Day 6, Sunset at Atsitsa Beach

Beautiful emerald waters, pine trees hanging over the sea and a verdant atoll situated in the middle of the bay, render Atsitsa, an unorganized beach, the most scenic beach on Skyros, our sources tell us. We make a plan to watch the sunset there, and set off with a supply of iced water, a thermos of coffee, and cheese pies from the local bakery.

After our swim, we set off to watch the sunset. Among pine trees on a clearing along the road sits a small family business featuring a wide selection of lemonades, coffees, wine and beer, traditional dishes and desserts, and homemade karidopita, a beloved Greek specialty cake. Families of Greek vacationers begin to arrive and occupy the tables in the clearing under the trees, and as the sunset time comes close, begin to take turns taking photos in the sunset.

Imposing stone pillars are lined up toward the hill away from the ocean and compel us to ask about the past. We learn that the old iron ore mines of Skyros were located behind the hill, near the bay of Atsitsa, and the stone structures were part of the railway loading operation to the shipping boats, as the bay was once the harbor serving the mines. These mines, the locals tell us, were built by the Germans during the First World War. 

So much to see, we are definitely visiting the castle in Chora tomorrow…