Skopelos
Where to stay on Skopelos: the best areas and hotels on the Mamma Mia island
White houses stacked around the harbour, pine-fringed coves on the west coast and quiet villages in the north. Where you stay on Skopelos decides whether your evening ends at a taverna on the quay or with your feet in the water. Here are the areas and hotels we recommend.
Skopelos is not large, but the roads wind, and distances feel longer than the map suggests. From the harbour in Skopelos Town to the beaches on the west coast takes around half an hour by car or bus, and longer still to Glossa in the north. That makes your first choice the most important one: the town on your doorstep, or the beach?
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Short answer: where should you stay?
On a first visit, stay in or just outside Skopelos Town, with tavernas, shops and the boats close by. If you want the beach right below your terrace, choose a hotel in the coves on the west coast.
Our three top picks
Luxury on the beach: Adrina Resort & Spa. See rooms at Adrina Resort & Spa
Views over the town: Skopelos Village Hotel. See rooms at Skopelos Village Hotel
Near the harbour: Skopelos Holidays Hotel & Spa. See rooms at Skopelos Holidays Hotel
Skopelos Town: tavernas, lanes and the harbour
Skopelos Town rises like an amphitheatre around its bay, with slate roofs, cobbled lanes and more than a hundred small churches tucked between the houses. In the evening people eat on the quay and stroll the waterfront. Stay here and everything is within walking distance, with the bus to the beaches by day.
Skopelos Village Hotel: views over the bay
An elegant hotel with a restaurant on the hillside just outside the centre, looking over the town and the sea.
Book your stay: See rooms at Skopelos Village Hotel
Skopelos Holidays Hotel & Spa: practical and comfortable
A hotel with a restaurant and pool a short distance from the harbour and the centre.
Book your stay: See rooms at Skopelos Holidays Hotel & Spa
The terrace at Skopelos Village Hotel.
The west coast: coves and quiet
The west side of the island has the best beaches, with pine forest down to the water. Here you stay more quietly, and the sun sets straight into the sea in front of you. You will need a car or the bus to get into town in the evening.
Adrina Resort & Spa: right on the beach
A luxury hotel with a spa and beach bar in its own cove, one of the best-known hotels on the island.
Book your stay: See rooms at Adrina Resort & Spa
Elios: family-friendly by the sea
Further north on the west coast is Elios, a small beach resort with a beach, shops and tavernas. Families get sand, shops and tavernas within a short walk.
Elios Holidays Hotel: pool and beach
A more affordable hotel with an outdoor pool and restaurant by the beach in Elios.
Book your stay: See rooms at Elios Holidays Hotel
Glossa: the village in the north
High above the port of Loutraki lies Glossa, the island’s second-largest village, with narrow lanes, views towards Skiathos and some of the most authentic tavernas on the island. From here it is a short drive to the chapel on the rock at Kastri, where the Mamma Mia wedding was filmed. Most places to stay are small guesthouses and apartments.
Before you book
Check the port: If you stay in town, sail to Skopelos Town. If you stay in the north-west, Glossa is closest. See our guide to getting from Skiathos to Skopelos.
Consider a hire car: To explore the coves at your own pace, a small car or scooter gives the most freedom.
Book early for July and August: The island has few large hotels, and the best fill up.
Frequently asked questions about where to stay on Skopelos
What is the best area to stay on Skopelos?
Skopelos Town for tavernas and the boats, and the west coast to stay right by the beach.
Are there luxury hotels on Skopelos?
Yes, including Adrina Resort & Spa and Skopelos Village Hotel, both with restaurants and sea views.
Do you need a car on Skopelos?
Not if you stay in town, as buses run to the beaches. To explore the coves on your own, a car or scooter is handy.