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Cheap holidays in Skiathos

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Skiathos now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.

Skiathos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, forming part of the Sporades group of islands. The Sporades group includes eleven islands of which only four are inhabited: Alonnisos, Skopelos, Skyros and Skiathos. All the islands of the group are green and lush with a great climate, and surrounded by the clear blue warm waters of the Aegean.

The island gained its name (according to legend) from the ancient Pelasgians who lived there. It was named for the shadow ('Skia' in Greek) of the trees that covered much of the island. Later Skiathos was settled by Cretans, Myceneans and other Greeks, and the practice of cultivating vines and olives was begun.

Skiathos was a naval base used by the Athenians during the Persian wars, and has been attacked, conquered and pillages several times by Spartans, Romans and Saracens. Christianity came to the island around 325AD and since then many fine religious buildings have been constructed.

The terrain is fairly rugged, with little flat land. The hills are largely forested with olive groves here and there. The climate is good, with mild winters and warm summers. It is hottest in April to October and rainfall is relatively high.

Skiathos is a popular destination and can be quite crowded in July and August. It has excellent beaches and good tourist facilities along the coast, while inland the pine forests are unspoiled and very beautiful. As a rule the beaches on the south coast are more 'touristy' while those in the north are wilder and less populated.

Skiathos has just one main settlement, Skiathos Town, which makes it the capital of the island. The capital has a good selection of restaurants and bars, and a lively nightlife. The rest of the island is not uninhabited; indeed there are many hotels and apartments dotted about the landscape, but there are no other major settlements.

If you choose to explore Skiathos you will find that the island has many quiet and beautiful places, with archeological sites and historic churches to visit. However, Skiathos is really the sort of place to go if you're looking for nightlife, entertainment and loafing about on the beach during the day. If you want a more traditionally Greek place to visit, or a quiet holiday away from the bustle and noise, one of the other Sporades islands might be a better option.

Things to Do

Most people come to Skiathos for the beaches. The most famous one is Koukounaries on the southern tip of the island, a horseshoe-shaped bay fringed with white sand. Koukounaries is widely regarded as the best beach in the Aegean. As a result it does get fairly crowded. Banana Beach just a little way up the coast is almost as good. It has a reputation for being popular with nudists, but this is not so true in recent times. Banana Beach is less crowded (but smaller) than Koukounaries.

The only beach on the northern side of the island accessible by vehicle is Megalos Aselinos. There are plenty of others but you'll need to trek or take a boat to them.

If you want to see the island's hidden secrets and find out about its history and culture, you can take a guided walk to the Kounistra Monastery or the Evangelistra Monastery, or a guided tour of the island that is a mix of walks and travel on a mini-bus travel.

The island is only about 12km long, and getting around is not much of a problem even though there are few roads. The only main road connects Skiathos Town to the resorts on the southern coast of the island. There is a good bus service and taxis are available 24 hours. The normal practice is just to flag one down. No matter how full it is, the driver will try to fit you in somehow.

If you prefer to make your own way about, cars, motorcycles and scooters are available for hire, or you can just ramble about the countryside to your heart's content. Horse and donkey riding is also available.

At the coast, there is plenty to do. Skiathos Town offers a range of chances to go sailing. Experiences sailors can charter a yacht to sail themselves, and crewed boats are available. Some trips go to the neighbouring islands for lunch at a taverna before returning to Skiathos Town, while others will take you to a destination you choose for yourself. You could also take a hydrofoil to the Greek mainland and visit Delphi for a day.

If you want to escape from everything, rent a boat and head for the uninhabited island of Tsougria just off the coast. There is a taverna, a herd of goats and some incredible beaches there… as well as plenty of peace and quiet.

You can find watersports on offer at more or less any beach on the south side of the island. Parasailing, water-skiing and jet-skis are readily available. Alternatively you can rent a motorboat and visit the nearby small islands or just mess about in the water. Diving is also becoming more popular on Skiathos. There are two dive schools on the island.

If you're in the mood to play (or watch) some sport, there is a good tennis club in Skiathos Town with clay courts and a swimming pool as well as a restaurant and bar. Coaching is available for those who take their fun seriously.

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Skiathos now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.