Skiathos is blessed with some stunning beaches with fine sand and crystal clear waters including Koukounaries, Banana, and Troulos. The best beaches are within walking distance of Skiathos Town.
A long beach with a choice of sunbeds and natural shade. This beach has shallow turquoise water and is perfect for families with children.
Agia Eleni
Located on the western part of the island, this beach was named after the chapel in the close vicinity dedicated to Agia Eleni. The curved sandy beach offers calm, transparent waters and is surrounded by lush green pines reaching the seashore. It is a great family beach. It can be easily reached by bus, car or boat. It is also a good choice for snorkeling, as the water has low currents. The nearby Banana and Koukounaries beaches are also popular.
The beach is organized and provides sun loungers and a seasonal taverna for food and drinks. It is a nice beach to relax and soak up the sun under the shade of the trees. It is also a great place for children, as the water is shallow and the beach is peaceful. There are a few umbrellas on the beach for those who prefer to have some shelter from the sun.
It is a beautiful little gulf with sand, wonderful blue water and amazing views. It is a good place to watch the sunset as the sun dips behind the hills on the other side of the bay. The taverna is good and the staff is friendly. The bar has nice music and is reasonably priced.
Kolios
The beautiful sandy beach of Kolios is one of the most popular beaches in Skiathos and is a favorite spot for sunbathing and relaxing. The water is warm and clear, and the sand is soft. It is also a great place to go for water sports. There are loungers and umbrellas available, as well as a beach bar. It is best to visit during the summer, when the weather is hot and sunny, but it can be crowded.
The beach’s special morphology keeps it protected from strong winds and the sea is usually calm as a millpond, even when there are huge waves elsewhere on the island. This makes it suitable for families with small children, seniors and anyone who wants to relax.
There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Kolios, including a couple of family-run taverns. Some offer traditional Greek cuisine, while others serve international fare. Many of the taverns are located right on the beach, and most have views of the crystal-blue waters.
The beach is also a short drive from Skiathos Town, where you can find a bustling harbor and an old town with a variety of bars and restaurants. You can also take a boat trip to the Lalaria sea caves, two naturally-formed grottoes that are among the most beautiful attractions on the island.
Platanias
A popular resort area, Platanias is known for its beautiful beach and offers all the usual tourist facilities including sun beds and umbrellas. Its lovely long sandy beach is backed by trees and a range of hotels. It can get busy during the peak summer months.
A more off-the-beaten-path natural beauty, Elia Beach is a secluded strip of soft white sand nestled in the quieter northern part of the island. It’s a gorgeous beach that feels like a true escape with plenty of day beds, umbrellas and a restaurant to enjoy a long lunch or sunset cocktail. It’s a great alternative to Koukounaries, which has a similar feel to it but can be overwhelmed with sun loungers.
Nearby, you can find Big Banana and Little Banana beaches both of which are gorgeous golden half-moon beaches flanked by trees and crystal clear turquoise waters. Big Banana is home to NEST fish restaurant and there are sun beds for rent on this beach as well. Little Banana is also home to a beach bar and music that can get pretty loud so I recommend visiting either of these beaches early in the morning.
Another stunning option is the narrow sand and pebble beach of Vassilias, which sits west of Megali Ammos. This little gem is a real treasure, sheltered by mountains with a taverna right by the sea for a tasty meal of local seafood favourites.