Nature
Flora of Skopelos
Greece is home to an extraordinary 7,000 species of wildflowers, 700 of which are endemic species, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else. There are plenty of wildflowers on the green island of Skopelos that can be found all year round, giving off an exquisite fragrance.
On your hikes, you will spot garrigue and maquis shrubs all around you, and you will often see small, dispersed shrubs such as kermes oak with its characteristic small prickly leaves.
Garrigue is a prevalent native species. Plants such as sagebrush, the well-known oregano, and the evergreen rockrose, whose soothing properties make it one of the most prominent natural antioxidants in Europe, constitute the shrubs. As far as the taller shrubs and trees are concerned, you will find strawberry, weaver’s broom, the Judas tree, and heather.
Around creeks, streams, and ravines, you can enjoy the shade and coolness offered by tall plane trees with their pink flowers.
Another healing plant found on Skopelos is the Ecballium with its small white flowers and redcurrant-like seeds containing liquids with medicinal properties against swelling, rheumatism, shingles, paralysis, etc. Known since ancient times, the sea fennel is a small aromatic coastal plant; it grows in rocky coastal areas and contains large amounts of essential oils, metal salts and vitamins that give it its potent healing properties. It is served in a spicy salad and is considered the ideal side dish to Skopelitian finger food and tsipouro (local liquor).
You will see a lot of fruit trees on your outdoor walks, mainly pomegranate, fig, quince, loquat, etc.
Around creeks, streams, and ravines, you can enjoy the shade and coolness offered by tall plane trees with their pink flowers.
Another healing plant found on Skopelos is the Ecballium with its small white flowers and redcurrant-like seeds containing liquids with medicinal properties against swelling, rheumatism, shingles, paralysis, etc. Known since ancient times, the sea fennel is a small aromatic coastal plant; it grows in rocky coastal areas and contains large amounts of essential oils, metal salts and vitamins that give it its potent healing properties. It is served in a spicy salad and is considered the ideal side dish to Skopelitian finger food and tsipouro (local liquor).
You will see a lot of fruit trees on your outdoor walks, mainly pomegranate, fig, quince, loquat, etc.
Weeds and herbs of Skopelos
On Skopelos, you will discover approximately twenty different types of weeds that you can include in your diet. After carefully boiling them and adding olive oil and lemon juice, you can enjoy them in a healthy and tasteful salad. You will need to be extra careful, though, as not all weeds are edible. So, make sure to seek the help of an herb connoisseur! It is noteworthy that herb picking is an activity in which many people engage as a form of entertainment or a way to get in touch with nature, or even as a form of therapy.
Birds of Skopelos
On your outdoor expeditions on this enchanting island, you can spot several different kinds of birds that will accompany you with their chirping. In fact, the most prominent are hooded crows, the ashy gray and black birds that are always around. In the outdoor spaces surrounding Skopelos Chora, Glossa and Paleo Klima, you can see the legendary Eleonora’s . You can even spot eagles or vultures in uninhabited mountainous areas, particularly in the northern part of the island.
Wading birds can be found around the shallow beach waters, particularly behind the chapel of St. Reginos, with their characteristic long legs and bills. During the night, you are bound to hear the distinctive call of the eagle owl and the scops owl, a type of small owl.
Birds of Skopelos
On your outdoor expeditions on this enchanting island, you can spot several different kinds of birds that will accompany you with their chirping. In fact, the most prominent are hooded crows, the ashy gray and black birds that are always around. In the outdoor spaces surrounding Skopelos Chora, Glossa and Paleo Klima, you can see the legendary Eleonora’s . You can even spot eagles or vultures in uninhabited mountainous areas, particularly in the northern part of the island.
Wading birds can be found around the shallow beach waters, particularly behind the chapel of St. Reginos, with their characteristic long legs and bills. During the night, you are bound to hear the distinctive call of the eagle owl and the scops owl, a type of small owl.