Weekend getaway to Skiathos

A Greek gem quietly unforgettable

Inspiration for a 3-day escape

Beaches of Skiathos

Skiathos is where the green of the pine forests meets the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, creating a fairytale setting. If you are looking for long, fine-sand beaches and calm waters, you have found one of your ideal destination.

Koukounaries Beach is the island’s most famous beach and perfectly illustrates the phrase “where the pines meet the shore”.

And if relaxing on the beach at sunset is on your bucket list, Agia Eleni Beach will enchant you with a splendid palette of colours as the sun goes down.

Another unique beach is Troulos, which offers a different view, facing a small dome-shaped islet – a formation that also gave the beach its name.

JSI Experience

Skiathos Island is an iconic destination for plane spotting enthusiasts, with JSI Airport being one of the most spectacular places in Europe to watch aircraft. Due to its short runway and close proximity to both the road and the sea, landings and take-offs can be admired from just a few metres away, offering a thrilling and unforgettable show.

Plane spotting & beachside leisure? Excellent choice! Xanemos Beach is the ideal spot where you can watch planes fly right overhead, while admiring the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea and soaking up the sun.

Skiathos Town

Lose yourself in the narrow streets of Chora and experience the authentic Greek atmosphere, admiring the charming tavernas, whitewashed houses, and blooming trees.

In the evening, as dusk approaches, head up to the Clock Tower and the Church of Agios Nikolaos to take in the stunning panoramic views over the town. The picturesque scenery, with the town’s orange-roofed houses, will stay with you forever.

Your sunset stroll can continue towards the Bourtzi Peninsula or Plakes, where the calmness of the sea and the pink hues of the sky will quiet your mind.

Explore the coastline by boat

A Greek island experience is never truly complete without a boat trip out on the open sea.

There are two popular boat tours in Skiathos: one around the island itself, and another to Skopelos and Alonissos. For a holiday longer than three days, the trip to the other two Sporades islands is definitely worth adding to the itinerary, especially for Mamma Mia! fans, as the boats stop at the very locations where the movie was filmed.

With only three days to explore, I chose the around-the-island tour to see as much of Skiathos as possible.

The first stop on this tour is Lalaria Beach, the island’s most spectacular and iconic beach, accessible only by boat.

Next up is Kastro Beach, where you can either stay and enjoy the sun and crystal-clear water, or hike up to the ruins of the old castle – Kastro.

The last stop is the public beach on the islet of Tsougria, a tranquil oasis located just off the coast of Skiathos.

Skiathos Essentials

Getting There

Ryanair operates direct flights from Bucharest to Skiathos, and prices can start from as low as €20 per flight.

Island Transportation

Since it is a fairly small island, I didn’t find it necessary to rent a car; getting around is easy either on foot or by bus.

Public transport is highly efficient and offers a coastal route consisting of 26 stops, each located right next to a beach or a major landmark.

Buses run between Skiathos Town (Bus Stop 0) and Koukounaries Beach (Bus Stop 26) every 10 to 15 minutes. The service starts at 6:45 AM and runs past midnight, with the last departure at 1:45 AM.

A single ticket costs €3 per person, and you can check the exact schedule here.

Where to Stay

For a long weekend, I chose accommodations in Skiathos Town. From here, I could easily reach any of the beaches, while also being close to the port for the around-the-island boat tour.

My choices for accommodation were Cicones Boutique Apartments and Eleni’s House Skiathos.

Where to Eat

I noticed that the food was tastier and offered better value for money in the Koukounaries and Troulos areas compared to Skiathos Town, at least in the places I tried.

My recommendations for restaurants are:

• Koukounaries – Under The Pine Tree

• Troulos – Taverna Paralia, located right on the beach

And for breakfast, I found a small family-run spot in Skiathos Town called Foodie Café, which offers great staple dishes and excellent prices.

Boat Tour

The around-the-island tour includes three stops: Lalaria Beach, Kastro Beach – Kastro Castle and Tsougria Island.

My choice for the tour operator was Skiathos Travellers. The booking process on their website was extremely quick and easy, and the trip cost €35.

Departure was around 10:00 AM, and for the return journey, you could choose from hourly boats starting at 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Best Sunsets & Viewpoints

Agia Eleni Beach is the ideal spot to watch a gorgeous sunset over the sea. (Tip: The walking distance between Koukounaries and Agia Eleni beaches is only 20 minutes, so you can easily combine the two for a perfectly relaxing day spent entirely at the beach.)

The iconic orange roofs of Skiathos Town, as well as the old port, can be admired in all their glory at sunset from the Clock Tower and the Church of Agios Nikolaos, located at the highest point of the town.

The pink and purple hues of the sunset sky, accompanied by the background sound of the sea waves, create an incredible atmosphere of peace and relaxation at the Bourtzi Peninsula or Plakes.