Skiathos island: top beach destination

Skiathos island, one of the Sporades complex located in the Aegean sea, is one of the top Greek beach destinations. It is worldwide famous for its stunning beaches with golden soft sand and crystalline waters.

Most of them are easily accessed by bus or car from Skiathos Town and are organized with tourist facilities and water sports. There are many lovely apartments in Skiathos Town to stay and visit the popular beaches from there.

They are surrounded by lush greenery and some of them constitute natural biotopes for many rare bird species. The most popular beaches, such as Koukounaries and Vromolimnos, are found on the southern coast of the island.

Beaches

The most frequented and most impressive beach in Skiathos island is Koukounaries, a long stretch of soft white sand at the southern part of the island, with a backdrop covered with pine trees. In Koukounaries you will find an excellent tourist infrastructure with beach bars, restaurants and water sports, and also a natural protected environment, where many different types of birds and plants live.

Close to Koukounaries is the sandy beach of Banana, a favourite meeting point of young people and ideal for nudists. A thick pine forest surrounds the blue waters and golden sand, while the beach is organized with lively bars and taverns.

Vromolimnos is another very popular shore at the southern Skiathos, just 8km far from town. Providing every tourist comfort and amazing natural environment, it is one of the best choices for a day on the beach.

A must-see beach is the exotic Lalaria, situated at the north of the island, accessible only by boat from Skiathos town. It is renowned for its deep blue sea and white cliffs.

Villages

The population of Skiathos island, many accommodation options, nightlife entertainment and most activities are concentrated in the cosmopolitan Skiathos Town. Built amphitheatrically around a natural port, Skiathos Town is known for its nightlife and romantic atmosphere.

Take a stroll around the narrow streets of town heading down to the charming old port or visit the main street of Papadiamantis or the seafront for a late drink and dancing. At the port you will also find the peninsula of Bourtzi, where the ruins of an old Venetian castle stand, covered with pine trees.

Boat trip to Castle and Lalaria

A nice way to spend a day in Skiathos island is taking a boat trip from Skiathos town to the medieval Castle and the wonderful beach of Lalaria, both found on the northern side of the island next to each other.

After admiring the extraordinary landscape in Lalaria with the large white pebbles and having a swim in its crystalline waters, visit the 14th century castle, built on a rocky cliff to protect the area from pirates. The site has not been well preserved, but there are still some walls and churches to visit.

How to get to Skiathos island

Skiathos island can be reached from the ports of Agios Konstantinos and Volos in the mainland of Greece, with frequent itineraries all year long and daily ferries in summer. The trip takes 1,5 hour and 2,5 hours respectively. In summer ferries to Skiathos also depart from Platanias in Pelion, central Greece.