Guide to Skopelos Town

'Whitewashed houses tumbling down to shade-cooled tavernas, plus great beaches and blue skies – Skopelos Town is pure, undiluted Greece.'

Imagine a miniature Greek island postcard, all whitewashed houses and slate-roofed churches shining against a royal blue sky. Got there? Well, what you're picturing is Skopelos Town. Crowned by a ruined fortress and crammed with Byzantine churches, this quaint, higgledy-piggledy town shuffles down a hillside to meet a picturebook harbourfront. Put aside a least a day to explore the old town, now a designated preservation area. Climb crooked, stepped streets where bright-white houses adorned with bougainvillea, wooden balconies and seashells crowd out the sunlight. Visit the folklore museum for a glimpse into bygone local life. And wander around one of the hundred or so tiny chapels, including the photogenic slate-roofed Panagia tou Pyrgou high above the harbour. Around the waterside, rows of classy - and more basic - tavernas and shops jostle for your attention. Forage for gifts among the sophisticated craft and jewellery shops before eating. And then kick back in a blue-painted chair under a cooling mulberry tree to feast on freshly caught fish and an island speciality - sticky prune- and plum-based desserts. Away from the hum of town, take a bus to nearby Stafilos beach, a beautiful sand-and-pebble bay or a water taxi to Glisteri beach around the coast. Strike out into the forested interior to see hidden mountain monasteries. And don't miss the boat to the islands off Alonissos, your journey hopefully accompanied by dolphins. By night, Skopelos Town remains relaxed with most people congregating at the waterside for an ouzo before dinner. Later, the sound of live music trickles from a few bars and dancespots, giving you the chance to extend your evening into the small hours.

Find the cheapest late deals to Skopelos Town leaving in the next six weeks.