The best beaches in Skiathos are Koukounaries, Big Banana, Agia Eleni, Mandraki and Aselinos, plus Lalaria on the north coast by boat. Most south coast beaches are reached easily by the frequent bus from Skiathos Town.
Skiathos has some of the best sandy beaches in Greece, with pine forest running right down to the water on many of them. The busiest and best known, Koukounaries and Banana, sit at the western tip of the island at the end of the bus line, while the wilder north coast, including the white pebbles of Lalaria, is best seen from a boat. With around 60 beaches on an island only about 12 km long, you can try a different one every day and still not run out.
Quick facts
- Number of beaches: around 60, most of them on the sheltered south and west coasts.
- Getting there: the south coast bus runs from Skiathos Town to Koukounaries, with numbered stops along the way; water taxis serve several bays from the old port.
- Best for families: Koukounaries, Agia Paraskevi, Vassilias and Kanapitsa, with shallow water and facilities.
- Best for quiet: Mandraki, Kechria, Little Aselinos and the north coast coves by boat.
- Best time: June and September, when the sea is warm and the beaches less crowded than in August.
How the Skiathos coast works
Almost all development on Skiathos lies along one road that runs west from Skiathos Town along the south coast to Koukounaries. The bays along this stretch are sheltered, sandy and well organised, with sunbeds, tavernas and water sports. The north coast faces the open Aegean and the summer meltemi wind, so it is wilder, rockier and much emptier, reached by dirt tracks or by boat. As a rule, swim on the south coast when the north wind blows and save the north for calm days.
The bus is the easiest way to reach the beaches. In high season it runs very frequently, roughly every 10 to 20 minutes, from early morning until late at night, and its numbered stops are how locals give directions, from stop 1 just outside town to stop 26 at Koukounaries. Fares are low and paid in cash on board or at kiosks; check the current timetable and prices locally, as they change each season.
The western tip: Koukounaries and its neighbours
Koukounaries
Koukounaries is the famous one: over a kilometre of fine golden sand backed by a stone pine forest and the Strofilia lagoon, a protected wetland that is home to birds and turtles. The water is shallow and calm, which makes it ideal for young children, and there are sunbeds, tavernas, beach bars and water sports along most of its length. It gets very busy in July and August, but it is long enough that walking towards the eastern end usually finds space. The bus terminates here at stop 26.
Big Banana and Little Banana
Over the headland west of Koukounaries, a short but steep walk from the last bus stop, lies Big Banana, a curved bay of golden sand named after its shape. It is the island’s party beach in summer, with music, cocktail bars and plenty of water sports, though it is calmer early in the day. Beyond the rocks, Little Banana is smaller and has long been popular with naturists. Both have rough, hilly access roads and limited parking.
Agia Eleni
A few minutes north of the Banana beaches, Agia Eleni faces west towards Pelion on the mainland, which makes it the best beach on the island for sunset. It is sandy, generally calmer than Banana and has a taverna and a beach bar. Late afternoon here is one of the simple pleasures of Skiathos.
Mandraki and Elias
Mandraki, also called Xerxes, is reached by a short nature trail through the pines from the Strofilia lagoon road, or by a dirt track. It is a lovely sandy bay with clear water, a single beach bar and a more natural feel than Koukounaries. Its neighbour Elias, sometimes called Small Mandraki, is reachable on foot from it. On windy days the waves here can be strong.
Along the south coast
Between Skiathos Town and Koukounaries, the bus passes a string of bays, each a short walk from its stop.
- Megali Ammos: the closest sandy beach to town, walkable in around 15 minutes, convenient but busy.
- Vassilias and Achladies: sheltered bays with hotels, sunbeds and shallow water; water taxis run here from the old port.
- Tzaneria and Kanapitsa: calm bays on the Kalamaki peninsula, good for families and paddleboarding.
- Vromolimnos: a lively, pine-backed beach with beach bars and water sports, popular with a younger crowd.
- Platanias and Agia Paraskevi: a long sandy stretch with shallow water, a favourite with families.
- Troulos: a pretty bay facing two small islets, with a quieter feel and good snorkelling around the rocks.
- Maratha: a small, low-key cove at the end of a rough track, a world away from the busy bays nearby.
The north and west coasts
Aselinos
Big Aselinos is a wide sandy bay on the northwest coast, reached by a paved road through farmland and a final unpaved stretch. It has a taverna and some sunbeds but feels open and wild, with waves when the north wind blows. Little Aselinos next door is smaller and quieter, and the nearby monastery of Panagia Kounistra makes a pleasant stop on the way.
Kechria
Kechria lies in a valley on the north side, reached by a dirt road from the island’s interior. It is sandy, sheltered by hills and has a small canteen, and it is usually quiet even in August. A hire car with clearance or a jeep is sensible for the road.
Lalaria
Lalaria is the postcard beach of Skiathos: a crescent of smooth white pebbles beneath tall cliffs, with an arched rock, Tripia Petra, standing in the water at one end. It can only be reached by sea. Round-island boat trips from the old port stop here or nearby, often combined with the sea caves of Skotini and Galazia, the ruins of the Kastro (the island’s medieval capital on a rocky headland) and a lunch stop. Keep in mind that the pebbles are part of what makes the beach special, and taking them is forbidden.
Which Skiathos beach suits you?
| If you want | Go to |
|---|---|
| Shallow water for small children | Koukounaries, Agia Paraskevi, Kanapitsa |
| Beach bars and music | Big Banana, Vromolimnos |
| Sunset | Agia Eleni |
| Quiet and nature | Mandraki, Kechria, Little Aselinos |
| Something dramatic | Lalaria by boat |
| Close to town without transport | Megali Ammos |
Boat trips and water taxis
Water taxis from the old port shuttle to the southern bays several times a day in summer, a pleasant alternative to the bus. Round-island excursion boats leave each morning, visiting Lalaria, the Kastro and the caves, and some continue to Skopelos or the small islet of Tsougria, opposite town, which has a sandy beach and a taverna. You can also hire a small motorboat without a licence for a day and pick your own coves; the same principles apply as in our guide to boat rental without a licence: check the forecast, stay close to the coast and return before the afternoon wind.
Getting to Skiathos
Skiathos has an airport with direct charter flights from many European cities in summer, and the approach over Xanemos beach, where planes pass very low over the sand, is a sight in itself. Ferries and fast boats run from Volos and Agios Konstantinos on the mainland and from Mantoudi on Evia, and continue to Skopelos and Alonissos. Our guide to Greek ferries explains how to plan these routes. From Volos it is also easy to combine Skiathos with the mountain villages and beaches of Pelion.
Practical tips
- Arrive early: at Koukounaries and Banana in July and August, sunbeds and parking fill by mid morning.
- Sunbeds: a pair with an umbrella usually costs extra on organised beaches; there is almost always free space at the ends of the larger bays.
- Wind: check the meltemi forecast and head to the south coast when it blows.
- Shade: the pines give natural shade on many beaches, a real advantage over the bare Cyclades.
- Season: the best months are June and September; in May and October the sea is cooler and some beach bars close.
For families comparing islands, Skiathos ranks high in our guide to the best Greek islands for families, and if you love pine-fringed sandy bays, the beaches of Halkidiki on the mainland offer a similar landscape on a larger scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful beach in Skiathos?
Koukounaries is the most famous for its fine sand and pine forest, while Lalaria, with white pebbles and a rock arch, is the most dramatic. Agia Eleni is the favourite for sunset.
Can you get to Skiathos beaches by bus?
Yes. The south coast bus runs from Skiathos Town to Koukounaries with numbered stops for the beaches along the way, very frequently in high season. Northern beaches like Aselinos and Kechria need a car, and Lalaria needs a boat.
Which Skiathos beaches are best for children?
Koukounaries, Agia Paraskevi, Kanapitsa and Vassilias have shallow, calm water, sunbeds and tavernas. They are all on or near the bus route.
How do you get to Lalaria beach?
Lalaria is only accessible by sea. Round-island boat trips leave Skiathos old port every morning in summer, or you can hire a small boat or take a water taxi when the sea is calm.
Is Banana beach in Skiathos busy?
Big Banana is one of the liveliest beaches on the island in July and August, with beach bars and music. It is quieter early in the morning and outside peak season.
