H Skopelos she is the princess of the Sporades. It is the island that offers unique and unsurpassed images, with combinations of colors between the endless blue of the Aegean and the green of the endless pine forests of the place, the bright white of the settlements combined with the brilliant golden Greek sun.

Skopelos is the wonder island with the incredible beaches loved by the great names of Hollywood who acted, danced, sang and sang in the musical “Mamma mia”.

This year probably belongs to it, say the tourism agents, because it is an island that offers both beauty, excellent relaxation and tranquility, but also intense life for those who seek it. On its dozens of golden beaches the visitor is left in the crystal waters of the sea or even in the deep shade of the pine trees that reach and caress the waves.

On this island, the simple family holidays coexist with the more intense ones of the youth in the clubs of Chora and the other settlements.

The wonderful island, which together with Skiathos and Alonnisos they form the cluster of the Sporades, it has a deep history that starts from ancient Peparithos and reaches the present day, passing through periods of decline and rise, from barbarian raids and from struggles for freedom, with alliances with the Athenians, the Byzantines and the Venetians. It always managed to adapt to the needs of the time, while it has the uniqueness of having over 365 churches in every corner.

The center of the island is Country, where white dominates and alongside its beautiful alleys, stone arches, cobblestones with steps and stone-roofed or tiled houses with colorful shutters that make it unique and unsurpassed. In every alley and yard there are bougainvillea of ​​every shade, basil in the windows and jasmines that smell of musk set a tone that only Skopelos can possess. Since 1978, the settlement has been classified as preserved, by presidential decree, and no one has dared to alter the wonderful and unique beauty of the Country despite the large tourist construction.

The architecture in Chora Skopelos has influences from Pelion, Macedonia and Epirus with the main materials being stone, slate and wood and a characteristic feature is the Town Hall building on the beach with its blue-green windows and a little above dominates one of the most beautiful mansions on the island of the Petralia political family.

The island’s more than 365 churches are among its main features, with the oldest church being Agios Athanasios, in the Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, while in the Christ Quarter, which was the first to be built outside the castle in the 17th century, there are even more churches dedicated by sailors’ families to protect their own people. These churches, by majority, are basilicas or basilicas with a dome, with the most typical being Agios Michael where the remains of the ancient church have been incorporated, on which the new church was built.

But in the summers, when the island is overwhelmed by thousands of visitors, it cannot be understood without sun and sea and Skopelos has many excellent beaches, especially on the western coasts which are protected from the raging winter winds of the Aegean and the August meltemias.

THE Grape, the closest long beach in Chora, is named after Staphylos, son of Ariadne and Dionysus who was also the first king of Skopelos in ancient times. It is a wonderfully organized beach that can be reached by going down the steps that touch the wave.

At the end of Stafylos and right next to it, after a hundred meters of walking, is the famous “Velano“, a wonderful beach that is loved by nudists, but also by those who desire absolute quiet.

Moving further west, other beauties and of course beaches appear. THE Apple treewhich is considered to be the largest on the island, provides all kinds of options and activities, with an organized section as well as a free section, and visitors have the privilege, in addition to the crystal clear waters, to enjoy their bath with a view of the islet of Dasia, green that looks like a boat in in the middle of the sea.

Shortly after the beloved and now well-known Chestnutnow cosmopolitan and organized but smaller, where everyone can imagine that the multi-Oscar-winning Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski. There they sang and dancedAbba” with their divine music, as most of the filming of the movie “Mamma Mia!” took place on this beautiful beach.

For Skopelos, the musical “Mamma mia” was the globalization of the island and for this reason the mayor of Skopelos for many years, Stamatis Perissis speaking to APE-MPE he stated that “…thanks to “Mamma mia” we became known to the ends of the Earth. Couples of all ages choose Skopelos to get married, renew their vows and live their love life. They try to live moments like those lived by the protagonists of the musical. Our island, however, offers not only Hollywood, but also excellent quality. We have history, culture, gastronomy and so many other activities. If we had better coastal transport this year we would hit the top”.

The following beaches are the Pondthe windiest beach of the island with golden sand, the famous pebbly beach Panormos with crystal clear waters and a little further down are the famous “Andrines» smothered in pine trees, with luxurious five-star hotels that every year host world-class names who seek privacy and tranquility above the emerald waters. The Andrines got their name from the pirate Andrina who used the sheltered bay of Blo and Panormos to hide her ships, while legend has it that she hid her treasure in the area.

The Helios is another excellent beach just before the Bathhouse, the second port of the island and the port of Glossa, the architecturally exceptional settlement, where great captains and sailors were born who travel to all the lengths and breadths of the Earth. Loutraki in particular is a peaceful settlement, many culinary options dominated by fresh fish and with excellent five-star accommodation.

But Skopelos without a visit to the unique and well-known Saint John, in Kastri, which is very close to Glossa is not understood. In Agios Ioannis, the filming of “Mamma mia” with the famous wedding scene took place and, in fact, it is known that the filming of the film took place during the hours when the sun rises, somewhere between six and seven in the morning, contrary to the script mentioned at sunset. For those who don’t know, Ai Giannis with the picturesque little church is a huge rock in the sea, which has taken the name “Meteor of the Aegean”.

The tourist agent and municipal councilor Gianna Efstathiou he emphasized to APE-MPE that “Skopelos is ranked among the top destinations worldwide for what it offers and especially the Italians have been recommending it as a dream destination in recent years. We with our infrastructure are trying to respond in the best possible way. Every year we improve because we learn and become better. Skopelos is the island for everyone, for the family and for the young, both for tranquility and for fun. Our ferry connection with Thessaloniki must be permanent and not a last minute option”.

The mandated councilor for Tourism, Communication & Public Relations of the Municipality of Skopelos, George Papadavids speaking to APE-MPE he said among other things that “the demand for alternative activities such as hiking and cycling in the green nature, touring centuries-old monasteries, diving in the magical seabed, sailing in coves and old pirate lairs, and water sports on our lacy coastline has increased . The gastronomy, the local products, the picturesque villages, the activities, the countless beaches, the traditions, the cultural events and the special mythological and historical elements are all part of our narrative, and give “depth” to the visitors’ holidays, contributing to the expansion of the average stay but also in the creation of repeaters. Skopelos is an exotic destination with homely hospitality, a positive aura and many options, and for this reason it is perfectly identified with the musical “Mamma mia”.

As for the flavors, Skopelos is a paradise on earth, since the Skopelos plums are well-known, its sweet hops made of grated almonds, the twisted cheese pie made in the pan and of course, the fresh fish that the Skopelites have dozens of recipes to recommend to its visitors their island. In many of these recipes there is plum, such as goat with plums and quinces, salted cod with plums and potatoes, crabs with barley and plums, but also pan-fried anchovies, juvetsi lobster, soles pilaf, octopuses in the sun or with onions and plums and the goat with artichokes.