Are you flying to the island of Skiathos and wondering what trips to take? What to do on Skiathos Island? I’ve prepared a little taste of the places we definitely wouldn’t miss on a first visit. But first, let’s say a little something about the island itself.
Skiathos, located in the Northern Sporades, is one of the most beautiful and sought-after tourist destinations in Greece. This picturesque island is known for its stunning beaches, clear sea, lush greenery, and mountain trails.
Skiathos
Skiathos Island
In addition to its natural beauty, Skiathos also offers a rich cultural and historical heritage. The capital city, also called Skiathos, is full of narrow cobbled streets, traditional white houses with blue windows and doors, and picturesque harbors.
Specifically, you’ll find the Old Port here, from where mostly only excursion boats depart. From the New Port, off the main promenade, public ferries depart, including the one to the island of Skopelos and others.
Skiathos trips – Old Port
Skiathos Belvedere viewpoint
In the town, you’ll find many taverns, cafes, and shops with local products where you can taste traditional Greek cuisine and enjoy the hospitality of the locals. With our gluten-free diet, we’ve grown fond of the traditional GYROS PLATE in Greece (gyros meat, tzatziki, vegetables, and fries – my “Dovolenkář” happily finishes the pita bread).
Time Out Gyros Skiathos
Time Out Gyros Skiathos
Skiathos neighbors the popular island of Skopelos, which is also known for its fairytale locations where the movie Mamma Mia was filmed. Since there is no airport there, it’s clear that most tourists flow here via ferry through Skiathos. A small portion also arrives from the more distant port of Piraeus in Athens. This is just for your info, in case you wanted to head here by car from mainland Greece.
Ferry to Skopelos
View of Skiathos from the ferry
Among the most famous beaches on the island of Skiathos is Koukounaries, often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, with fine golden sand and pine trees providing natural shade.
It is an easily accessible beach, as it’s located at the final bus stop, which runs at regular intervals and costs literally just a few euros (specifically 2-3 euros depending on the number of stops). Right in the vicinity, you can walk to many other small beaches.
Paralia Agia Eleni Beach
As is typical for us, we just turned the car around at the terminus to see this beach and headed further to less accessible places, of which Skiathos offers plenty. Thanks to its compact size, Skiathos is ideal for those who want to explore the island by car, motorcycle, quad bike, or on foot from the bus stops, while enjoying breathtaking views of the sea and landscape.
Just be prepared for often tricky and gravelly/dusty roads to more remote spots and beaches. It was perhaps the first time we had to wash the car before returning it to the rental agency, as it was completely covered in orange dust.
Skiathos trips, what to do on Skiathos Island
Skiathos Town
Skiathos Town is one of the most charming and vibrant places on the island. This town stretches along the southeast coast of the island, just a few minutes by car from the airport, and is known for its traditional Greek houses, narrow cobbled streets, and picturesque harbors.
Picturesque streets in Skiathos Town
If you don’t want to rent a car, it’s ideal to find accommodation right in the town, which you can easily reach from the airport by bus, taxi, or even on foot. We personally tried it on the way back from the Skopelos ferry, and the walk along the coast took us about 30 minutes.
>> View accommodation in Skiathos Town <<
Skiathos Town offers many beautiful places and corners. I recommend not missing, for example, these spots:
- Bourtzi Peninsula and Belvedere viewpoint Skiathos Old Port
- Paralia Plakes and the viewpoints all around
- Picturesque streets leading past Pan Jewellery
- Agios Nikolaos Church and bell tower – probably the best view of the town and coast
Skiathos – Bourtzi Peninsula – local restaurant
The best ice cream in Skiathos Town
The best ice cream in Skiathos Town
Picturesque streets in Skiathos Town
View of Skiathos Town from the church with the bell tower
Church with bell tower Skiathos
Paralia Plakes Skiathos
Skiathos Plane Spotting
Already upon landing on the island, the pilot will warn you that the landing will be steeper than usual due to the short runway. A second experience connected to the Skiathos airport is the opportunity to watch planes take off and land. For this experience, you can plan a trip to both sides of the airport where beaches are located.
We also headed here for a scheduled landing and takeoff. I recommend following safety instructions and not going directly under the landing and takeoff path itself. If you want to be sure, plan your trip according to the arrival/departure times on the airport website.
Skiathos Plane Spotting
Whaere to stay on Skiathos Island? Paralia Kanapitsa
Paralia Kanapitsa is a beach located on the south side of the island, about 9 kilometers from the capital, and I’m adding it to this list of trips because we stayed at a nice hotel nearby Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos 4*.
I booked a last-minute offer for us at the hotel for 4 days with half board in a 3-bed Panorama Rooftop Suite with sea view and a hot tub. At the hotel, they accommodated me and my sister with our gluten-free diet, and the three-course evening menu was literally a daily experience. My “Dovolenkář” also enjoyed himself; they won him over the very first night when they served us excellent grilled ribs.
Radisson Resort Plaza Skiathos
Another advantage of our accommodation at this beach was the possibility of a trip by a small traditional boat to the center of Skiathos Town, specifically to the Old Port. The boat departs every day at regular, almost hourly intervals, from morning until night. The price of this small traditional ferry was 4.50 EUR per person one way. The boat also stops at the neighboring beach called Tzaneria Beach.
Tzaneria Beach Skiathos – view from the ferry
I recommend the beach and hotel to all types of vacationers. You’ll be happy here on a romantic holiday for two, as well as on a family holiday where you want to have meals provided and the beach just a few steps from the hotel. However, it’s important to choose the right room.
The cheapest ones provided by travel agencies are usually in the back without a sea view. I probably don’t need to tell you that the sea and pool view is exactly what makes this particular accommodation a great experience.
Paralia Kanapitsa Skiathos
Ferry from Paralia Kanapitsa to Skiathos Town and back
Ferry from Paralia Kanapitsa to Skiathos Town and back
In addition to the hotel restaurant, which is a bit pricier by Greek standards, you can also visit taverns right on the beach. Sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach are for a fee. There is also plenty of space for your own towels, and the beach consists of yellow sand.
Holy Monastery of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
The Evangelistria Monastery played an important role in the history of the island and Greece itself. If you have a rented car or motorcycle, I recommend planning a trip here, ideally during the hot midday when you’ll find pleasant shade. T
he monastery is almost entirely renovated, and you’ll enjoy moments of peace and relaxation here. In addition to the souvenir shop, you can pay a symbolic entrance fee to the museum.
Monastery – Skiathos
Monastery – Skiathos
Monastery – Skiathos
From the monastery, you can continue along tricky and quite adventurous mountain roads to the ruins of Kastro Castle and the beach of the same name. The fortress built on the cliffs, with breathtaking views, is currently being renovated. Fit adventurers, however, will appreciate even the not-so-easy path to the beach.
Kryfi Ammos Beach
Kryfi Ammos Beach is characterized by its fine sand and crystal-clear water. You park above the hill, and it’s a few minutes’ walk to the beach down a relatively steep trail. I can manage it in flip-flops, but sturdy shoes are obviously better. Right by the beach, you’ll find a Greek tavern with a bar, and (unfortunately) sunbeds with umbrellas are for rent on the beach.
The beach is surrounded by steep rocks and lush vegetation, giving it a sense of isolation and peace. Due to its remote location, the beach is less frequented than other more famous beaches on the island, making it an ideal spot for those seeking peace and privacy.
Kryfi Ammos Beach Skiathos
Kryfi Ammos Beach Skiathos
Kryfi Ammos Beach Skiathos
During our visit, the main first part of the beach with sunbeds was full. We shared the second part (without sunbeds), which you reach over a small rock or through the water, for a few moments only with an Italian family. As soon as this part filled up too, we headed back to the car and set off to explore more distant beaches in the north of the island. I’ll tell you about that some other time.
How to get to Kryfi Ammos Beach
Getting to Kryfi Ammos Beach isn’t difficult, and almost anyone can do it by car/motorcycle/quad bike, and on foot for those who have a bit of fitness and don’t mind walking up and down hills.
Kryfi Ammos Beach Skiathos
Kryfi Ammos Beach Skiathos
By car and on foot
- By car: Head to the southwestern part of the island, towards Koukounaries beach (bus terminus). Continue along the road towards Mandraki and stay on the side roads leading into the island’s interior. Exact directions can be a bit confusing as the roads aren’t always well-marked, so it’s good to have a map or GPS with you. Google Maps on our phones was enough for us.
- On foot: When you arrive at the bus terminus, you’ll have to continue on foot. The trail isn’t too demanding, but it leads through hilly and natural terrain. Be prepared to get covered in orange dust – yellow sand. The walk will take you approximately 30 minutes at a brisk pace. I recommend going in the morning hours and taking plenty of fluids with you. There are beautiful views, and here too, the journey itself is the destination.
Kryfi Ammos Beach Skiathos
You might also be interested in:
