Skiathos gave us a little of everything: coves reached by boat or on foot, the old northern settlement of Kastro, and quiet trails beneath the pines. Here are the places and practical details we still talk about.
Our Skiathos guide at a glance
Skiathos gave us two very different kinds of days: warm, busy hours by the water and quiet walks in the island’s pine forests. We mixed beaches and boat trips with a little history, a forest hike and evenings in Skiathos Town.
A fishing trip that let us join in
One of our favourite days on Skiathos was a fishing trip with Skiathos Fishing Tourism. We were able to fish ourselves and later help pull in a net. It felt much more hands-on than simply watching the coastline pass from a boat.
Kastro and its beach in the north
The drive to the old settlement of Kastro was more demanding than the walk once we arrived. The road becomes narrow and steep, with loose and uneven stretches near the end. We took it slowly. From the historic site, we continued down to Kastro Beach. The number of people changed with the excursion boats: when one left, the beach briefly became quiet, until another arrived.
An unplanned afternoon in Skiathos Town
We usually started by the harbour and wandered through the lanes and shopping street without much of a plan. Near sunset, the headland by the old town is a good place to look back towards the harbour. At Plakes, just outside the centre, we climbed over the rocks to swim. It is not a conventional beach, so water shoes are useful.
Diamanti Beach, first from the water
We first spotted Diamanti Beach during the fishing trip: a small, sheltered cove with clear water. We later returned by land. Seeing it from the boat made us want to find our own way back, and the two visits felt quite different.
A grey day in the Mandraki forest
When the sky stayed grey, we swapped the beach for walking shoes and headed into the Mandraki forest near Koukounaries. The wooded paths were a welcome change from the coast. Leave enough time to find the trail and take water, even when the weather feels cooler.
Evangelistria Monastery and a slow evening
At Evangelistria Monastery, a baptism was taking place during our visit, so the usually quiet grounds were lively. We walked around the complex and looked into the small shop before stopping at Athos Café.
Where we ate in Skiathos Town
There is plenty of choice in town, though prices vary. Lo&La was more expensive than some of our other stops, but we especially liked the truffle arancini with parmesan sauce. We also enjoyed the Kastro Beach taverna during our visit.
Our take on Skiathos
Skiathos suited us because we could switch from beaches to forest without long drives. The bus covers many familiar routes; a car is useful when you want to go beyond them. We would leave time for both a boat day and the slower inland side of the island.
Keep exploring the Greek islands
Our overview brings together the islands we have visited and the guides currently available.