The three northern Sporades , Skiáthos, Skópelos and Alónissos, are scattered (as their Greek name suggests) just off the mainland, their mountainous terrain betraying their origin as extensions of Mount Pílio in Thessaly. They are archetypal holiday islands, with a wide selection of good beaches, transparent waters and thick pine forests. All are very busy in season, with Skiáthos attracting by far the most package tours.

 

Skiáthos has the best beaches, and is still the busiest island in the group, though these days Skópelos gets very crowded, too. Alónissos is the quietest of the three, and has the wildest scenery, so it's really more for nature lovers than night-owls. Skyros , further southeast, retains more of its traditional culture than the other three islands, though development is now well under way. The main town doesn't yet feel like a resort, but its main street is not without its fast-food and souvenir shops. Unlike on the other three islands, the best beaches are those closest to the main town. To the south, the huge island of Évvia (or Euboea) runs for 150km alongside the mainland. It is one of the most attractive Greek islands, with a forested mountain spine and long stretches of rugged, largely undeveloped coast. Perhaps because it lacks any impressive ruins or real island feel owing to its proximity to the mainland, Évvia is explored by few foreign tourists, though Athenians and Thessalians visit the island in force and have erected holiday homes around half a dozen of its major resorts.

The Sporades are well connected by bus and ferry with Athens (via Áyios Konstandínos or Kymi), Thessaloníki and Vólos, and it's easy to island-hop in the northern group. The only ferry connection to Skyros is from Kymi, plus a Flying Dolphin hydrofoil service in summer from Vólos via the other Sporades. Évvia is linked to the mainland by a bridge at its capital Halkídha, and by a series of shuttle ferries. Both Skiáthos and Skyros have airports.