SKIATHOS is the most popular destination of the Sporades islands and holds the majority of the hotel tourism in the area. There is a small international airport at the island serving domestic and charter flights but generally, it is not well connected with Athens or other main cities in Greece or Europe. Skiathos is recently discovered by Germans, Austrians, and Spanish and certainly a well known destination for the August-rushing Italians. The marina at the end of Skiathos main port is located 5 -7 minutes ride by taxi from the airport, a few minutes walk from the ferry dock and just opposite to the main shopping streets. Shops, restaurants, bars, and tavernas are all just a few minutes away from your boat BUT we recommend you AVOID everything found upon the seaside road since it will be more expensive & of inferior quality.
With some 55 beaches to choose from, many of which are only accessible by boat, beach hopping on Skiathos can be a full time occupation. It is worth checking the beaches of Koukounaries, Megali Ammos, Kastro and Lalaria. Other beaches with thick pine forests and sand dunes are, Vromolimnos, Krassa (Banana Beach), Ag Eleni, Achladies, Tzaneria, Ftelia, Aghia Paraskevi, Banana, Elia, Aselinos, Kechria, Limenari, Megas Gialos and Mandraki.
Opposite the southeast coast, don’t miss Tsougria – a very pretty little green island with a pure white sand beach.
The MOORING place for charter yachts is mainly at the floating pier / pontoon right on the north side of Skiathos port, though one may find available space at the dock in front of the tavernas and cafes. Between 2002-2004 there was a significant improvement made to the yachting infrastructure for a private marina project, however it was never completed. Many of the facilities are still in the service of the charterers, the yachting companies, and base managers.
Facilities and support for sailing yachts and motor boats in Skiathos are set out in the following table.
|
Skiathos Island yacht facilities |
Technical assistance | |||||||||
|
Fuel |
Water |
Provisions |
Ice |
Engineer |
Electrician |
Plastic repairs |
Woodworks & repairs |
Chandler store |
Sailmaker (repairs) |
GSM Mobile Telephone COVERAGE |
|
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
NO |
YES |
The best SHELTER POINTS in Skiathos Island are Skiathos port/marina, Koukounaries beach, and Platania bay. Many other beaches on the South coast of the island provide a fair shelter too.
HAZARDS: Care should be given outside the bay of Skiathos port when heading north and North East: Between the islets of Marango, Aspro and Arko there are 3-4 rocks exactly at the level of the sea quite difficult to notice.
WATER SPORTS in Skiathos Island
On most of the beaches in Skiathos, there are water sports centers offering a variety of activities including water-skiing, windsurfing, banana boat rides, parasailing and Jet Ski hire. All the necessary equipment can be rented there. Information can be also gained at the many tourist offices in the main town.
SCUBA DIVING in Skiathos Island
Scuba diving has become a major factor in attracting more visitors to the island. There are two scuba diving centers/schools on the Island, one is located at Nostos Beach in Tzaneria (http://www.ddiving.gr/) and the other is situated on the harbour (http://www.odc-skiathos.com/ ).
RENT A CAR / BIKE in Skiathos Island (main town and port)
HERTZ Tel.: +30 24270 24410, http://www.hertz.gr
EUROPE CAR Tel.: +30 24270 22385, 21348, https://www.europcar.com/
HALIVELAKIS BIKE & CAR RENTAL TEL: +30-24270-23025, http://www.halivelakis.gr/
HISTORY Information for Skiathos Island
The name Skiathos is supposed to be the name that was given to the island by the Pelasgians, its first inhabitants, because they were impressed by the great shadow (skia in Greek) of the many trees covering the island and the name of the great sacred mountain of Athos, which towers 140Km to the northeast of Skiathos. Another version of the story is that the name Skiathos derives from the name of Dionysos (the God of Wine in Greek Mythology) who was the god most worshiped on the island and his cult name was Skianthos.
The fertility and the strategic position of the island attracted many invaders; however, the Skiathian people had managed to live peacefully on the island until they came under the Ottoman domination in 1538 when the Turkish pirate Barbarossa captured Skiathos. Having no choice, the Skiathian people moved to an almost inaccessible rocky spur on the northern end of the island called Kastro (castle in Greek), which was connected to the island by a drawbridge that could be raised in times of siege. During their domination by the Turkish people, Kleftes (revolutionary brigand) and Armatoloi (local military) sought refuge in Skiathos. Among them was also the famous revolutionary hero Kolokotronis; the island was also an active member of the Philiki Etairia (revolutionary secret organization). Skiathos became free in 1830 with the rest of Greece. After the revolution, Kastro was abandoned and Skiathians moved to the port where they started to develop shipbuilding and exceeded in it. Today, Kastro is deserted and almost the entire population lives in Skiathos town.
MUSEUMS AND other interesting SITES in Skiathos Island
The main sight in Skiathos town is the museum that used to be the house of the Greek writer Alexandros Papadiamantis during the 19th century. The museum (Tel: 24270 23843) exposes a small collection that documents the life of the island?s famous son and is located in the heart of the town. In town, you can also visit the church of St. Nikolaos, and the Bourtzi (a small peninsula that separates the harbour in two) or explore the back streets full of photo opportunities. Other places of interest are the Monastery of Evangelistria, the old town of Kastro (accessible by motor yacht as well), Pirgi, an ancient (pre-Christian) watch-tower, constructed of massive stones, the churches of Ag. Anastasia, Ag. Sozon & the Monastery of Kounistra are worth visiting.
LOCAL THINGS & STUFF to check or BUY in Skiathos Island
For some people, chartering a sailing yacht does not offer just the delightful joy of sailing itself, but a good opportunity to travel, explore, acquire different kinds of experience and broaden horizons. Shopping is often included into the major package of sailing holidays in Greece and the Greek islands.
Skiathos Town has no shortage of shops proposing a wide variety of jewelry, leather and local arts and crafts, porcelain, labeled clothes shops, jewelry, art galleries, book shops, touristy shops, etc. Most of them are located in the main street of the town.
For theater lovers, on the small peninsula of Bourtzi, there is an open-air theater where performances of all kinds are shown there and tickets can be bought at the Tourist Information Bureau, near the harbour office). Taverns in Skiathos main port are not believed to serve the best quality food. Restaurants located right on the seaside road are not recommendable. A general rule says: dine out only where locals do.
Click here to see photos from the island of Skiathos
Other names used for Skiathos are: Skiatos, Skiatho, Sciato, Sciathos