Framed by electric-green pine trees, two forested headlands and a small salt-water wetland, Koukounaries' silky 1200m-long sweep of bleach-blonde sand is…
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Skiathos
Blessed with some of the Aegean’s most exquisite sandy white beaches, backed by rippling hills carpeted in scented pines and olive trees, Skiathos is the most developed of the Sporades. The beautiful beach-fringed south coast is filled with walled-in holiday villas, hotels and apartments, and from June to September, when the island fills up with sun-seeking Greeks and northern Europeans, prices soar and rooms dwindle. Seek out Skiathos' elegant monasteries, hidden-away churches and hillside hiking paths, however, and you'll still catch a glimpse of its soul.
Skiathos Town, on the southeast coast, is the attractive main port with a small cobbled old town of narrow whitewashed alleys. The only other settlement is tiny south-coast Troulos, 8km southwest.
Explore Skiathos
- KKoukounaries Beach
Framed by electric-green pine trees, two forested headlands and a small salt-water wetland, Koukounaries' silky 1200m-long sweep of bleach-blonde sand is…
- KKastro
Perched dramatically on the island's rocky northernmost headland, 9km north of Skiathos Town, Kastro was the fortified pirate-proof capital from 1540…
- MMoni Evangelistrias
Centred on a triple-domed church, this historic 18th-century monastery was a hilltop refuge for freedom fighters during the War of Independence, and the…
- SSkiathitiko Spiti
Bursting with generations' worth of Skiathos heirlooms, this handsome, stone-walled traditional early-20th-century home has been lovingly transformed into…
- PPapadiamantis House Museum
Skiathos was the birthplace of famous 19th-century Greek novelist and short-story writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, who is looked on as the father of…
- BBourtzi
Opposite the old port via a 15m causeway lies the shady and inviting Bourtzi islet, where a fortress stood strong from 1207 AD until the late 17th century…
- KKastro Beach
A lone summer-only cafe-bar watches over the pretty pebbly grey cove beneath Skiathos' old ruined capital Kastro, at the island's northern end. Plenty of…
- KKehria Beach
Secluded little creamy-white Kehria lies hidden along the north coast down a steep dirt track (4WD recommended), 7km northwest of Skiathos Town. The…
- MMikros Aselinos Beach
With just a handful of sun loungers and a shack-like taverna, tiny and sandy-gold rock-enclosed Mikros Aselinos rests on the northwest coast 2km north of…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Skiathos.
See
Koukounaries Beach
Framed by electric-green pine trees, two forested headlands and a small salt-water wetland, Koukounaries' silky 1200m-long sweep of bleach-blonde sand is…
See
Kastro
Perched dramatically on the island's rocky northernmost headland, 9km north of Skiathos Town, Kastro was the fortified pirate-proof capital from 1540…
See
Moni Evangelistrias
Centred on a triple-domed church, this historic 18th-century monastery was a hilltop refuge for freedom fighters during the War of Independence, and the…
See
Skiathitiko Spiti
Bursting with generations' worth of Skiathos heirlooms, this handsome, stone-walled traditional early-20th-century home has been lovingly transformed into…
See
Papadiamantis House Museum
Skiathos was the birthplace of famous 19th-century Greek novelist and short-story writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, who is looked on as the father of…
See
Bourtzi
Opposite the old port via a 15m causeway lies the shady and inviting Bourtzi islet, where a fortress stood strong from 1207 AD until the late 17th century…
See
Kastro Beach
A lone summer-only cafe-bar watches over the pretty pebbly grey cove beneath Skiathos' old ruined capital Kastro, at the island's northern end. Plenty of…
See
Kehria Beach
Secluded little creamy-white Kehria lies hidden along the north coast down a steep dirt track (4WD recommended), 7km northwest of Skiathos Town. The…
See
Mikros Aselinos Beach
With just a handful of sun loungers and a shack-like taverna, tiny and sandy-gold rock-enclosed Mikros Aselinos rests on the northwest coast 2km north of…
Guidebooks
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