The picturesque village of Skiti belongs to the Municipality of Agia, part of the prefecture of Larissa, in Thessaly, Greece. The village was built on the side of Mount Mavrovouni at approximately 340 meters above sea level.
It takes no more than 6-8 minutes drive to get to the beaches of Aegean Sea, at Agiokampos. The name of the village refers to the place where the monks lived alone away from public view. The word Skiti means hermitage in Greek.
Skiti is an old village with an impressive and interesting history. Although wars and hard times have destroyed many of the beauties of this place, in the surrounding mountains on every slope you can find a lonely country church, which reveals that this place has it’s origin way back to the Byzantine period when the monks chose Skiti to lead their ascetic lives.
In the northwest of Skiti there are the ruins of a fort which most probably belonged to the Byzantine city of Kentavroupoli. About 1km northwest of Skiti, there is a monastery, called Sts. Anargiroi. The monastery includes two “chambers” for the monks to leave in. The mural was created between 12th and 16th century.
Visitors can wander the picturesque village square, make walks through the picturesque streets of the village and gaze to the vastness of the Aegean from the Prophet Elias, the highest point of the village. Even with base the Cloister can do a variety of activities such as water sports on the coast, to visit the summer quieter and secluded beaches and activities such as hiking in a rich network of paths, excursions to the coast of Magnesia and Pelion and other .
Forest Polydendri
Forest Polydendri the former royal estate Polydendri one of the most organized forests of our country (marked trails, bike paths, picnic areas), where there are still wild boars, deer, hares, wild cats and where in 1991 occurred in rare feline, the Lynx. Even you will find the churches of Virgin Mary and the Assumption of the 16th century and has been included within the demarcated areas Natura 2000.
To get there, you start from Agia, turn right at the Agiokampos beach and follow the sign to Polydendri. In 2 km you will enter right into a dirt road and turn right at the first fork, you will see the buildings of the old royal pavilion and caretaker house, which today decay. Then you find yourself in roads branching and will choose the first right to take you directly to a large recreational area. It is green, full of trails, gazebos and benches, and a dirt road 5.5 km. Suitable for cycling, walking and 4×4, where you can make routes from 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The dirt road you will find good viewpoints to the beach Polydendri and other smaller trails, some of which have placed information signs for the rarest plants of the forest. The variety of flora and fauna and are generally of mild slopes make it a place of great interest, ideal for leisure visits, relaxation, rejuvenation and many activities.
The exploitation of a productive forest provides work to the inhabitants of the surrounding area. The produced forest products are mainly oak firewood, beech and evergreen broadleaf, charcoals and technical beech timber, oak and chestnut.
In the village but away from it you will find the Holy Trinity church, the monastery of Saints Anargyroi with hermitages and a lake just outside the village.
Stay
Guesthouse Ios, enter the village, traditional stone-built guesthouse with very good prices. Book here.
Activities
Canyoning
Enjoy a lovely walk up the canyon Calypso near Red Water. The distance from the Hermitage can be somewhat high but definitely worth it. Details for canyoning in the gorge Calypso refer here. How walking distance of the village is the gorge Rakopotamos.
Hiking trails in Mt Kissavos overlooking the coastline of Larissa.
I) Skiti – Observatory Forestry
Starting from the village of Skiti the path starts just before the fountain ascends to child macaws and the specially designed area and ends at the observatory that offers a unique view of the village and the sea.
II) Polyndendri – Panagia Church
III) Velika – Melivia
IV) Sklithro – Milos Glymeni beach
Swimming
Choose one of the many beaches of the prefecture of Larissa coastline. Read details on all the beaches here.
Kayak
Kayak from the coast of Larissa to the coast of Magnesia and other destinations.
