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Aegean Suites, Skiathos

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Skiathos

Updated 1 October 2026 · 12 things to do

Pictured: Aegean Suites

Skiathos is small, green and beach-obsessed. Pine forest tumbles down to more than sixty beaches, the sea is the clear, bright green of a sports-pitch, and the whole island is a bus ride from end to end. It's the Greek holiday at its simplest: a swim, a taverna, a boat, repeat.

Add a handful of real sights, such as a ruined medieval town on a sea cliff, a monastery with an important place in Greek history and the little fort at the end of Skiathos Town, and you have more than enough for a week. Then hop on a ferry to Skopelos, the island next door that starred in Mamma Mia!

Don't miss

  1. 1Koukounaries
  2. 2Lalaria
  3. 3Papadiamantis House
  4. 4Evangelistria Monastery
  5. 5Skopelos

Beaches

The island lives for its beaches.

  1. Koukounaries

    Beach

    Koukounaries beach and the western cape of Skiathos
    Photo: Shi Annan, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The island's best-known beach is a broad crescent of golden sand backed by a pine forest, with a calm lagoon behind it that's a protected nature reserve. The water is shallow and gentle, and there are tavernas, sunbeds and watersports.

  2. Lalaria

    Beach

    The white pebbles and clear water of Lalaria beach
    Photo: Alex Blăjan alexb, CC0

    A beach on the north coast famous for its smooth white pebbles and a natural stone arch at one end. There's no road to it: boats take you there from Skiathos Town, and the clear water is a deep, glowing blue.

    Tip: It is open to the north wind, so trips depend on the weather. Go in the morning for calmer sea.

  3. Banana Beach

    Beach

    Banana Beach on the south coast of Skiathos
    Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0

    A long, sandy beach on the south coast, curved like its namesake and backed by pine trees. It's a lively and popular spot, with beach bars and watersports, and a smaller, quieter cove nearby for a change of pace.

  4. Kastro Beach

    Beach

    Kastro beach on the north of Skiathos
    Photo: Herbert wie, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A small, rocky cove on the wild north tip of the island, under the cliff of the old medieval town. It's a simple place with a spectacular setting.

Skiathos Town

  1. Bourtzi

    Landmark

    A small, pine-covered peninsula between the island's two harbours, crowned by an old fort. Today it has a cultural centre, shady walks and some of the best sunset views in town.

  2. Papadiamantis House

    Museum

    The Papadiamantis House Museum in Skiathos Town
    Photo: Sergey Bostandzhyan, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The home of Alexandros Papadiamantis, the novelist who is Skiathos's most famous son and a giant of Greek literature, is now a small museum of his life and work. Papadiamantis Street, the town's main road, is named after him.

  3. Skiathos Town after dark

    Nightlife

    The harbour and the lanes behind it fill up with cafés, cocktail bars and tavernas as the day cools. Start with a fish dinner on the old port, then follow the music along Papadiamantis Street.

Heights and history

  1. Kastro

    Landmark

    The island's medieval capital sits on a sea cliff at the north tip, once a fortified town and a refuge from pirates. Today you can walk among ruins of houses and churches, with views over the sea and the mainland. It's wild, atmospheric and quiet.

    Tip: Visit early or late in the day for the best light and a cooler walk.

  2. Evangelistria Monastery

    Landmark

    The Evangelistria Monastery above Skiathos Town
    Photo: ChrLoukop, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A hillside monastery in the pine forest above Skiathos Town, where the first flag of independent Greece was raised in 1807 and revolutionary leaders swore an oath to fight for freedom. It's a quiet place with a peaceful courtyard and a small museum.

By boat

  1. Round-the-island boat trip

    Activity

    Boats leave Skiathos Town harbour in the morning for a day around the island, stopping to swim at remote beaches and sailing past sea caves and the cliffs of the north coast. It's the easiest way to reach Lalaria and Kastro.

  2. Skopelos

    Day trip

    The chapel of Agios Ioannis on its rock on Skopelos
    Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The neighbouring island is greener and more rugged, with a pretty town of slate roofs and white houses. It featured in the film Mamma Mia! and its hilltop chapel of Agios Ioannis, on a rocky islet at the end of a path, is one of the most photographed sights in Greece. Ferries and day trips leave from Skiathos Town.

  3. Alonissos

    Day trip

    Patitiri port on Alonissos
    Photo: Handrian, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Farther out, Alonissos is a quiet, mountainous island at the heart of a national marine park. It's a day of boat travel and sea views, with a pretty village on a hill.

Where to stay in Skiathos

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Skiathos →

Getting around

A single road runs along the south coast from Skiathos Town to Koukounaries, with frequent buses stopping at the beaches. Water taxis reach some of the bays, and boats go to Lalaria and the north coast. Ferries run to Skopelos and Alonissos.

When to go

Late May to September is the beach season, with the warmest sea in July and August. June and September are warm and calmer. The north wind can stir up the sea in summer, which affects boat trips to Lalaria.

Questions about visiting Skiathos

What is Skiathos best known for?
Its beaches, especially Koukounaries and Lalaria, a pretty harbour town, and its link with the film Mamma Mia! on the neighbouring island of Skopelos.
How many days do you need in Skiathos?
A week is ideal: a few days for beaches, one for a boat trip around the island and one for Skopelos.
What is there to do in Skiathos with kids?
Shallow, sandy beaches such as Koukounaries and Banana Beach, boat trips and easy walks.
Do you need a car in Skiathos?
No. Buses run along the south coast, and taxis and boats cover the rest.

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