Overview

• Skopelos is celebrated for its dense forests covering roughly 80 percent of the island along with pristine beaches and diverse wildlife, earning it the title of Greece’s greenest island.
• The island’s appearance in the 2007 Mamma Mia! film attracts visitors to iconic locations such as the Agios Ioannis chapel and Kastri Beach.
• Crete drew over one million visitors in 2023 but now grapples with overcrowding at marquee sites including Balos Lagoon, the Samaria Gorge and the Vai palm forest.
• Local authorities and US Air Force officials have issued alerts about potential Iranian threats to the Souda Bay base, raising safety questions for Crete’s tourists.
• Frequent ferries from Thessaloniki and neighboring islands make Skopelos highly accessible, while inland villages like Prina are gaining renown among cyclists seeking authentic, uncrowded experiences.