Skiathos may be small, but one of its greatest advantages is that it has over 60 fabulous beaches packed into a 44 kilometre coastline. Embraced by greenery and low-lying hills, its soothing beauty attracts return visitors and new fans year after year. Most of the beaches on the southern coast are organised, with umbrellas, sunbeds and watersports, while the wilder ones in the north are more secluded and often frequented by naturists.
There is a well-run and reliable bus and water taxi network facilitating those wishing to explore the remoter beaches, but consider hiring a car to make the most of your time on the island.
Lalaria
Secluded and stunningly beautiful, Lalaria is dramatically surrounded by steep cliffs that plunge down into glittering clear waters. A slice of paradise on the northeastern tip of the island, the beach is only accessible by sea and is best visited early in the day before the daytrip boats start arriving. At the eastern margin is the stone arch of Tripia Petra, ideal for swimming through and exploring the shoreline and azure sea. As the beach is not organised, bring your own water and snacks as well as an umbrella to shade you from the glare of the sun reflected off the smooth white pebbles of the beach. As it’s exposed to the northern winds, check the weather ahead of visiting.
Koukounaries
The most picturesque and popular beach on the island, Koukounaries can get pretty busy as visitors flock there to enjoy its soft white sand and shallow green waters. Taking its name from the dense forest of Stone Pines that form a natural barrier with Lake Strofilia behind the beach, the area is a haven for wildlife and you’re likely to come across swans and ducks. It is accessible by bus or water taxi from Skiathos Town, and organised, with umbrellas, sunbeds and watersports, although there are also areas to lay down a towel if you prefer. There are beach bars and tavernas for refreshments within walking distance.
Kanapitsa
A short drive from the capital on the Kalamaki peninsula, Kanapitsa is one of the less crowded beaches near Skiathos Town. About a 10-minute walk from the main road that skirts the coast, the beach offers a little bit of everything; clean, soft sand, gently shelving waters, sunbeds, watersports, and a taverna. There is parking behind the beach, a nearby bus stop, and a jetty for the water taxi to town. Tzaneria, the neighbouring beach, is easily reachable on foot.
Big and Little Banana
A kilometre north of Koukounaries and 12 kilometres from Skiathos Town, the beach (actually two beaches) locals call Krasa is almost universally called Banana Beach, and known as the island’s party beach. The main or Big Banana Beach lies to the south of Little Banana, also known as Spartacus, which is reached by walking over a low rocky headland.
Big Banana beach is a long crescent of fine sand, packed with umbrellas and daybeds and a beach bar that blasts out music. Little Banana is in a sandy cove to the north, reached through a sandy track through the pine forest. There is a small canteen, and the beach is mainly frequented by naturists and is a lot quieter.
Both beaches can be reached by boat or by driving along dirt tracks from the bus terminus and car park at Koukounaries, and both face west, so they’re ideal for watching the sun setting into the Aegean Sea.
Vromolimnos
On the western side of the Kalamaki headland, south of the small resort of Kolios, Vromolimnos is easily reached from Skiathos Town by car, bus or boat. There is parking in the forest behind the beach, but it can get very busy at peak times. As it is sandy, with gently shelving water, families and young people love the clean water here and the nearby beach bars and tavernas. Fully serviced, it has watersports and a lifeguard. If you’re after a tranquil atmosphere this is not the beach for you, as it is one of the busiest on the island.
Diamandi
Small but perfectly formed, Diamanti, or Koutsouri as it is also known, is on the southern tip of the Kanapitsa peninsula. Reached by a steep path or by boat from Skiathos Town, the beach is a mix of sand and small pebbles amid dense vegetation. There are just a handful of umbrellas around the good but pricey taverna, so bring your own shade if you plan on spending time here. Wilder and less commercial than most of the island beaches, Diamanti is worth a visit if you’re seeking to enjoy natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere.
Megali Ammos
A long and well organised sandy beach within walking distance of the capital, Megali Ammos is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. With shallow, clean waters and plenty of dining options, the beach is popular with families who stay in the many hotels and apartments nearby. There is a watersports centre and a lifeguard, and the views out to the Kanapista cape, over to the uninhabited islet Tsougria, and on to neighbouring Skopelos are some of the best on the island.
Mandraki
On the far western tip of Skiathos, with vistas spanning to the mainland, Mandraki is a beach to escape the crowds. Seemingly extending as far as the eye can see, even in peak season there is plenty of room to have parts of the beach to yourself. Accessed by a dirt trail, there is a small parking area to the rear of the beach, while it can also be reached via a lovely short walk through a pine forest that starts from the nearest bus stop. Sandy with clean waters, there is a taverna with a few umbrellas and beds, but for the most part the beach is not serviced. Due to its remoteness, Mandraki is favoured by naturists but they tend to relax in the beach’s northern fringes away from the restaurant.
Read also:
Skiathos: the most cosmopolitan island in the Northern Sporades
5 culinary experiences in Skiathos, the island that is evolving into a gastronomic destination
Alexandros Papadiamantis’ Skiathos -Inside the great writer’s house
