Greece › Skiathos › Beaches
By Santorini Dave
Banana Beach, named for its crescent-shaped bay, is one of Skiathos’ most pristine and serene beaches.
See Also
• Where to Stay in SkiathosSkiathos Beach Basics
Skiathos’ best beaches line its southern coast, extending from the island’s capital of Skiathos Town on the east coast westward to its most famous beach, Koukounaries. These southern beaches are the most popular and have the most amenities. The majority are accessible by car, taxi, and public bus – several have water-taxi service, too.
The remote northern part of the island offers unique landscapes, secluded bays and coves, and wild beaches with no amenities. They are, however, more prone to wind.
Xanemos Beach is just north of town and located at the end of the airport runway and is a great location for plane spotting. With its northern exposure, Xanemos Beach can get windy and the waters are often wavy.
Skiathos has an excellent public bus system that serves almost all the southern beaches, with 26 bus stops from one end of the island to the other. The main route is 13 km long, and all bus stop signs are numbered from 0 to 26.
Koukounaries Beach
- The most popular beach is Koukounaries Beach with stunning azure water and shimmering golden sand, surrounded by a forest of pine trees.
- The best family beach is Koukounaries Beach with calm and shallow waters and loads of amenities like water sports rentals, tavernas, beach bars, life guards, boat rentals, washrooms, and a walking path around the lagoon.
- The best remote beach is Lalaria Beach, silver-pebbled and steep white cliffs that rise above clear blue waters–accessible only by boat.
- The best beaches for water sports on Skiathos are Koukounaries Beach and Vassilias Beach.
Accessible Beaches on Skiathos
Skiathos has several beaches with Seatrac equipment, providing sea access for people with mobility issues: Koukounaries Beach, Vromolimnos Beach, Agia Paraskevi Beach, and Agia Eleni Beach.
Seatrac mobility assist device at Koukounaries Beach
9 BEST BEACHES OF SKIATHOS
All of these are designated Blue Flag Beaches, meaning that they have been certified for meeting strict standards of water quality, safety, cleanliness, and environmental education.
1. Koukounaries Beach
The best beach on Skiathos, in a gorgeous setting with clear green-blue waters, a fragrant forest of pine trees (that the beach is named for) growing close to the shoreline, and glistening fine golden sand. Long (2 km) and wide, Koukounaries features a small marina, loads of water sports equipment rentals (jet skiing, water skiing, and wind surfing), as well as boat rentals (pedal, banana, and speed boats) and the Skiathos Diving Center. There are beachside tavernas, plus numerous beach bars that serve food and offer a large selection of sun loungers. Koukounaries is one of four beaches on Skiathos with Seatrac equipment for mobility impaired beachgoers.
Directly behind Koukounaries Beach, the Strofylia Lagoon features 350 acres of open fields with pine and fig trees, migrating birds, and a walking path around the lagoon.
Koukounaries Beach is easy to get to from Skiathos Town. It is the last bus stop (stop #26) on the route from Skiathos Town. (The bus stop is located on the west end of the beach.) Water taxis are also available to transport passengers between Koukounaries Beach and Skiathos Town.
We love the beautiful pool area set among lush gardens and pine-covered forest at Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel near Koukounaries Beach.
- Recommended Koukounaries Beach Hotels
Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel (900 meters)
Elivi (50 meters)2. Vromolimnos Beach
Surrounded by a thick forest of pine trees that almost kiss its crystal-clear turquoise waters and fine golden sand, Vromolimnos is a beautiful beach located roughly midway along the island’s south coast that is popular with a younger adult crowd. Shade-treed areas on the beach are appreciated and very popular.
There are several excellent tavernas/beach bars here, including trendy Porto Paradiso with tiered wooden decks, touch-your-toes-in-the-water seating, and comfy luxe beach chairs. Vromolimnos also features water sports rentals, a boutique clothing/souvenir shop, indoor washrooms, changing rooms, and Seatrac equipment for mobility impaired beachgoers. Life guard on duty.
To access Vromolimnos by bus, get off at stop #13, then walk 1 km along the roadway to the entrance.
- Recommended Vromolimnos Beach Hotels
Skiathos Holidays Suites & Villas (250 meters)3. Agia Paraskevi Beach
Agia Paraskevi is a lovely Blue Flag beach with fine golden sand and clear water that deepens gradually – making it perfect for families with young children. It is an organized beach, with sunbeds and Bamboon Beachbar offering drinks and eats. Watersports rentals and boat rentals are available.
Agia Paraskevi is one of four beaches on Skiathos with Seatrac equipment for mobility impaired beachgoers.
Accessible from bus stop #16 along the southern beach route.
Ammos, the beach bar on Agia Paraskevi Beach belonging to Princess resort.
- Recommended Agia Paraskevi Beach Hotels
Princess (on beach)
Magic Hotel (250 meters)
Atrium Hotel (650 meters)4. Maratha Beach
A quiet and somewhat hidden oasis with a peaceful and low-key atmosphere, Maratha Beach is tucked away just off the main road with only one beach bar. The road down is in rough shape and bumpy – beware if you’re driving a small, low-to-the-ground rental car as there are a few embedded tree stumps. You can park on the highway though parking spots are limited on the main road. The beach bar is operated by the Skiathos Palace Hotel and offers sunbeds. Porta-potty toilets.
Bus stop: #21, follow the dirt road. Steep steps are also near the bus stop #22, it’s a short (5-min) walk from here.
- Recommended Maratha Beach Hotels
Skiathos Palace Hotel (550 meters)5. Banana (Mpanana) Beach
Serene and pristine, crescent-shaped Banana Beach is a gem. Sometimes called Big Banana Beach to differentiate from its smaller and similarly-named neighbor, Banana features an upscale and swanky modern restaurant with pool just steps from the beach and a beachside bar/taverna – Nest Beach Bar.
Water sports rentals here include SUPs, canoes, and kayaks. Boat tours and rentals are available too. Lifeguard on duty.
Access to Big Banana Beach is now restricted to foot, a 15 min (somewhat hilly) walk. There is no bus stop at the beach. The closest bus stop to Big Banana Beach is at Koukounaries Beach, stop #26.
- Recommended Banana Beach Hotel
Elivi Nest (30 meters)7. Little Banana (Mikri Mpanana) Beach
Little Banana Beach is a naturist/clothing-optional beach. Like Big Banana Beach next to it, car and bus access is not permitted, requiring all visitors to walk (or boat) in. There is one beach bar that rents sun beds and plays upbeat music — Black Bird Beach Bar.
This beach is slightly further along the road than Big Banana, with the last 100 m being a steep descent down to the beach. Like Banana, access requires a 20-minute walk along a paved and somewhat hilly road. No bus stop at the beach. Closest bus stop is at Koukounaries Beach, stop #26.
- Recommended Little Banana Beach Hotel
Elivi Nest (275 meters)7. Megali Ammos Beach
This is the closest beach to Skiathos Town, and easily accessible via foot (15-min walk), bus, or car. Megali Ammos is a long and wide beach with several cafes, beach bars, and lots of sunbeds. The beach surface is a mix of sand and pebbles, and the water is calm and clear. Megali Ammos is protected from the wind by steep hills that rise up behind the beach.
Bus stops at beach: stop #5 and #6.
Adults-only Aegean Suites hotel is located just across the road from Megali Ammos Beach, with its swimming pool overlooking the sea.
- Recommended Megali Ammos Beach Hotel
Aegean Suites (adults-only, 20 meters across the road)8. Kanapitsa Beach
Kanapitsa is a small, charming, and laid-back beach in a natural setting. It features only one beachside restaurant — Kanapitsa Greek Restaurant Beach Bar. The beach is nestled in a protected bay, so the waters are calm, and the sand is soft. Water taxis run hourly in summer season between Kanapitsa and the island’s main town, Skiathos Town.
Bus stop: #12. 10 min walk.
- Recommended Kanapitsa Beach Hotel
There are no hotels near this beach.9. Troulos Beach
Located in the tiny settlement of Troulos, this beach is a quieter option and a bit more secluded than other nearby beaches. Good swimming and snorkeling. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, and a beach bar here. Troulos was named after the tiny island opposite the beach, which means “dome” in Greek.Troulos Beach is located at the end of dirt road, 250 m from the main highway. Bus stop: #20.
La Luna Hotel is a short walk from Troulos Beach, offering both double and triple rooms.
- Recommended Troulos Beach Hotel
La Luna Hotel (350 meters)
Summary: My Favorite Beach Hotels in Skiathos
Best Skiathos Beach Hotels
Koukounaries: Mandraki Village
Agia Paraskevi: Princess
Vromolimnos: Skiathos Holidays
Troulos: La Luna
Banana: Elivi Nest
Couples: Aegean Suites
Families: Princess
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