SKIATHOS - Cosmopolitan Charm

With a distance of 41 nautical miles from Volos and just 2.4 miles from the coasts of South Pelion, Skiathos is the island of the Sporades that is closest to the mainland. If we add the fact that it is the only island in the complex that has an airport, we come to the conclusion that it is the most easily accessible. In addition, it is an excellent "base" for sailors who wish to explore this magical side of the Aegean. Are these practical reasons enough to justify the island's "success story"? Of course not!

First of all, Skiathos is a very special island with a distinct "character" and tourist "tradition". It has been designated a Landscape of National Value as it has impressive beaches, a variety of natural landscapes - despite its small size -, interesting architecture, great cultural wealth and ancient history.

The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is one of the few, if not the only, that retains the same name over the millennia. It was initially inhabited most likely by Pelasgians, later possibly by Cretans. In 800 BC, the ancient city was located roughly in the position of today's and remained there until the 14th century AD when the inhabitants, due to constant pirate raids, were forced to relocate to the medieval capital, the Castle, in the north of the island. Although the Castle was abandoned in 1830, with the incorporation of Skiathos into the New Greek State, a visit to its ruins on the imposing rock is something you should not miss!

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The City of Skiathos

The City of Skiathos is essentially the only settlement and the constantly pulsing "heart" of the island. It was "re-founded" in the location of the ancient city, after the liberation from the Ottoman yoke and the abandonment of the Castle. It impresses at first glance visitors who come by boat, with its dense construction, the amphitheatrical layout and the very beautiful, small peninsula, Bourzi, dividing it in two. Bourzi, this verdant rock, once hosted a Venetian castle, after the liberation Lazaretto (quarantine station), in the early 20th century Municipal School and today a beautiful cafe - restaurant, but also the awarded Museum of Maritime and Cultural Tradition of Skiathos that travels the visitor to the two centuries of shipbuilding and maritime history of the island. Above all, Bourzi divides the city's ports into "old" and "new".

The epicenter of social and commercial life is the Papadiamantis Pedestrian Street with dozens of shops of all kinds and movement 24 hours a day. In a side street you will find the House - Museum of Alexandros Papadiamantis, the building where the most eminent Skiathitis, the "kosmokalogeros" of Greek Letters, was born and lived. On the pedestrian street you will also find the "Skiathitiko Spiti", a commendable private effort, which preserves the way of life of the past century in the spaces of an old stone two-story building. East of the pedestrian street is the hill with the church of Agios Nikolaos, the point with the most beautiful panoramic view of the city.

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Much of the architectural identity of Skiathos was lost with the bombing of the city by the Germans in 1944. Nevertheless, it remains picturesque as the low building and the narrow streets with the small squares always predispose for beautiful, "aimless" walks. But if you want to truly experience the atmosphere of "old" Skiathos and see some surviving examples of local architecture, you should walk in Plakes, a "labyrinth" of narrow streets in the southeastern end of the city.

"Down" from Plakes, the old harbor, is one of the most vibrant "corners" of the city with many restaurants and cafes. It is probably the point from which you will start your evening excursion with a first, relaxing drink in the "pillows". For more "intensity" and higher decibels you will move east of the new port, towards the airport, which is located just a few hundred meters from the city and is one of the most popular spots for "Plane Spotting" in Europe!

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The beaches of the island

Dozens are the options for swimming in Skiathos and are located in all four points of the horizon. The closest to the city, accessible on foot, is Megali Ammos, while quite close, at the northern end of the airport is Xanemos beach. The most popular, sheltered and shallow beaches are located on the south coast of the island. Achladies, Tzaneria, Kanapitsa, Vromolimnos, Agia Paraskevi, Troulos, Maratha, are a range of options before you end up in the "celebrity" of the island, the famous Koukounaries. For those who never say "no" to a good beach party, next to Koukounaries is the "lively" Big Banana, while for those who prefer lower tones, very close is Small Banana.

If you ask the locals they will probably suggest beaches in the other three points of the horizon. To the west, Agia Eleni, Kryfi Ammos and Mandraki. To the north, Elia, Agistro, Mikros and Megalos Aselinos and Lygaries. To the east, Mega Gialos and of course Lalaria. Lalaria rivals Koukounaries in fame and photogenicity and the natural stone arch at the edge of the beach is one of the most photographed spots in Skiathos. It is accessible only from the sea with the tourist boats that depart daily at regular intervals and make the tour of the island.

Many of the southern beaches offer opportunities for water sports, and it is characteristic that there are 15 ski schools. The crystal clear waters are ideal for diving. Diving schools can take you to the islets of Arkos and Repi with their phantasmagorical seabeds. On Arkos, but also on Tsougria, another uninhabited island of Skiathos, you will also find very beautiful beaches. In Tsougria, it is worth visiting the chapel of Agios Floros which celebrates on August 18.

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Nature and Activities

As much as the "technocratic" elements fail to describe the greatness of nature, in this case some numbers are indicative of the natural wealth of Skiathos. Its flora numbers approximately 700 species, a huge number for such a small island. 2/3 of the island is covered by Aesthetic Forest, one of the 19 in Greece. Skiathos has two areas that have been designated Landscapes of Particular Natural Beauty, two wetlands and two wildlife refuges and while Koukounaries with Lake Strofylias behind them, is an area that belongs to the ecological network Natura 2000 and covers an area of over 888 acres.

Such a magical natural environment is ideal for a variety of alternative activities from yoga and meditation to beekeeping lessons and horse riding. The fact that the altitude differences are not large (the highest altitude is 433 meters), makes the island ideal for exploration by bicycle. Skiathos has obtained a Cycling Destination certification mark from the "Bike Friendly" network.

The boom in hiking tourism worldwide is also finding fertile ground in Skiathos. The island has a well-kept, maintained and signposted network of trails and dirt roads. 25 hiking routes have been mapped, of various degrees of difficulty with a total length of 197 km. It is the best way to discover the "secret" and "introverted" Skiathos. The trails pass through ravines, springs, running waters, old threshing floors, mills, locations mentioned by Papadiamantis, but also the most important religious monuments, such as the Monastery of Panagia Eikonistria (Kounistra), which is the patron saint of Skiathos and the last "active" monastery of the island, the Evangelistria with its fortress character. If you want to experience one of the most mysterious experiences in Skiathos, come to the Evangelistria Monastery on the eve of August 15 to watch the procession of the Epitaph of the Virgin Mary, a custom that is found in very few places in Greece. The procession follows a very beautiful, uphill route to the chapel of Zoodochos Pigi, during which the faithful chant, confirming the characterization of the feast as "Easter of Summer".