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I’ve been to many Greek Islands and have always been obsessed with Greece from a young age, coming with my parents every year and their love for the Greek way for life and the stunning islands. For my 30th birthday we had a girls trip to Skiathos, Mama Mia being one of my all time favourite films, we explored the island, the food and drinks and did plenty of Mama Mia themed activities (of course!) In this Skiathos travel guide, I’ll walk you through where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of your time on this dreamy Greek island.
A Little About Skiathos 🧿
Skiathos is a hidden gem in the Aegean Sea, it now attracts thousands of visitors annually despite it’s small size. Unlike many other Greek islands, Skiathos is part of the Sporades and boasts over 60 stunning beaches, including the famous Koukounaries, often ranked among the best in Europe.
With its crystal-clear waters, laid-back vibe, and of course known from the film Mamma Mia, Skiathos is perfect for both adventure seekers and those looking to unwind. It’s great for a trip with the girls with Skiathos having some lovely classy bars and lively atmosphere and also great for couples, Skiathos famous for it’s romantic ambiance.
Where to Stay in Skiathos
Armonia Guest House Skiathos – Skiathos Town – Budget – If being in the centre is what you’re after, this guest house is minutes walk, with 300metres away from the port and starting at £38 per night, it’s all you need! Not too far from a beach either, 0.5 miles to Megali Ammos beach.
Althaea Luxury Rooms – Skiathos Town – Luxury – Also right in the centre but with balcony and pool views, an infinity pool and a garden with a bar on site. An Exceptional 9.7 on Booking.com.
La Luna Hotel – Troulos – Most Family Friendly – The hotel is perfect for kids with 2 outdoor pools, with kids pool available at the aparthotel and ‘exceptional breakfast’ included. Close to many beaches, Troulos only 100yards with many watersports and also close to Katharina and Koukounaries.
Top 5 Things To Do in Skiathos 🧿
Relax on the Beaches
60 beaches lining the coast, you couldn’t ask for more, Skiathos offers something for every type of traveller—from bustling beach bars to peaceful coves. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular and unique beaches to include in your itinerary:
Koukounaries Beach 🏖️
Perfect for: Beach lovers, first-time visitors, families
Ranked among the best beaches in Greece, Koukounaries is famous for its long stretch of soft golden sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Backed by a protected pine forest (from which it gets its name) which makes the scenery even more beautiful, this beach is great for everyone. You’ll find sunbeds, water sports, beach bars, and nearby restaurants—ideal for a full day out
Lalaria Beach 🏖️
Perfect for: Adventure seekers, photographers, boat trippers
You can only access by boat but Lalaria is Skiathos’ most iconic and photogenic beach. Known for its bright white pebbles, dramatic cliffs, and natural rock arch (Tripia Petra), Lalaria is postcard-perfect. Boats depart daily from Skiathos Town, usually including it in a beach-hopping cruise. Be sure to bring water shoes and your camera!
Banana Beach (Big & Small Banana) 🏖️
Perfect for: Young travellers, party-goers
Located on the southwestern coast, Banana Beach is actually two beaches in one: Big Banana is lively, with DJs, cocktails, and sunbeds—great for those looking to mix sunbathing with beach partying. Just a short walk away, Small Banana is quieter and more peaceful, both offer beautiful sunsets and clear waters.
Megali Ammos Beach 🏖️
Perfect for: Easy access from Skiathos Town, casual swims
Just a 10-minute walk from the main town, Megali Ammos is the most convenient beach if you’re staying nearby and want a quick dip. It’s a long stretch of sand and small pebbles with calm waters and plenty of beachfront tavernas. It can get busy, especially in high season, but it’s ideal if you’re not venturing far.
There are also many many other beaches, some more other popular ones you may consider may be Vromolimnos Beach, known for being the trendiest beach on the island with an upscale trendy vibe. Agia Eleni Beach, which is near Banana beach, this is a smaller beach known for breath taking sunset views with a local feel. Also the Mandraki Beaches (Elias, Agkistros, and Xerxi), on the northern coast these beaches are off the beaten track, you will need to hike or hire a vehicle but the beaches look untouched with soft sand and clear water.
Explore Skiathos Town
Chora, is the charming capital of the island and the heart of Skiathos. It’s the perfect base for exploring Skiathos, with the beautiful traditional buildings, culture, Greek cuisine and nightlife scene.
- Stroll the Old Town whitewashed alleyways, the town is a mix of old-world charm and modern style. Try out the local cafe’s, tavernas and boutiques.
- Churches and Monasteries – Skiathos has beautiful churches, visit one of the most photographed Church of Agios Nikolaos, perched above the town with a white bell tower and I’m sure you’ll recognise this from Mama Mia!
- Skiathos Town is the main area to shop on the island, filled with local artisan shops, handmade jewellery, leather goods, and Greek beauty products. Papadiamantis Street is the main pedestrian street, buzzing both day and night.
- Visit the old port which is where you’ll find colourful fishing boats alongside yachts. It’s also the jumping-off point for boat trips around the island.
Take a Boat Trip
Exploring Skiathos by boat is one of the best ways to discover the island’s true beauty—from secret coves and remote beaches to neighbouring islands that inspired Mamma Mia! Some popular trips might entail Island-Hopping to Skopelos & Alonissos, Lalaria Beach & Blue Caves Cruise, Sunset Cruise from Skiathos Town and Snorkelling & Dolphin Spotting Trips.
Skiathos: Mamma Mia Island and Beach Day Cruise
A 7hr trip at £41pp, you’re able to visit the beautiful beaches on Skopelos (Kastani and Milia) on a relaxing day trip while seeing the locations from Mama Mia. You will set sail at Skiathos Port at 9.15am, rated 4.3 on Get Your Guide.
From Skiathos: Skopelos & Alonissos Boat Trip with Highlights
Rated 5 stars on Get Your Guide. A 9hr trip at £50pp, you’re able to explore Skopelos and Alonissos, starting off visiting Skopolos, the famous churches and stunning beaches. You will then sail across to Alonissos, visit the Old Town, the Marine Park and Blue Caves. Finally sailing back across to Milia Beach and you also may also get to see some dolphins! Optional pick up, nearby your hotel.
Skiathos: Boat Cruise with Dinner & Sunset Viewing
Rated 5 stars on Get Your Guide. A 7hr trip at £123pp, join a traditional family-run cruise for up to only 8 people. Enjoy, swimming, snorkelling, sunset and traditional dinner and wine. Visit the deserted islands of Tsougria and Arkos, see the beautiful caves, the enchanting Lalaria, the Skiathos Castle passing between the Castro islands, and the small paradise of Panteleimonas beach. You will be at the beaches Agia Eleni and Banana for the sun setting.
Enjoy Greek Food and Drink
Skiathos offers a great mix of dining and nightlife options for everyone. If you’re a seafood lover, like myself you’re not lost for options and the seafood is unbelievable here! There are many bars which host live music, cocktail bars with a view of the sea, traditional Greek traverna’s to more modern rooftop restaurants. Even though Skiathos is a small island it has everything to offer and more! On this Skiathos travel guide are top restaurants and bars as well as reviews.
Restaurants: Read Reviews on TripAdvisor Click – For Best Restaurants in Skiathos
- Scala – Highly recommended as no.1 on TripAdvisor. In the Old Town with beautiful views, you don’t have to book although we did to get a table with view. I really enjoyed the seafood pasta and excellent attentive service.
- Lyhnari – If a traditional Greek restaurant as reasonable prices is what you’re after, come here! In Old Town, all Traditional homemade Greek food and drink with an Ouzo for afters. The Greek waiters will make you feel very welcome.
- Strofilia. – Greek and Italian restaurant in Koukounaries. With excellent prices and a large range of food with also a kids menu. Nice surroundings amongst trees with really friendly staff and good Greek atmosphere.
Bars: Read Reviews on TripAdvisor Click – For Best Bars and Clubs in Skiathos
- GinFish Cocktail & Bar – As shown in the photo! A modern cocktail bar with comfy sofas in the Old Town with perfect views of the sea so sit and watch the boats and planes. The bar also has a happy hour.
- Danny and Zoe’s Blind Dog – I’m a lover for live music and here there’s live music every night with a busy and lively atmosphere, excellent performers too.
- Phedrock Bar – Lively bar, you can hire out booths for stag and hen do’s. The bar shows all the sports, open late every night with a happy hour between 5-9pm.
Watch Mama Mia in the Open Air Cinema
#1 out of 1 Fun and Games in Skiathos on TripAdvisor – click to read reviews
One of my best parts of my time in Skiathos was watching Mamma Mia! under the stars at the island’s famous Open-Air Cinema, it was very unique and fun experience! Located just a short walk from the centre of Skiathos Town, this cinema is a must for fans or anyone looking to enjoy a classic Greek summer night.
The setting is stunning, set in a garden with fairy lights, olive trees, and comfortable seating. The cinema offers nightly showings during the summer months—usually with one screening of Mamma Mia! every evening, complete with English audio and Greek subtitles. It holds around 200 people and tickets costs €8.50. Buy your tickets outside the theatre but as early as you can as it will fill up.
The atmosphere is amazing (as seen on my video!) Locals and travellers come together with food and drinks gather with, laughing and singing along to ABBA classics. There’s also an introduction before the film, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the cast and filming locations around Skiathos and Skopelos.
Getting There ✈️
I live in Newcastle, UK and from here it is a very simple and exciting experience flying to Skiathos. Flights go direct from Newcastle airport with TUI and Jet2 which takes between 3.5 – 4 hours. We also checked Leeds Bradford Airport and Edinburgh (as our other nearest options) for prices and dates. We did end up going with Leeds Bradford due to the lower price. So make sure you check all your local airports to compare.
The landing is very exciting coming into Skiathos, it is very unique as the runway is just before the sea. There was a sudden drop and then the whole plane clapped at landing. (I would need to prepare a friend who doesn’t enjoy flying). The airport at Skiathos is very small and you won’t have a long transfer either due to the size of the island.
Getting Around 🏍️
- Local Bus. The local bus in Skiathos is one of the most popular ways to get around and is very convenient. In the summer months it runs regularly and for a single journey costs €3. The journey connects Skiathos Town with many of the island’s most popular beaches like Koukounaries, Troulos, and Agia Paraskevi. So this makes the bus perfect for some beach hopping!
- Tip. Buses can get crowded in peak season during the day, so aim to travel early or later in the afternoon.
- Water Taxi. You are able to take a water taxi to Koukounaries beach for €6pp one way. This is another way to see Skiathos from the sea instead of the shore.
- Taxi’s are available but pricey and in peak season you need to book in advance. We needed to book one in advance (which we did at the hotel) to the airport but you’ll find a taxi rank in Skiathos Old Town.
- Renting a car, scooter, or ATV is a the best option and very popular if you want to explore Skiathos beyond the main tourist hotspots. You’ll be able to see remote beaches and scenic viewpoint while having that flexibility.
- Note: To see off track beaches in the north a scooter/ATV is the best option as some roads are unpaved and it will be tricky but worth it.
For Car Rentals – Click for Rentalcars.com in Skiathos, the largest online car rental service – With 48 hours free cancellation, pick up and drop off at Skiathos Port at 10am.
For motorcycles, quads, ATV’s – Click for BikeBooking.com in Skiathos, If hiring a Quad make sure you also look at age restrictions as many are 23+ or 21+ with a licence of at least 12 months.
Conclusion – Skiathos Travel Guide
Skiathos is a small island that makes you never want to leave. There’s the Mama Mia adventures, the stunning beaches, the lively atmosphere of Old Town, amazing traditional food and such a variety of boat trips there’s something for every traveller. So many people come back time and time again, my parents have over 5 times now – no wonder why. Have a lovely trip, hope the Skiathos travel guide was useful ✈️💙
Want to read a little more about Greece, click on The Complete Travel Guide to Ios, Greece (2025 Edition)
