Below are descriptions of Sporades sailing destinations in the Greece, in alphabetical order. Click the name to see full details. These give detail of what to see and do, and the facilities ashore. (This section is a bit of a work in progress – where there’s no text below, I’ve not yet documented that port).
- Achillion / Achilleion / AhilioAchillion is one of the larger and newer villages on the west side of the Gulf of Volos. The long seafront is lined with tavernas, bars, mini markets and holiday accommodation. Other than bareboat charter yachts and the odd flotilla, most visitors are Greeks. There’s a small beach if you fancy a swim, though there ...Read more
- Agia KiriakiRead more
- Agios IoannisRead more
- Agnondas Bay / AgnontasAgnondas is a pine fringed bay with one of Skopelos’ better beaches. After a cooling swim, you can dine on fresh fish on the beach. The bay is named after an Olympic winner from 596BC who landed here when returning home. Agnondas also serves as the backup ferry port when conditions are too rough for the ...Read more
- Amaliapolis / Nea MitzelaAmaliapolis is a Greek holiday village. Other than visiting charter yachts and flotillas, it sees few foreign visitors. As most Greeks holiday in August, the rest of the time it’s surprisingly quiet and the locals will give you a warm welcome. Amaliapolis was named after Queen Amalia, the first queen of the modern Greek state, in the 1840s. It lies ...Read more
- DamouchariRead more
- KoukounariesThe large bay at Koukounares is ringed by a beautiful sandy beach which stretches about 1km around the bay. Hidden by the pines behind the beach is a lagoon. The other side of the lagoon is the holiday town of Koukounares. The beach is regarded as the best on Skiathos. The area is a designated nature ...Read more
- Kyra Panagia / PelagosKrya Panagia was settled in ancient times but the only remaining inhabitants are a few people who maintain the churches and monastery. They share the island with several herds of goats, cows and the odd horse. However, the island is better known as home to one of the few remaining Monk Seal colonies and is now ...Read more
- Loutraki / GlossaAs ferry ports go, Loutraki must be one of the prettiest in Greece. It’s a popular stop for yachtsmen and holiday makers from Skiathos seeking a more Greek experience. Some, distracted by the beach, miss the real attraction; the village of Glossa which sits on the hill overlooking the harbour. Here, amongst the narrow alleys ...Read more
- Milina / Vathudi BayMilina was once a fishing and sponge diving centre, but is now unashamedly an international tourist resort, albeit fairly small scale. During the day, there are plenty of activities for both the energetic and the less so, from watersports to monasteries. Come the evening, those wanting a bit of night life will not be disappointed, ...Read more
- Oreoi / OreiOreoi, on the north end of the island of Evia was was an important shipping centre. The remains of the Acropolis that overlooked the harbour can still be seen. In the main square, is a large marble bull, dating from Hellenistic times which some fishermen caught in 1965. These days, other than a few yacht charters ...Read more
- Paleo TrikeriPaleo Trikeri is a tiny island, just a mile long. It’s a place that few tourists reach. The island is covered with olive trees, juniper, oleander and wild flowers, criss-crossed with tracks. There are no roads. Paleo (Old) Trikeri is believed to have been inhabited since the Stone Age. The inhabitants fled to the mainland in post ...Read more
- Panormos BayPanormos is a large pine ringed bay on the west side of Skopelos. The fine pebble beach is popular and lined with sun shades during the day. Your yacht charter will at least give you te chance to see it without the covering of bodies, once the crowds head home. The bay is in fact two. ...Read more
- PatitiriPatitiri means wine press, relating to the time when the island of Alonissos was a major grape growing centre. A blight wiped out the wine trade, but all is not lost; if you’re visiting in June, do try the locally grown apricots. The village was once just the harbour for the island’s capital, Chora, a couple ...Read more
- Pefko / PevkiRead more
- Peristeri / Nisos PeristeraThis island, just east of Alonissos offers a number of excellent sandy beaches. Peristeri is often described as uninhabited but there are in fact a few holiday homes and some fishermen’s refuges. The island is a bit drier than Alonissos, lacking the lush vegetation. There are a number of anchorages available to charter yachts. Many are ...Read more
- Pigadi / Pegadi (Ptelou Bay)Pigadi is a small fishing village and is the harbour for the slightly larger settlement inland at Pteleos. There are a number of sandy beaches nearby, the nearest just east of the harbour. Like many places in the area, foreign visitors are largely limited to visiting bareboat and flotilla yachts. It’s more of a Greek ...Read more
- Skiathos TownSkiathos is an international holiday resort popular with everyone from chic Italians to backpackers, all drawn by the huge number of stunning beaches. The town is the only major settlement on the island but provides all a holidaymaker needs, from ice creams and sun cream to mini markets, bars and restaurants. It’s all done in ...Read more
- Skopelos TownThe whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs of Skopelos ring the large semi-circular bay. Tavernas, cafes, up market boutiques and jewellers ring the quay. Behind this, it’s a world of steps and flowered alleys as you make your way up the hill. There’s little traffic as there’s not much room for roads! Skopelos is Skiathos’s posh sister. It’s much ...Read more
- Steni ValaSteni Vala is a small fishing village, half way up the east side of the island of Alonissos. I really like this place though I’m not sure why, but I’m not alone to judge from the number of bareboat yachts and flotillas that visit. The harbour boasts 3 tavernas, a couple of cafes and a supermarket ...Read more
- TzasteniTzasteni is one of the prettiest bays in the Pelion. It must also be one of the most photographed. There are a couple of tiny pebbled beaches, somewhat lacking in shade. A handful of houses and a collection of olive trees line the bay. There are no facilities here, not a single restaurant, bar or shop in ...Read more
- VolosVolos was home to Jason and the Argonauts who sailed from here to find the Golden Fleece. Steeped in history with several archaeological sites nearby, bareboat charter and flotilla visitors will today find a modern but attractive city. The sea front is a traffic free promenade lined with cafes, pastry shops, bars and restaurants. It’s ...Read more
- VotsiVotsi is a small bay about a mile north of Patitiri. It’s mainly used by fishermen but there is room for a few charter yachts with lines ashore. There are a couple of tavernas ashore but otherwise it’s main attraction is the peace and quiet compared to the bays further south. If the tavernas don’t take ...Read more