The Greek island of Skiathos is a true beach paradise: turquoise blue waters, golden fine sand and shady pine forests that stretch close to the sea await you here. The numerous small and large bays and Beaches on Skiathos make the Sporades island an ideal destination for a beach holiday in Greece.
“For decades, the beaches of Skiathos have been a magnet for sun worshippers from England, who leave the gloomy London and Co. behind and exchange them for a beach lounger on the sun-drenched Sporades island for weeks.”
Since Skiathos is really small, most holidaymakers concentrate on the island’s beaches, which are easy to reach. So it’s not so easy to find an undisturbed place. In one week we have almost discovered all Skiathos beaches and take you on a journey along the diverse coastline – from Koukounaries in the south to Lalaria in the north.
There really is something for every type of beach on Skiathos: from the noisy party beach to the family bathing spot to the nudist bay. We hope you enjoy exploring the most beautiful beaches of Skiathos:
Skiathos Map: This card includes all Skiathos Highlights, 32 places to visit & Secrets, 19 Beaches & Bays, as well as personal recommendations for 25 restaurants & cafes. Ideal for holiday planning and local navigation. Can be used for smartphone, tablet and PC/Mac. Click here and start using it right away: To the Skiathos Map
Skiathos beaches in the south
#1 Koukounaries Beach
Koukounaries is the most famous beach on Skiathos – there’s no doubt about that. The more than one kilometre long stretch of fine sandy beach stretches along a beautiful bay and is surrounded by dense pine forests. The water is crystal clear and we found the shallow entrance to the crystal clear water ideal as a family with a toddler.
Unfortunately, numerous beach bars (about six to seven) are lined up along Koukounaries Beach. None of them stand out, the quality ranges from okay to moderate, but it’s still enough for a cold drink. In between, there are always free sections for towels and picnic blankets.
Beach loungers cost around €20 per couple and there are several free toilets available. Behind the beach stretches the Lake Strofilia, a wetland biotope with ducks, swans, herons and songbirds, which is ideal for a short hike through the shady coniferous forest. Picnic tables and shaded paths make it especially pleasant in the midday heat.
Our tip for Koukounaries: Take advantage of the free parking lot on the east side of the beach and bring snacks for a picnic by the lake. Access is via a small bridge and you can directly reach the quiet area of Koukounaries Beach. However, there is a small harbour there, so motorboats occasionally come and go.
→ Hotel tips at Koukounaries Beach (links to Booking.com*):
#2 Maratha Beach
A little further east of Koukounaries are many small beaches hidden below the main road. There is hardly any parking and the beach gems are quite difficult to access. On Maratha Beach unfortunately, commerce has already found its way in. In summer, sun loungers are already spread all over the beach and a new bar is being built.
On Katharina Beach on the other hand, there is still idyll. Via a beaten path you reach the tiny beach, which is perfect for a day at the sea away from the crowds. So even on Skiathos you can still find your quiet place as an explorer. Due to individual stone reefs in the shore area, the coast is also ideal for snorkeling.
→ What to discover on Skiathos Island, you can find out in our separate article: Skiathos Highlights
#3 Troulos Beach
The Paralia Troulos is a fine, bright sandy beach with a shallow entry into the water and a beautiful view of the offshore rocky island of Troulonisi. On the beach, everything is functional, but unspectacular: two hotels, a beach bar and two simple taverns share the area, and numerous loungers are packed close together. A few trees provide shade.
You can park in a small gravel parking lot, which is located about 80 meters from the Troulos Beach – uncomplicated and free of charge. If you want to eat well, you should take a few steps towards the village and, for example, in the Nectar & Ambrosia (closed for a siesta) – the detour is really worth it.
→ hotel tips at Troulos Beach (links to Booking.com*):
#4 Agia Paraskevi Beach (Platanias)
Agia Paraskevi Beach (also Platanias Beach) also offers golden sand, the grain of which varies from fine to coarse. Parking is directly behind the beach, fortunately the construction boom has not yet reached the coast. The beach looks well-kept and the water is crystal clear. However, the seabed slopes quite quickly, which is not so ideal for smaller children.
On the western section of the Platanias Beach an organized beach club awaits you. There is still sufficient free space in the middle area. Here a river flows into the sea, but it looks more like a pond. To the east there is another smaller complex with loungers and a beach bar. Hidden in the grove above is a chapel with a resting place.
→ Hotel tips for Platanias (links to Booking.com*):
#5 Vromolimnos Beach
Vromolimnos Beach is one of our favorite beaches in the south of Skiathos – not least because we had our hotel right on this beach. The Skiathos Holidays Suites & Villas are located directly behind the sea and were a real stroke of luck. The pretty stretch of coast itself scores with fine sand, calm water and a very relaxed atmosphere.
Behind the beach is the eponymous small freshwater lake, which is heavily overgrown with reeds. In the northern area, the Porto Paradiso Bar Sun worshippers with drinks and snacks at increased prices.
Our tip for Vromolimnos: The beach is especially cozy in the late afternoon, when most vacationers are away. In the evening, a truly magical sunset spot awaits you here! Just pack a drink, put your feet in the sand and enjoy the sea, and maybe a swan will stop by for the perfect photo. 🙂
→ Hotel tip for Vromolimnos Beach (links to Booking.com*):
Skiathos beaches in the west
#6 Banana Beach
The Banana Beach was once a real beach paradise on Skiathos, but there is not much left of it today. The Elivi Hotels, which now use a large part of the beach and the hinterland, have taken away its original character. The access to the sea is guarded by security, but non-hotel guests can still walk there through a barrier.
Two picturesque bays with turquoise blue water nestle around a rocky headland, behind which stretches a lush coniferous forest. The two beaches (Mikri and Megali Banana) are nice and wide and offer space for quite a few holidaymakers. Loud music is playing by the sea, the loungers are expensive and the exclusive flair is rather disappointing for many.
#7 Agia Eleni Beach
Paralia Agia Eleni is located just a few meters north of Mikri Banana Beach and is at least directly accessible. Parking is on the northern edge or on the street, which is especially the case in summer. The sand is fine, the water is calm and pleasantly warm. The pine trees seem to float over the beach like a natural sunscreen.
Agia Eleni is well organized and has two beach bars that rent sunbeds and umbrellas. But the quality of the food is abysmal and the prices for drinks are inflated. Away from the bars, there is still enough space. To explore the western beaches further, you will need a rental vehicle, as the last bus stop is at the Elivi Resort.
Our tip for Agia Eleni Beach: Be sure to stay until the evening – connoisseurs speak of the most beautiful sunsets on Skiathos. When the red fireball behind the peninsula Pelion dreamlike colours await you – guaranteed!
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#8 Mandraki Beach
From Agia Eleni beach, a dusty track leads into the small nature reserve Mandraki Forest. Check in advance whether off-road driving with your rental vehicle is allowed. Right at the beginning you pass the small Krifi Ammos Beach whose bay shimmers in seductive shades of blue. Unfortunately, there was a lot of seaweed on the beach during our visit.
Continue through the forest and follow the signs to the Mandraki Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the west of Skiathos. Be careful, because the path from the junction to the beach is quite bumpy. The bay, which is about 300 meters long, has a circular curve and light sand, but is interspersed with seagrass in places.
Nevertheless, this Skiathos beach has been able to retain its natural charm, even if a few huts have been built in front of it. The local restaurant is more of a snack bar and has received only mixed reviews from guests. The rust-coloured rocks at the northern end are spectacular and well worth a walk on the beach.
#9 Elia Beach
Elia Beach is the neighboring beach of Mandraki. A wide dune landscape and almost untouched surroundings await you. The parking spaces are located about 150 meters from the sea in the forest. Then it goes down a long wooden walkway. The water is clear, shallow and shimmers in a beautiful turquoise – you want to jump in here immediately.
There are two simple beach bars on site, which provide holidaymakers seeking peace and quiet with cool drinks and typical Greek snacks. The sunbeds on Elia beach cost from €15 per couple. Fortunately, most of the almost 500 m long Skiathos beach remains natural. In the eastern section, wild camping is often practiced in summer.
Agistros Beach is separated from Elia Beach by a rocky outcrop and it is well worth a visit. From the parking lot, you can descend several steps to the sea. The water sparkles milky blue, the sand is beige and behind it stretches the Mandraki forest. In the family-run Agistros Snack Bar simple dishes and cool drinks are served in a relaxed atmosphere.
#10 Aselinos Beach
The further north we went, the worse the road became, and the perceptible beach quality also decreased for us personally. The Megalos Aselinos Beach is nearly 500 m long, almost unobstructed and framed by two densely overgrown hills.
On site then the disillusionment: The water gets deep quickly, high waves are common, there is a lot of washing up due to the open sea and the beach itself seemed visibly unkempt. The simple beach tavern was still in preparation when we visited in May. The only highlight were the donkeys that roamed wildly in the area.
Mikros Aselinos Beach further east consists of coarse sand, but has its charm. We walked down the steep path to the beach with our four-year-old daughter, hoping that the bar would be open. Not at all! The landlord was on site, but was sloppy and didn’t even offer us anything to drink. So at 32 degrees we had to scramble up again – not a great experience!
Beaches in the north of Skiathos
#11 Kastro Beach
The Kastro Beach of Skiathos is located on the northern tip of the island, just below the historic settlement of the same name. It can only be reached on foot or by boat and is spectacularly located on a grey rocky coast. Accordingly, like most northern beaches, it consists of gray gravel, but the view of the fortress ruins of old Skiathos Kastro makes up for it.
In summer, there are almost daily excursion boats to Kastro Beach from Skiathos Town, which also stop at Lalaria for swimming, among others. If you’re traveling by rental car, we recommend combining a hike to Kastro with a visit to the beach. First, you will look at the medieval ruins and look down to the beach from the highest point.
From the lower parking lot, it’s about a 10 minute (300m) walk across the trail. At Kastro Beach is the rustic Restaurant Kastro Beach. There is no menu. Everything is somehow improvised, but authentic and makes for lasting memories. Bathing shoes for entering the sea are recommended: Search on Amazon*
#12 Lalaria Beach
The Lalaria Coast with its striking stone arch, dazzling white pebble beach and the sea shimmering in aquamarine and cyan is the landmark of Skiathos. Everything looks like something out of an illustrated book. Lalaria beach is only accessible by boat, you cannot reach it by land!
Most organized tours to Lalaria start from the port of Skiathos town. But you also have the option of going there with a rented motorboat (25 hp, license-free).
By the way, it is on Lalaria Beach forbidden to take pebbles with you. Please help preserve this natural wonder by leaving the stones where they are. Except for a few caves near the famous rock gate of Lalaria, there is hardly any shade or any kind of infrastructure – so bring everything you need.
→ For trips to Lalaria you check our partner GetYourGuide* directly :
#13 Xanemos Beach
The Xanemos Beach is probably the craziest beach in Skiathos, if not in all of Greece. It is located directly on the approach path of Skiathos airport. For us and of course our little daughter it was an exciting adventure to experience the aircraft at close range during take-off or landing approach – fascinating!
The Beach at Skiathos Airport itself consists of pebbles and grey sand, the water is clear, but usually also very choppy, and it goes deep down. On windless days, the sea sparkles in the most beautiful blue. From the hill above the beach you can take great photos. Xanemos Beach is quite interesting for a short stop, but with the aircraft noise in summer you can’t stand it for long.
→ Hotel tips at Xanemos Beach (links to Booking.com*):
#14 Paralia Psarochoma
The wild beach with grey sand pebbles is located east of the airport. You can park above the beach in a field. Paralia Psarochoma has no operator and is mostly used by locals on weekends, who bring umbrellas, blankets and picnic baskets. The entrance to the sea is quite deep, but the beach is relatively clean and the view of the neighboring island of Skopelos is fantastic.
→ What to discover on Skopelos Island, you can find out in our separate article: Skopelos Highlights
Beaches near Skiathos Town
#15 Paralia Plakes
Plakes Beach is less a beach than a bathing place near Skiathos Town. It is located at the top of the city, at the entrance to the old port. From the rocky platforms you can jump directly into the crystal clear water or use the large stone slabs for sunbathing. That’s what the locals do here every day.
The place is great in the evening for sunset or during the day ideal for a quick dip in the sea after a stroll through the city. You should definitely come here for a photo stop. The view of Skiathos Town is great! Afterwards, you can visit one of the cafes or taverns in the Plakes district of the same name.
→ Hotel tips at Plakes Beach (links to Booking.com*):
#16 Vasilias Beach
The most popular beach near Skiathos Town is Megali Ammos Beach. But we don’t want to recommend it to you with the best will in the world, unless your hotel is directly above it. It is now extremely touristy, countless beach bars vie for the favor of vacationers and the loungers are close together here like in a sardine can.
An alternative is the Paralia Vasilias, which connects to it in the south. Parking is on the wide roadside or at the beach restaurants Pinikis Michvlis or Sorokos. The water is shallow and there are plenty of trees to provide shade. The only downside is the coarse sand, which is not as attractive as the one on the western beaches.
→ Hotel tips at Vasilias Beach (links to Booking.com*):
→ Everything you need to know about getting there, getting around and many other useful Skiathos Information, you can find out in our separate article: Skiathos Travel Tips
#17 Tzaneria Beach
Just five minutes further south, there is again the golden sand typical of the beaches on Skiathos. Recommended are the quiet Tzaneria Beach, but also the Paralia Achladies. Even the buses stop on the main road near the two beaches. There are beach bars on site (tip: Mojo Bar) and the entrances to the sea are shallow, which makes them ideal for families.
→ Hotel tips in Achladies (links to Booking.com*):
#18 Tsougria Island
If you want a relaxing day at the beach, you can drive from Skiathos Town to the island of Tsougria. There are no cars or noise here. The first tours to the uninhabited islet will start in May. From June, taxi boats will run there and back several times a day. The trip to Tsougria costs from €12 each way (15 min). The Sunset Tsougrias Beach Bar serves cool drinks and snacks.
Excursions and tours to Skiathos beaches
Discover the beautiful coast of Skiathos with its numerous beaches and bays by boat. From Skiathos Town you can also book Excursions to Lalaria and sailing trips around the island. Tours to Skopelos are also popular, offering plenty of swimming opportunities. More information is available from our partner GetYourGuide*:
➲ To the excursion to Skopelos*
➲ To the sailing trip around the island*
➲ To the tour to Lalaria & Kastro*
➝ More Sporades Travel Tips and you can get a lot of inspiration about the archipelago here: Sporades Blog
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