Skiathos Travel Guide: What to See and Do in Skiathos
Photo of Skiathos at night, by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
General Information about Skiathos
Skiathos (from the Greek, Sciathus, and also written as Skiathos or Eskiatos) is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea that is part of the Sporades islands along with others such as Alonnisos, Skopelos, and Sciro.
Its capital is the city of the same name, Skiathos, although towns such as Koukonaries, Kanapitsa, Vromolimnos, and Troulos are also part of it. Its port has connections to the rest of the nearby islands, as well as mainland Greece.
Most of Skiathos is covered by pine forests and the rest and removing the towns. It is dedicated to the cultivation, especially olive trees, and vines.
It is also characterized by its irregular terrain, where valleys and mountain peaks prevail. However, the island is also highly relevant internationally for its extensive beaches. To date, it has about 70, mostly sand and a few with rocky soil.
Location of Skiathos
Below, we show you the geographical location of Skiathos.
Map of Skiathos Island by Google Maps
Top Attractions of Skiathos
If you are wondering what to see and do in Skiathos, then we will tell you a little about it.
Skiathos Old Town
There is nothing like getting to know the main city, Chora, of each Greek island. In the case of the city of Skiathos, it is a highly cosmopolitan space, where you can appreciate the coexistence of different cultures (especially Greek and Turkish). In it, the mix between city and nature also stands out, which prevails in an almost wild way.
The center of Skiathos has extremely narrow streets that will make you lose yourself in the crowd and all the options it has to offer. Although the buildings in this location tend to be simple, what is beautiful to appreciate here is the mixture of architectural styles due to the multiple invasions that had an influence on the life of the islanders.
A very interesting point, in this sense, is the house of the artist Alexandros Papadiamantis (1851-1911), a native of Skiathos. Today it has been converted into a museum, the Papadiamantis Museum, and is located on a street named after the writer. There you will not only learn about the life of Alexandros, but also the customs and traditions of the island's time.
If you don't know anything about this author, we tell you that he is the most critically acclaimed Greek novelist of Modernity. Similar sites are the Museum of World Musical Instruments and the Skiathos Museum of Nautical and Cultural Tradition. The latter is located on the Bourtzi peninsula.
Peninsula of Bourtzi
The peninsula of Bourtzi in Skiathos divides the old port area from the new one and there are many taverns and restaurants overlooking the sea that will surprise you with their gastronomic level. It is the favorite place for young people to have a good time during the night and have fun.
Moni Evaggelistrias of Skiathos
The Evangelistria Monastery is located a 10-minute drive from the city, on a hill surrounded by forest.
It is a building of great historical importance, as the first Greek flag after the revolution was designed and presented inside, the Hellenic flag in blue and white, as well as the location where the oath of freedom was sworn in 1807.
It dates from the year 1794 and was founded by monks from Mount Athos. In it, you will also find objects from antiquity, war artifacts, and a copy of the gospel from 1500.
Agios Nikolaos Church in Skiathos
Other places of interest in the old town are the Church of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) and, next to it, the Skiathos Clock Tower.
If you like to know more about these types of places, we recommend you visit the church of Agia Triada, the Metropolitan Church of the Three Hierarchies, and Panagia Limnia.
Skiathos Caves Tour
These are two very famous caves to visit due to their geological impact. One of them is known as Skopili or "dark cave" and it is a narrow and shallow cave that can be entered with one boat at a time.
The second is the "blue cave" (blue cave), also called Galazia, where you can appreciate different shades in the water and the walls due to the varied reflection of light. In case you have practice, you can dive in Skiathos caves and swim freely in its waters.
Skiathos Fort
Also known as the “Skiathos Kastro”, this is a 14th-century fortress that stands back from the port.
In it the citizens of Skiathos took refuge during the time of war. It had all the comforts of the capital, although today only the church of Christos and the church of Agios Nikolaos have remained standing.
You will be able to appreciate the ruins of other buildings, the walls and cannons that served as a defense against invasions.
Beaches of Skiathos
Without a doubt, they are the most relevant points of interest on the island. We tell you a little about the most visited beaches in Skiathos:
- Koukounaries Beach: From the Greek, paralia Koukounaries, it is one of the most popular beaches on the island of Skiathos, as well as internationally, due to its emerald waters and the lush forest that surrounds it. We recommend that you visit it early since during midday and afternoon it is filled with visitors from all over the world.
- Paralia Lalaria: also known as Lalaria Beach, it stands out for its incomparable beauty, its white sand, and its wonderful turquoise waters in a circular shape. This beach is one of the most photographed sites by tourists visiting Skiathos.
- Paralia Megali Ammos: also known as Megali Ammos Beach, it is a beach highly visited by tourists and is located less than 10 minutes from the center. There you can do all kinds of water sports!
- Kanapitsa Beach: called Paralia Kanapitsa in Greek, it is a beach characterized by the extensive vegetation, especially pine trees, that surrounds it.
- Vromolimnos Beach: also called Paralia Vromolimnos, it is the most popular beach for young travelers, because you will find bars around it and lots of music. In contrast, if you prefer to be in a more secluded and quiet area, we recommend that you visit Troulos Beach (Paralia Troulos).
- Banana Beach: it is a small beach, entirely nudist.
Nightlife of Skiathos
Skiathos is also popular for its nightlife and parties, especially in pubs frequented by groups of friends in the old port. You can also find open-air discos in the Ammoudiá area (a few meters from the airport).
Excursions from Skiathos
The most common, in addition to the visits that we mentioned in Skiathos, is to visit the islands of Alonissos and Skopelos.
In Alonissos, you will be surprised to discover the National Marine Park (the first in all of Greece), where you will find all kinds of protected flora and fauna species, including the monk seal.
Getting to Skiathos
To get to Skiathos Island, Greece, you can either take a ferry to the new port or take a plane to Skiathos Airport (also known as Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport).
Normally flights to Skiathos are domestic and if you visit the island from other parts of Europe or the rest of the world, you must stop at Athens International Airport.
We recommend that you check the updated schedules and prices before making plans to travel either by ferry or plane, as these can vary depending on the time of year.
