🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Skiathos is the westernmost island of the Sporades, in the northwest Aegean, a few kilometres from the tip of Pelion. Together with Skopelos and Alonissos it forms a string of green islands. Ferries leave from Volos and Agios Konstantinos, and the island has its own airport.
📍 Where Skiathos is
Skiathos is the westernmost of the Sporades islands, opposite the Pelion peninsula. The island is shown in red, and in green are the ports of Volos and Agios Konstantinos and Athens airport.
🗺️ The map of the island
Skiathos is small, about 12 kilometres from end to end. The town is on the east side, and from there a road runs along the south coast, past one beach after another, to Koukounaries. The north coast is wild and steep, with Kastro and Lalaria, which you reach mostly by boat. In the middle are pine-covered hills and footpaths.
🗺️ Map of Skiathos
The town and the airport are at the eastern end. Most beaches are on the south coast, along the road to Koukounaries. The north coast is wild, with Kastro, Lalaria and the Evangelistria Monastery. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Benedetto Bordone, 1547 (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Skiathos has some of the finest sandy beaches in Greece, but in summer it also has plenty of people. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- More than 60 beaches, many with sand and pine trees.
- A green island, with pine forests down to the sea.
- A pretty, lively town with tavernas and bars.
- An airport with many flights from Europe.
- Easy trips to Skopelos and Alonissos.
👎 The cons
- In August it is very busy.
- The south coast road has a lot of traffic.
- The north coast is wild, with few roads.
- Prices rise a lot in August.
- Few ancient sites.
🏘️ Skiathos town
The town is built on two hills, with white houses, tiled roofs and narrow lanes with steps. Between the old and the new harbour is Bourtzi, a small pine-covered peninsula where a Venetian fortress once stood. Today it has a cultural centre and a café with views of both harbours. In the old harbour you will find tavernas right by the water.
This is where Alexandros Papadiamantis was born, one of the most important Greek prose writers, who wrote many short stories about life on Skiathos. His house, in the old town, is now a museum. On the main Papadiamantis street, which starts at the harbour, there are shops, cafés and bars, and in the evening the town is very lively.
Built on two hills above the harbours.
Between the old and the new harbour.
Lanes, steps and tiled roofs.
Boats leave from here.
Tavernas right on the water.
Now a museum in the old town.
The writer who was born here.
Photos: dronepicr (CC BY 2.0), Shi Annan (CC BY-SA 4.0), Sergey Bostandzhyan (CC BY-SA 4.0), Pavlos Nirvanas (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
The airport runway ends close to the sea, and planes pass very low over the road. Many people go there for photos, but always stay in the places where it is allowed.
🌲 Koukounaries and the southern beaches
Koukounaries, at the southwestern tip, is a long sandy beach with shallow water, in front of a forest of stone pines, the trees that give the beach its name. Behind the forest is Lake Strofilia, a protected wetland with birds. The beach is organised and fills up in summer, but the water is shallow and good for children.
A little further on is Banana, a sandy beach with bars, music and water sports, and Agia Eleni, quieter, with views of Pelion and a lovely sunset. Along the south coast you will find many more beaches, such as Achladies, Vromolimnos and Troulos. Buses run between the town and Koukounaries all day in summer.
A sandy beach with pine trees on the south coast.
A wetland behind the beach.
More than a kilometre of sand.
A sandy beach with bars and water sports.
Sunset with a view of Pelion.
Photos: dronepicr (CC BY 2.0), linmtheu (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏰 The north, Kastro and Lalaria
At the northern tip, on a rock in the sea, is Kastro. In the 16th century the islanders moved here to protect themselves from pirates, and they stayed until 1829, when they returned to today's town. A few churches and ruins survive, and the view of the open sea is wide. You get there by boat or on foot, along a road and then a path.
A little to the east is Lalaria, a beach of white, round pebbles below tall rocks, which you can only reach by boat. Don't take pebbles with you: it is forbidden. In the middle of the north, in the forest, the Evangelistria Monastery was built in the 18th century. According to tradition, one of the first Greek flags was blessed here in 1807.
The old capital on a rock.
Among the few buildings that survive.
The rock in the sea.
White pebbles, only by boat.
An 18th-century monastery in the forest.
Quiet among the greenery.
An islet with sandy beaches opposite the town.
Photos: Herbert wie (CC BY-SA 4.0), arnepetter (CC BY-SA 3.0), TomasEE (CC BY 3.0), Giles Laurent (CC BY-SA 4.0), Sam244 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏖️ The beaches
- Koukounaries: a long sandy beach with pine trees and shallow water, good for children.
- Banana: a sandy beach with bars, music and water sports.
- Agia Eleni: a quieter sandy beach, with sunset and a view of Pelion.
- Lalaria: white pebbles below rocks, only by boat.
- Asselinos: a quiet beach on the north coast.
- Achladies and Vromolimnos: sandy beaches near the town, with water sports.
Every morning boats leave the harbour for a trip around the island, stopping at Lalaria, the caves of the north coast and Kastro. It is the easiest way to see the wild north.
🍽️ What to eat
In the old harbour and on the beaches you will find fresh fish and seafood. As in neighbouring Magnesia, people like tsipouro with small dishes such as octopus and sardines. In the town's lanes there are also many restaurants with more modern cooking, as well as pastry shops.
📅 When to go
The best time is June, July and September: warm sea and good weather for the boats. In August the island fills up and prices rise. May and October are quieter, but the sea is cooler. In winter most hotels close.
✈️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | Less than an hour | Athens airport | The fastest option. The airport is right next to town. |
| KTEL bus and ferry | About 5–6 hours | KTEL Liosion bus station | A bus to Agios Konstantinos and then a ferry. |
| Car and ferry | About 5–6 hours | Athens to Volos or Agios Konstantinos | The ferry takes cars, but you won't need one much on the island. |
From Ioulianou 50, you reach the airport on Line 1 to Monastiraki and then Line 3. The KTEL Liosion bus station is close by, a short taxi ride from Ioulianou. On the island, the south coast buses and the boats are enough for most places. To compare ferry and plane, see our guide to ferry or plane.
🗓️ Four days on Skiathos
The town and Bourtzi
A stroll through the lanes of the old town and Papadiamantis' house. In the afternoon Bourtzi and dinner in the old harbour.
Around the island by boat
A boat from the harbour to Lalaria, the sea caves and Kastro from the sea, with a swim stop at Tsougria.
Koukounaries and the south
A swim at Koukounaries and a walk around Lake Strofilia. Then Banana and sunset at Agia Eleni.
The north
The Evangelistria Monastery and a walk or drive to Kastro. In the afternoon a swim at quiet Asselinos.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay on Skiathos?
In the town, for restaurants, nightlife and the boats. On the south coast, near Koukounaries or Achladies, for the beaches. Buses link the whole south coast with the town.
Do I need a car?
Not necessarily. The south coast buses and the boats are enough for most places. A scooter or car helps for the north and the quiet beaches.
Can I go to Skopelos and Alonissos?
Yes. Ferries and boats go every day in summer, and a day trip to Skopelos is easy.
How many days do I need?
Four days for the town, the boat trip, Koukounaries and the north. With a trip to Skopelos, a week.
— Kathy
