Why visit the Sporades?

In the North Aegean, off the eastern coast of central Greece, are the Sporades islands—Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos, and Skyros. They are favored by many visitors because they are green and wooded, and, like the rest of the Greek islands, they possess an incomparable climate.

Map

What is the landscape of the Sporades like?

The Sporades are so named because they are part of the "Scattered” islands which lie beyond the core group of the Cyclades. This particular group is sometimes referred to as the "Northern Sporades" to distinguish them from other scattered islands (such as the Dodecanese islands) in the Aegean Sea.

The Northern Sporades fall into two main sub-groups. In the north is a narrow chain of five main islands: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos, Kyra Panagia, and Gioura, the largest of which is only 36 square miles in area. They repeat the rocky character of the mountainous peninsula of Magnesia, and their steep and indented coasts usually climb to a rugged interior. There are, however, fertile and sheltered valleys, especially in Skiathos and Skopelos. Skiathos is a beautifully wooded and picturesque island—the town surrounding an excellent harbour; and the larger island of Skopelos is also well wooded.

The second sub-group of islands lies to the southeast, and consists of Skyros and numerous islets and rocks. Skyros, famous for its marble, has an area of 80 square miles; in the south it is barren and mountainous, rising to 792 meters (2,598 feet), but further north there are pine-covered hills and small fertile plains. The main town, or 'Chora', surrounds a lofty rocky peak on the eastern coast.

What is the nature of the Sporades like?

The islands are mountainous and well-forested with pine trees. Skiathos is known for its many beaches and wooded landscape. Skopelos, on the other hand, has many cliffs which steeply fall into the sea. The north of Skyros is is covered by a forest, while the south, dominated by the highest mountain, Kochila, is bare and rocky.

What is the climate of the Sporades like?

The Sporades have a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Winters are very mild with only moderate rainfall. Summers are hot and dry with sea breezes. Temperateures tend to a little more moderate than other parts of the Aegean.

Climate data for Skyros
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	12.3 (54.1)	12.7 (54.9)	14.1 (57.4)	17.7 (63.9)	22.0 (71.6)	26.3 (79.3)	27.9 (82.2)	27.6 (81.7)	24.7 (76.5)	20.8 (69.4)	17.2 (63.0)	13.9 (57.0)	19.8 (67.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)	9.9 (49.8)	10.1 (50.2)	11.4 (52.5)	14.6 (58.3)	18.5 (65.3)	22.8 (73.0)	24.8 (76.6)	24.7 (76.5)	21.8 (71.2)	18.2 (64.8)	14.6 (58.3)	11.5 (52.7)	16.91 (62.4)
Average low °C (°F)	7.4 (45.3)	7.4 (45.3)	8.7 (47.7)	11.4 (52.5)	15.0 (59.0)	19.3 (66.7)	21.7 (71.1)	21.7 (71.1)	18.8 (65.8)	15.5 (59.9)	12.0 (53.6)	9.1 (48.4)	14.0 (57.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	70.6 (2.78)	55.3 (2.18)	49.9 (1.96)	24.3 (0.96)	15.4 (0.61)	6.5 (0.26)	5.9 (0.23)	8.4 (0.33)	19.4 (0.76)	36.7 (1.44)	54.6 (2.15)	81.1 (3.19)	428.1 (16.85)
Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service

The official websites

• Sporades - Visit Greece—Greek National Tourism Organisation