Skiathos is deservedly the most popular of the Sporades Islands because, despite its relatively small size, there is something for everyone here. Popular beaches with a wide choice of water sports, a bustling ferry-port and main town, and an interior little changed over the centuries. There is much more to the island than its sixty-eight famous magnificent sandy beaches, fantastic water sports and resorts offering a cosmopolitan and sophisticated nightlife.
Map of Skiathos
The west coast, for instance, is spectacular and almost undeveloped. It appeals to those who enjoy wild and lonely landscapes with hidden valleys, wooded hillsides and cliff top paths.
The air is filled with the scent of aromatic herbs and the only sounds are the waves breaking far below or bells sounding from a tiny village church.
The interior is rural with olive groves, pine woods and hillsides that few explore. Small, traditional houses can be found whose architecture blends in with the classical mansions in graceful Venetian styles.
The beautiful island of Skiathos is small enough to allow you to explore fully the outstanding beauty of the area steeped in history and seemingly quite unchanged by the passing of time. Breathtaking scenery and gentle tracks and pathways lead you into an aspect of Greece, you imagine from literature and photographs. Here is a place to unwind and relax, yet you have the advantage of some of the most beautiful beaches rivalling any elsewhere in the world. On this island there are in fact over sixty-eight sandy beaches for you to choose from!
The history of Skiathos is also fascinating…..
The Cretans were amongst the earliest settlers here and its present name may be derived from the Cretan “Skiathos” or “Dionysus”. The Ionians came here in the 8th century BC and must have been pleased to discover an island as green and fertile as their own!
Over the following centuries up until the birth of Christ, the island allied itself at different times with Sparta and Athens. It was during this period that Skiathos became famous for the quality of its ships, shipwrights and sailors, using timber from the magnificent pine forests that covered the island.
This tradition continued into the Byzantine era, but unfortunately the island’s reputation for the quality of its timber and boat building, as well as its natural produce, became a magnet for the pirates that terrorised the Aegean. In fact, the islanders invited the Venetians to take possession of the island and the first major fortress at Bourtzi was built by two Italian brothers. The site is now a popular and interesting cultural centre that is well worth a visit. The island changed hands regularly over the next three centuries according to the fortunes of the Ottoman and Venetian Empires.
In 1807, the first Greek Flag was designed, woven, blessed and raised at the Monastery of The Annunciation on Skiathos, the island became a special place in the history of the Greek struggle for independence.
Modern Skiathos is very much like its larger Ionian counterpart, Corfu. It has magnificent beaches, bustling resorts with a cosmopolitan and sophisticated nightlife on the one hand, but also quiet, secret valleys, wooded hillsides and cliff top paths, the air filled with waves breaking far or a bell sounding the hours from a tiny village church. An island of contrast with something for everyone.
EVANGELISTRIA MONASTERY – MONASTERY OF THE ANNUNCIATION
Evangelistria Monastery, Skiathos
Founded during the Byzantine period, the monastery is set in a beautiful and dramatic location up on a hill and surrounded by pine and cypress trees. In 1807, the first Greek flag was designed, woven, blessed and raised here, marking a special place in the history for the island during the Greek struggle for independence from the Turks. Topped by three domes, the interior boasts a number of frescos and an amazing iconostasis. There is also a museum with exhibits which include Byzantine icons, liturgical vessels, vestments, and so on. The monastery is situated 4km north of Skiathos Town and is accessible by car or by the local bus service.
KASTRO
Built in the 14th Century and enlarged during the Venetian occupation, this ruined city on the northeast tip was the former fortified capital of the island. Its dramatic hilltop setting provided a necessary vantage point looking out to sea for pirates and other invaders. Only the original gate of the old fort, two churches, and a section of the fortress wall, remain, but it makes for an
interesting visit. Day trip boats stop on the beach below and there are long flights of steps to take you up, or you can walk there along the tracks through the forests above Skiathos Town.
OPEN AIR CINEMA ATTIKON
Just off the port in Skiathos Town, this open-roofed hall with bougainvillea growing up the walls and director’s chairs for seating, shows 3 different movies twice a day during high season. A bar at the back allows you to buy drinks or light snacks to enjoy whilst watching the film. Screenings of Mamma Mia are popular and can end up with audience members getting up to dance!
PAPADIAMANTIS HOUSE MUSEUM
One of Greece’s most celebrated authors and a simple, religious man, Alexandros Papadiamantis (1851-1911) was born and died on the island. His home in Skiathos Town has been turned into a museum with displays relating to his life – well- worth a visit.
There are a few little islands lying just off the coast of Skiathos, opposite Skiathos Town, which are accessible by regular boat trips (caique) from Skiathos Town, or by motorboat which you can hire privately.
TSOUGRIA
The largest and most visited of these islands, Tsougria, has a couple of lovely, quiet, shallow beaches with crystal clear turquoise waters and a cantina on each with drinks and light snacks.
TSOUGRIAKI OR ‘BIRD’ ISLAND
This small, rocky and secluded island is nicknamed ‘Bird Island’ due to the number of birds nesting here. A quiet little place with small beaches, but perfect to get away from it all.
ARKOS
This little uninhabited island has great views of Skiathos, including Skiathos Town, and late – opening cantina offers an alternative evening out. This island is perfect for a day trip.
Arkos Beach, Skiathos
KOUKOUNARIES BEACH
This is the most famous beach on Skiathos and therefore the most crowded. A kilometre long, it is well-known for its extremely fine white sand and its fragrant pine tree forest from which the region took its name. Considered the most unspoiled natural beach of the Mediterranean and is a protected environment. The beautiful, crystal- clear, deep blue waters are a real pleasure. The beach, being well organised, offers many water sports, chairs, parasols, and beach bars.
The area around the beach is full of restaurants, tavernas, and hotels. A local bus links this beach to the capital every 30 minutes. A biotope can be found in the pine forest bordering the beach where different plant and bird species are protected. This place, as well as the beach, is developed for ecotourism, financed by the Municipality and the EU.
AGIA PARASKEVI/PLATANIAS BEACH
Near the hill village of Kolios, and named after the little church of Agia Paraskevi (Saint Friday), this large, golden sandy beach boasts tavernas, watersport facilities such as waterskiing and jet skiing, as well as motorboat hire.
ACHLADIES BEACH
Situated 2km from the capital, this sandy beach is situated in a small cove. It is fully equipped with sunbeds, parasols and a cantina/taverna. Its clear waters are suitable for all kinds of water sports: windsurfing and water skis can even be rented here. It is reachable on foot, by car, by local bus, or by boat, leaving regularly from Skiathos town.
LALARIA BEACH
Lalaria Beach, Skiathos
Accessible only by boat, this beautiful white pebble beach with crystal clear waters may not have any facilities, but it more than makes up for that in natural beauty. The cliffs at the right-hand end of the beach have been sculpted by wind and sea erosion into a stack and arch.
BANANA BEACH
Another track from Koukounaries continues further south and splits in two: one leads to the sandy cove called Banana, because of its shape. It is fully equipped with sunbeds, parasols and a cantina/taverna and offers a wide range of water sports. The other end of the dirt road continues up to the little bay called ‘Little Banana’, a nudist beach separated from Banana Beach by a huge rock. It is smaller and quieter than its neighbour, with fine sand and crystalline waters.
VROMOLIMNOS BEACH
Vromolimnos beach is a simply beautiful 700m long sandy beach with the clearest emerald and turquoise waters plus a fabulous beach restaurant.
For more information about exploring Skiathos Island and our selection of villa holiday options, speak to our team on 0208 459 0777 or mail@ionianislandholidays.com.