6 Drives and a Boat Ride to the Beauties of Skiathos
Discover Skiathos, the island of the Northern Sporades group with incredible beaches, each with its unique beauty. The leading road network covers Skiathos's eastern and southern coast, where most of the sandy and organised beaches are. The rest of the coast is rugged and mountainous, with older, narrower roads passing through the lush slopes, reaching a different, wilder landscape.
Skiathos town, on the southeastern side of the island. Photo by Dimitris Vetsikas, licensed.
Rent a car in Skiathos and drive to…
Skiathos town, on the southeastern side of the island.
On the southeastern side of the island is the town of Skiathos, probably the busiest town of the Sporades group. While most of the city has adjusted to visitors' needs with numerous tavernas, bars, shops and accommodation options, the locals continue their everyday life undisturbed!
Walk up the hill to the old part of town towards the churches of 3 Ierarches and Agia Triada for an authentic "taste" of Skiathos! The seafront is the centre of the island's nightlife. The green Bourtzi peninsula separates the commercial part of the port from the old one, which is picturesque and ideal for an evening walk by the sea.
Kastro, 9 km southwest of Skiathos town
When the island of Skiathos was raided by pirates in the 14th Century, the islanders made the most of the local geological characteristics. They moved from Skiathos town to the less accessible north coast. They built Kastro (Greek for "castle"), where they defended themselves using canons and a drawbridge. You can almost feel the history of the people who came here and built a settlement reaching 300 houses and around 20 churches. Unfortunately, the settlement was abandoned around the 1830s, and today you can only see the remains of the old castle. However, the view from the coastal cliffs is also rewarding!
You can reach Kastro by boat or by car. The first option involves getting to Koukounaries and taking a boat to Kastro. The only problem here is that you will need around half an hour to walk uphill from the coast to the fortress. The other way is to rent a car and drive to Kastro; however, you should consult your car hire service to rent the right vehicle that will allow you to go on the rough dirt road.
A short walk on the rocks will take you to the smaller Banana beach, a quieter and calmer option. Courtesy of pixabay.com
Banana beach, 14 km southwest of Skiathos town
The Banana consists of a large and smaller beach with warm shallow waters and old pine trees that provide refuge from the summer heat. The large Banana, as you can probably guess, is more popular and organised with sunbeds, water sports, tavernas, cafes and frequent parties. However, a short walk on the rocks will take you to the smaller Banana beach, a quieter and calmer option.
Mandraki beach, 15 km west of Skiathos town. Photo by Dimitris Vetsikas, licensed.
Mandraki beach, 15 km west of Skiathos town
This quiet beach is one of our favourites, a place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean summer, especially outside busy August. Here you will enjoy golden sand, crystal waters, fragrant beach lilies and a small friendly tavern!
Try to be at Mandraki beach early in the morning. Drive towards Koukounaries, and just before reaching it, take a right turn following the sign to Agia Eleni. Follow the dirt road for around 4 km until you reach the parking area. Leave your car there and walk for 5 minutes till you reach the beach. We recommend visiting Mandraki as your only plan; you will likely want to spend the whole day there!
Koukounaries (=Greek for pine trees) beach takes its name after the local coastal pine forest. Photo by Diego, licensed.
Koukounaries, 14 km southwest of Skiathos harbour
14 km southwest of Skiathos town, Koukounaries (=Greek for pine trees) beach takes its name after the local coastal pine forest. Where the pine trees meet the sea, you will find one of the busiest beaches on the island, also known for its fine sand. The beach is organised, and the area offers accommodation options, restaurants and shops. The coastal forest is of outstanding natural importance and provides a shady, relaxing environment.
Asselinos beach, 13km west of Skiathos town
At the northern coast of Skiathos, after a beautiful drive through the pine forest of the island, you will reach the beaches of Small and Big Asselinos. Thick sand and pebbles under the green slopes of Kounistra mountain. Big Asselinos is partly organised, and here you will find a taverna, a few umbrellas, sand beds, and plenty of room to lay your towel. Next to this beach is Small Asselinos. This is a quieter beach, although you must park your car and walk down the 2 km dirt road to get there.
Lalaria
The most popular and photographed beach of Skiathos is Lalaria! This beach is accessible only by boat, which you can take from the port of Skiathos. The crystal waters and the impressive rock formations attract visitors who want to spend a day on an exotic beach. Please bring water and snacks with you! Remember that collecting white round pebbles from the beach is now forbidden after geologists, and the Skiathos cultural group raised concerns about the practice.
The impressive rocks of Lalaria beach. Photo by Dimitris Vetsikas, licensed.
Do you want to learn more about the beautiful island of Skiathos? Then, look at Christina's Ultimate Guide for helpful information about things to do, where to eat and many more!
Rent a car with Simplybook for your next vacation in Greece and support the local communities.
Featured image by Dimitris Vetsikas, licensed.