Μονή Ευαγγελίστριας Σκιάθου — Agios Charalambos Monastery Bountourin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Monastery · Μονή Αγίου Χαραλάμπους

Agios Charalambos Monastery

One of the island's oldest monasteries, renovated in 1809 and now empty — where a cousin of Papadiamantis spent the end of his life as a monk.

Getting thereAbout 5km from town in the Kakorema area, at…

AllowPart of a half-day, or a stop on the ST6 walk

CostFree

What it is

An abandoned monastery on the north side of the island, about 5km from Skiathos Town in the area called Kakorema, at roughly 300m altitude. One of the oldest on Skiathos — its foundation date is unknown, and it was renovated in 1809. Reports describe it as in good condition, with excellent views.

The literary detail is the good one. Alexandros Moraitidis — a writer in his own right and the first cousin of Alexandros Papadiamantis, the island's famous son — spent the last part of his life here as a monk. For an island whose main street and airport are both named after Papadiamantis, this is where the other half of that family story ends.

Getting there

It is signposted from the road by the church of Profitis Ilias — but the road past the sign is dirt, which matters for a hire car and for many hire agreements.

The better approach is on foot. Agios Charalambos sits on trail ST6, the Roads of Kastro, between Evangelistria Monastery and Kastro itself, which means you can take it in as part of the island's flagship walk rather than as a drive. See walking and the Skiathos Trails.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Agios Charalambos monastery on Skiathos?

Yes, though it is abandoned rather than an active monastery. It sits about 5km from town in the Kakorema area at around 300m altitude, is signposted from the road by the church of Profitis Ilias, and the access road past the sign is dirt. It is also a stop on the ST6 walking trail between Evangelistria and Kastro, which is the better way to reach it.

What is Agios Charalambos monastery known for?

It is one of the oldest monasteries on Skiathos, renovated in 1809, and the writer Alexandros Moraitidis — the first cousin of Alexandros Papadiamantis — spent the last part of his life there as a monk. It is now abandoned but reported to be in good condition, with excellent views over the north of the island.