Your guide to Skiathos
Skiathos highlights
Board the ‘Mamma Mia!’ cruise
Even if you’re not an ABBA fan, the stunning views make the ‘Mamma Mia!’ cruise a worthy addition to your itinerary. Your trip will start at Skiathos Port, where you’ll trace the footsteps of the movie’s main characters. The cruise operator makes a stop at neighbouring Skopelos island, which houses the iconic clifftop chapel where Sophie got married.
Soak up the history
One perk of a trip to Skiathos is you can squeeze the historical highlights into one day — leaving plenty of time to sun yourself silly. On a peninsula at the entrance to Skiathos Port, you’ll find the remaining ruins of Bourtzi fort. Visit the 1806 Evangelistria Monastery which provided refuge to the fighters of the Greek revolution.
Hike the hills
‘Skia’ actually means ‘shade’ in Greek. The island’s hilly, pine-covered landscape is well suited for shaded hiking during trips to Skiathos. Choose from 26 clearly marked trails that take anything from one to six hours to complete. Take the taxi boat from Skiathos Town to Kastro, beginning your hike up to the castle built to defend locals from pirates.
Skiathos: Know before you go
| Language | Greek |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) and UTC+3 (EEST) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Skiathos
Weather in Skiathos
April – May: Daytime temperatures are mild in spring, but you’ll want a light jacket for the chillier evenings. The sea is usually too cold for swimming. Consider accommodation with a heated or indoor pool.
June – September: Summer’s hot days and pleasant evenings attract the crowds. Daytime temperatures can get toasty, so pack your sun cream and stay hydrated.
October – November: Warm weather continues until late October. This is a good time to visit if you want to enjoy the beaches without the summer crowds.
December – March: Winters are mild, with occasional rain showers and temperatures around 10°C. Be aware that many bars and tavernas close for the season.
Events in Skiathos
Feast of Agios Georgios (April): Honouring the patron saint of soldiers, this festival is celebrated with horse races around the lake. Don’t miss Greek folk dancing complete with traditional dress.
Skiathos Wine Festival (August): Sample local vintages and learn about the island’s winemaking traditions during this summer festival. Traditional music, dancing and food vendors add to the festive atmosphere.
Feast of Agios Nikolaos (December): Sailors are so beloved in Skiathos that the island throws a party for their patron saint. Check out live music, dancing and local food stalls, all centred around the Church of Agios Nikolaos in Skiathos Town.
The best neighbourhoods in Skiathos
Skiathos Town
If proximity to bars, restaurants and shops is important to you, Skiathos Town is where to stay in Skiathos. It’s also conveniently close to Megali Ammos beach. Who could tire of exploring its pretty whitewashed buildings, blue accents and characteristic paved alleys?
Good for: Historic, nightlife, shopping
Agia Paraskevi
Agia Paraskevi may be the best neighbourhood in Skiathos for families. Especially families who love water sports. Expect to find canoes and pedal boats, as well as water skiing, tubing and all manner of motorised equipment rentals. There are also a few tavernas to keep mum and dad happy, while the slightly busier town of Platanias is within walking distance for those livelier nights.
Good for: Calm beaches, water sports, luxury
Troulos
If you want a slower pace of life and truly peaceful holiday, Troulos may be the best neighbourhood in Skiathos for you. The certified Blue Flag beach has all the amenities you could need including umbrellas, sun beds and lifeguards. While Troulos has few bars and clubs, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants dotted about.
Good for: Peace and quiet
Things to do in Skiathos
Family friendly things to do
The island’s hilly, shaded terrain makes it ideal for hiking trails, one of the best things to do with family in Skiathos. Trot through pine forests and over brooks and finish with a dip in the sea, for a holiday the family will remember forever. For older teens, Skiathos Mountain Bikes offers guided excursions across the island.
Shopping
Shopping in Skiathos revolves around Papadiamanti Street, named after the famed author and son of Skiathos. Along with bars and restaurants you’ll find boutiques, galleries and delis here (do pick up a spiral-shaped cheese pie). Look out for Skiathos Bee Farm Honey, produced by one of the few remaining beekeepers on Skiathos. Its dark colour is caused by the island’s pine trees.
Take in the culture
Skiathitiko Skiti is a traditional Skiathos home showing what life looked like in the previous century. Inside you’ll see a loom used to weave textiles, urns that would have been filled with olive oil and intimate relics personifying the family that lived here for generations. If you visit one museum in Skiathos, make it this one.
Nightlife
Find the island's best nightlife in Skiathos Town. Start your evening at the open-air cinema for a screening of ‘Mamma Mia!’, which plays routinely throughout summer. There will be singing, so warm up your vocal chords. Move on to the open-air clubs of Ammoudia and unleash your inner dancing queen.
Places to eat
The best restaurants in Skiathos are the backstreet family-run tavernas. These cater to locals year-round rather than shutting up shop out of season. Ask the servers for local dishes like think monkfish ‘stifado’ (stew), crayfish with wild greens and Alonissos tuna with pasta. Wash it all down with ‘souma’ spirits. You’ll be shouting ‘yamas!’ (cheers!) with locals in no time.
Beaches
There’s a Skiathos beach for every taste. Koukounaries is popular with families due to its soft sand and shallow waters. Lalaria — accessible only by boat — is characterised by white pebbles, limestone cliffs and a natural sea arch. Another popular spot is Banana Beach, whose golden sands are interrupted by a large rock. On one side you’ll find Little Banana, the island’s only nude beach.
Get ready for Skiathos
Budget
Despite the island’s popularity with tourists, experiencing Skiathos on a budget is doable with some careful planning. Expect to pay around 15 euros (€) for a simple meal in a restaurant. You can usually find a cold domestic beer for around €5. Need a taxi? A short ride will generally set you back about €5.
Day trips from Skiathos
The island of Alonissos is less than two hours away by ferry. Home to the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, it’s a great place to spot seabirds and Mediterranean monk seals. Closer to home, the small island of Tsougrias is just a 20-minute boat ride away. Check out its golden beaches, quiet tavernas and scenic clifftop church.
Getting around Skiathos
Skiathos has a well-connected bus system, with routes running between Skiathos Town and the island’s most popular beaches. Fares are cheap, but the buses can get crowded in peak season. For more flexibility, hiring a car allows you to explore secluded beaches and mountain villages at your own pace.
