Skiathos - Sporades and Evia - Greece

Skiathos Island

Skiathos is a truly beautiful island in the Northern Sporades with many of our clients returning year after year, including the second and even third generation! Skiathos is the island for beach lovers. The south coast is a succession of superb sandy beaches: Megali Ammos, Achladias, Tzaneria, Kanapitsa, Vromolimnos, Kolios, Paraskevi, Troulos to name but a few. Koukounaries, at the southwest tip of the island, was recently voted one of the best beaches in the world and has appeared on almost as many travel posters as the Parthenon! Less-photographed but equally well-known is Banana, popular with naturists.

The main beaches all have tavernas, beach chairs and umbrellas. While the calm, gently-shelving sandy bays are perfect for toddlers, older children (and adults too!) will appreciate the wide range of watersports, from pedaloes and canoes to waterskiing and wakeboarding (both with expert tuition), rings, banana rides and parasailing. There is even a scuba diving school on Tzaneria beach.

If you simply want to get away from it all, a short drive or walk will take you to one of many less accessible, idyllic beaches such as lovely Koutsouri with its simple taverna, or to Mandraki, Elias or Mikros Aselinos on the north coast where even in the height of summer you can escape the crowds and enjoy a cooling breeze and a plate of fish straight from the sea. Alternatively, you may prefer to rent a boat (15 or 25hp outboard) for the day, take a picnic and gently potter along the coast in search of your own “private” cove or island.

There is a frequent bus service from the town to Koukounaries, serving all the main beaches, but if you don’t want to wait for the bus, one of the island’s many taxis will be more than happy to take you wherever you want to go. There is also a water taxi service between Kanapitsa and Tzaneria and the town, particularly convenient for those staying in our properties on the Kalamaki peninsula. A fleet of small boats departs from the town each day to Tsougria Island and around the coastline of Skiathos, stopping off to view the rock arch at Lalaria (the island’s only pebble beach) and the ruins of Kastro. For those who wish to venture further afield, there are frequent hydrofoils, ferries and organised excursions to the neighbouring islands of Skopelos and Alonissos. Full day excursions also run to Athens and the monasteries of Meteora on the mainland. Early and late in the season, when the air is cooler, there are some wonderfully scenic walks taking you to monasteries, churches, panoramic viewpoints and secluded beaches. The interior is incredibly lush and green, covered with olive groves and pine forests. The monasteries of Evangelistria and Kounistra are accessible by car; with a jeep you can explore some of the unsurfaced roads, perhaps visiting Kastro, or the rustic taverna in a meadow behind Kechria beach. S K I A T H O S The picturesque main town overlooks two harbours: one for the yachts and ferries, and the other providing a haven for fishing boats and excursion boats, lined with open-air tavernas, cafes and bars. Skiathos caters for all tastes – there is a huge range of tavernas and restaurants; the nightlife is varied and lively and there is also a fine selection of boutiques, jewellery, and ceramics shops which reflect the sophisticated side of the island.