Skiathos
Pine Green Sporades Island Of Some Sixty Beaches, Koukounaries Among The Best Known In Greece, Reached By Charter Flights Over The Town Rooftops · Skiathos, Thessaly
Skiathos is the smallest and busiest of the main inhabited Northern Sporades, a green island of pine forest, olive groves and a coast often said to hold some sixty beaches, sitting off the tip of the Pelion peninsula. Its fame rests on those beaches: Koukounaries, a long curve of fine sand backed by a protected stone-pine forest and a lagoon, is regularly named among the best in Greece, and Lalaria, a cove of polished white pebbles under cliffs on the north coast, can be reached only by boat. Skiathos Town is a lively port of red roofs, two harbours, the Bourtzi pine peninsula and the house of the writer Alexandros Papadiamantis. Charter jets land from across Europe on a short runway that ends at the sea, low over a road where people gather to watch. It suits beach holidays, families and boat days to Skopelos and Alonissos. Honest caveats: in July and August it is a busy package and charter island, the one coast road is congested, and prices rise; in winter much of it closes.
Skiathos, Northern Sporades; Skiathos Town and its low-approach airport; Koukounaries and Lalaria beaches; ferries from Volos and Agios Konstantinos, Skiathos, Thessaly, Greece
The island, its beaches and paths are open at all hours and free, but Skiathos is seasonal: most hotels, beach bars, boat trips and many tavernas run roughly May to October, and much closes from November to April. The Papadiamantis house museum and the Evangelistria monastery keep daytime hours, often with a midday break and shorter hours out of season - confirm. The public bus runs along the south-coast road from the town to Koukounaries, frequently in summer and far less in winter. Ferries and fast boats come from Volos and Agios Konstantinos, and charter and domestic flights land at the airport. Book August ferries, cars and rooms well ahead.