Skiathos

Skiathos is one of the four islands in the northeast known as the Sporades. It is the smallest of the four, but outstanding when it comes to tourism. Like all islands in the Sporades Skiathos is surrounded by incredibly clear water. The landscape however is far from spectacular, though it can be quite pleasing, especially in the north. The island is green and lush all year round and packed with pine trees.

If you are looking for the "genuine Greece" you should go somewhere else, for example to one of the neighboring islands: Skopelos, Alonissos or Skyros. But if you are looking for nice sand beaches, shopping and a large range of restaurants and bars, this is the place to be. Perhaps you've heard that there are many nice beaches on this island. But you will be surprised by how good and how many they actually are.

Getting there
Charter flights from all over Europe. The independent traveler flies directly to Skiathos. There are good boat-connections to the neighboring islands of Skopelos and Alonissos as well as to Volos and Agios Konstantinos on the mainland.

Getting around
Buses ply the road between Skiathos town and Koukounaries beach. It stops at almost every beach along the way. Car-, motorbike- and bicycle rental outlets are found in Skiathos town and in the larger tourist resorts. Bathing- and sightseeing boats go to several beaches.

Villages
There is only one village (or town) and that is Skiathos town.

Skiathos town
The cosmopolitan Skiathos town is a swarm of alleys where restaurants, fast food joints, cafés, pubs and bars are packed together with souvenir shops and stores that sell everything from bathing towels to the latest of the hottest brands in clothing. Almost the entire town is adapted to tourism. The ordinary Greek life is if not invisible, at least very hard to find. Even if almost all of the islanders live here, the tourists are in majority. But there are some parts of the town that are relatively unaffected by tourism, for example the older parts above the fishing boat harbor.

The pedestrian precinct Papadiamantis is the life-blood of Skiathos town. The street is full of all kinds of shops, as well as bars, cafés and restaurants. The street is named after the writer Odos Papadiamantis, who is famous in Greece. The house where he lived and worked during his time on the island is now a museum located in a cute little square a few steps from street that carries his name.
The long harbor promenade tries its best to compete with Odos Papadiamantis. Tavernas and bars are lined up after each other. It is a killer race, as you will find out when you pass by. The eateries all fight the eternal struggle over new customers. Generally speaking the tavernas here by the waterfront does not quite sell what they offer. But you can't complain about the spot, here you can keep a constant eye on the ways and whereabouts of almost everyone.

Beaches
Skiathos is a grand beach paradise. Few Greek islands can compete with the variety that is offered here. If bathing in sun and water is your preference, you can hardly pick a better island to stay at. A few of the many nice beaches of Skiathos are described below. More beaches like Achladhias, Vromolimnos, Mandraki, Agistros and Mikros Aselinos (plus about ten more) are found in The Kalimera Guide (presently only available in Swedish).

Megali Amos
The beach closest to Skiathos town is also the most exploited one. Long rows of hotels and tavernas lie by this mediocre beach (mediocre by Skiathos standard that is). It is long and narrow and lead almost the entire way to Mitikas beach. The sand consists of fine grains and is a bit brownish. The fact that many choose Megali Amos before better beaches in the south has a natural explanation: The majority of Scandinavian charter tourists stay here and it is comfortable to walk back and forth to the beach without changing clothes. The closeness to Skiathos town is also a plus.

Koukounaries
Many view Koukounaries as paradise on earth. The beach lies along a beautiful bay where the trees are always green. The powder fine sand shift color from golden yellow to white, the water is shallow and playfully suited for children. The entire shoreline is full of sunbeds (without parasols). It is crowded during the high season. Unfortunately, there are no tavernas here, but plenty of fast food-like joints where ketchup and mustard are always included in the laying of the tables.

Banana beach
Banana Beach lies just after Koukounaries. With some imagination the bay may resemble a banana, hence the name - quite cute when you think about it. Anyway, Banana beach is one of the best beaches on the island. The sand is just as beautifully fine as on other beaches, but Banana Beach is better because the water here looks and feels clearer and bluer than anywhere else. Nudism is common, mostly on the west side. If you pass a cliff on the far end of the beach you will reach the strictly nude Little banana beach.

Sights
The main sight is all the great beaches. And if you grow tired of sun and bathing you can visit the interesting monastery Mono Evangelistria or go to Kastro, the former capital of Skiathos that lies on a cliff in the north. There is a nice beach with one taverna beneath Kastro.

Accomodation
When your boat arrives you will generally be met up by people offering accommodations ranging from luxurious hotels to pensions and single quarters. If these offers do not suit you just take a walk up through the main street, there are several little pensions on the side streets. There is also the possibility of booking in advance or to see what's available in the small room-distribution center (a little kiosk) located right by the boats. There are rooms for rent in Skiathos town and by all the beaches on the west coast.

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© 1997 - 2006 Janne Eklund / KALIMERA