This most cosmopolitan island has been blessed by nature with some of the best landscapes and beaches in Greece. In fact Skiathos boasts over 70 beaches and inlets that tempt visitors with their golden sands and crystal clear waters of aqua marine.
How to get Skiathos
By Air
Most international visitors to Skiathos arrive by air.
By Sea
Many visitors arrive in Skiathos via ferry or hydrofoil. Car ferries operate between the Greek mainland with services being available from Volos and Agios Constantinos.
Beaches
Even though Skiathos is a relatively small island, it is blessed with a huge number of beaches. In fact there are over 70 beaches around its’ coastline, though many of these are inaccessible to anyone without a boat. Help is at hand, however, as there are many boat trips availble from Skiathos Town that will call at many of these remote beaches.
Most of the beaches on Skiathos are Blue Flag beaches - a sign of the quality of the upkeep of these beaches and the water around the coastline.
Listed below are some of the more popular and accessible beaches for you to explore.
Lalaria Beach
Lalaria beach is situated on the north of the island and can only be accessed by boat There are no facilities at this beach, however the crystal clear water and spectacular natural rock archway may make up for this inconvenience.
Koukounaries Beach
There are several beaches near to Koukounaries, with the main beach being the principal attraction. Also you can find several beach bars on this beach as well as parasol and sun loungers available for hire. It is also possible to partake in watersports such as water-skiing or para-sailing.
Banana Beach
West of Koukounaries you will find Banana Beach. This beach is one of the few naturist beaches on the island.As it is a good ten minute walk from the main part of Koukounaries, this beach is often much quieter than the main beach. However, those that make the effort are rewarded with a wonderful west-facing sandy beach that provides a great vista when the sun sets at the end of the day.Facilities at Banana Beach include: water sports, parasol hire and sun loungers.
Mandraki Peninsula
A good forty minute walk north through the pine forest from Koukounaries to the Mandraki Peninsula rewards the visitor with the option of three beaches to choose from: Xerxes, Elias and Agistri. Of these, Agistri is the least sandy beach.
The remote nature of this peninsular means that these three beaches offer a welcome relief from the masses of tourists that throng the more accessible southern beaches.
Facilities are limited here, though it is possible to find a sun lounger. There is also a couple of small beach bars that offer a small range of refreshments.
Unfortunately, these beaches suffer from a relatively scruffy appearance due to the fact that the strong northerly winds blow an above-average amount of flotsam and jetsam onto the shore.
Kastro Beach
The beach at Kastro is visited by the daily boat trips.This is the northernmost beach on Skiathos and is located at the base of a steep hill, at the top of which is the old Medieval capital of Skiathos.
There is a series of steep steps down to the beach, however most people arrive at Kastro beach via boat; either aboard a private yacht or on one of the many boat trips that start out in Skiathos Town.
There is a beach bar here, though this can become very busy when the boat trippers arrive, particularly in the peak summer months.
The beach itself is comprised of shingle and stone. Those with a curious nature can explore the three sea grottos that can be found just around the headland.
Troulos Beach
The sandy beach at Troulos is backed by low sand dunes and offers visitors plenty of facilities. There are a couple of beach bars available, there are also several tavernas nearby.
There are plenty of parasols and sun loungers available for hire, though these can be a little pricey, especially in the summer months, as this beach and resort is becoming more and more popluar.If you choose to explore the nearby woodland, you will discover a few small coves that provide a retreat from the crowds. Access to these coves is not easy, however, and may be best approached by boat.
Vromolimnos Beach
Vromolimnos Beach is a fine sandy beach that is a popular beach with party loving youngsters. The main attraction for them is the beach bar that throbs to the beat of the latest music hits and from time to time even throws beach parties.
Other than the beach bar, facilities available at this beach include: water sports, sun loungers and parasol hire. During the peak summer months the beach can become quite congested with masses of tourists as the beach is quite narrow.
Out of season, however, Vromolimnos Beach is a great beach for families with young children as the beach is sheltered from the northern winds and usually has calm waters in which to splash around.
Watching sunsets from this west-facing beach can be a rewarding experience.
Kolios Beach
Kolios Beach is set in a small and attractive bay on the south coast of Skiathos and is just a short distance from Vromolimnos Beach. It is regularly visited by small boats that tie up at the small jetty. Near the back of the beach is a small taverna that offers refreshments in the cool of the shade.
This beach tends not to get over-crowded like some of the other southern beaches, though obviously visitor numbers increase in the summer months. The beach shelves very gently into the water and as such makes an excellent beach for families with small children.
Facilities at Kolios Beach include sun loungers and parasol hire. Within a short walk of the beach you can find a selection of tavernas, mini markets cafe's and bars.
People choosing to go exploring the coves that flank Kolios Beach will rewarded with small beaches that are often devoid of any other tourists.
Platanias Beach
Platanias beach is a long and sandy beach to the west of Kolios Beach. This beach is also known as Aghia Paraskevi. Facilities here include a couple of beach tavernas, sun loungers and parasols for hire as well as a full range of watersports.
The beach shelves quite steeply into the water, so familes with young children may prefer to look elsewhere. Many people use this as a starting point for the several walking trails that can be found in the area, the most notable of which leads to Kechria Beach, passing a monastery along the way.
Xanemos Beach
If you are the sort of person that likes to indulge in a little plane spotting, then Xanemos beach is the beach for you! Located at the northern end of Skiathos Airport's runway, Xanemos beach is right underneath the flight path of planes approaching/departing this end of the runway.
This sandy beach is accessed via the airport's perimeter trackway. There is a car park and beach bar at the back of the beach.
Because of its location, this beach is often fairly quiet - except for the noise of passing aircraft!
Mikri Asselinos Beach Skiathos
Mikri Asselinos beach on the north coast of Skiathos.
Megas Asselinos
The beach at Megas Asselinos is probably the easiest beach to access on the north coast of Skiathos. This is particularly true now that a road has been built through the pine forest from Troulos.
This beach also services the campsite that is nearby.
This large sandy beach is fully exposed to the northerly winds and as such the sea can have a sizeable swell.
There is a beach bar at the rear of the beach and it is possible to hire sun loungers and parasols.If you follow the approach road around to the right a short distance you will end up at Mikri Asselinos. This is a small beach set in a secluded bay. This beach is one of the few naturist's beaches on Skiathos.
Activities
For those wishing to explore beyond the south coast resorts and beaches of Skiathos, there are a variety of activities, day trips and things to do.
Walks & Trails
Skiathos boasts several walking possibilities which may be of interest, with the walks mostly following the dirt tracks and trails that lead through the forested heart of the island.
Boat Trips
One of the most popular activities for visitors to Skiathos is to take one of the many boat trips that set sail from the old port in Skiathos Town. Trips are available to see the north coast and beaches of Skiathos, with most of them calling in at Lalaria Beach and Kastro.
Museum Of Alexander Papadiamantis
Those interested in Greek literature and it's history can find the house of Alexander Papadiamantis in Skiathos Town. Papadiamantis was one of Greece's most revered writers and authored over a wealth of short stories and several novels. He is the most famous Greek to have come from Skiathos and as such the locals are justly proud of him and his works.
The house where Papadiamantis spent his final years can be found tucked away at the end of a small alleyway near the Bourtzis, the area of Skiathos Town between the two harbours. The two storey house, built by Papadiamantis' grandfather between 1850 and 1860, is now a museum. The ground floor serves as a general museum of Skiathos, whilst the upper floor is kept as it was during the author's life.
Medieval Castle
Location: Lalaria
The Medieval Castle of Skiathos: In the past Castle used to be one of the principal medieval towns. The town has been strategically built on a rocky cliff that literally hangs above the sea at the northern extreme of the island. The cliff is conspicuous by its’ enormous height and it was an ideal location for the protection for the people who lived in the Castle town.
Archaeologists and historians are of the opinion that during the 16th century, the island's population decided to shift to the unconquerable rock, which is located to the northeast of Skiathos and build their own Castle. In the past, the narrow drawbridge served as the only link with the island.
For the adventurous types, a hike up to the main town can be a very rewarding experience. But be aware that the path is very steep.
Where to eat
Skiathos provides plenty of opportunities to eat out as there is a huge range of beach bars, restaurants and the ever ubiquitous taverna all available accross the southern coast of the island. The greatest concentration of eateries is to be found in Skiathos Town.
Theatre
For a more cultural evening's entertainment, the Bourtzi outdoor theatre in Skiathos Town stages the Aegean Festival. This takes place from late June to early October and showcases performances of Greek tragedies, theatre, music and dance.
Skiathos Local products
Skiathos produces good quality olive oil, grapes, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Viticulture is highly developed since the ancient times and the wines of Skiathos are known for their good quality and their heavenly taste. The most famous wines are the dark red Skiathian wine which is among the best of its kind, the moschato wine made of various grapes which has a sweet floral taste and the wine called alypiako. As Skiathos is a lush green island with pine trees, it is a large producer of honey. Honey from pine trees has a special dark colour and nice aroma.
Accommodation
Skiathos Town, the capital of the island, concentrates a wide variety of accommodation, from large tourist resorts and luxurious suites to traditional apartments and studios. Luxurious hotels in Skiathos island have upscale facilities, such as pools, jacuzzi and spa therapies. Koukounaries and Megali Ammos are very cosmopolitan beaches, with a good variety of hotels and studios. Accommodation for Skiathos holidays is actually found in all beaches at the southern side.
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