Glossa

Glossa is in Skopelos.

Understand

Glossa sits high on a hill on the northwest side of Skopelos, the opposite end from main Skopelos town. It gazes across the sparkling Mediterranean sea to Skiathos and down to the peaceful harbour of Loutraki. Glossa is still an area that appears to have not yet been discovered by mass-tourism and with it’s steep cobbled alley-ways, flanked by traditional houses, trailing bougainvillea and firmly-adhered-to siesta, you will delight in this truly Greek experience.

Climate

The temperature is slightly cooler in Glossa than in Skopelos town due to its hillside location. In the height of summer the days are long and hot, in spring and Autumn you will need little more than a cardigan to keep away the cool morning and evening breezes and winters are generally mild - although snow does descend on Glossa every few years.

Get in

By Boat Loutraki (Glossa) is the first stop both from Skiathos harbour and the mainland. If you are lucky enough to arrive at night you will be mesmerised by the sight of Glossa: strings of twinkling lights strung delicately across the hillside.

Glossa is a 15-minute boat-ride from Skiathos and 3 hours from the Port of Aghios Constantinos.

If you have baggage then you will need to take a taxi (about 5EURO) or bus from the port to the village of Glossa.

Get around

By foot

With just 1,000 houses and only a few alleyways accessed by car, Glossa is a small village easily (and best) explored by foot.

By bus

There are several buses each day that leave from the bottom of the village and take you to the port of Loutraki (10 minutes) and the many beaches and villages dotted along the coastline before finally arriving at Skopelos town (1 hour).

Do

You could spend a few hours first exploring the beautiful architecture of this traditional town. Colourful balconies, interesting ruins and fascinating houses can be found as you wander through the myriad of charming cobbled streets.

Take a stroll down to Loutraki harbour (30 mins) for a swim in the crystal blue Aegean waters, but make sure you get the bus back if you’re not up for a hike!

However, walking is a big pastime in this area with an array of flora and fauna to be appreciated at varying times of year.

This is a good place for birdwatchers in the spring. Some of the birds seen in 2009 include: Hoopooe (late March / early May), Bee Eaters (mid April / late June) Golden Oriole (late April / early May), Red Backed Shrike (mid May).

Take a bus to Skopelos Town for souvenir shops and cafes where you can sit and watch the comings and going of this delightfully Greek white washed harbour. Spend an evening there in one of its many lively tavernas and enjoy some traditional bouzouki music.

Eat

In Glossa there is one café-restaurant, one grill house, one souvlaki bar, one taverna and two café bars.

• Maistrali. Opened in 2004 and is run by the friendly husband and wife team, Eva and Nektarios. It offers nice view and good food. 
• To Steki Tou Mastoras Taverna. Local specialities, casual. 

Drink

Drinking and dining with a view in one of the local cafés

• Agnanti Café and Restaurant, Glossa Skopelos, ☏ +30 24240 33076. 0900 - 2300. Established 1953, serves dishes like sea fennel salad, steamed octopus marinated in vinegar and crisp pork belly dressed with sweetish mustard sauce. Current owners Stamatis and his son Nikolas still provide some of the best food and wine on the island. The cooking is lighter and finer than in the hearty tavernas of Skopelos. Sponsored and Approved by EC. 

Sleep

• Pansion Platana, ☏ +30 24240 33188. Double or twin rooms (two people) with small kitchenette, A/C, TV, ceiling fans, bathroom, balcony view, WiFi access. Patio. At edge of town. €48. 
• Glossa Houses, ☏ +30 24240 34295, joanna@glossa-houses.com. A group of six holiday homes for short-term rental in various parts of Glossa and Loutraki; self-catering studios, apartments, cottages and villas, many with waterfront views. 
• Aegean Wave Hotel, Loutraki, ☏ +30 24240 33700, fax: +30 24240 33221. Waterfront hotel with patio restaurant and bar in the centre of the ancient city Selinountas, now known as Loutraki. €85-250. 
• Villa Yiali (On the edge of the village of Glossa), ☏ +30 24240 33743, +30 69479 86671, yiali@villayiali.com. One-bedroom rental house, sleeps three. Private pool villa with views of the Aegean and neighbouring Skiathos. (updated Mar 2016)

Go next

You can take one of the regular boats from Loutraki Port or Skopelos Town across to the neighbouring islands. If you want a bit of action, try Skiathos with its pubs, clubs and restaurants or should you like an even quieter experience than Glossa, you can head across to Alonissos.

It is also relatively easy to catch a ferry to the mainland. Volos and Aghios Constantinos are the biggest ports and from there you can catch a bus to central Athens where you can enjoy a weekend break.