The Best Beaches of Skiathos
One island, 66 beautiful beaches. It’s fair to say the Greek Island of Skiathos is a sun-worshipper’s paradise. And at only 12km long and around 6km wide the bounty of beaches here come thick and fast – there’s literally a new one to discover around every corner.
Even better, getting from one to the other couldn’t be easier. With only one main coast road on the whole island – linking smart and sophisticated Skiathos Town in the east to the small resort of Koukounaries in the west – you can tick off all the main beaches just by jumping aboard the island’s only bus service and jumping off whenever you see a stretch of sand or spot of turquoise sea that takes your fancy. Easy.
But with so many beaches to discover and so little time to discover them (you’ll never see all 66 in a one or two week holiday!), just where do you start?
Well, to help point you in the right direction, here’s LateRooms.com’s guide to the best stretches of sand (and pebbles) on the island of Skiathos.
The beach, fellow beach-lovers, is this way…
Best Beach for Swimming/Watersports – Koukounaries
The popular Koukounaries Beach - awarded a Blue Flag for it's fabulous water conditions
The resort of Koukounaries sits behind one of the island’s Blue Flag beaches, great for watersports, swimming and family activities. This popular beach is a protected nature reserve with fine golden sand and a backdrop of fragrant pine trees.
It offers fantastic facilities for a family day on the beach including sunloungers, tavernas, water sports schools, kiosks, and plenty of shade if you need it too.
Best Beach for a Party – Banana Beach
Banana Beach Bar and Bananarama like to throw a beach party
Head to Skiathos during peak season and Banana Beach is where you’ll find the young and stylish striking a pose. Two funky beach bars (Bananarama and Banana Beach Bar) set the tone with DJs filling the air with some laid-back beats.
The stylish Banana Beach Bar
As the day draws on the music gets a little louder and the crowd a little rowdier, with full-on beach parties being known to break out.
But don’t overlook the fact that this sandy beach is a fine looking one too.
The main beach here is actually called ‘Big Banana’. Stroll round the corner and you’ll find ‘Little Banana’, along with a few surprises. ‘Little Banana’ is a nudist beach.
Best Beach for Sunsets – Agia Eleni
Watch the sun set over mainland Greece
A little north of Banana Beach on the west coast of Skiathos lies a much more tranquil stretch of sand, Agia Eleni. It’s here that people gather to watch some pretty impressive sunsets, either from the sand or the cushions laid out in front of the hippy-style beach Taverna.
Grab a drink, choose your spot and have your camera ready as the sun dips behind mainland Greece across the Aegean Sea. Gorgeous.
Best Beach for a Desert Island Adventure – Tsougrias
Tsougrias Beach, for a real castaway moment
Skiathos has a few very small islands just off its coastline, with Tsougrias being home to one of the most impressive beaches.
A paradise beach to rival the Caribbean
Take a boat from the Old Port in Skiathos Town and within half an hour you’ll be mooring up at your very own desert island.
There’s just a solitary taverna here, a picturesque chapel and then nothing but long stretches of sand, pine trees and crystal clear waters. Bliss.
Only a few boat trips come here a day, plus the odd private boat, giving it a real castaway feel. ‘Peaceful’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Best Beach for a Boat Trip – Lalaria
Lovely, rocky Lalaria has a different feel to other Skiathos beaches
Lalaria, on the north coast of Skiathos, can only be reached by boat and is arguably the island’s most striking beach. Set sail from the Old Port and you’ll pass the Blue Caves on your way before being met by the impressive white cliffs of Lalaria rising dramatically out of the sea. At the foot of the cliffs is the magnificent white pebble beach running down into the turquoise waters.
Boat trips head out here in the morning before moving on to the ancient town of Kastrowith yet another secluded beach (an altogether brilliant day trip). But if you’ve arrived by private boat in the afternoon, there’s every chance you’ll have Lalaria all to yourself.
Best Beach for Well Earned Relaxation – Mandraki
Mandraki Beach - an unspoilt find off the beaten track
If you’re feeling active you can take a walk through the pine forests behind Koukounariesresort to a few of Skiathos’s more secluded beaches. One of which is Mandraki (about a half hour walk). Depending on the heat it may not be easy going, but you’ll be rewarded with a simply beautiful beach to relax on that’s well off the beaten track.
http://blog.laterooms.com/2011/09/the-best-beaches-of-skiathos/
No comments:
Post a Comment