The port village of Skala is Patmos's practical hub: ferries dock here, most of the hotels are here, and the restaurants lining the waterfront provide the most accessible (if not always the most interesting) dining on the island. The harbour has a pleasant evening atmosphere, with the lights of Hora visible on the hill above and the sound of the church bell drifting down.
Skala works best as a base rather than a destination. The waterfront cafes are good for a morning coffee watching the fishing boats come in; the bakeries open early enough for breakfast before the ferry. The main streets running back from the harbour have a handful of shops selling olive oil, herbs, and local ceramics.