Le Spiagge più belle delle Sporadi

The Sporades archipelago is found next to the Gulf of Volos in the northern part of Greece.

A set of islands where the vegetation is lush, the sea has a thousand shades of blue, turquoise and emerald, dream beaches of sand or pebbles and where above all you may find only a few of you throughout the day.

Skopelos, Skiathos, Alonissos, and Skyros (Giuria, Peristera and Skantzoura are uninhabited), offer visitors an experience based on Nature, on the slow passage of time, on paradisiacal corners, good food and a lot of wonderful sea. Just think that Skiathos alone has more than 60 beaches, for every taste where you can relax and enjoy a peaceful sunny day. All the islands are perfect if you like trekking, there are many paths that lead to points where the view is breathtaking.

Below we give you some ideas on where to spend your 2024 holidays and which of the most beautiful beaches to visit if your destination is one the beautiful of Sporades Islands.

Skiathos Koukounaries beach

According to visitors, one of the best. We find it to the south about ten kilometers from the capital. It is also called Golden Beach for its sand with golden reflections and has a wide coastline that reaches almost a kilometer bathed by an emerald sea and crystal clear waters with a gently sloping seabed perfect for families with children. It is surrounded by a providential pine forest with a beautiful lagoon which is a protected reserve. It is very popular but despite the crowds, it still manages to be natural and uncontaminated. It is equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, water games and three excellent taverns overlooking the sea where you can either have a complete meal based on typical dishes, or something quick. One part is not equipped so if you don't want constraints, you can spread out your towel perhaps in the shade of a beautiful pine tree and enjoy such beauty. Getting to Koukounaries beach is very easy, either with a rental vehicle, or with a local bus that leaves from Skiathos Town on the 26th which arrives directly or on the 23rd which stops a bit earlier and from there on you will cross the pine forest to the beach . The sunset is one of the most beautiful moments and we advise you not to miss it.

Skiathos Banana Beach

Banana beach is located south east of the island of Skiathos. The shape of the bay that welcomes it gives it its name (in the past it was Krassas) and includes two coastlines, one smaller and the other larger, divided between them by a group of rocks. Soft light sand, transparent and clean waters with an intense blue sea that is almost always calm enough to make it almost look like a natural swimming pool. The large part is definitively Megalo Banana (megalo in Greek is large) and is well equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds, water sports, beach bars and some taverns where you can enjoy excellent fresh fish. The small part, however, is called Mikri Banana (mikri is small in Greek) and is completely free, much appreciated by naturists. The landscape surrounding both is full of lush vegetation still in its original state. In the 70s it was a very popular holiday destination, so much so that people settled there with their own tent, sleeping under the stars. The right time to enjoy it is early in the morning when everyone is still asleep. Even at sunset it is a spectacle, here the sky and sea take on colors of pure ecstasy. You can get there easily, obviously it's always better to have a rental vehicle, or with a bus, the stop is number 26, then you have to follow a dirt path for about ten minutes, and again with a nice organized excursion.

Skiathos Kanapitsa Beach

Kanpitsa beach is located south of Skiathos, eight kilometers from the capital. Nestled in a beautiful bay, it has mixed fine and coarse sand, clear and transparent waters, an emerald green sea with gently sloping seabeds, a true paradise for families with children and for those who love swimming. Despite its location, it is sometimes buffeted by winds so check the weather conditions before going there. The southern part of Kanapitsa beach is full of hills and trees, in fact the shade comes very early in the afternoon. It is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds, water sports and a tavern where you can find something to drink or eat. Behind Kanapitsa beach is the village with all the major comforts and also accommodations in case you want to stay right here. A fragrant Mediterranean scrub surrounds the area with interesting paths that go inland to discover the area. Even in this case, you can enjoy a fairytale sunset. To reach it you just need to have a private vehicle, or with a public bus, the stop is number 12, or by sea with a ferry that leaves from the Skiathos old port.

Skiathos Lalaria Beach

North west of Skiathos we find Lalaria beach. Reachable only by sea or with a private boat or with a nice organized excursion which often also includes the Skopili and Galazia sea caves. A small beach of immaculate white pebbles mixed with gray pebbles, an imposing cliff behind with a natural rock arch sculpted by the wind, a bridge between the sea and the mainland, offers its visitors a postcard landscape with a blue sea and intense blue from the waters clear and sparkling. Here nature is still uncontaminated and primordial and its beauty is preserved as at its origin. Obviously it is not equipped. Its position does not protect it from the wind, so much so that we recommend consulting on the weather conditions before booking the excursion to avoid a "shaky" journey and risk ruining your day. If you find an exit at sunset, choose it, you will witness one of the most beautiful sunsets to immortalize in the perfect photo in memory of your holiday in Skiathos.

Skopelos Stafylos beach

Just four kilometers from the capital Chora south east of the Skopelos island, we find the Stafylos beach. Its name derives from the Minoan King Stafilos son of Dionysos and Ariadne the Minos daughter who according to the myth landed on this beach with his brother Peparithos where his golden sword was found in the cave on the promontory today in the Athens Archaeological Museum as proof of his presence. A wonderful bay protected from the wind, steep cliffs that rise to the sky covered with vegetation, rocks with eccentric shapes shaped by the wind and salt, a coastline of five hundred meters wide and fifteen made of sand and small pebbles, a turquoise sea with clear waters a seabed that slopes slowly but with some sharp rocks and many shells, this is what awaits you at Stafylos beach. Perfect for snorkelling lovers where the inhabitants of the depths love to hide among the large boulders. It is partly equipped with all the major comforts, while one area is free and there is no problem with shade, trees dot it for shelter during the hottest hours. Reaching it is child's play, just go south-east and follow the road signs to the car park where you will find a wooden staircase that leads down to the beach. For those who don't have a car or a scooter, there are always public bus routes plus a fifteen minute walk.

Skopelos Hovolo Beach

Hidden and almost lost on the west coast below the main road from Kastani to Elios, we find Hovolo beach. High cliffs adorned with maritime pines surround it enough to protect it and keep it secret, it has a very small beach of very white pebbles, transparent waters and an emerald or turquoise sea with seabeds that immediately become deep and full of rocks. Wild and indomitable, even today given the difficulty in reaching it, it is still uncontaminated and original. No sunbeds, umbrellas, kiosks and much less shade, only those who are able to adapt and love Mother Nature madly come here. Definitely a joy for snorkelling lovers thanks to its rocks which are home to lively marine fauna and flora, but those who love walking will also be able to have fun among the fairy groves on the cliffs. Here's the difficulty how to reach it! You can get to the end of a decent road, then you will need to continue on foot along a dirt path where you need to go over some rocks (we recommend comfortable shoes) until you reach the beach. Also pay attention to the tide because when it is high it covers the path and you will walk in the water.

Skopelos Velanio Beach

Just after Stafylos beach, Velanio beach is located in a south east direction, five kilometers from Skopelos Town. Enclosed in a scenic bay dotted with lush and thick vegetation with pine forests and high mountains that protect it from the winds, it will appear to you with a large coastline of sand mixed with light colored pebbles and a sea with shades of blue with shallow waters for the first meters of the shore and then gradually descend. In reality, the Velanio beach is divided into two where one area is made of gravel and offers sunbeds, umbrellas and a tavern for something to drink or eat, while the other, separated by two enormous rocks, is totally wild and has soft sand so as to being a spot where naturists love to gather. On the right a mysterious cave to explore, while above the beach the ruins of King Stafylos' palace with his royal tomb. Ideal for a relaxing day at the seaside amidst a landscape with a tropical feel. You can reach it on foot from Stafilos beach via a path, or with your car or scooter or try with a public bus, paying close attention to the timetables.

Alonissos Kokkinokastro Beach

To the north west, a few kilometers from Patitiri, we find Kokkinokastro beach. A few words about its name which translated would be Red Castle (kokkino- rosso, kastro – castle) as it is surrounded by a completely red cliff. Inside a bay, on a chromatic level it is a crazy place, the beach of sand and yellow pebbles, the vegetation behind it with tall pines and an intense blue sea, seem more like a painter's palette rather than a place real. The waters that lap the coast are clear and crystalline with a seabed which, however, immediately slopes away in a bit, dangerous for the little ones who will have to be monitored by sight. Paradise for those who love snorkelling, it is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, while for food and drink, there is a small kiosk. Super crowded during the summer period, as always the best time to enjoy it in peace is early in the morning. Don't miss the nearby remains of the walls belonging to the ancient Ikos city (first name of the island) and the old submerged village. To get to Kokkinokastro beach you need a rental vehicle, there are no buses that reach here.

Alonissos Agios Dimitrios Beach

In the north east direction of the Alonissos, island, you find the Agios Dimitrios beach. A true paradise corner considered among one of the most beautiful coastlines in Greece with a turquoise blue sea, calm waters and among the clearest in the Aegean where you can enjoy idyllic days at the seaside and long swims. Its horseshoe shape offers a beach of white pebbles and the contrast with the sea gives it a Caribbean atmosphere. The seabed descends slowly making it perfect especially for families with small children. It owes its name to an ancient monastery of which unfortunately nothing remains, destroyed by the pirates who tyrannised in the sea. The southern part is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas while the north is free. For food and drinks, a canteen that satisfies every request. You come to the  Agios Dimitrios beach not only to admire intact and lush nature, but above all for snorkelling and since the water is so clean sometimes you don't even need a mask. Given its size, even in high season it is not overcrowded, and let's also say that it takes more than an hour to reach it. Take the opportunity to visit the nearby Steni Vala village, famous for its taverns specializing in seafood and fresh fish. You can get to Agios Dimitros beach either with your own vehicle following the road signs going north east, or with a bus to Steni Vala and from there with a water taxi to reach the beach.

Alonissos Leftos Gialos Beach

It is said to be the most beautiful on the island of Alonissos, a postcard for the view. In a small bay surrounded by a thick pine forest and gray rocks on the sides, the Leftos Gialos beach is located to the south east, a few kilometers from Patitiri. A coastline of immaculate sand mixed with pebbles, an intense turquoise sea and crystal clear waters. The seabed drops slowly, excellent for a refreshing swim and for snorkeling given the lively underwater world. Its position always shelters it from the winds and offers days of total relaxation and to recharge with vitamin D. It is well equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds, bars and two typical taverns where you can taste local specialties and Greek cuisine. For those who want more privacy, one area is completely free, you can place yourself wherever you feel best inspired. Leftos Gialos beach at sunset attracts young people for an aperitif and a party until late. Reaching it is easy, just go north on the eastern side and follow the signs.

Skyros Molos Beach

We find Molos beach to the north on the east coast just below the Chora of the Skyros island, the largest in the Sporades archipelago. A long strip of coarse golden sand, clean waters, a blue sea and a seabed that slopes gently for the first few meters from the shore. The southern part is called Magazia while just above the pier is Pouria where there is a small church dedicated to Agios Nikolaos carved into the rock with particular rock formations in which an ancient quarry once existed. It is well organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and taverns directly on the beach where you can taste the local and traditional cuisine. Given its size, it never feels crowded, in fact it is perfect for a quiet day at the beach. The sunset is one of the most beautiful moments, stay until late to admire it, perhaps sipping a colorful cocktail in one of the many bars that line it. It is undoubtedly one of the busiest and most organized on the island given its proximity to the capital.

Skyros Agios Fokas Beach

The beautiful Agios Fokas beach is located north west of the Skyros island. Given its position within a large bay, it is always sheltered from the wind and therefore ideal for a day at the beach. It has a coastline of sand mixed with stones in some places, with a shallow seabed perfect for families with small children who can play safely, crystal clear waters and a sparkling blue sea. The landscape that surrounds it seems like a small Eden, thick and lush vegetation, promontories on the sides dotted with Mediterranean scrub, a real refuge from frenzy and progress. In reality the bay hides several coves waiting to be discovered. There is only one tavern which provides some sunbeds and umbrellas but arrive early because otherwise you won't find any available. To eat or drink, no problem, you will have the opportunity to choose between something light or enjoy local and traditional Greek delicacies. To reach it you need to have your own vehicle.