Best Hotels in Skiathos & Where to Stay

Greece › Skiathos Best Hotels & Towns
Updated: September 3, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

Best Hotels in Skiathos: Quick Picks

• Best Overall: Mystery Luxury Residence
• Skiathos Town: Mystery Luxury Residence • Bourtzi • Meltemi
• Beach Resorts: Princess Resort • Kassandra Bay Resort
• Luxury: Golden King Villas • Bourtzi • Mystery Luxury Residence
• Boutique: Aegean Suites • Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel • Bourtzi
• Families: Princess Resort • Magic Hotel • Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel
• Couples: La Piscine Art Hotel • Kassandra Bay Resort • Atrium
• Best Value: Magic Hotel • Meltemi • Skiathos Senses
• Koukounaries: Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel • Elivi Skiathos
• Near the Port: Meltemi

Treetop sea views at Magic Hotel, a good midrange choice near Agia Paraskevi Beach.

See Also
• Best Beaches in Skiathos

Skiathos is the busiest and easiest of the Sporades islands for a first visit, with an international airport, a lively main town, excellent sandy beaches, and good bus and boat connections along the south coast.

Skiathos Town is the best base for most first-time visitors. It has the island’s largest choice of restaurants and bars, the ferry port, tour boats, shopping, and easy bus access to the beaches. Stay along the south coast instead if being near the beach matters more than nightlife and dining.

Most of the island’s developed beaches and hotels are along the south coast. The north is quieter and much less developed, with beaches reached by boat or over rougher roads and tracks. Koukounaries, at the western end of the main bus corridor, has one of Skiathos’s best sandy beaches and is a good choice for families.

Skiathos Town waterfront, viewed from the Bourtzi peninsula.

A boat trip around Skiathos is worth doing, especially for Lalaria Beach and the north coast. Lalaria is reached by sea, while Kastro can also be visited overland with a walk at the end. Boat trips leave from Skiathos Town and typically combine several swimming stops.

Getting To and Around Skiathos

• By Plane: Skiathos Airport (JSI) is just outside Skiathos Town. There are flights from Athens and many summer nonstop flights from European cities.
• By Ferry: Volos and Mantoudi on Evia are the most useful mainland ports for Skiathos. Ferries also connect Skiathos with Skopelos and Alonissos. Thessaloniki service is seasonal, so check the current schedule before building a trip around it.
• Bus: Buses are the easiest way to travel between Skiathos Town and the developed beaches along the south coast, including Agia Paraskevi and Koukounaries. There are also services to the airport and several other parts of the island. Summer buses are frequent but can be crowded in July and August.
• Water Taxi: Boats from Skiathos Town serve several south-coast beaches and are a useful alternative to the bus, especially for Vassilias and other nearby beach areas.
• Car: You do not need a car if staying in Skiathos Town or near the main south-coast bus route. Rent one for a day or two if you want to explore inland roads and the quieter north side of the island.

The Best Places to Stay in Skiathos

Ammos, the beachside restaurant at Princess Resort, one of my favorite Skiathos resorts for families.

• Best Luxury Hotels on Skiathos
  Bourtzi Hotel (Skiathos Town) • Golden King Villas (near Vassilias Beach) • Mystery Luxury Residence (Skiathos Town)
• Best Boutique Hotels on Skiathos
  Aegean Suites (Megali Ammos, adults only) • Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel (Koukounaries) • Bourtzi Hotel (Skiathos Town)
• Best Hotels for Couples on Skiathos
  La Piscine Art Hotel (Skiathos Town; adults only May to September) • Kassandra Bay Resort (Vassilias Beach) • Atrium Hotel (Platanias Bay)
• Best Beach Resorts on Skiathos
  Princess Resort (Agia Paraskevi Beach) • Kassandra Bay Resort (Vassilias Beach)
• Best Midrange Hotel on Skiathos
  Magic Hotel (Agia Paraskevi)
• Best Hotel for Families on Skiathos
  Princess Resort (Agia Paraskevi)
• Best Hotel for Solo Travelers
  Meltemi (Skiathos Town)

Where to Stay in Skiathos for…

• First-Time Visitors: Skiathos Town
  This is the easiest base if you want restaurants, bars, shops, ferries, boat tours, and buses within walking distance. You can spend the day at the beach and still have the island’s best choice of places to eat at night. Megali Ammos is the closest beach and is walkable from much of town.
• Couples: Skiathos Town, Vassilias, or Platanias Bay
  Stay in Skiathos Town if restaurants and nightlife are priorities; La Piscine Art Hotel is a good choice. For a beach resort close to town, I prefer Kassandra Bay Resort at Vassilias. For a quieter stay with sea views, choose Atrium Hotel above Platanias Bay.


A stroll along the Bourtzi peninsula in Skiathos Town.

• Families: Agia Paraskevi or Koukounaries
  Agia Paraskevi is my first choice for families who want a beach resort and a few tavernas within walking distance. Princess Resort sits right by the beach and has family rooms, lawns, and children’s facilities. Koukounaries has a larger beach and more of a beach-holiday feel; Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel is an easy walk from the sand.
• Without a Car: Skiathos Town
  Stay in town. The ferry port, restaurants, shops, boat tours, and main bus services are all close together. Meltemi is particularly convenient, directly on the harborfront and close to the ferry docks.
• Watersports: Koukounaries, Vromolimnos, or Vassilias
  These beaches have the best selection of watersports and boat rentals. Koukounaries has the widest range, while Vassilias is particularly convenient if you want to stay close to Skiathos Town.

Aegean Sea views from Black Olive, the poolside restaurant at Kassandra Bay Resort at Vassilias Beach.

Skiathos vs Skopelos

• Skiathos is busier and more developed, with more beach resorts and nightlife. Skopelos is quieter and feels more traditional.
• Skiathos Town has far more nightlife. Skopelos Town has plenty of restaurants and a smaller selection of bars.
• Skiathos has more sandy beaches. Many of the best-known beaches on Skopelos are pebble or mixed pebble and sand.
• Skiathos has an airport just outside the main town. Skopelos has no airport and is reached by ferry.

The 6 Best Areas on Skiathos

1. Skiathos Town

Skiathos Town is the best place to stay for most first-time visitors. It has the island’s largest choice of restaurants, bars, and shops, plus the ferry port, boat tours, and easy bus connections to the south-coast beaches. Megali Ammos is the nearest beach and can be walked to from much of town.

The waterfront is busy in summer, but the back streets are more attractive and pleasant to explore. Papadiamantis Street is the main pedestrian shopping street. For nightlife, head toward the Old Port and the bars beyond the yacht marina.

The pine-covered Bourtzi peninsula separates the old and new harbors and has an easy waterfront walking path. Skiathos also has an open-air cinema in the center that regularly shows Mamma Mia! during summer.

For history, the former home of novelist Alexandros Papadiamantis is the most interesting small museum in town.

• Best Hotels in Skiathos Town
  Bourtzi Hotel • Mystery Luxury Residence • La Piscine Art Hotel

2. Koukounaries

Koukounaries has one of the best beaches on Skiathos: a long strip of fine sand with shallow water, plenty of sunbeds, snack bars, watersports, and boat rentals. It gets very busy in July and August, but families wanting a straightforward beach holiday should put it near the top of their list.

Behind the beach is Lake Strofylia, a protected wetland separated from the sea by the beach and pine forest.

The main south-coast road and bus service reach Koukounaries, so it is manageable without a car. Accommodation is set back from the main beach rather than directly on the sand.

• Best Hotels in Koukounaries
  Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel • Elivi Skiathos

3. Banana Beach

Banana Beach lies just beyond Koukounaries on the southwest tip of Skiathos. It has good sand, clear water, and beach clubs, but development around Elivi has made it feel more polished and resort-oriented than it did years ago.

This area makes most sense if you are staying at Elivi. Otherwise, Koukounaries is the more convenient base for restaurants, buses, and exploring the rest of Skiathos.

• Best Luxury Hotel near Banana Beach
  Elivi Skiathos

4. Troulos

Troulos is a quieter south-coast base between Skiathos Town and Koukounaries. There are enough tavernas and small hotels for an easy stay, and Troulos Beach has sand and relatively calm water.

Choose Troulos if you want somewhere quieter than Skiathos Town but do not need the facilities of a large resort. The south-coast bus makes it easy to reach both town and Koukounaries.

• Best Hotel in Troulos
  La Luna Hotel

5. Agia Paraskevi

Agia Paraskevi is my favorite beach area for families. The sandy beach has shallow water, several hotels are within walking distance, and there are enough tavernas nearby that you do not have to go into Skiathos Town every night.

It is also well positioned on the south-coast bus route. Skiathos Town is close enough for dinner or an evening out, while Koukounaries and the western beaches are easy to reach in the other direction.

• Best Hotels in Agia Paraskevi
  Princess Resort (on the beach) • Atrium Hotel (about a 10-minute walk to the beach) • Magic Hotel (about a 5-minute walk to the beach)

6. Megali Ammos

Megali Ammos is the closest proper beach to Skiathos Town and a good compromise if you want to walk to town while staying near the sea. The beach has sunbeds, watersports, tavernas, and beach bars.

The main advantage here is location. You get a beach outside your hotel and can still walk into Skiathos Town for dinner and nightlife rather than relying on a bus or taxi.

• Best Luxury Hotel in Megali Ammos
  Aegean Suites (adults only)

Atrium Hotel above Platanias Bay has sea views and rooms ranging from doubles to suites and maisonettes.

The 12 Best Hotels in Skiathos, Greece

1. Mystery Luxury Residence – Skiathos Town

My favorite hotel in Skiathos Town. Mystery sits in a quiet neighborhood about a 10-minute walk from the center, with spacious rooms and suites, furnished balconies, two pools, and an onsite restaurant. Some suites have outdoor jacuzzis, and the large Grand Villa adds a terrace jacuzzi and two bedrooms. Good choice for couples who want more space and a pool but still want to walk into town.

2. Bourtzi Hotel – Skiathos Town

One of the best locations in Skiathos Town, just off Papadiamantis Street and close to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Contemporary rooms surround a courtyard pool; superior rooms are larger and overlook the pool. The ferry port is a few minutes away on foot, while Megali Ammos Beach is about a 10-minute walk. Excellent if you want to stay right in town without giving up a swimming pool.

3. Magic Hotel – Agia Paraskevi

Good-value hillside hotel near Agia Paraskevi Beach with sea views, a swimming pool, children’s pool, restaurant, and pool bar. Rooms have mini-fridges and balconies; larger suites add more space and some have whirlpool baths. The upper rooms have the best views but require climbing plenty of stairs. Several tavernas are walkable, and the beach is about 250 meters away. One of my favorite midrange choices on Skiathos.

4. Princess Resort – Agia Paraskevi

My favorite family resort on Skiathos. Princess sits directly on Agia Paraskevi Beach with a large pool, children’s facilities, lawns, beach restaurant, spa, and fitness facilities. Family rooms open onto garden areas and sleep up to four, with adjoining-room options for larger families. Some suites have private pools or jacuzzis and sea views. A bus stop outside the hotel makes Skiathos Town easy to reach without a car.

5. Meltemi – Skiathos Town

Small modern hotel directly on the Skiathos Town waterfront. The ferry port, tour boats, restaurants, shops, and taxi stand are all steps away. Rooms and suites have balconies, with sea views in several categories; economy singles make this one of the better choices for solo travelers. Pick Meltemi for location rather than resort facilities.

6. Mandraki Village Boutique Hotel – Koukounaries

My favorite smaller hotel near Koukounaries Beach. The low-rise buildings sit in a large garden with an outdoor pool, pool bar, and restaurant. Rooms have mini-fridges and balconies or terraces, while larger suites add sitting areas. There is also a two-bedroom villa with a private pool for families and groups. Koukounaries Beach is an easy walk.

7. Kassandra Bay Resort – Vassilias Beach

Large beach resort at Vassilias, only a short drive from Skiathos Town. Rooms and suites have balconies or terraces with garden or sea views; upgraded suites add private pools or jacuzzis. Maisonettes and two-bedroom family suites work well for families. The sandy beach has watersports, and a water taxi connects directly with Skiathos Old Port. A very good choice if you want a proper beach resort without being far from town.

8. Atrium Hotel – Agia Paraskevi

Hillside hotel above Platanias Bay with excellent sea views and stone-and-timber architecture. The pool, restaurant, and pool bar all overlook the Aegean. Room choices range from doubles to split-level suites; upgraded categories add outdoor jacuzzis, shared infinity pools, or private pools. Adjoining rooms are available. The elevated setting is a big part of the appeal, but expect slopes and stairs.

9. La Piscine Art Hotel – Skiathos Town

Good couples hotel in a quieter part of Skiathos Town, about a 10-minute walk from the port, shops, and restaurants. The large swimming pool is the centerpiece, with a pool bar and restaurant alongside it. Rooms and suites vary considerably, so check the category carefully when booking. The hotel operates as adults-only during the main summer season from May through September.

10. Golden King Villas – Vassilias Beach

Six large villas near Vassilias Beach, each with a private pool, kitchen, sea views, and hot tub in the primary bedroom. A pedestrian passage gives access to the beach across the road. There is no restaurant or bar onsite, so this is best for travelers who want privacy and space rather than full resort services. Skiathos Town is about 3 km away.

11. Aegean Suites Hotel – Megali Ammos

Adults-only hillside hotel near Megali Ammos with sea views and a good pool area. The one- and two-bedroom suites are spacious and have private balconies; some add outdoor hot tubs. There are two restaurants, breakfast is included, and room service is available. There are numerous stairs, so I would not book it for anyone with mobility problems. Skiathos Town is close enough for dinner and nightlife.

12. Skiathos Senses – Skiathos Town

Modern, relatively affordable rooms in a quiet but central part of Skiathos Town, about 250 meters from the ferry port. Standard doubles are on the ground floor with private exterior entrances; superior rooms add built-in sofa beds, and adjoining rooms work well for families. Restaurants and coffee shops are close by. One of the better value choices if you want to stay in town.

Read More

• Best Beaches in Skiathos