Positioned in the Aegean Sea, Skiathos is a Greek island known for its verdant forests, alluring beaches and clear waters. It also boasts a vibrant nightlife scene, a collection of monasteries and a quaint Old Town that served as a film location for the cinema hit “Mama Mia!”.
Things to Do
Despite dozens of beaches ringing the island, Koukounariés Beach stands out for its lush pine forests. Water sports, such as jet skiing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving abound at most beaches, including Banana Beach and Agia Paraskevi. Head to Vromolimnos for paragliding or Kanapitsa for windsurfing.
Go on an island-hopping or dolphin-spotting boat tour, take a romantic dinner cruise or hire a charter for a deep-sea fishing adventure. If you’re a scuba diving enthusiast, you can explore shipwrecks, reefs, grottos and secret caves, including the renowned Blue Caves near Kastro.
Ancient architecture can be found at the medieval Castle of Skiathos, built on a rocky cliff in the 1350s and now surrounded by ruins, churches, baths and abodes from a small village. Visit the ancient monasteries of Skiathos, such as Evangelistria Monastery with its Byzantine icons, silver crosses, rare books and manuscripts.
The Old Town of Skiathos retains its rustic charm with old-fashioned tavernas and cobblestone streets. Stop by the Museum House of Papadiamantis to learn about the famous Greek writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, then head over to Papadiamantis Street to purchase island pottery, handcrafted jewellery and embroidered linens. In the evening you can go club-hopping at the harbour in trendy spots, such as Montecristo and Jaguar.
Getting around Skiathos
You can rent a car, ATV or motorbike for getting around Skiathos. Taxis and buses traverse the main road and traditional “kaiki" boats offer sightseeing and rides to remote beaches.