Town and wine Tasting tour

We meet at the blue and white Town Hall on the seafront for a short walk until we reach the steps leading up to “Panagiaston Pirgo” or the so-called Panagitsa church, which sits on the rocky outcrop where Peparethos,, as ancient Skopelos was first known, was founded (this is a steep walk that requires suitable footwear – alternative route exists for people with walking difficulties).

When the tour reaches the highest spot of Skopelos Town with views across to Alonissos that on clear dayseven Mount Athos in the distance can be seen, we arrive at the Anatoli taverna, where the renowned Xintaris family of musicians have made famous their rebetiko ‘Greek blues’. The taverna actually sits in the courtyard of the 13^th century Venetian castle that was built on the ruins of Peparethos and was later sacked by the pirate Barbarossa, ‘Redbeard’.

From here we begin our walk back down to the town centre and as you are in one of the oldest and friendliest communities in Skopelos you feel the Greek friendliness and hospitality as locals greet you like they do with their neighbours!

Our route then takes us towards the town’s main church, called Christos, with its sunken courtyard and striking illuminated bell tower. There are also eight tiny chapels in the church precinct, which are well worth viewing.

The walk then continues down through a maze of alleys, squares and gardens that make up the oldest part of Skopelos and to the harbour seafront, by which time you will probably be in need of a drink and something to eat.

The award-winning Gialos taverna will provide a range of traditional and contemporary Greek dishes, in a selection of mezes-style plates you can select from, as well as some typical Greek wines, whites and reds, to accompany them. We can’t think of a better way to introduce you to the ‘Greek Way’ here in Skopelos.