Car Hire in Skopelos

About Skopelos

Skopelos is a Greek island in the western Aegean Sea. Skopelos is one of several islands that make up the Northern Sporades archipelago, which lies east of the Pelion peninsula on the mainland and north of the island of Euboea. It is part of the region of Thessaly. Despite this town's rich past, today it is best known as one of the main locations for the Hollywood film production Mamma Mia, which was filmed in many locations on Skopelos.

In addition, Skopelos is known as the greenest Greek island, as more than half of the island is covered with pine forests. Skopelos is the so-called "green and blue" island, and thanks to its amazing nature with its mountainous landscape, there are many activities you can do here. Combined with its wonderful waters and beautiful beaches, the island is a perfect vacation destination for all kinds of tourists.

But of course, Skopelos is not all beaches and forests, there are also some pretty towns and villages that you should visit when you vacation here. The best thing about the various destinations on the island is that despite its popularity due to the world-famous Hollywood movie Mamma Mia, the island is not overcrowded. There are seldom crowds of tourists blocking the small streets of the old town. The capital of the island is Skopelos or, as many call it, Chora, which is located in the northern part of the island. You will fall in love with this town. Whitewashed buildings, pretty squares around the town connected with narrow streets. The harbour here is a must-see. You should either just walk around the harbour or sit down in one of the taverns and enjoy a delicious meal with a beautiful view. It is especially romantic and lively in the evening when many bars are also open until late and you can enjoy the rhythms of the music. In the centre of the town and actually on the top of the hill where Skopelos town is located in the medieval castle. The town was built around this castle and today you can enjoy not only the castle itself but also the most magnificent views of the Aegean Sea from different positions on the castle.

Skopelos town itself also offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. In the town, you can visit many churches and museums and explore the history of the island. There are also many places of interest outside of Chora. You should rent a car and explore this unique island. Besides Skopelos, there are also the settlements of Glossa, Palio Klima, and Neo Klima/ Ilios on the island.

Of course, you can not miss the beaches on Skopelos. There are some stunning beaches on the island where you can relax under pine trees or umbrellas, or practice various water sports that are offered at some of these beaches. For example, you should visit Milia, which is located 25 km southwest of Hóra. The beach is covered with shiny white pebbles and surrounded by a pine forest. Milia is considered one of the best beaches on the island and the pebble beach of Panormos is about 15 km west of Hóra and Stafylos. But there are many other beaches on the island, you should just rent a car and explore Skopelos. You will surely find a perfect spot because there are many of them.

So Skopelos has a lot to offer. If you prefer an active vacation, you will enjoy the many hiking routes, mountain biking opportunities, horseback riding, trekking tours, kayaking on the sea, etc., but if you prefer to explore the history and culture of the island, there is also a lot to see and do. There are many monasteries you can visit, churches, museums, historical remains, etc. In addition, the island also has a great culinary offer. All over the island, you can dine in many great taverns and restaurants. You can try many different flavours here. Especially in the ports, there are many fish restaurants, which are a real paradise for gourmets, but there are also many restaurants that offer all kinds of food. One thing is for sure, whatever you order, it will be delicious.

Basic info and car hire in Skopelos

• Location: Northern Sporades, Greece
• Population: 4,960
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Skopelos has a Mediterranean climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Skopelos are in good condition. There are also some very tight roads on the island.
• Car hire in Skopelos: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Skopelos is at Skopelos Ferry Port. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Skopelos!

 Driving in Skopelos

Renting a car is the perfect solution to explore the island. You probably will not need the car all the time, but it is the best way to move from one place to another. If you want to drive along the coast of Skopelos, you will have a great experience. The roads are in good condition and the scenery is perfect. The road goes up and down, you drive to a high point of the cliff with breathtaking views and then you slowly drive down and then back up and so on. This is the case in the northern part of the island where Skopelos town is located. If you drive to the south of the island, the landscape looks a little different. This part of the island does not have as many mountains and is quite flat, so it's a different driving experience.

To explore the towns and villages, it's best to find a parking spot, leave your car there, and then explore the place on foot. Even the main town of Chora is not so big that you would need a car to get from one point to another. At the entrance to the town, there are many fairly large parking lots where you can leave your car. The main road network on the island is 37 kilometres long and connects Skopelos in the north with Loutraki in the south of the island.

Traffic on the island is fairly light. Even in high season, there are not many traffic jams, so you will not lose too much time on the road. Note that some beaches on the island can only be reached by dirt roads. These can sometimes have many holes in them, so you should be extra alert and careful when driving on these roads. The main roads are in good condition. Just follow the rules and you will have no problems driving on Skopelos Island. Buckle up and drive safely!

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old and with some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to legally drive a car in Greece. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and must present your valid driver's license. In the US, only two organizations issue IDPs: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for vehicles from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to manually adjust the beam), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every vehicle), first aid kit (mandatory in every vehicle), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted in the car for children under 3 years of age. Child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard are approved by local authorities. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age who are smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so on the condition that the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the street to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, special parking areas are reserved for tourists. EU disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see in Skopelos

If you are vacationing in Skopelos, be sure to explore the old town of Skopelos. The whitewashed old houses are built in the Venetian style and decorated with balconies and flowers, which makes for a great colour scheme. You can also enjoy great views of the Aegean Sea from various squares in the town. You should also visit the Venetian Castle, which is located in the heart of Chora, the second name for Skopelos Town. The town was built around the castle. Then you can head down to the port of Skopelos. There are many shops, boutiques, bars, tavernas, and other offerings for you to explore. The port is a great place to explore the culture of the town.

There are also many monasteries on the island that are open to visitors. You can drive from one to another by car, but if you are in good shape, you can also take a hike from one monastery to another. They are all located on the hills, so the tour is not for beginners.

On the island, you can also visit many wonderful beaches. The most famous beaches are: Miliá beach, Kastáni beach, Stáfylos, Velanió, Agnóndas, Pavlos, Limnonári...

For lovers of the musical Mamma Mia, there are of course some places you should visit. One of them is undoubtedly the chapel of Agios Ioannis, where the wedding between Sky and Sophie was filmed. You will also have a great view of the countryside and the sea from the chapel and its surroundings. Near this chapel, there is also a famous beach where many scenes were filmed. However, if you are more interested in exploring the places where the movie was filmed, you can join a guided tour where you will visit all the filming locations on the island and hear all the interesting stories from the filming.

You should also visit the second largest town on the island, Glossa, and it's port. It is a charming place where you can feel the spirit of the island while walking through the streets of this small town. The port is also admirable with many great taverns serving different types of food.

Another port that is worth visiting is the seaport of Loutraki. Then you should also visit the tombs of the pirates. They are located a little higher on the hill and can only be reached on foot.

All in all, Skopelos has a lot to offer. It depends on you what kind of vacation you like, if you want to explore the history, nature, and culture of this beautiful island, you will have a lot of fun.

Best restaurants in Skopelos:

Faros Skopelos Restaurant

Swell Coffee Bar

Pizza Platia

Manolis Tavern

Finikas Restaurant

Vasiliki Taverna