Sporades
Skiathos
Small, pine-covered, and packed with excellent beaches — and excellent crowds.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Busy in peak
Best months
Jun, Jul, Sep
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Skiathos
Skiathos is small — 64 square kilometres — but its beaches punch well above that weight. Koukounaries, a kilometre of golden sand backed by a pine-fringed lagoon, is consistently listed among the best in Greece, and the pine forests running to the water's edge give the island a lushness unusual in the northern Aegean. Lalaria, accessible only by boat, has remarkable white marble pebbles and natural rock arches carved by the sea. The main town is lively and pleasant, with a working harbour and a bar scene that doesn't tip into the extreme. And for a specific type of enthusiast, the airport runway ends directly above Xanemos beach — planes skim metres overhead as they land, a spectacle that has its own devoted following. The downside: Skiathos is small enough to feel seriously overwhelmed in August, and increasingly expensive for what you get.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Extremely small island that gets overwhelmingly crowded in August. Prices are high relative to what you get.
Hidden gem
Lalaria Beach is only reachable by boat — go on the first morning shuttle before the day-trippers arrive.
Where it sits
Sporades, Greece
Skiathos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Skiathos? +
- The best months to visit Skiathos are June to September. Avoid late July and August if you can — the island is extremely crowded in peak season.
- How do you get to Skiathos from Athens? +
- Skiathos has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry.
- Is Skiathos good for couples? +
- Skiathos is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Skiathos good for families with kids? +
- Skiathos is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Skiathos expensive? +
- Skiathos is affordable by Greek-island standards — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Skiathos? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Skiathos. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Skiathos? +
- Extremely small island that gets overwhelmingly crowded in August. Prices are high relative to what you get.