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The three northern Sporades , Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, are scattered (as their Greek name suggests) just off the mainland, their mountainous terrain betraying their origin as extensions of Mount Pilio in Thessaly. They are archetypal holiday islands, with a wide selection of good beaches, transparent waters and thick pine forests. All are very busy in season, with Skiathos attracting by far the most package tours. Skiathos has the best beaches, and is still the busiest island in the group, though these days Skopelos gets very crowded, too. Alonissos is the quietest of the three, and has the wildest scenery, so it's really more for nature lovers than night-owls. Skyros , further southeast, retains more of its traditional culture than the other three islands, though development is now well under way. The main town doesn't yet feel like a resort, but its main street is not without its fast-food and souvenir shops. Unlike on the other three islands, the best beaches are those closest to the main town. To the south, the huge island of Evvia (or Euboea) runs for 150km alongside the mainland. It is one of the most attractive Greek islands, with a forested mountain spine and long stretches of rugged, largely undeveloped coast. Perhaps because it lacks any impressive ruins or real island feel owing to its proximity to the mainland, Evvia is explored by few foreign tourists, though Athenians and Thessalians visit the island in force and have erected holiday homes around half a dozen of its major resorts. The Sporades are well connected by bus and ferry with Athens (via Ayios Konstandinos or Kymi), Thessaloniki and Volos, and it's easy to island-hop in the northern group. The only ferry connection to Skyros is from Kymi, plus a Flying Dolphin hydrofoil service in summer from Volos via the other Sporades. Evvia is linked to the mainland by a bridge at its capital Halkidha, and by a series of shuttle ferries. Both Skiathos and Skyros have airports.
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