Essentials
- City
- Skyros, Sporades, Greece
- Population
- Approximately 3,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; Starlink is available and recommended for 150+ Mbps.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include National Bank of Greece and Alpha Bank (ATMs in Chora and Linaria).
- Tap Water
- Drinkable in most areas, but locals often prefer bottled water due to high mineral content. Filtered water is best.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Cosmote (best coverage on island), Vodafone, Nova. Available at shops in Chora.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are widely accepted; local accounts at National Bank of Greece for long-stay residency.
- Accommodation
- Traditional stone houses in Chora, beach studios in Magazia/Molos. Rent: €500-€900/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in restaurants/shops; cash still preferred for small family-run kiosks and local taxis.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Skyros Real Estate.
- Budget Accommodation
- Dioni Hotel (Aspous) - approx. €45/night; various studios in Molos from €40/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Chora (The Town) for atmosphere; Magazia or Molos for beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Molos (quieter, better modern apartments) or Aspous (central, peaceful).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking hubs; Skyros Centre (seasonal workshops) often serves as a hub for thinkers and writers.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Anemos Cafe (Chora) - good WiFi and views; Kavos Lounge Bar (Linaria) for afternoon sessions.
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at the Skyros Holistic Holidays centers (Atsitsa Bay).
- Social Events for Expats
- Skyros Island Facebook groups and community dinners at local tavernas in Magazia.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Skyros Taxis (+30 22220 91666). Call or find them at the Chora main square.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Vaggelis Rentals (Chora) - Scooter approx. €20/day; Pegassus Rentals (Linaria).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Agios Fokas (remote, turquoise water) or Molos (convenient, sandy).
- Top Regional Airline
- Sky Express (Flights from Athens).
- Top International Airline
- Aegean Airlines (via Athens); seasonal charters from UK/Netherlands.
- Highway Access
- Main paved road connects Linaria Port to Chora and the Airport; mostly winding island roads.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Linaria Port (Ferry 'Achilleas' connects to Kymi, Evia).
- Public Transport Passes
- Local KTEL bus (approx. €2 per trip); pay the driver in cash.
- Regional Travel
- Ferry to Kymi (approx. 1h 45m, €12) then bus to Athens.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Skyros Medical Center (Chora). Serious cases are airlifted or ferried to Chalkida/Athens.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Skyros Centre (Chora/Atsitsa) - world-renowned holistic retreats and yoga classes.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Small municipal fitness area; most exercise is outdoor hiking or swimming.
- Laundry Services
- Self-service laundry often integrated into hotel/studio stays; contact local 'Katharistirio' in Chora.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Order directly from local souvlaki shops via phone (e.g., Orestis).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Skyrian Lobster Pasta (Astakomakaronada) and Skyrian Oil Pie with mizithra cheese.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Amorgia Cafe (Chora) - offers plant-based snacks and traditional vegetable dishes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Faltainas (Chora) - famous for traditional almond sweets and ice cream.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Sklavenitis Supermarket (near the airport road); local produce markets in Chora.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Skroutz.gr (Greek equivalent of Amazon) delivers to the island via courier.
- Grocery Delivery
- Directly from local grocery stores like 'Critical' in Chora upon request.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Agorá (the main street of Chora); bars like Kalypso and Rodon.
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Septem (from nearby Evia) is the standard craft beer choice.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mostly traditional Greek; Ju-Ju Bar (Chora) offers some fusion/international bites.
- Wine Bars
- Oino-Bar (Chora) - selection of Greek mainland and island wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Souvlaki wraps from Orestis or Miltos in Chora (approx. €4).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Byzantine Castle of Skyros and the Monastery of St. George.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Faltaits Folklore Museum (Chora) - one of the best private museums in Greece.
- Historical Sites
- Palamari Bronze Age Settlement (North Skyros).
- Religious Sites
- Monastery of Agios Georgios (perched above the town).
- Annual Events
- Skyros Carnival (Apokries) featuring the 'Geros' and 'Korela' traditional goat-skin costumes.
- Cultural Districts
- The 'Agorá' winding alleys of Chora.
- Theater Venues
- Outdoor amphitheater performances at the Faltaits Museum during summer.
- Local Markets
- Daily vegetable and fish market stalls near the entrance of Chora.
- Music Scene
- Rebetiko nights at local tavernas; live music at Kavos Bar in Linaria.
- Street Art
- Limited; culture is focused on traditional architectural preservation.
- Cooking Classes
- Organized by local guest houses like 'Amphitrite' upon request.
- Art Galleries
- Local woodcarving workshops in Chora (Skyrian furniture art).
- Historic Buildings
- The stone-built 'Skyrian Houses' known for their unique interior balconies ('Sfa').
- Local Heritage
- The Skyrian Pony - a rare, ancient breed protected on the island.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The southern 'Mountain' (Kochilas) - rugged, wild, and desert-like.
- National Parks Nearby
- The Natura 2000 protected area of Mt. Kochilas.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The hike from Chora to the Prophet Elias chapel for panoramic views.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Brooke Square (Plateia Brooke) - honors poet Rupert Brooke, sunset views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mount Kochilas for Eleonora’s falcons.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Technically restricted; small beach gatherings at Pefkos with permission.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ACS Courier and ELTA (Hellenic Post) in Chora.
- Tech Repair Services
- Small electronics shop in Chora; specialized repairs require shipping to Athens.
- Table Tennis Spots
- None dedicated; some hotels have tables (e.g., Skyros Palace).
- Language Classes
- Private tutors available; often arranged through the Skyros Centre.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public Library in the Town Hall (Chora).
- Community Centers
- The Cultural Association of Skyrians (Chora).
- Gaming Lounges
- None; internet cafes have largely phased out.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not present on the island.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (Example: 30 m² traditional house = €66,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800 per m² (Example: 30 m² near Aspous = €54,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (Example: 50 m² = €100,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (Example: 50 m² = €80,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (Example: 80 m² = €152,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,500 per m² (Example: 80 m² = €120,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% in Greece.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Greek-source income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 44% (for income over €40,000)
- VAT
- 24% (Standard rate in Greece).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Greece applies CFC rules to prevent tax avoidance.
- Property Tax
- Yes, ENFIA (Annual Unified Property Tax) based on location and size.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% transfer tax + notary/registry fees (approx. 2%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 50% income tax exemption for 7 years for eligible digital nomads relocating to Greece.