One Week Sample Itinerary of The Sporades Greece

This is an example of a typical itinerary on one of our 1 week sailing trips around the Sporades and Pelion Peninsula. Please bear in mind that no two trips are ever exactly the same.

Day 1 - We’ll be waiting for you in the small harbour at Nea Klima on Skopelos, just 20 minutes ferry ride from Skiathos. We?ll have drinks, a quick boat chat, and then head off for our first destination of Palaio Trikeri - a tiny island right at the end of the Pelion Penisula, and just inside the Gulf of Volos. This quiet fishing hamlet boasts only a handful of houses and just a couple of tavernas right by the water’s edge. A short walk up through the olive trees takes you to the nineteenth century monastery of Evangelistrias, and it’s lovely courtyard with marble mosaics. On your return take a dip in the clear waters to cool off, before dinner in the taverna right behind the boat.

Day 2 - After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll slip our lines and head further around the peninsula to one of the many remote bays on this gorgeous coastline. The olive groves and pine trees are practically fizzing with the sound of cicadas, and we’ll drop anchor in which ever bay takes our fancy for a swim and some lunch. A downwind sail of a couple of hours takes us Pigadhi over on the mainland. Reputedly the place from which Achilles set sail for Troy, this relaxed village features a ruined lookout tower in his name on top of a small steep hill. The rewards for those that take on the climb are the spectacular views over the gulf and towards Skiathos, and when they come back down, a cold beer in one of the waterfront tavernas!

Day 3 - We head east again today - our destination will depend on the weather and inclinations of those onboard; we can either anchor off the long sandy beach at Koukanaries on Skiathos, or head to Platania on the south side of the Pelion Peninsula.

The beach at Koukanaries gets it’s name from the pine trees that surround it, and many say it’s one of the finest, sandiest beaches in the Aegean. Not surprisingly it’s become quite the popular spot with several beach bars and cantinas punctuating the umbrellas, but anchoring out in the turquoise waters we’re able to feel quite removed from the mainstream. By six o’clock the beach is deserted, and a short walk through the nature reserve takes us to one of several tavernas in the village for dinner.

Platania is a sleepy village with several tavernas along the waterfront. The name comes from the numerous plane trees in the wooded valley that rises behind the bay. Enjoy wonderful, calm beaches with shade provided by olive trees during the hottest part of the day.

Day 4 - Today we’re off to to Skopelos, the main town on the island of the same name. It’s hard to imagine anywhere more Greek than this place as we sail in to the amphitheatrical harbour town. White houses with red tiled roofs sit on the hillsides above the water, and the winding alleyways are a wonder to explore for the afternoon. The narrow cobbled streets lead to ouzeries, small boutique-y shops, and bougainvillea covered courtyards. Closer to the water you’ll find many cafes, bars and restaurants - perfect spots to sit in the shade watching the boats come and go in the harbour.

If you fancy getting out of town and exploring the island a bit more, you’ll find plenty of places to hire various forms of transport. There are taxis and regular buses too, so it’s very easy to wander off and explore the other bays and villages on Skopelos. The densley wooded areas of Mediterranean pine run from coast to coast, but Skopelos is also well known for it’s plum orchards (and naturally, many of the favorite local dishes include the fruit - like stuffed chicken breast, or pork and plum sauce....)

And dare we say it, but Skopelos is also where Mamma Mia was set and much of it filmed. Some of the more recognizable landmarks from the movie are worth checkingout - notably the cliff top chapel of Agios Ioannis on the north coast - but you can probably skip the display of Pierce Brosnan’s flip-flops!

Day 5 - No rush today, so if you’re not done exploring the island you’ll have the morning to do so before we slip our lines and sail up the channel to Steni Vala on Alonnisos.

The eastern part of the Sporades is host to a large number of rare species of wildlife, both flora and fauna. Perhaps the most famous underwater residents are the Mediterranean monk seals, and the area has been designated as a marine national park with the aim of protecting them. It’s also an important habitat for fish, dolphins and even whales. In Steni Vala there is a seal rescue centre, albeit just a small Portakabin with a tank in it - but is well worth a visit if you want to learn more about the local wildlife.

Steni Vala itself is a gorgeous inlet, with several fabulous restaurants perched just above the waters edge. A fabulous little mini-market-cum-cafe provides a great seat in the shade from which to watch the charter boats bump into each other and the dock. it’s a 5 minute walk through the village to a pebbly beach with pristine waters lapping on the shore and great swimming.

Day 6 - Easy start to the day, and just a short leg to the uninhabited island of Peristera where we’ll find a secluded bay to hang out and swim before lunch. As the early afternoon breezes fill in, we enjoy a beam reach in flat water to Nea Klima on the west side of Skopelos. This small fishing village sits below the thick pine forests that sweep up the side of the hills. A quiet beach on the outer part of the breakwater is perfectly located for an afternoon dip, and also a wonderful spot to watch the sun set over Skiathos before dinner in the taverna overlooking the fishing boats in the little harbour.

Day 7 - Disembarkation is at 9am. Ask us if you need help in orientating yourself, ferry info, etc.
- See more at: https://seascape-sail.com/destinations/sporades-sailing-area.php#sthash.hlup6I9P.dpuf