Skiathos, Sporades: Island Guide, Beaches & Hotels

The island of Skiathos

Skiathos belongs to the Northern Sporades, a group in the north-west of the Aegean Sea. It covers 61 square kilometres, has about 3,300 residents and rises to 424 metres at its highest point. Dense pine forest covers the island, and of the four main Sporades it has the best beaches, most of them long, sandy and organised with sunbeds and parasols. Skiathos has a single village of importance, Skiathos Town, and is sometimes called the "Mini Corfu"; it draws many British and Italian visitors and prices run a little higher than on a typical Greek island.

Skiathos Town

Skiathos Town sits in a bay dotted with small islands, its white red-tiled houses climbing the slope around two harbours. Ferries and modern boats use the new harbour, while the quiet old harbour holds the kaiks and the excursion boats. A long boulevard of shops, tavernas and terraces runs along the water, and streets behind it are lined with leather, shoe and souvenir shops. The islet of Bourtzi, joined to the town by a short causeway, is car-free and named after the small Venetian fortress built there in 1207 to guard the town against pirates. When that fortress proved ineffective the islanders moved their capital in the mid-14th century to Kastro, a settlement on a high cliff in the north, and only returned to today's Skiathos Town after the War of Independence.

Beaches of Skiathos

Skiathos has more than 50 beaches, most of them sandy and organised, strung along the south and east coasts where the island's one road runs and the bus stops at almost every bay. Koukounaries, 13 kilometres west of Skiathos Town at bus stop 22, is the most visited, backed by pine forest and the Strofylia freshwater lagoon. Next to it lies the official naturist Banana Beach at bus stop 24. Agia Paraskevi, 6 kilometres from town, is a broad clear-water bay, while Troulos, Vromolithos and Kolios spread along the same coast. The closest beach to town is Megali Ammos (bus stops 5 to 8), the island's busiest. Lalaria, famous for its white pebbles, is reached by boat, and quieter beaches such as Aselinos and Xanemos lie on the north and east coasts. For the full list, bus stops and naturist beaches, see the Skiathos beaches guide.

Sights of Skiathos

The main sights of Skiathos are the house of the poet Alexandros Papadiamantis in the town, the car-free islet of Bourtzi, and Kastro, the medieval capital on a cliff in the north reached on a two-hour walk from Skiathos Town or by boat. The monasteries of Kounistra and Evangelistria, the white-pebble beach of Lalaria, a blue cave on the east coast and the small beach-island of Tsougria are all visited on boat trips from the old harbour. Many taxi boats make a round-the-island trip taking in Kastro, the hardest-to-reach beaches and three caves, with day trips on to Skopelos and Alonissos.

Getting to Skiathos

Skiathos has an international airport 1 kilometre from Skiathos Town, with direct flights from many countries in summer and taxis to every part of the island. Regular ferries and superfast boats connect the island with Volos and Agios Konstantinos on the mainland and with the neighbouring Sporades islands of Skopelos and Alonissos. In high season it is worth booking a superfast-ferry ticket ahead.

Where to stay on Skiathos

Accommodation on Skiathos ranges from luxury hotels and villas to simple pension rooms, most of it strung along the south coast between Skiathos Town and Koukounaries. See the full choice on the Skiathos hotels page.

Skiathos Gea Villas, Vasilias

Skiathos Gea Villas stand on the lush Katsaros hill, 400 metres from Vasilias Beach and 3 kilometres from both Skiathos port and the airport. The three two-storey villas each have a furnished deck with a private pool and sea views, a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with fireplace and a garden with barbecue. The bedroom areas face the sea, and free Wi-Fi runs throughout the complex.

Babis Studios, Skiathos Town

Babis Hotel stands in the centre of Skiathos Town overlooking the old harbour, 200 metres from the port. Its rooms and studios have a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom and sea or harbour views, and a rooftop terrace looks over the boats coming in. The central location puts the town's bars and restaurants a short walk away, which suits short stays and island-hopping day trips.

Stelios Studios, Megali Ammos

Stelios Studios sit 350 metres from the centre of Skiathos Town and 70 metres from Megali Ammos beach. The small, family-run property offers six studios for two people and one two-bedroom apartment, and guests may use the swimming pool of the neighbouring Palmira Studios. It keeps a quiet, friendly atmosphere away from the noise of the town yet close to the sea.