Neo Klima, Skopelos: 2024 Village Guide by an Island Resident

Neo Klima Skopelos is a little village situated on the west coast. It is home to a population of approximately 600 people.

Many islanders and frequent visitors of Skopelos may tell you that Neo Klima is nothing to write home about. Indeed, the village itself is not quite a symbol of aesthetic beauty. 

However, this region has some of the island’s best wild, rugged beaches. The coastal areas here are often bypassed by a lot of tourists and seldom get as crowded as the popular Kastani and Milia beaches during the summer months. As such, you should not be so quick to write off Neo Klima.

A Little History of Neo Klima Skopelos

Neo Klima, Skopelos
Neo Klima, Skopelos

Neo Klima was founded in 1981. It was constructed by residents of Palio Klima village after a huge earthquake rocked the Sporades and destroyed many of their homes. 

The houses had to be built hurriedly and sadly, many of the residents did not have a huge amount of money to spare while building their new homes. This is reflected in the building style of Neo Klima which may be deemed as a lot more ‘higgledy piggledy’. 

This is particularly the case when you compare Neo Klima to the gorgeous white-washed houses of Skopelos town, or the quaint two-storey houses with burgundy roofs and wooden balconies up north in Glossa. Regardless, Neo Klima has its charm. 

If nothing else, the town is a good place to stop for a coffee or a spot of lunch after a day spent swimming and enjoying the nearby beaches. There are many excellent seafood tavernas to be found here. They prepare sumptuous dishes cooked with the latest catches from nearby waters.  

Beaches Around Neo Klima 

Hovolo beach, Skopelos
Hovolo beach, Skopelos

Some of the best beaches in Skopelos can be found around Neo Klima. Most notably, try to carve the time out of your schedule to visit Armenopetra and Hovolo beaches. 

Armenopetra Beach 

Beautiful Armenopetra
Beautiful Armenopetra

Paralia Armenopetra is a stone’s throw away from Neo Klima. This sleepy beach is one of the most rugged coastal areas in the Northern Sporades. 

Armenopetra is a sandy beach with white pebbles. It is backed by lush green pine trees and encompassed by unique sandstone rock formations. 

The waters here are crystal clear and as you gaze across the sea, you can see Skiathos shimmering in the distance. The beach is unserviced, and so you ought to pack some water, snacks and essentials for your visit here. 

Hovolo Beach 

Hovolo beach, Neo Klima
Hovolo beach, Neo Klima

Skopelos’ Hovolo beach sits adjacent to Neo Klima. It has been referred to time and time again in various magazines and travel sites as being one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece. 

To reach it, walk to the sea front in Neo Klima and then turn left. You will see a rocky coastline and you need to follow it around the cliff face to access Hovolo beach. 

Getting to Hovolo is a little awkward as an amount of wading through water is involved. Alternatively, you can reach it if you rent a boat. All things considered, it is well worth the effort for this little undisturbed slice of paradise. 

Neo Klima/Elios Beach

The village beach connects Neo Klima to Hovolo beach
The village beach connects Neo Klima to Hovolo beach

Neo Klima/Elios beach is the stretch of coastline that runs along the seafront of the village. It is not particularly special, and it is better to spend your time seeking out Hovolo, Armenopetra, or other gorgeous island beaches. 

That said, the panoramas across the sea from here are still magnificent. There may be better places to go swimming and relaxing on the beach. 

However, the ambiance of sitting in a beachfront restaurant here, sipping ouzo and watching the sunset is still magical. Neo Klima beach is characterised by clear blue waters and large white pebbled shores. 

Neo Klima Restaurants, Tavernas, and Amenities 

Armenopetra, Skopelos
Armenopetra, Skopelos

You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options in Neo Klima. The entire promenade that leads towards the seafront is lined with tavernas, ouzerias and restaurants. 

There is arguably no such thing as a bad place to eat here. However a few notable options are detailed below. 

Tsipouradiko Tasos

Tsipouradiko Tasos.is an excellent restaurant overlooking the sea in Neo Klima. Their extensive menu features a variety of beloved traditional Greek dishes – pastitsio, fried zucchini, horiatiki, etc. 

For a quintessentially Greek experience, order up a selection of meze dishes to be enjoyed with a serving of tsipouro. The portions here are large and the service is among the best on the island. 

Manolis Taverna 

Manolis Taverna is a homely, intimate traditional taverna that overlooks the waterfront in Neo Klima. This family-owned eatery has been passed down through the generations of a Skopeliti family for more than thirty years. 

Recipes are prepared just like a Greek yiayia would make, and utilise fresh ingredients from around the island. Manolis opens from midday until late. 

5 Platania Hovolo Restaurant

5 Platania Hovolo Restaurant is a Mediterranean eatery set in a gorgeous courtyard. Here, you can eat beneath the shade of a plane tree as you enjoy the backing of traditional Greek folk music and look out across the sea. 

The extensive menu focuses on seafood specialties. However vegetarian and meat dishes are also available. 

The lobster served with spaghetti is a particularly special dish. 5 Platania Hovolo serves up daily specials that are all homemade with fresh local ingredients. 

Getting to Neo Klima 

Sunset off Neo Klima beach
Sunset off Neo Klima beach

Neo Klima is located 24km away from Skopelos town, and 7km away from Glossa, respectively. 

It is easy to reach the town by road or by public transport. If you decide to rent a car in Greece, you will find many rental companies that operate both at Skopelos town port, and in Loutraki. 

By Car 

The island roads are (mostly) modern, well-built, and asphalt. There are two options for driving to/from Skopelos town from here. 

You can either follow the coastal road through Agnontas and past Stafylos, which is the slightly longer (albeit arguably more scenic) route. Alternatively, you can follow the Agios Riginos road that leads you past rolling hills, olive groves, and some of the most gorgeous scenery in central Skopelos. 

By Bus

There is a convenient island bus that runs in a circuit between Skopelos town and Glossa. It takes approximately 45 minutes to get to Neo Klima by bus. 

Bus services depart frequently from the port entrance in Skopelos town. The precise schedule is subject to change and varies depending on the season. However, you can always find the up to date times pinned to the notice boards of the various bus stops. 

Parting Words 

Do you have any additional questions about Neo Klima, visiting Skopelos island, or Greek island hopping in general? I’ve lived here since 2017. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Safe travels! Melissa xo


highheelsandabackpack

Alice Cooper is a British Travel Writer and Blogger based in Athens, Greece. She writes for numerous high profile travel publications across the globe - including Forbes Travel Guide, Matador Network, The Times of Israel and The Huffington Post.

2 Comments

  1. Hi Melissa my name is Nicola and I live in Dublin, I’m Irish! To give you a little insight into why I’m desperate to find the right place for a beautiful/sunny/warm//not too touristy place to go for 2-3 weeks, my brother Matthew killed himself, and I’m now with my elderly/depressed, dementia parents. I have the opportunity to go away from next tue28th September. I’m flying to Athens as that’s one of the very few places I can fly to from Dublin at this late stage. I was looking at Alonissos but your website led me to think about the places you love and recommend. I have read different weather apps to see what the weather is likely to be in these areas of Greece at this time of year but I would be eternally grateful if you had time to write a short note to me, telling me what you honestly think and where you would advise me to go. I will be alone btw so I want to feel safe.
    highheelsandabackpack- what a great name for your website!, is, I’m hoping, going to give me the courage to actually get on that plane and start to heal from Matthew’s traumatic death, and the destruction left with us.
    I hope I haven’t said too much….I am a very upbeat happy person in general! But I haven’t had a holiday since 2018 so I desperately need to get out of Dublin before the winter comes, and want to feel like myself again. I also need to get a sense of humour back so I can deal with my parents kindly in the coming months … Xmas will be the next hurdle!
    Another hope….. I hope I haven’t put you off writing back to me ….. I adore travelling and it brings out the best in me, and that’s what I’m looking for again.
    I feel if I don’t go to Greece now, I’ll be waiting until winter sunshine after Xmas, going somewhere I really have no interest in.
    I’ll let you go and hope I hear back from you.
    It sounds like you live the most wonderful life which is what made me want to ask your advice.
    Bye for now, Nicola 😊

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