Northern Sporades Islands Attractions
In antiquity all the islands around the Cyclades were known as the Sporades (the "Scattered Islands"). Nowadays a distinction is made between the Northern Sporades or Magnesian Islands, lying northeast of Euboea - Skópelos, Skíathos, Alónissos, Skyros and some 75 smaller islands and islets - and the Southern Sporades, off the southwest coast of Asia Minor.
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Ghioúra
The next island to the northeast of Pélagos, in the chain of the Northern Sporades, is Ghioúra (area 9 sq.km/3.5sq.mi; alt. 1,870ft/570m), with a ruined monastery; it is now a reserve for wild goats (bezoar goats). On the south coast are the Caves of Cyclops, which according to legend were the home of Polyphemos.
Pelagos - Kyra Panagia Monastery
Some 13 km/8 mi northeast of the northern tip of Alónnisos is the wooded island of Pélagos (area 25 sq. km/9.5 sq. mi; alt. 991ft/302m), known in antiquity as Euthyra. It is also called Kyrá Panayía after the monastery of that name on its east coast. The monastery, which is under the jurisdiction of Athos, has an 11th century church with old icons.
Peristéra (Xeró)
Off the southeast coast of Alónnisos, separated from it by a sheltered sound, lies the barren island of Peristéra (area 14 sq. km/5.5 sq. mi; alt. 820ft/250m), also known as Xeró.
Pipéri
East of Ghioúra is the little island of Pipéri (area 7 sq. km/2.5 sq. mi; alt. 1,161ft/354m), a seal reserve.
Psathoúra
The volcanic island of Psathoúra (area 6 sq. km/2.25 sq. mi; alt. 65ft/20m) lies at the north-eastern tip of the chain of the Northern Sporades. There are remains of buildings belonging to an ancient city under the sea just off the coast of the island.
The light-house on rocky Psathoura is one of the most powerful of the Aegean Sea.
The light-house on rocky Psathoura is one of the most powerful of the Aegean Sea.
Skántzoura
The island of Skántzoura (area 7 sq.km/2.75 sq. mi), which belongs to the monastic republic of Athos and is used for the grazing of goats, lies some 20km/12.5mi southeast of Alónnisos. It is occasionally visited for the sake of its sea-caves and its underwater fishing.
