way down the hillside, or by the muletrack which is cobbled in places, and which will take approximately 45 minutes. Loutraki is a sleepy little place, built on the ruins of the ancient settlement, Selinous. You can still see the remains of the Byzantine walls to your right as you enter the village. There are five or so tavernas, and a couple of cafes on the waterfront, which is very nice place to sit and watch the occasional comings and goings of ferries, fishing boats and hydrofoils, and to admire the sun setting over Skiathos.