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 tiny (only 64 km²) but packs in over 60 beaches, many of them excellent. Koukounaries is consistently rated one of Greece's best. The island has a lively main town with a decent bar scene, and is famous for the low-flying planes that land directly over the beach. Easy to reach from Athens, which makes it popular — perhaps too popular in August.
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.