Lighthouse of Gourouni in skopelos

Lighthouse of Gourouni in Skopelos

If you make it this far, you should be feeling proud! You are one of the very few people that discovered this place. Those  staying longer than one week, will make the effort to visit the Lighthouse of Gourouni in Skopelos. This does not mean you should not make the effort to visit if you are staying for one week.

It really is the furthest point one can drive to in Skopelos island. The best plan you can make, is to dedicate a whole day to visit this place. It will be a lot more rewarding to drive there in a leisurely pace. Stop along the way to visit the great monastery of 'Taxiarhes" resting at a picturesque corner. This monastery is half way to the Lighthouse of Gourouni. When you reach the dirt road, it is well worth stepping off your car and walking some or the rest of the way. The scenery around you will reward you with great views of the Aegean. 

Supplies you wish you did not forget

Food Drinks Camera Binoculars
Full gas tank GPS useful Jeep recommended

How to get to the  Lighthouse of Gourouni in Skopelos

[T]his is one of the sites I would definitely recommend for you to see. One route, that will stay in your mind as one of the main highlights of your time in Skopelos. Although there are two routes you can follow to reach the Gourouni Lighthouse in Skopelos, I would recommend the more adventurous one. Follow the route that crosses the entire East coast of the island. Alternatively, skip the following part, follow the easier, west costal road and continue reading further down!

Reaching the Eastern side of Skopelos first

If you depart from Skopelos Country Villas, make your way back down to Skopelos town. Just 2 km after the main gate of the premises, you will reach a small junction. Here you either drive straight on to town or take your left towards the Kalogeros hamlet. Follow this road, which becomes unpaved after approximately 4 km of driving. This route is really interesting with some of the most wonderful views you will see towards the coast and the cliffs below you. The neighbouring island of Alonnissos across. Glysteri beach and its secluded bay. If you rented a jeep, you will enjoy its use on the many twists and turns of this unpaved road. If you have rented a smaller, conventional car, you just need to slow down, and manoeuvre away from the potholes of this unpaved road.

Further down the route, you can also glimpse the magnificent "Rock", the Mamma Mia chapel of Agios Yiannis. There are many points on this road where you will simply need to leave your car aside. Step out and take in the sheer magnificence of of the natural landscape around you. The pine forests every way your eyes can see, the wild flowers and the deep blue Aegean sea below you.

Reaching the main-coastal road "Skopelos-Glossa"

You will be continuing on this road until you start approaching the northern part of Skopelos. This point is quite easily recognisable. You will notice a narrowing of the land, (it is the 'bottleneck' of Skopelos map). You will be able to see both the East and West side of Skopelos simultaneously. This is another great spot for taking pictures here. Do not be alarmed that you have reached a dead end, you will just need to bare left to a narrow, cement covered track, wide enough just for your car. This, will lead you on to the main, coastal road of Skopelos. You are now very close to Glossa village.

   

   [C]ongratulate yourselves for getting over the hardest part of this journey and drive on towards Glossa. Just before the entrance, (and having passed the sign for the "Rock"), you will see various signs on your right, pointing you towards several beaches. Among this signs, follow the one for "Lighthouse Gourouni" or "Faros Gourouni", (in Greek). Head towards the direction of "Perivoliou" beach. You will reach the point where you can park your car and head down for a swim, (recommended if you have the time, or simply dedicate another day). You will now see the road continuing further along and becoming once more, unpaved.

Follow on this track until its very end! You can even park it somewhere and carry on walking from this point. The landscape dramatically changes to that of low shrubbery and sea-beaten bushes. It is remarkable how quickly and drastically this changes that you will find hard to believe that you are still on Skopelos! This track will eventually lead you, (whether you followed it by car or foot), to the great Lighthouse of Gourouni.

So What is this place?

By reaching the Lighthouse of Gourouni you have reached the northern most point of Skopelos. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece and is considered a Historical Monument from the Greek Ministry of Culture. The structure itself is  60 meters above sea level and as stated in the Greek Travel Pages it was built by the Greek State in 1889, (according to the date written on its lighting machinery). The height of the entire structure is 17,8 meters and its focal plane is 70 meters.

It has worked automatically with electricity since 1989, but before that, it was operated by petroleum and there was always a lighthouse keeper leaving here all year to maintain and help it run. To learn more of this great monument, read here!

While there, make sure you dedicate at least 1 hour to enjoy this structure, take pictures with the deepest blue background of the Aegean Sea and just sit in a shaded area and listen to the wind, gaze away and watch the occasional boat go by.

Lighthouse of Gourouni pictures


Map for Lighthouse of Gourouni

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