Skala village
The tourist hub of Agistri. This is where the ferries from Piraeus arrive, and you will find hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and the church of Agioi Anargyroi right by the shore.
Skala, the tourist heart of Agistri
We arrived in Skala on a Saturday in May, with the sun beating down hard on the ferry deck. The boat docked at a small, functional quay. To our right, the sandy beach stretched out quietly. To our left, the village spread in a semicircle around the bay. Two-storey white houses, balconies with geraniums, tavernas with the chairs still stacked up.
Skala is the main port of Agistri. Most ferries from Piraeus arrive here, so it is the natural gateway to the island. And it is, by some distance, the liveliest place on it. Do not expect a huge harbour or an endless seafront promenade. Skala is small. But it has everything you need for a perfect few days.
Skala beach is the village’s big draw. Fine golden sand, calm shallow water. Ideal for families with children. The eastern end of the beach has natural shade from olive trees in the afternoon. The western end is sunnier. There are sunloungers for hire and several cafes beside the sand where you can have a frappé with your feet almost in the water.
The icon of Skala is the church of Agioi Anargyroi. You will recognise it instantly: white walls, a blue dome and a bell tower looking out to sea. It is built on a rocky headland that splits the beach in two. The photos taken from the water, with the church reflected in the sea, are the prettiest on the island.
The restaurants and bars are concentrated along the seafront. At night Skala has a bit of atmosphere. It is nowhere near Mykonos. But there are a couple of cocktail bars that play music until late. The most famous is Skliri, a kilometre from the centre, where Athenians have their midday drink looking out to sea.
In Skala you will also find the island’s only cash machine, a pharmacy, supermarkets and several agencies renting bikes and scooters. Everything is five minutes away on foot. You do not need a car. And that is one of the great advantages of staying here.
If you come in July, ask about the Agioi Anargyroi festival. On the 1st, the whole village comes out into the street. Live music, traditional dancing and roast lamb for everyone. One of those moments when Greece reminds you why it is Greece.