Spend Time Outdoors

Skiathos, Greece is an ideal place for outdoor activities. There are plenty of trails for biking and walking. In fact, there are 25 hiking trails totalling 197 kilometers. One of the loveliest routes starts in Skiathos Town and winds up at the Castle of Skiathos. If you’d rather camp than stay in a hotel, you’re in luck. The beach of Koukounaries has camping sites. Something else you can enjoy at Koukounaries Beach is horseback riding. The riding experiences take place just behind the beach along the forested roads. If you enjoy water sports, you can go sailing. You can also take boat trips and boat tours.

Enjoy Good Food and Drink

The island of Skiathos is home to many coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. You will find bars, cocktail bars, and clubs at Banana Beach, Ambelakia Beach, and throughout Skiathos Town. Whether you’re in the mood for Greek, Mediterranean, or seafood, you’ll find it. Local products of the island include olive oil, wine, handmade pasta, and a local alcoholic drink called tsipouro. Local specialties you can try include: cheese pie, octopus with fava, the fish soup of Kakavia, and crawfish with cabbage.

Visit the Town of Skiathos

The capital and harbor of the island of Skiathos is a beautiful place to visit. Admire the whitewashed houses have red tiled roofs as you walk the narrow streets of the town. Much of the population of the island is in Skiathos Town, so you’ll find everything you need there. The main street of the town is Papadiamanti. The old harbor and the commercial harbor are separated by a small peninsula called Bourtzi. Bourtzi used to be a fortress. It was established in 1207 by the Gizi brother. In 1660, the fortress was destroyed. Then in 1906, a school was built on the peninsula. Today, the peninsula is a beautiful area to walk and take in the views.

Visit the Lagoon of Strofilia

Nature and bird lovers will feel right at home at the Lagoon of Strofilia. Located on the southwest side of the island, the lagoon is an important space for migratory birds. The landscape of the area is beautiful and the lagoon, along with the forest, have been named as a Wildlife Refuge. The pines and shrubs help to shelter wild animals such as turtles, hedgehogs, foxes, jackals, and otters. You will be treated to the scents of pine, thyme, cedar, and sage as you explore the forest area. Sea bass, eels, and flathead mullets also find refuge in the area.

Skiathos Island is perfect for lovers of the outdoors, exploration, and of course good food.

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Lalaria Beach

Located on the northern part of the island, Lalaria Beach has some of the most stunning scenery on Skiathos. Here, you will see some dramatic, white cliffs that seem to poke directly out of the sea. They surround the beach and offer a bit of shade during certain parts of the day. There are also plenty of caves to explore here, which makes this beach the perfect choice for those seeking a bit of adventure.

Koukounaries Beach

One of the most popular beaches on the island, Koukounaries Beach is a popular favorite for locals and tourists alike. During peak tourist season, this is the beach that seems to feel the swell of the crowds the most, especially since it is considered to be one of the best. The beach is surrounded by pine trees and is also made up of soft sand that is easy on the feet, especially during hot days. It is also an organized beach and there are sun beds and umbrellas to rent. There are plenty of services nearby too, such as restaurants and tavernas, which means that being here is the perfect way to pass the day.

Banana Beach

If you want to spend time at a beach that also has fine, soft sand and is surrounded by pine trees, but don’t want to deal with the large crowds, consider heading to Banana Beach, which is close to Koukounaries Beach. This beach is also both gorgeous and organized, but it is often bypassed in favor of Koukounaries. This beach is worth your time, however, especially if you’re looking to avoid the crowds. However, this beach has a charm all its own and really shouldn’t be compared to strongly to Koukounaries. The long strip of beach is part of what gives the beach its name and its inherent charm.

Kanapitsa Beach

If you’re looking for a beach that is considered to be fun and family friendly, Kanapitsa Beach should be your first choice. Ideal for lounging in the sun and swimming, this beach provides a great place for families to spend the day. This is also a great place for water sports such as snorkeling and scuba diving.

As you can see, there is a beach located on the Greek island of Skiathos to suit every style. Besides lounging in the sun, most beaches in Skiathos are also great for swimming and are close enough to activities such as shopping to offer a great way to pass the time.

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Have an Adventure in Skiathos

Skiathos, Greece is blesses with natural beauty and wonderous landscapes. There’s no better way to experience this side of the island. If your family loves the outdoors, you may enjoy bike riding around Skiathos. Walking around the island is also a wonderful option as there are sign posted walking trails that will point you through the unspoiled parts of the island.

This island is home to at least 25 hiking trails.These trails vary in length and difficulty. You can also experience horseback riding with your family on the island of Skiathos. Camping and sailing are other outdoor activities you can participate in while visiting Skiathos, Greece.

Try the Specialties of Skiathos

Your family will enjoy trying the local specialties of the island of Skiathos. Local specialties include: kakavia, a fish soup; a traditional crawfish with cabbage dish; octopus with fava; the local cheese pie; and amigdalota, a local pastry. Skiathos also produces olive oil, wine, and handmade pasta.

Throughout the island of Skiathos, you will find tavernas and restaurants that serve delicious Greek cuisine, Mediterranean cuisine, and seafood. You will also find coffee spots, bakeries, and pastry shops around the island where you can stop for a pick-me-up during your daily adventures.

Relax on the Beach

Skiathos, Greece is rich in beautiful beaches that are surrounded by forests of pine trees and feature soft sand and crystal water. On the northern side of the island of Skiathos, most of the beaches are secluded and nudist friendly, while on the southern side you will find the beaches organized with sun beds, umbrellas, and even water sports centers. When visiting with your family, you will probably enjoy more of the beaches on the southern side of the island. Ahladies Beach is located 5 km southwest of Akiathos Town.

If you’re staying in Town, this is one of those most convenient and popular beaches. It is fully organized, has water sports available, and is family friendly. Ftelia Beach is located 2 km west of Skiathos Town and close to the harbor and offers a lovely view while you soak up the sun or have fun in the water. Plakes Beach is within walking distance of the city center and is a small pebbled beach with taverns and cafes around.

Explore Skiathos by Water Taxi

This fun activity will appeal to both adults and children. You can catch a water taxi from Koukounaries beach, which will travel to the old port at Skiathos Town in about 20 minutes. From the water taxi you can admire the clear green water, the restaurants that line the waterfront, and other interesting sites such as the Bourtzi, a small fortress that sits out on the water and houses as gallery.

Skiathos Island is a wonderful destination for families.

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As it turns out, if you find yourself on the island of Skiathos in Greece, you have plenty of beaches to choose from. You really can’t go wrong visiting any of these beaches, but Lalaria Beach should be one of your highest priorities. Here’s a look at what it takes to visit this iconic beach:

Getting to Skiathos Island

Before you can spend time at the beach, you need to first figure out how to get to the island of Skiathos. The easiest option for visitors is to take a flight into the regional airport on the island. The airport is located about 3 kilometers away from the island’s capitol city and is especially convenient during peak tourist season when there are plenty of options for flights. If you’re flying into Athens you’ll need to take a connecting flight from Athens directly into Skiathos. You can also take a ferry, but Skiathos isn’t on a direct ferry routine from Piraeus, which means that you’ll need to make a connection if your trip originates in Athens. You can take ferries from Agios Konstantinos, a port that is located in Central Greece or from Volos. You can find ferries from Athens to these places, however.

Caves at Lalaria Beach

Lalaria is one of he most popular beaches on the island of Skiathos. One of the reasons for this is that it is in a stunning location. The beach is physically beautiful and aside from that, there are two caves located at the beach that are considered to be amongst the top, must-see sites on the island. The two caves are called Skotini and Galazia and are two of the most photographed features on the island. Even if you don’t want to spend time on the beach, you should still visit Lalaria so that you can see these gorgeous caves.

Visiting Lalaria Beach

Besides visiting the caves, there are plenty of other things to do at Lalaria Beach. Visitors and locals alike flock here to soak up the sun and enjoy swimming in the warm waters. The beach is somewhat isolated and that is also appealing to visitors. You can only reach this beach by boat and that seems to keep the numbers down. It is a sandy beach, as well, so you won’t need to worry about footwear. Since it is a bit off the beaten track, you’ll need to bring your own beach supplies, such as towels, food, and drinks, if you’re going to truly enjoy the beach.

While on the island of Skiathos, take the time to visit Lalaria Beach. Here, you can visit two beautiful sea caves as well as lounge on the beach.

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