Where to stay in Skyros

Skyros has its fair share of hotels, reasonably priced pensions and self-catering studios but one of the best ways to savour the island’s distinctive character is to stay in one of the traditional houses in Skyros Town. Many homeowners in the capital open their doors to visitors these days and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to bed down in a typical Skyrian house adorned with gleaming copper pots, elaborate embroideries and hand-carved furniture.

Domatia owners often meet new arrivals off the bus from Linaria and they sometimes include some of the older island women dressed in the traditional local costume, consisting of a long embroidered skirt and yellow headscarf. For help in finding a room try Skyros Travel on the main street of Agoras.

You’ll definitely get the feeling of being in a traditional island house if you plump for the delightful Nefeli Hotel, on the main road just before the entrance to the town.

Expect to pay above-average rates for the privilege of staying in this lovely small hotel which consists of 12 rooms and nine cottages, many with wonderful views. The cottages have beds in the loft space overlooking a living area decorated with embroideries and typical island craftwork. Each has a fireplace, well-equipped kitchen and balcony with sea view. Book in advance because this is one of the most popular choices in town.

The main beach between Magazia and Molos, just north of the town, is lined with hotels and apartments including the 40-room Paradise Hotel complex at Molos and the more intimate and homely Paliopirgos Hotel between Magazia Beach and the town centre. The latter offers comfortable rooms with kitchenettes, balconies with sea views and a charming roof garden where you can eat breakfast and enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down.

The most luxurious accommodation on the island is provided by the Skyros Palace Hotel, three kilometres north along the coast from the capital. The hotel consists of well-equipped, traditionally furnished apartments in a wonderfully tranquil setting just 50 metres from an uncrowded beach. Facilities include a large fresh water pool, tennis courts, two restaurants, a soundproofed disco and a twice-daily minibus service into town.

If you’re hankering for some serious mind and body healing, check into the pioneering Skyros Centre which has its main base at Atsitsa on the island’s west coast. This London-based organisation offers two-week holistic holiday programmes with courses in just about everything from windsurfing and watercolour painting to shiatsu and self-awareness.

At Atsitsa, guests stay either in rustic bamboo huts dotted among the fruit and pine trees or in the main house (a stone villa just a few metres from the sea). You can also choose to stay in Skyros Town in which case the centre can arrange accommodation in a traditional Skyrian home.