Seven hundred islands in the middle of Greece, the Sporades archipelago ranges from outcroppings not much bigger than rocks to the significantly larger Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos islands.
Lapped by the Aegean Sea and easy to traverse via ferry and bus, each of these populated islands has a unique personality.
Skiathos, with more than 60 beaches, is a popular destination for sun-and-sea lovers. Every major beach on the south side has a watersports center, the launching point for a multitude of activities.
Visitors can water-ski, windsurf, parasail, and rent everything from canoes to jet-skis. One of the pleasures of securing a boat there for a day is sailing to an uninhabited Sporades island, deploying the anchor, and swimming to a secluded beach. Back in Skiathos, sailors can freshen up at a nice hotel and find lively evening entertainment.
Well-preserved Skopelos is a cultural treasure. The island’s castles and monasteries, ancient churches, and renowned hand-carved altar screens are the work of skilled local artisans. Like a living museum, Skopelian structures — even the smallest and humblest homes — are architecturally noteworthy.
Ship construction is another skill developed in Skopelos. Residents who turned their attention to smaller crafts have long excelled in woodcarving, weaving, and producing handsomely decorated pottery and knife handles.
A well-known ecotourism destination, Alonissos is a protected island that is home to the National Marine Park.
Designated a “special area of conservation” by the European Union, the Alonissos park was created to protect the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world's most endangered mammals, and other rare animal and plant species indigenous to the northern Sporades.
The island’s magnificent virgin beaches and bays are a big draw for nature lovers. Thanks to this pristine setting, Alonissos is also home to the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, dedicated to educating homeopathic practitioners.
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Athens, Greece
