The Sporades

The Sporades are a small group of islands scattered across the north-west Aegean off the coast of Thessaly and Evia, their name meaning simply the "scattered" isles. Only four are of real note to travellers, and they are among the greenest islands in Greece, clothed in Aleppo pine that runs down to coves of pale pebble and sand, set in some of the clearest water the Aegean has to offer.

Each has its own character. Skiathos is the busiest and most developed, ringed by dozens of sandy beaches and known for its lively town and nightlife. Skopelos, the greenest of the group, is a place of dense forest, a beautiful slate-roofed capital and the clifftop chapel made famous by the film Mamma Mia. Alonnisos is the quietest, the heart of a vast national marine park that shelters the rare Mediterranean monk seal. And Skyros, largest and set apart to the south, keeps a distinctive culture of its own, complete with a Byzantine Chora, small native ponies and a celebrated carnival.

Geographically the first three form a tight cluster easily linked by frequent local ferries, while Skyros lies further off and is reached separately. Most travellers arrive by sea from Volos, and in season from Agios Konstantinos, or fly into the airports on Skiathos or Skyros. A common approach is to fly to Skiathos and hop onward to Skopelos and Alonnisos by boat.

The islands suit those who like their swimming framed by forest and their pace unhurried. Many visitors base themselves on one island and take day trips to the others, or island-hop across the western three over a week or more. The season runs from May to early October, with June and September the sweet spots, when the pines are fragrant, the sea is warm and the crowds of high summer have yet to gather or have already gone.