Skiathos Holidays

Sunrise over Skiathos

The best testament to the quality of Skiathos holidays is the number of visitors that return year after year – they’ve even earned themselves the nickname “boomerangers” because they keep coming back. The reasons are not difficult to understand; natural beauty with stunning views of neighbouring islands and the Greek mainland, beautiful secluded beaches even in peak season, great cuisine both Greek and international, and a range of activities for the more energetic including water sports and even horse-riding.

Skiathos island has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and is increasingly popular with visitors from the UK and continental Europe, as well as local Greeks and travelers from countless international destinations. Filming of the movie Mamma Mia! took place on the island in 2007, and has added to its international appeal with the odd film star still to be seen shopping or enjoying lunch at one of the many Tavernas.

When choosing your holiday in Skiathos, remember it only takes 20 minutes to traverse the island from east to west, so wherever you are located, you’re never far away from one of the 60+ beautiful beaches that line the coast. The public bus service running east to west from Skiathos Town to Koukounaries can get you to many of these pristine beaches, although it is prone to crowding in high season. There is also a taxi service with the taxi rank located on the main road on the harbor. For those wishing to explore further afield, however, there’s a wide choice of 4×4/car/motor cycle hire available.

Skiathos Town

Skiathos Town

Sea taxis to Koukounaries, Cape Kanapitsa, and the not-to-be-missed uninhabited island of Tsougria are all available in the Old Port, in addition to ferries heading for mainland Greece. Island tours – either full or half day – are also on offer with Mamma Mia! tours being particularly popular. These day trips take tourists to visit some of the exquisite scenery around Skiathos and Skopelos chosen for the set of the popular movie.

Skiathos Town offers a wide range of accommodation-types. From hotels and villas, to rooms and studios, a place can be found for all budgets and requirements. Current deals on Skiathos Town accommodation can be found on: Booking.com, Hotels.com, Thomson, Thomas Cook, and Cosmos.

Mandraki Beach, Skiathos

In addition to Koukounaries, the beaches of Megali Ammos, Achladies, Vromolimnos, Koilios, Cape Kanapitsa, Aghia Paraskevi, Troulos and Mandraki are also dotted along the southern coast road of the island, and served regularly by the public bus service. All the beaches are sandy, and have a beautiful aspect with southerly views to the many small uninhabited islands in the Aegean Sea. Skiathos and these outlying islands together form the “Sporades islands”, from which the modern word “sporadic” is derived, and all are equipped with a selection of supermarkets, bars, and tavernas for those who like to stay close to base.

A variety of water sports are also available on the larger beaches, some of which are also a pick-up/drop-off point for island tours.

Like Skiathos town, there’s a large selection  of hotels, apartments, studios, and rooms to suit all budgets. Check out the best available deals with Booking.com, Hotels.com, Thomson, Thomas Cook, and Cosmos today.

Off The Beaten Track

North Coast of Skiathos

Those seeking a little more tranquility can choose to head towards the northern side of the island where the terrain is more rugged. There are apartments, studios, and villas available for rent, and 4×4 vehicle rental is strongly recommended for those wishing to explore these areas.

The northern coast of Skiathos island is more mountainous and dramatic than that found on the gently sloping southern beaches. The beaches and coves here are more secluded, and it’s usually easy to find a deserted beach. Many are accessible via a steep hillside track from the road, but there are even more secluded beaches only accessible by boat.

All things considered, the northern areas of Skiathos offer fantastic terrain for keen walkers with endless hill tracks and pine forests to explore – all with stunning panoramic sea views.

Accommodation options in this area of the island are a little more restricted, which some people consider a benefit due to the natural beauty of the island being conserved. Places are still available, though, and can be found on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Thomson, Thomas Cook, and Cosmos.

Finding a Holiday to Skiathos

Package holidays and accommodation listings can be found on many travel agency websites. The table below shows current availability of packages with different agencies, along with their own star rating…