Skiathos is only 46 sq km, but many people choose to return for their holidays year
after year for the simple fact that it has amongst the best beaches of the
Greek islands, a large variety of taverns, bars and places to stay and the
fact that it is absolutely gorgeous.
It is a lush, green island with over 60 beaches and depending on where you
stay, you can have a quiet, relaxing holiday or a more active one doing excursions,
sports and enjoying the nightlife.
The locals mainly live off tourism and agriculture. They grow olives, fruit
and walnuts and there is both local honey and wine. Many of the islanders
leave the island in the winter and work on the mainland. The difference between
the summer and winter season is very distinct: whereas the population amounts
to about 4000 people, in summer it can reach 70000! The capital of the
island, Skiathos Town, has managed to keep its traditional style
even though every summer thousands of visitors flock to enjoy
what it has to offer. As you come into the port the first thing
you will notice, to the left, are the old shipyards whilst
nearby is a large lake which also sees thousands of visitors
every summer - this time as a presence of many varieties of
birdlife which flock here during there summer migrations.The
town of Skiathos has many interesting churches. among the most
important is the Cathedral which has many holy relics and icons
which come from other churches all over the island and are
looked after at the Cathedral. another interesting church
to visit in Skiathos town is the Church of Mary of The Lake.
Here there is a shrine to Alexandros Papadiamardis the famous
writer of Skiathos. Go as well to the beautiful churches of
Agios Fanarios and Agios Nikolas. From these two pretty
churches you will be able to enjoy amazing views to the castle
of Skiathos. Throughout the history of the island, this
castle, like many in the Greek islands, was used by the
population of Skiathos as a shelter from raiding pirates or
Turks. The castle was also the place where the allies
escaped from during the Second World War. Try to also
visit the monasteries of Skiathos which are located close to the
capital. among the most important of these is the
Monastery of Evangelistria where, during the Greek War of
Independence, many Greek fighters sought sanctuary. In the
museum and library of this monastery you can see important books
and relics of historical and religious importance.
Skiathos is a popular summer resort for British and Scandinavian holidaymakers,
but there are also many Italians, Germans, Dutch and Swiss. The Greeks also
love Skiathos, and they like to see it as a bit of a cosmopolitan island.
History
Skiathos is
one of the few islands in Greece that has never changed name, at least as
far as we know. It is not certain where the name comes from and one theory
has it that it is a pre-Greek name given to the island's very first inhabitants.
Another explanation is that it comes from the Greek word for shadow, Skia,
and that it got it because of its many trees, or that the island lies in the
shadow of the mountains of Pelion on the mainland.
Prehistoric findings on Skiathos tell us that the island has been inhabited
since pre-historic times. We do not know exactly who lived here then, perhaps
the Pelasgians.
Skiathos has a tradition of shipbuilding, and together with the fertile soil
it became an important resting place for expeditions and travellers. It is
believed that both the Greek fleet against Troy, as well as Jason
and the Argonauts
made a stop here before sailing on.
In the 7th century BC the Chalceids settled here and the island was to become
a strategically important place in the Persian Wars in the 5th century BC.
Skiathos was to fall under Athenian, Spartan as well as Macedonian rule through
the ancient years. The greatest catastrophy came when Philip III sacked the
island in order to prevent the invading Romans from getting the island's riches
in the 2nd century BC. Skiathos was to enjoy relative freedom both under Roman
and Byzantine times until the Venetian Ghisi brothers took it over in the
13th century.
The curse of the island was the constant pirate raids during Medieval times.
The people of the island moved to Kastro, and did their best to protects themselves
from there. The final blow came in 1538 when the Turks invade. After defending
themselves for a week, the Skiathos people could no longer resist, and the
Turks stormed into Kastro, killing men, women and children.
The Turkish rule was strict, and many refugees also came from the mainland,
impoverishing Skiathos almost totally. The island was finally freed in 1829.
Since then it has been a peaceful place, with the exception of the Second
World War when the Germans set the island on fire.
What to see
Even though
Skiathos is such a small island, there are quite a few things to see. In Skiathos
torn, Chora, there is the old part with tiny winding streets and old, impressive
houses.
There is also the Bourtzi, a tiny peninsula in the harbour which used to be
a Venetians citadel, with remains of the 13 century wall and canons. Here,
you can enjoy concerts, art exhibitions and puppet shows for children in the
open air theatre.
The monastery Evangelistra is situated a 30 minute drive outside Chora. It
has some amazing surroundings and is open for the public. Characteristic for
the monastery are the many friendly cats, birds and dog that live here. Evangelistra
also has a small museum with various objects from its history. There is also
an excellent shop here where you can buy icons, crucifixes, plates, T-shirts
and even wine. There is a small, white bus that goes between the monastery
and Chora several times a day.
Kounistra monastery is further away from Chora, and you can only get there
if you rent a vehicle or go on an excursion. Here, a monk found an icon of
the Virgin Mary hanging in a tree in the 17th century, and the monastery was
built after the icon: Kounistra means "the swinging". This used
to be a school during the Turkish rule, and you are free to walk around in
it. The icon is the Tris Ierarches church in Chora today, so the Kounistra
church only holds a copy.
When visiting the monasteries, don't forget to wear a long skirt and to cover your
shoulders if you are a woman, and to wear long trousers if you are a man.
You can also
visit the medieval capital Kastro, either by going on one of the boat trips
around the island, or driving almost all the way and then walking. Don't miss
the Church of Christ and the old houses.
What to do
On many of the beaches there are watersports, for example on Megali Ammos
near Chora, Koukounaries and Ag Paraskevi. In Chora there is a tennisclub. You
can also go horse riding near Koukounaries. There is also a diving centre.
In the Bourtzi open air theatre there are usually concerts, traditional Greek
dancing and plays in the evening.
There are daytrips to the neighbouring islands Skopelos and Alonissos, as
well as to Athens and Meteora.
Beaches
Even though Skiathos is a small island, it has over 60 beaches, and there is at least one for every taste: Koukounaries is one of Greece's most famous beaches - a long sandy beach with beautiful surroundings, taverns, snack bars and water sports, Banana beach, which is known as a nudist beach but the fact is that only part of it is, Agia Paraskevi - a perfect beach for the family, Lalaria - a white pebble beach you only can reach by boat (Jason and the Argonauts was partly filmed here). The north side can get quite rough, and the beaches there are not so suitable for children.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Chora is quite busy, especially during high season, but fortunately, most discos are on the "Disco Strip", at the end of the new harbour towards the airport. There are little bars everywhere, but the busiest street is Polytechniou street, or "Bar Street". Koukounaries also has quite a few places.
Food
There is a
wide range of restaurants on Skiathos and you can get anything from French
cuisine to traditional Greek food. The island is not really known for any
specialty, but you can often get Skopelos cheese pie.
There are some locally made sweets you can boy on they waterfront.
Shopping
Most shops
are on the main street of the town, Papadiamantis street. There, you will find
clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, leather belts etc.
If you want to get something really genuine you should go to the monastery
Evaggelistria and buy some of the wine the monks make.
Getting around
There is a quite good bus line going to many places on the island. The bus stops are numbered, so it is very easy to know where to get off. No 1 being in town and the last number down at Koukounaries beach. There is also a small, white bus that goes to and from the Evaggelistria monastery and Chora. You can also rent a car or a bike. There are taxis on the island, but no so many that you can trust you'll get one on your departure day without reserving one.
Getting there
Skiathos has an airport, so you can either get there from your home country or via local flights from Athens. The flight from Athens takes about 35 minutes. The Flying Dolphins are hydrofoils that go to and from the mainland (Volos and Ag Konstantinos) every day. The larger ferrybots also arrive several times a day. A couple of times a week there is also a ferryboat from Thessaloniki.
Facts about Skiathos
Size: 46 sq km
International code: 0030
Population: about 6000
Local code: 24270
Cash machine: Yes
Health center: 22222
Internet cafe: Yes
Tourist Police: 23172
Highest Mountain:
Police: 21111
Airport: Yes
Taxi: 21460
Tour Operators:Argo,Libra,
JMC Apollo,
Coast guard: 22017
Ving
Post office: 22011
Telephone company (OTE):
22399
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