Ancient Peparithos castle & The Venetian fortress of Skopelos

The Kastro sits at the very top of Skopelos Town, on the rocky height where ancient Peparethos, as the island was then called, had its acropolis. What survives is a stretch of medieval walls from the Venetian period, built partly with ancient blocks, and a scatter of whitewashed chapels around them.

There is no ticket and nothing formal to visit; the reward is the view. From the top the white houses and grey slate roofs of the town tumble down to the harbour, and on clear evenings you look out across the water towards Skiathos. Getting there means climbing the town's stepped lanes from the waterfront, which is half the pleasure. Go around sunset, wear shoes with grip and take your time.