The majority of Skiathos' 60+ beaches have fine sand which is quite unusual for a Greek island. There are usually rocky outcrops at each end of the beaches where good snorkeling can be had. The majority of them have tavernas or small snack bars on them. Umbrellas and beach chairs are available on all the major beaches.
| Most of the beaches on the south coast, including Koukounaries(reputed to be the finest beach in all the Aegean), become very busy in July & August. However, you will always find them to have beautiful, clear water, with wonderful swimming & snorkeling. Koukounaries has wonderful fine sand and warm shallow water. Behind the beach are beautiful, shady pine trees where one can lie in the heat of the day. It is almost a kilometre long. |
hidden beach |
If you prefer beaches with lots of people then
Koukounaries,
Banana (Krassa) Beach, Vromolimnos,
Platanias (Aghia Paraskevi),
Achladies & Megali
Ammos are the
places to be.
Troulos Beach is a very popular beach and
has lots of accommodation behind it in the Troulos Valley. |
For peace & quiet I prefer the beaches of Xerxes, Elias & Agistri on the Mandraki peninsula, which is on the north-west corner of Skiathos, a 30 minute stroll through the shady pine woods behind Koukounaries beach. On Xerxes you can get fried squid or fish, sandwiches & drinks, whilst on Elias they serve excellent fried fish, omelettes, salads & usually a warm dish of the day.
Aghia Eleni Beach is not too busy and there is nearly always a cool
breeze blowing there.
Just before you get to Aghia Eleni is a dirt road off to the right. If you
follow this for about 1 kilometre, you come to the steepish path that runs down
to the hidden beach of Kryfi Ammoudia. There is not a lot of room for parking
cars there but there is a very nice "funky" taverna on the beach.
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Asellinos beach on the north side, accessible by car or foot
(45 minutes) from the junction at Troulos, is a rather wild, but impressive beach where one can
revel in the waves after a northerly blow. The sea can have a nasty undertow when there
are big waves so please be careful. There is a taverna & beach bar. This beach is so
big that it never has that "crowded" feel. Mikro Asellinos is a small and peaceful beach which is never crowded. A small taverna offers snacks. Follow the road to Kounistra Monastery and then continue for about 3 kilometres. |
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Kechria beach, further along on the north side, is accessible from 3 different directions: a well marked dirt road leaving the main road at Aghias Paraskevi, a road from Vasilias just outside town or follow the dirt road from the back of town in the direction of Prophet Ilias & Kastro. There is also a walk following a beautiful stream bed . This is a magic spot, where the stream of Kechria Monastery runs down to the sea & one has the feeling of slipping back in time to when life was not as hectic or as stressful as now. There is an excellent basic taverna run by a local goatherd & his wife. Highly recommended! Nearby is the large sandy beach of Alagaries, which also has a taverna. |
The beach at Kastro is pebbly but nice, a wonderful spot to view the old town of Kastro & contemplate how life must have been for Skiathitees in the days before independence from Turkey. There is a small taverna, in a lovely situation, selling omelettes & sandwiches.
Two remote, secluded & pebbly beaches are Nikotsara & Megiyalo. You reach Nikotsara by following the road to Monastery Evangelistra but take the fork marked Lehouni & Nikotsara. For Megiyalo, take the same road but bear to the right at every junction, going past Kalivia & ending up at Korakafolia (The Raven's Nest) where it is quite a scramble down to the beach. Neither beach has any refreshments available & they are therefore virtually deserted.
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Vromolimnos is a very popular beach with a taverna at the right-hand end that also incorporates one of the nicest beach-bars on the island. It is particularly recommended for its WATERSKIING, in the late afternoon & evening the sea becomes mirror-smooth. Contact Vasili. Vassilias beach (3 ks out of town past Megali Amos) is relatively peaceful & has a nice taverna.
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Banana Beach is a stretch of fine sand with shady
pine trees behind and a wonderful view of the Pelion Peninsular across the
sea. There are
two good small tavernas. It is the islands best spot for high wind wind surfing. Little Banana (also known as Spartacus) is the (unofficial) naturist beach where most people swim & sunbathe naked. It caters for all walks of people from families to gays. Nice small taverna offering snacks. |
| Caiques run regularly to Tsougria, the biggest island off Skiathos & a haven of peace. There are three large beaches to choose from & the main beach has a nice "funky" taverna with the usual fish, omelettes & salad. Recommended. |
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If you would like to get offshore, then there are many caiques
available to take you to most beaches, but especially to
Lalaria which is famous for its
beautifully round, sea-formed rocks and can only be reached from the sea. They leave from the Old Port in the mornings around 10 or 11 'o clock. |
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Arkos is another special island but you will need to hire a
speed-boat or charter our catamaran to go there. There is a small but stylish beach taverna which offers wonderful Greek salads, good fresh fish and a real "away from it all" environment. |
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