Skyros on a Budget
How to enjoy Skyros without spending much, cheap ferries, free beaches and sights, honest tavernas and simple pleasures. A value-for-money guide to a slow Greek island.
Last updated 29 June 2026
One of the quiet joys of Skyros is that its best pleasures are cheap or free. Without the fame premium of Mykonos or Santorini, it is genuinely good value, and the things that make it special cost very little.
In short: Skyros is a value-for-money island. Ferry tickets from Kymi are inexpensive, many beaches and sights are free (Chora, the castle, Palamari, the horse country), and honest tavernas serve well for modest prices. Travel in June or September, eat where the locals eat, and the island rewards you without emptying your wallet.
Getting there cheaply
The ferry from Kymi is the budget route: tickets are low-cost, and taking the bus to Kymi rather than driving keeps things cheaper still. Flying saves time but costs more, so for value, take to the sea. Bringing a car adds cost; if you’re staying near the centre you may not need one at all.
Free and low-cost things to do
So much of Skyros costs nothing:
- The beaches below Chora, Magazia and Molos, are free to swim from.
- Walking Chora and climbing to the castle and monastery is free.
- Palamari, the Bronze Age town, has free entry.
- The wild south and the Skyrian horse country cost nothing to explore (a farm visit is a small, worthwhile spend).
- Sunsets, stargazing, and the summer festivals are all free.
Eating and staying for less
- Eat where the locals eat: simple tavernas serve honest, generous food for modest prices. Order the vegetable dishes, pies and fava; save the lobster pasta for one treat.
- Buy from the shops in Chora: local products, bread and fruit make cheap, lovely picnics for the beach.
- Travel in the shoulder season (June, late September) for lower prices and fewer crowds; see when to visit.
FAQ
Is Skyros expensive? No, it’s one of the better-value Greek islands, without the fame premium of the Cyclades. Ferries, food and many sights are inexpensive or free.
What can I do for free on Skyros? Swim at the beaches below Chora, walk the town and castle, visit Palamari, explore the wild south, and enjoy the sunsets, stars and summer festivals.
How do I keep costs down? Take the ferry, base near the centre to skip car hire, eat at simple local tavernas, and travel in June or September.
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