Skiathos holidays

While the island’s sheer number of blockbuster beaches makes it the envy of the Northern Sporades, a holiday to Skiathos has even more to offer the  island-hopping tourist. Here you’ll find a small handful of historical sites — ideal for zipping through on a short break — and a lively nightlife to keep you busy once the sun sets.

Skiathos holiday highlights

Byzantine Castle of Skiathos

Board the ‘Mamma Mia!’ cruise

Even if you’re not an ABBA fan, the stunning views make the ‘Mamma Mia!’ cruise a worthy addition to your holiday to Skiathos itinerary. Your trip will start at Skiathos Port, where you’ll trace the footsteps of the movie’s main characters. The cruise operator makes a stop at neighbouring Skopelos island, which houses the iconic clifftop chapel where Sophie got married.

Soak up the history

One perk of a holiday deal to Skiathos is an ability to squeeze the historical highlights into one day — leaving plenty of time to sun yourself silly. Situated on a peninsula at the entrance to Skiathos Port you’ll find the remaining ruins of Bourtzi fort. Visit the 1806 Evangelistria Monastery which provided refuge to the fighters of the Greek revolution.

Hike the hills

‘Skia’ actually means ‘shade’ in Greek. The island’s hilly, pine-covered landscape is well suited for shaded hiking during holidays to Skiathos. Choose from 26 clearly marked trails that take anything from one to six hours to complete. Take the taxi boat from Skiathos Town to Kastro, beginning your hike up to the castle built to defend locals from pirates. 

Skiathos: Know before you go

Language

Greek

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+2 (EET) and UTC+3 (EEST)

High season

June – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Skiathos

Weather in Skiathos

April – May: Daytime temperatures are mild in spring, but you’ll want a light jacket for the chillier evenings. The sea is usually too cold for swimming. Consider accommodation with a heated or indoor pool.

June – September: Summer’s hot days and pleasant evenings attract the crowds. Daytime temperatures can get toasty, so pack your sun cream and stay hydrated.

October – November: Warm weather continues until late October. This is a good time to visit if you want to enjoy the beaches without the summer crowds.

December – March: Winters are mild, with occasional rain showers and temperatures around 10°C. Be aware that many bars and tavernas close for the season.

Events in Skiathos

Feast of Agios Georgios (April): Honouring the patron saint of soldiers, this festival is celebrated with horse races around the lake. Don’t miss Greek folk dancing complete with traditional dress.

Skiathos Wine Festival (August): Sample local vintages and learn about the island’s winemaking traditions during this summer festival. Traditional music, dancing and food vendors add to the festive atmosphere.

Feast of Agios Nikolaos (December): Sailors are so beloved in Skiathos that the island throws a party for their patron saint. Check out live music, dancing and local food stalls, all centred around the Church of Agios Nikolaos in Skiathos Town.

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The best neighbourhoods in Skiathos

Skiathos Town

If proximity to bars, restaurants and shops is important to you, Skiathos Town is where to stay in Skiathos. It’s also conveniently close to Megali Ammos beach. Who could tire of exploring its pretty whitewashed buildings, blue accents and characteristic paved alleys?

Good for: Historic, nightlife, shopping

Agia Paraskevi

Agia Paraskevi may be the best neighbourhood in Skiathos for families. Especially families who love water sports. Expect to find canoes and pedal boats, as well as water skiing, tubing and all manner of motorised equipment rentals. There are also a few tavernas to keep mum and dad happy, while the slightly busier town of Platanias is within walking distance for those livelier nights.

Good for: Calm beaches, water sports, luxury

Troulos

If you want a slower pace of life and truly peaceful holiday, Troulos may be the best neighbourhood in Skiathos for you. The certified Blue Flag beach has all the amenities you could need including umbrellas, sun beds and lifeguards. While Troulos has few bars and clubs, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants dotted about.

Good for: Peace and quiet

Things to do in Skiathos

Skiathos

Family friendly things to do

The island’s hilly, shaded terrain makes it ideal for hiking trails, one of the best things to do with family in Skiathos. Trot through pine forests and over brooks and finish with a dip in the sea, for a holiday the family will remember forever. For older teens, Skiathos Mountain Bikes offers guided excursions across the island.

Shopping

Shopping in Skiathos revolves around Papadiamanti Street, named after the famed author and son of Skiathos. Along with bars and restaurants you’ll find boutiques, galleries and delis here (do pick up a spiral-shaped cheese pie). Look out for Skiathos Bee Farm Honey, produced by one of the few remaining beekeepers on Skiathos. Its dark colour is caused by the island’s pine trees.

Take in the culture

Skiathitiko Skiti is a traditional Skiathos home showing what life looked like in the previous century. Inside you’ll see a loom used to weave textiles, urns that would have been filled with olive oil and intimate relics personifying the family that lived here for generations. If you visit one museum in Skiathos, make it this one. 

Nightlife

Find the island's best nightlife in Skiathos Town. Start your evening at the open-air cinema for a screening of ‘Mamma Mia!’, which plays routinely throughout summer. There will be singing, so warm up your vocal chords. Move on to the open-air clubs of Ammoudia and unleash your inner dancing queen.

Places to eat

The best restaurants in Skiathos are the backstreet family-run tavernas. These cater to locals year-round rather than shutting up shop out of season. Ask the servers for local dishes like think monkfish ‘stifado’ (stew), crayfish with wild greens and Alonissos tuna with pasta. Wash it all down with ‘souma’ spirits. You’ll be shouting ‘yamas!’ (cheers!) with locals in no time.

Beaches

There’s a Skiathos beach for every taste. Koukounaries is popular with families due to its soft sand and shallow waters. Lalaria — accessible only by boat — is characterised by white pebbles, limestone cliffs and a natural sea arch.  Another popular spot is Banana Beach, whose golden sands are interrupted by a large rock. On one side you’ll find Little Banana, the island’s only nude beach.

Plan your holiday to Skiathos

Budget

Despite the island’s popularity with tourists, a cheap holiday to Skiathos is doable with some careful planning and budgeting. Expect to pay around 15 euros (€) for a simple meal in a restaurant. You can usually find a cold domestic beer for around €5. Need a taxi? A short ride will generally set you back about €5.

Day trips from Skiathos

The island of Alonissos is less than two hours away by ferry. Home to the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, it’s a great place to spot seabirds and Mediterranean monk seals. Closer to home, the small island of Tsougrias is just a 20-minute boat ride away. Check out its golden beaches, quiet tavernas and scenic clifftop church.

Getting around Skiathos

Skiathos has a well-connected bus system, with routes running between Skiathos Town and the island’s most popular beaches. Fares are cheap, but the buses can get crowded in peak season. For more flexibility, hiring a car allows you to explore secluded beaches and mountain villages at your own pace.

FAQs about Skiathos holidays

January brings the coolest weather for a Skiathos holiday. Book your trip sometime then and you'll experience lows of 6ºC (43ºF).
The cost of your city break in Skiathos will differ based on factors like where you're travelling from, the time of year, and the type of hotel you choose. Skiathos flights and hotels are typically pricier during peak periods, but you can score savings by travelling in the off-peak months.
The hottest month in Skiathos is August, with maximum temperatures of 29ºC (84ºF).
Yes, it’s generally safe to visit Skiathos on holiday, though wildfires and flash foods have caused issues in recent times. This may see visitors move towards shoulder season travel, which is also a good time for cheap holidays to Skiathos.
Greek is the language you're most likely to hear. Get familiar with some common local phrases during your city break in Skiathos and you'll fit in perfectly.
June is the cheapest time to visit Skiathos based on airfares. Make the most of the discounts on Skiathos flights and hotels and reward yourself with a longer, more laid-back holiday.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) for payments during your trip to Skiathos. Pay by card whenever possible, but keep some cash with you for places that don't take cards.
On this small island, you can cover a lot of ground during a short Skiathos holiday, making it an ideal stop on an island-hopping adventure or long weekend. To sample a variety of beaches we recommend staying five to seven days.
Whether you're interested in art, history, or anything else, there are endless things to do in Skiathos. Koukounaries Beach and Lalaria Beach are just some of the reasons this city's worth checking out.
The rainiest month is September, which has an average rainfall of 11 cm. But don't let a drizzly day ruin your Skiathos trip — there's still plenty to do indoors like shopping for unique finds, visiting galleries, or hanging out in cosy cafes.
Drinking the tap water in Skiathos is not recommended, even after boiling. Pass up the plastic on your holiday to Skiathos by using the drinking water refill stations located throughout Skiathos Town.