The Chora of Skyros with its narrow cobbled streets, its monastery, the statue of the poet Rupert Brooke, churches and castle. There are nice squares and pretty houses that are typical for the island of Skyros. The Archeological Museum of Skyros has a collection of findings on the island dating from 2800 BC up to the Roman times. Many of the finds are from the ancient town of Palamari in the north of Skyros. The museum is next to the The Manos Faltaits Museum, the local historical and folk art museum. From the square where the beautiful but controversial statue of Rupert Brooke stands (it was revealed by Prime Minister Eleytherios Venizelos in 1931, but why was he depicted nude?) you can visit the Folklore Museum and the Archaeological Museum. The road to this square is not on the main road that enters Skyros Chora, but it is a separate road that is signposted from the coastal road. For visiting the Folklore Museum go into the street that goes down quite steeply and for the Archaeological Museum you take the stairs that are leading down. On the square there is the small but very beautiful church of Agia Triada. The views are beautiful and you look out over the eastern coastal strip to the beaches of Magazia and Molos and beyond.

The monastery of Agios Georgios is located in the castle above the Chora of Skyros and was probably founded in the year 960. The church was built between 1599 and 1602. Inside the church are well preserved frescoes (I didn't see them, but I was only inside for a second because my holiday friend thought that he had lost his telephone on the way up). In 2001 the monastery was significantly damaged by an earthquake and after that it was renovated for 15 years. In 2015 the monastery was opened for the public again.

The Byzantine castle above the chora of Skyros is situated at the highest point and overlooks the whole area (open 10:00 - 12:00 and 18:00 - 20:00). According to mythology this was the place where King Lycomedes murdered the Athenian hero Theseus and later Achilles hid himself in order not to participate in the Trojan War. The fortress was built in defense against the attacks of pirates and the people that lived below in the village had a second home here. Much of the castle has fallen into decay in the course of time. The later Turkish and Venetian occupiers of the island probably did not think Skyros was important enough to restore the castle again. Above the entrance of the fort a lion is depicted in marble. This marble lion is still part of the old acropolis that once stood on the same site and was placed here by the Byzantine owner. The fort is surrounded on four sides by the remnants of the four towers that the castle had. Looking at the castle it seems like a big climb, but you can climb up the car-free streets in peace and on the way you'll find places where you can rest for a while. Like this you immediately see a little bit of the architecture of the town. On the square just in front of the monastery is another picturesque church. Here are also benches for resting and enjoying the beautiful view.

The Archaeological Museum of Skyros is located on Brooke Square in Skyros Chora (down the stairs at the Agia Triada Church). It consists of 3 rooms and a courtyard. One of the rooms is a representation of an old Skyrian house and what it looked like. The two other rooms and the courtyard are reserved for objects found in various places on the island. There are many tombstones, objects and sculptures that come from a cemetery at Magazia beach and many objects that have been found in the ancient city of Palamari. Among other things, glassware, ceramics, bronze objects and jewelery are exhibited.

The Manos Faltaits Museum is located on the street that runs down from Brooke Square. It is housed in the largest tower of the old city walls on the north-east side of Skyros Chora. The museum is actually much larger than you might think at first sight. On the ground floor are two very large rooms with all kinds of objects such as paintings, photographs, old books, sculptures, wood carvings, ceramics, Chinese porcelain, embroidery, furniture, ecclesiastical objects, costumes and historical documents. It is actually too much to mention. There are also beautiful paintings (I think) of Manos Faltaits. On the ground floor is the "charity shop" where you can buy items donated to the museum by the population. There are also paintings by Manos Fataits for sale. A staircase leads you up to the other part of the museum, even bigger than the ground floor. There is a Skyrian house with all kinds of objects that are exhibited. Beautiful traditional Skyrian and ecclesiastical costumes and objects, whole rows of books dating back to the 16th century and more paintings. The collection of historical documents of the museum includes the Proclamation of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire from 1821, which was written by a secret society to which two members of the Faltaits family belonged.

We ate at the Almathia Taverna in Skyros Chora twice. It was situated diagonally opposite the Nefeli Hotel where we stayed, so easy to walk to, but also because the food was fantastic and the service (by Poppy and her colleague) was super friendly. Both times we had more or less the same and we ordered goat in lemon sauce and a chicken dish with fries. In addition a Greek salad, tzatziki and half a liter of white wine. We were also given free extra dishes each time. Cheese dishes (hot) or sausage and a kind of saganaki (fried cheese). The amount was so much that we had a "doggy bag" made from the chicken, because I could not eat it all. The food including the French fries were all terrific. Really recommended.

Our verdict: very good, a 9,5 out of 10.

Manna Cafe & Eatery is located in Skyros Chora, when you walk into the town and go up a little bit past the main square. You can drink something, but they also serve simple meals. We only drank coffee and it was very good. The service was very friendly.

Our verdict: a 9 out of 10.

Holiday Home Lalares offers accommodation in Skyros, 8 km from Skyros Port. Guests staying at this holiday home have access to a fully equipped kitchen. This holiday home will provide guests with 1 bedroom, a TV and air conditioning. The holiday home also offers a seating area, washing machine and a bathroom with a shower. The holiday home offers a barbecue. The nearest airport is Skyros National Airport, 10 km from the property.

Check availabilities and prices & book Holiday Home Lalares in Skyros Chora - click here.

Here in Hotel Nefeli we have stayed five days in May 2018. The hotel is located on the edge of the center of Skyros Chora within walking distance of a very good and large supermarket and all kinds of shops and taverns, and 25 meters away is also one of the best restaurants of the island (Almathia) where you can eat very cheaply and where the service is very friendly. The people at the reception are extremely helpful and nice and the rooms we reserved were fully equipped, with a bath and an extra long bed (2.20 meters). It was very clean and there was a daily maid service. There was also a lot of cupboard space, but we always carry around 4 or 5 kilos of luggage ... The breakfast at the hotel was very good, with fresh coffee, orange juice, fresh bread, yoghurt with honey, delicious jams, feta, warm Skyrian cheese pies, cake and biscuits and an omelette. There was a breakfast room but you could also take your breakfast outside by the pool.

Hotel Nefeli is the quality choice for vacations in Skyros island. Recently renovated,with decoration based on eco friendly materials, has created a model of high level hospitality, with perfect service and distinctive luxury. Hotel Nefeli is situated at the entrance of Skyros town. Nearby you can find the main square of Skyros and a lot of shops, restaurant, cafe. It consists of three buildings each one with a distinct decorative style. There is a range of rooms, standard, executive, suite, studio, traditional and antique, separated to smoking or not smoking. The facilities are spacious and comfortable with a feeling of escape from home.

Seawater swimming pool of 220sqm pool bar with view towards the castle and the monastery of St George, swimming pool for children, separate children play area ,garden, parking, room service, internet access.

Breakfast is served a la carte at all hours and consists of mostly local home made products.

The restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine cooked with local organic products free range meet and poultry and fresh fish catch of the day.

Send an e-mail to the Nefeli Villas in Skyros. - Telephone: +30 2222091964 / +30 9206091481
www.skyros-nefeli.gr.

Check availabilities and prices & book Hotel Nefeli on Skyros - click here.