Mini Guide to Skiathos, Greece: Where to Stay & What to Do

Mini Guide to Skiathos, Greece: Where to Stay & What to Do

I recently journeyed over to Skiathos Island  in Greece and absolutely loved it! Skiathos is one of the islands that makes up the archipelago of the Sporades, located in the Northeast of Greece. You know, the one’s you rarely hear about.  Skiathos is less touristed than other popular Greek islands, probably due to its location far away from the rest. Ding ding ding, that’s what got me over there!

I didn’t do much planning beforehand (shame on me), but it turned out to be fine since I basically had my whole 3 days planned out for me courtesy of my incredible host Ioanna over at at Villa Anna Skiathos. This whole entire itinerary is courtesy of her so I can’t even take credit for it! (a lot more on that later). ♥

What to Do in Skiathos

  • Koukounaries beach-this is the most popular beach on the island, and for good reason. The vibrant blues are certain to draw your attention. A sandy beach in Greece is also a plus (not something very common, if you know what I mean).  There are also a lot of water activities offered at this beach, another plus!crystal clear Koukounaries beach
  • Elia beach-from Koukounaries you can take a nice 40 minute walk to Elia beach. You have to walk through a forest basically to get to it, but its secluded position makes it more alluring. There wasn’t a single soul when I went, which was a treat! Definitely walk to the top of the sandy cliff for a better view over the whole beach. Once up there, you can even walk about 5 minutes to other side of the cliffs for some more great views. Secluded Elia Beach in Skiathos
  • Skiathos Town-this is one of the prettiest Greek island towns you will see. The “chora”  is just the perfect size and is lined with pretty little shops and restaurants. Be on the lookout for Rock and Roll Cafe which had the cutest colorful bean bags on the steps. So adorable!Colorful Skiathos Town
  • Boat tourI  found a company called Kalypso Matahari, which offers s boat tours from 10-5pm for only €15 (low season) and €20 in the high season. I was really surprised at the low prices for an all day tour. Completely worth it!

Stops include:

Lalaria beach-one of the most beautiful beaches and the postcard picture of Skiathos. This beach can only be reached by boat and is framed by the beautiful limestone cliffs behind and the bleach stones lining the turquoise waters. The pure white create a more bold aqua color to the sea. It’s absolutely breathtaking! (Note: do NOT take any of the pebbles or you will be charged for them at the airport. No joke!)

What to Do in Skiahtos

Kastro-the former capital of Skiathos. You can hike up to the fortress in about 15 minutes to see the remains. Make sure to wear appropriate shoes as there isn’t a smooth path. If  you decide not to hike up, there is a relaxing beach bar down by the water. The views from the top are awesome,  so try to make it up there! Quit being lazy! 🙂

Hike up to Kastro town on Skiathos islandw GoPro

Katiyorgi-the last stop is a very small fishing village where you eat lunch. The town has 2-3 restaurants and that’s about it. There’s not much to do there but it’s a cute little spot to wind down and have a nice meal after the long day.Katiyorgi fishing village

  • Also on offer are many day trips to Mama Mia beach on nearby Skopelos island. I went to Skopelos on my own afterwards and I highly recommend a trip there if time permits! Check out my post on Skopelos if interested!

Where to Eat in Skiathos

  • Marmita -Not only is this the BEST restaurant in Skiathos, it has a cute and cozy outside courtyard that’s so warm and inviting, you won’t want to leave.Where to Eat in Skiathos

What to try:

  • Rabbit in red wine and honey sauce. Tender, juicy, and massively flavorful. Oh my gawd. 
  • Beetroot apple salad with goat cheese. Delicious and creamy! 
  • They also made some special dessert with hot coffee poured on top. Yes, hot coffee! I don’t know the name, but ask them for it and I’m sure they will whip it up for you. Holy crap it was good! Coffee lovers prepare for amazingness. 
  • I was in complete heaven. This was one of the top 3 food experiences I’ve ever had. It was that good. A bonus was that they were able to adapt to my dietary (gluten) restrictions easily and with no problems. If you go to one restaurant in Skiathos, make this one it! Marmita is the BOMB! (do people still say this? )
  • Amfiliki-frequented mostly by the locals, this place is a secret find! With a marvelous view over the water, this is the perfect spot to try authentic Greek dishes. I ended the night here with a complementary dessert and shot of ouza. Opa!Where to Eat in Skiathos
  • Restaurant 1901-situated in a beautiful and colourful street of Skiathos, slightly tucked away from the noise of the city. I loved the ambiance and was surprised to find out that the food was excellent as well! Beef in tomatoes sauce over potatoes was tender and good. They also give you free dessert of Greek yogurt and berry compote. 1901 Restaurant, Skiathos
  • Bourtzi cafe-located on the beautiful, yet tiny Bourtzi peninsula near the old port. It has a great view and it is the perfect spot to grab a drink and watch the sunset. They also have sandwiches and light foods but it’s a little pricy. You pay for the view, fair trade.Bourtzi cafe, Skiathos

Where to Stay in Skiathos

♥Villa Anna Skiathos♥

When looking for a place to stay in Skiathos, I was hoping to stay close enough to town, but not smack in the middle of the crazy parties (and let me tell you, Greeks sure can party hard!♥) I came across Villa Anna Skiathos, a small family owned B&B with a spectacular view. #imasuckerforviews

Where to Stay in Skiathos

The view captured me, I was sold and I knew I found my spot. I contacted the owner (named Ioanna) and she responded right away with all the info I would need for my journey to the island. She was super sweet and I felt like I was talking to a friend right from the start.

Ioanna lives in Athens, but has been coming to Skiathos for the summers since she was a little girl. She decided to put all her efforts into building her family business and welcome guests from all over the world. I could tell she genuinely enjoys meeting new people and takes pleasure in seeing others have a good time.  And that made such a difference during my stay! 

What can Villa Anna Skiathos offer you?

→Your Very own Built-in Concierge

Although she doesn’t advertise this, Ioanna was there to help me with ALL my plans around the island, from where to eat, what tours to take, to giving me rates for rental cars if I desired to explore by car. Anything I needed, she was at my disposal with a joyful heart. 

When I arrived, she picked me up from the port and gave me a mini tour (the “long way home”) so that I could situate myself on the island and get a feel for my surroundings. 

Where to Stay in Skiathos

When we arrived, she sat dow with me, pulled out a map, and asked me what kind kind of stuff I would like to do in my 3 days there. She gave me an explanation of all the places  and things I could do, and wrote everything me my very own itinerary! This was SO helpful and saved me so much time…time I could be utilizing to explore the beautiful island!

→A Quiet Oasis Away from the Crowds

Villa Anna Skiathos is in an awesome location and the view was spectacular. My room had a spacious balcony to overlook the beautiful Megali Ammos beach. The (gorgeous) walk to town was only 10 minutes. Of course I stopped several times to take photos, so it often took me longer. 

Where to Stay in Skiathos

The room I stayed in had a mini fridge, private bathroom, flat screen TV, free wifi, AC, stove top, and daily cleaning. The room also had an upstairs for a third person if needed. The kitchen cabinetry was outdated with old wood, but it felt like a summer camp house and I actually didn’t mind it. The amazing view made up for it.

Where to Stay in Skiathos

There was a nice patio in the back with a big table for guests to gather around and mingle if they chose to.

The property is surrounded by lush greenery, fruit trees, and vibrant flowers, which is something you usually don’t see if staying right in the center of the city.

Where to Stay in Skiathos

The one thing that wasn’t offered was breakfast, although Ioanna assured me that they would be adding breakfast in the near future. It didn’t bother me as I bought some yummy Greek yogurt, honey, and berries and had that for breakfast every morning. That fridge came in handy!

→Mingling of Guests

One thing I really liked is that Ioanna tries to put together a weekly outing with all the guests (totally optional of course, I didn’t feel obligated at all). One night she invited us all out to Marmita, which became one of my favorite restaurants ever, as mentioned above. 

Where to Stay in Skiathos

It was really nice to meet people from all parts of the world and different walks of life. We had such a great time sipping on wine, trying new foods together, and sharing crazy travel stories. That’s what traveling is all about right? The people. 

→Home Away from Home

This is a concept Villa Anna Skiathos truly promotes, and I felt it every second I was there. It wasn’t just a place to sleep, but it was like having a little family there. Although I only stayed 3 days, it was enough to make an impression.

Where to Stay in Skiathos

I still keep in touch with Ioanna on Facebook and it’s so great to see her enjoying life over in Greece. If and when I go back to Skiathos, I will 100% stay there again. No question about that.

Iv’e said this before, and it still holds true: the Greek hospitality is the best I’ve ever experienced in all the countries I’ve ever visited! My love for Greece remains deep. ♥♥♥

So How Much does it Cost to stay at Villa Anna Skiathos?

Rates start at €55 in shoulder season for a standard room! Peak season rates start at €80. Not bad at all for Greece!

When to Go to Skiathos

Shoulder season all the way! That is, May, June, and September. I went in May and it was perfect. It was not too crowded that you couldn’t walk, but had just the right amount of people and energy. The tour companies were all starting to run, and the weather was perfect. Prices are also heavily slashed compared to July and August.

How to Get to Skiathos

By ferry from Volos or Agios Konstantinos. I used Hellenic Seaways from Volos and it took about 1.5 hours (by high speed catamaran). A ferry takes about 2.5-3 hours. 

By flying into Skiathos National Airport. The flights were pricy when I checked so I opted for the ferry instead.

♥A special thanks to Villa Anna Skiathos (and especially the sweet Ioanna) for hosting me during my stay. All opinions, however, are my own. I don’t bullsh*t and would never recommend somewhere I didn’t truly enjoy!♥

Have You Been to Skiathos? What Were the Highlights? Did I Miss Anything? Do Tell!

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Where to Stay & What to Do in Skiathos

10 Comments

  1. Love your love for Greece. Great post. Looking forward to Skopelos one as well… My mom and dad’s village is a couple of hours driving from Volos so I will have to plan out a Skiathos trip. Going to Greece on Tuesday. Going to explore Santorini and then visit the family in Athens and up north in Karpenisi. Love that your from DC too. When reading your posts, I relate to so much. One day maybe we will meet and then you will have family to stay with in Greece. 🙂

    Reply
    • Aww thanks for your positive words. I love Greece and the people so much. It makes writing about it so much easier. And yes, you should definitely make it to Skiathos AND Skopelos. Both very beautiful and different from one another! Have fun in Greece! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Great post, definitely helpful! That villa has the best views!

    Reply
    • Thanks! And yes, i didn’t want to leave the room haha.

      Reply
  3. Dear Crazy Travelista,

    We would like to truly thank you for your lovely post. Villa Anna embraces a summer lifestyle based on simple life values that can make every day a little happier: honesty, responsibility, hospitality. Respecting, equally treating our guests and creating a lifetime relationship with them is among hospitality’s moral duties and, of course, among ours too. It embodies the caring, kindness and thoughtfulness a host should show towards their guests. Keeping that always in mind, we are here to serve you as a friend and make you feel at home. Fundamentally philoxenia, as the virtue of a great soul, is simply love in action.

    We would be delighted to welcome you back to our beloved Skiathos and Villa Anna for a longer stay within the next summers. Until then, enjoy travelling all over the world!

    Kind Regards,
    Ioanna Pothou

    Reply
    • Thank you so much for your kind words! I had the best time and such great memories came from that visit! I would love to come back! Keep doing what you’re doing and I wouldn’t change a thing! You have something special and your spirit is contagious! Hugs and kisses! Yammas! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Oh my goodness! Lalaria beach looks like a dream come true to me. You were there for some hours I assume? And about the stones part, did you experience it firsthand yourself? haha

    Reply
    • Well the tour guides told us its a major offence to take the stones before we got off onto the beach..They told us they charge you at the airpot if they find them in your bags. I dont know if they meant they charge you money…or if they charge you in court! Eeeeeek i dont wanna find out hehe. Ya the boat only stopped for a little over an hour. Short and sweet. Overall, the tour was great and well worth the 15 euros!!

      Reply
  5. Your view from the villa was amazing! Putting this on my travel list!

    Reply
    • Like I always say, I’m a sucker for views hehe 🙂

      Reply

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