SAVOUR Opening on 2nd May 2024. We are delighted to introduce you our Savour restaurant for the second year. We have been passionately operating Mystery Luxury Residence since 2015. Ensuring an elegant atmosphere and a comfortable luxurious accommodation has been all the team’s goal. By the end of each season, we have been founding ourselves happy for exceeding our expectations and making heartfelt friends. A constant practice of reviewing our skills has given us the way to improve and come closer to our guests’ needs and anticipations for holidays.Last year we were excited to improve our services with the add-on of a delicate restaurant. We introduced you to the best of Greek cuisine. This year, we are anticipating impressing and satisfying you even more with new recipes and traditional dishes!We cannot wait to see you all again, gathering around the pool and enjoying good food with friends and family.“Laughter is brightest in the place where food is good”.Taste the best of Greece at our new restaurant. “Savour” is opening on 1st May to present a modern version of delicious Greek traditional dishes. Our executive chef Panos Pentalios, although he has many years of kitchen experience under his belt, he is enjoying learning lots of new tricks and techniques and loves the new challenge. His creative and innovative approaches lead to an inventive menu.

Menu Savour is becoming a favourite haunt in Skiathos town. Cosy, informal yet elegant and incurably romantic, the restaurant is tucked away in a quiet area at the end of Evangelistria Street. We serve the traditional food of this country at its best – and at affordable prices. We specialise in slow cooking, traditional greek dishes, fish and pies. Who We Are Savour offers a playful take on traditional Greek cuisine with broad European influences emphasizing local, simple, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Dishes are beautifully accompanied by an extensive cocktail menu served in a chilling out atmosphere that welcomes guests every day. Design Savour is warm, friendly and modern, with a generous menu full of classic dishes, beautifully cooked. It offers a unique blend of calming Skiathos town views with an intimate, welcoming, critically-acclaimed dining experience.Designed by award-winning architects, the restaurant features include an "inside out" bar, an indoor cosy dining room and a romantic poolside dinning area, with modern influences.

1) Quad Bike HireIn Skiathos island the main way of transportation for tourist are the bus, taxi, and tour boats. If you want to feel more independent you can rent your own quad bike. Keep in mind that the island contains o lot of dirt roads, that vehicle, has a real advantage over cars and allow you to arrive to places like Mandraki that would visited only by boat.The unexplored north coast has virgin coves like Nikotsara beach, that the tour boats tend to lose.The rates to rent a quad bike vary according to the season, but you can get a low-powered quad bike for €45 for a single day in August, going down to €30 in the low season, with lower prices for multiple days. Some Skiathos hotels can arrange that.2) DivingThe crystal clear waters off Skiathos island are ideal for diving, with a visibility of 30 metres or more and the sea temperatures more than 26°C from July to the middle of October.Skiathos island has diving center for both beginners and advanced. For qualified people there are available organized excursions to caves and a wreck, and special night dives are also created. For beginners there are introductory courses that really help. If the candidates participate for a number of courses a PADI certification can be succeed.3) Boat ToursA very interesting experience in Skiathos island is the boat tours from Skiathos harbor. You can find different types of boats and tours. You can find traditional boats to modern yachts.As well because the lineup of excursions to Tsougria and Skiathos’ arduous to succeed in beaches, there’s a variety of alternative boat tours obtainable from the harbour at Skiathos city.A favorite boat trip is the Mamma Mia excursion! It‘s a themed cruise to Skopelos, the place which was a shooting location for the movie. You can also visit the small islands Tsougria and Arco with crystal clear waters. One interesting excursions at Skiathos is around the island by boat. That's because a big number of 60 beaches have no access by car. You can swim and photograph whatever you can't from the mainland.During the boat excursion, sometimes it’s possible enjoy the activities of sailing, snorkeling and taste a delicious and plentiful meal on the boat!

Skiathos is famous for its numerous beautiful beaches. The north part of the island is more remote and therefore more attractive to explore. Beaches worth visiting at the north are Krifi Ammos, Mandraki, Elia, Agkistros, Megalos and Mikros Aselinos, Ligaries and Kechria, as well as Lalaria, Lechouni – Nikotsara, Megas Gialos and Ksanemos. These beaches are unique, as they are totally unspoiled. The only disadvantage is that when it is windy, this part of the island is more affected, making it very difficult to swim. So, when the weather is not calm, it is better to avoid heading to the north. Otherwise, you may approach the area with your own vehicle, as public transport doesn’t do this route. Alternatively, it is a wonderful idea to visit these beaches as part of a daily sailing tour. Again, the weather needs to be favorable to do so.A special mention to Agistros beachThis beach is a part of heaven. It is located at the northern part of the island. It is sandy with crystal clear and deep waters. Because of the deep waters and the lack of sun beds and other amenities, maybe it is not the best choice for families with young members. But the spectacular view of the sea, the amazing waters and the endless quietness are more than you can ask from a Greek island.Its distance from the town centre is 15 km and the closest known beach is Elia. The walking path to the beach is about 2 km and it is a green route through the wonderful forest of Mandraki. Surely, is one of the best hiking routes in Skiathos. Alternatively, you can rent a motorbike and drive right down to the beach.Many tourists though, prefer to reach the beach from the sea. There are many boats leaving the old harbor near luxury Skiathos hotels of the town every day that organize day trips to the remote north part of Skiathos.

Each island in Greece has its own capital city, usually known as "Chora". Exactly when you arrive in the port of Skiathos town, you discover the captivating elegance of this island. You will feel impressed by the romantic atmosphere of the peninsula of Bourtzi together with the fishing boats from the old harbor. Skiathos island includes a distinctive cosmopolitan personality intertwined in harmony with all the tourist attractions along with the wild beauty of the natural landscape. The Skiathos town has 5000 inhabitants, but the amount of these population increases undoubtedly during the summertime when individuals that have origin from skiathos however have moved to larger cities for work, go back for the summertime. The most people of the island live in Skiathos town, and the remaining part of the island is hardly populated. The town is situated in the east area, and its geographic position gives a windless bay. Making a walking tour in the small streets of Skiathos town is the perfect way to introduce you in the architecture and the way of living. The homes are small and beautiful, a mix of island architecture with many characteristics from the area of Mount Pelion, which overlooks the nearest mainland city, Volos. In Skiathos Town you find Papadiamantis home which functions as a museum, and some luxury Skiathos hotels. As you are wandering around the pebbled roads of the town, you have the opportunity to do your shopping. We recommend you avoid the use of car. Aside from the Primary tourist attractions, like the Bourtzi fortress or even the castle, along with the vibrant nightlife, even when you see skiathos Town, you might also attend a number of the several cultural events that happen in the City in the summertime. It isn't important if you do not speak Greek. These festivals are best for culture fans who wish to get familiar with the Greek literature, music and culture.

Ancient Times The beautiful Skiathos island has always maintain the same name since the pre-Hellenic period. It's assumed that this name was given to the island by the Pelasgians, its earliest inhabitants since they were impressed with the fantastic shadow ("skia" in Greek) of those numerous trees enclosing the island. After these initial immigrants at the history of Skiathos, the island was then dwelled by Cretans and Mycenaeans, who also inhabited the other Sporades islands. The fertile agriculture and the tactical place of the island attracted many invaders. In the 7th and 6th century BC, the individuals of Chalkis, Evia island, colonized Skiathos and constructed the first fortified city on Skiathos island. During the Persian Wars, Skiathos harbor was used as a fleet base and this was a Fantastic help to the Athenians. Following the Peloponnesian War (404 BC) Skiathos became formally autonomous and independent. The Spartans tried to disrupt this by re-occupying the island however, the Skiathians, aided by the Athenians, was able to throw them out and established peace and autonomy in their island for 40 years. However, the years of serenity in Skiathos finished when the Athenians converted it into a military base against Philip II of Macedonia. When the Macedonians took Skiathos, they put a tyrant on the island where the democracy come back just in 341 BC. Following the death of Alexander the Great, a succession of leader followed in integral Greece and at Skiathos through that the Skiathians suffered very much. In 197 BC, Skiathos repossess its democracy. The Romans took Greece in 146 BC however they allowed some liberties into the Skiathians who lived peacefully in the Roman oblivion. In the year of 88 BC, the king of Pontus, Mithriades VI burned and ruined Skiathos in the war against the Romans. In 42 BC, Skiathos went under Athenian domination. Many pirates raids damaged the island through those years. After 221 AD, Skiathos went back under Roman authority. During these years the town of the island grew and developed. Medieval period In the year of 325AD come up on Skiathos island and was built the first church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. At the time of the Byzantine period, Skiathos belongs to the province of Thessaly and its bishop has his chair to the Metropolis of Larissa. From the 7th century, Saracen pirates destroyed the island of the Skiathos, and a massacre was occurred. In the year of 1204, Crusaders gained the territories of the Byzantine Empire together with the Aegean Islands and Skiathos which they delivered to the Venetians. The Venetian built the castle of Bourtzi known as today. Skiathos remained under the Byzantine Empire until the 1453 The Ottomans conquered Skiathos in 1538 AD. Throughout the early years of the 19th century, the people of Skiathos began to grow in shipbuilding. The War of Independence of Greece found the Skiathians well prepared and they participated in many revolutionary actions against the Turks Recent years Following the Greek Revolution, the local left from the town of Kastro and moved to the port at which a new town was built. Boat construction started again. Skiathos inspired many poets, writers, and musicians, such as Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitidis. On September 14th, 1943, the Nazi troops sank the Greek Submarine Lambros Katsonis off the coasts of Skiathos and each year the Katsonia Festival memorialize this sad occasion. In years of the Nazi possession, Kastro turned into a refuge for Greek revolutionaries, British, Australians, and New Zealanders. Following the war, the social and economic life of Skiathos developed quickly with tourism growth with many shops and Skiathos hotels.

Lalaria beachThe infinite natural beauty of this beach is unbelievable. Lalaria can be the reason to visit Skiathos. The water is turquoise, the beach has only these unique white pebbles and rocky cliffs create a natural arch at the entrance of the beach. Lalaria is at the north part of the island. It is a remote beach that you can only reach by boat. Daily cruises are organized by many companies and small or big yachts leave the old port to come here, if the weather allows it and it is not windy.Koukounaries and Lake StrofiliaKoukounaries is the most famous beach in Skiathos. It consists of golden sand and is almost 1 km long. It has been rated as the 3rd best beach in Mediterranean Sea. The surrounding environment is very special. There is a lush pine forest and Lake Strofilia, which is chosen by the migratory birds for resting during their journey. The area is totally protected and under Natura 2000.Town centre and BourtziThe old town is stretched from the port up to two hills. The architecture of the area and the buildings, and Skiathos hotels are beautiful. Narrow alleys, little houses with red tiled roofs and beautiful small gardens create a picturesque scenic. The port is divided to the old and new by a green peninsula, the Bourtzi islet. In 13th century, a Venetian fortress was constructed in Bourtzi, so as to protect the town from pirates. Nowadays, visitors may see the remnants of it. The area offers an airy café bar with amazing views of the town and the sea. There is also an open air theatre, where many cultural events take place during summer.Endless choices of beachesThere are more than 60 beaches to visit, all of them unique and beautiful. You would probably need a month to see them all, if you were elsewhere, but it is not the case in Skiathos! The distances are so small, that most of them are just a couple of kilometers apart. If we could suggest some, there is a must see list: Kolios, Troullos, Vromolimnos, Agia Paraskevi, Kanapitsa, Agia Eleni, Koukounaries and Megalos Aselinos. Beach bars, taverns, water sport facilities, sun beds and umbrellas are present in the vast majority to ensure your comfort.

Skiathos is one of Greece's most famous destinations so there is a lot to see and do. Skiathos boat tours are the best way to explore the island's hidden gems and enjoy the Aegean sea. It is true that the island offers the most organized tours and its worth to try at least one of them. 1. Among the most interesting is the boat trip around the coastline of Skiathos. Tsougria is the first destination for a morning coffee and swimming when you leave the port of Skiathos. After you stop in Troulos , another beautiful beach to swim. Sailing on to koukounaries to continue your swimming . Koukounaries is an important nature reserve because of the lagoon and the pine trees behind the beach. At 14:00 you sail to Katigiorgi port for lunch at one of the two traditional tavernas which serve plates with fresh local ingredients. You continue to Kastro and Lalaria, there will be time for swimming and photos. Finally the boat will sail to Arkos island where you make your final swimming stop. 2. Undoubtedly one of the best excursions is the Mamma Mia cruise. This opportunity to sail to places that the musical was filmed is must. The boat will depart from Skiathos to sail aside Skopelos island and to make its first stop in Kastani beach, one of the best beaches in Skopelos, famous because of the film. It's a beautiful sandy beach with breathtaking scenery and enjoyfull environment to spend your day . Next stop is Panormos bay , here you will have enough time to swim and relax. Panormos is a lovely beach with clear blue sea , initially quite shallow but gets deeper very quickly. After you will have the chance to explore the Blue Cave, one of the most beautiful sights of Skiathos and take photos of this amazing landscape. Before you sail back into port you will visit Tsougria island , it's definitely worth as the sea is wonderful for swimming. 3. There is also another fascinating excursion around the island by boat. Your first destination is fonissa's cave, here you will have enough time to take photos from the stunning scenery. The second stop is at Lalaria beach. Definitely one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen. Lalaria has its name from the shape of the sea crafted rocks that the strong north winds have created. It is something unique that you are not going to see in other Greek islands and it can only be reached by boat. The next stop is at Kastro, a magic place with amazing views, a lot of history, crystal clear water to swim and a tavern with traditional food. Whilst it is hard to get to Kastro is well worth the effort. After that you will visit Katigiorgis which is a picturesque village of Pelion, for lunch and relax .Finally you will stop in Tsougrias island where there will be time for swimming. Many Skiathos hotels help you at the front desk for reservation. Don’t leave from the island before to try at least one boat tour.

If you have plans to visit stunning sandy beaches in Europe this summer than it’s a good idea to visit Skiathos. The island with 44km coastline, and more than 60 beaches.You can find a variety of well-organized beaches with bar, water sports, restaurants, sun beds, to quiet beaches that you can only visit by boat.Beneath, you'll find information about the 7 best beaches in Skiathos with advice about the best way to come up to them.1. Koukounaries BeachKoukounaries means in Greek language pine trees, so you can begin to envision the surrounding regions of the stretch of shoreline. This beautiful beach is one of the busiest beaches of the island with many facilities that you do.Expanding in a couple of kilometers long, the shore has some of the greatest sand and swimming states around Skiathos. Together with its natural beauty, the shore is accompanied by a group of sun beds, water sports, bars, supermarkets and restaurants, making it a great place for all the ages.You can go to Koukounaries Beach by boat, motorbikes, car, bus or taxi. The bus-stop is the last one so don’t worry, you‘ll never miss it. Useful TipGet to the shore early, so you can get your choice of sun beds.2. Troulos bay BeachTroulos beach is a place that you must visit when you are in Skiathos island. This beautiful sandy beach is commonly wind-free. It has sun beds and untouched sand for lounging upon. In a short distance you can find several restaurants and bars to enjoy your drink or snack throughout your time in Troulos.It is a good beach for families and people who like to have everything in the beach. You can reach this beach by bus, car, motorbike or boat from the old port of Skiathos town.Useful TipYou can rent a boat and visit the small island opposite this beach.3. Elia beachThis beautiful beach is located on the northern side of the island, it is one of those lesser frequented beaches due to its less accessible nature, lower infrastructure and tendency to be windy.But don't let any of that discourage you. This beach is excellent for anybody wanting to relax and escape some of the hustle and bustle of this southern region of this island.In this beach you‘ll find a beautiful tavern to enjoy Greed cousin.It’s easy to go to Elia Beach, by car or taxi or motorbike.Useful TipEnsure you take plenty of water and food along with you to the shore.4. Lalaria beachIf you are looking for photos of Skiathos island you meet for sure this beautiful beach. From tiny pebbled shore to crystal-clear waters along with a naturally-formed stone archway, this shore is every traveler and photographer's heaven.Located on the north-eastern tip of Skiathos, the shore is often considered one of the most picturesque and unforgettable beaches to visit when you are in the island. In this beach you don’t find bars, restaurant sun beds, Skiathos hotels. It’s peace and quiet.If you like to take stunning photos swim under the rock archway and get some photos for your Instagram account. You must visit this beach when you era in Skiathos.You can reach this beach only by boat. Visit the old harbor, from Skiathos Town, and hunt a small boat which will takes you to Lalaria.Useful Tiptry this beach in a no windy day, because it’s difficult to reach.5. Diamandi BeachAnother stunning beach to see when you are in Skiathos is Diamandi Beach.Situated on the Southern coast of this island, it is little, sandy and is the perfect place to stop on an excursion round the island. You’ll not meet sun beds, water sports bars, restaurants, but peace, beautiful beach with turquoise water and a small taverna serving local food.This beach is best reached by ship which you can take from the old harbor.Useful TipBe sure that you take with you all the necessary things.

As the beauty of the Aegean sea should not be hidden from anyone coming to visit our island we are pleased to offer you also snorkeling excursions.Unlike going along as a snorkeler on diving boats who usually visit sites not really fit for snorkeling, you can now go on excursions specifically designed for snorkeling.* Snorkeling is something everyone can do with no special training *Professional snorkeling guide will assist you, both on land and in the water. Before entering the water you will receive a thorough briefing about the equipment you will use, what you can expect to see and how to protect the marine life.And just as for diving there is a very nice daily excursion for you to enjoy.The excursion include 4 beaches accessible only by boat (Megas Gialos, Tsougria's Lalaria, and Arco) where you will have a guided tour to enjoy the underwater life.After the first dive in Megas Gialos and very nice beach we will go to the second diving site Lalaria beach. It is very common on the way to see dolphins so have your cameras with you and be ready. In Tsougria island you will enjoy a very nice shallow water lively depth and we will enjoy watching in their natural environment a lot of fish, octopuses and many shells. On the way to the third diving site you will be able to relax and enjoy a light meal and fresh juice on board. Finally we will move to the island of Arcos where you will have another guided tour. While enjoying fresh fruits offered on board we will then come back to the port of Skiathos. Many Skiathos hotels organize this excursion, so for more inormation pleae contact the front desk.

The international airport of Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis (IATA: JSI) is the only airport of the island of Skiathos, Greece. It is constructed in 1972. The passenger terminal control tower were built in 1988. An earthquake in 2001 closed this terminal and in 2002 a new one was built to arrange the continuously the growing number of passengers. In year 2019, as part of the Fraport Company, was reconstructed again and has 2 current terminals. Terminal 1 is for domestic flies, and terminal 2 is for international arrivals. This Airport doesn’t contain any jetways, and the passengers, before 2016 walked a short distance from the airplane to the terminal, now, an airport bus drive passengers the short distance. In the interior you find the Greek duty free shop with a wide selection of all well-known perfumes & cosmetics, tobacco products, spirits, Greek gourmet products, toys electronics, watches and accessories. You can also enjoy coffees, drinks and delicious snacks. Because of the small size, there is no smoking area inside the airport. The runway of Skiathos airport is capabile to accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757-200. This runway is characterized 'short and narrow near the sea. Due to the proximity to an adjacent public road this runway is very popular destination for planespotters. It offers the ability to legally experience landing approaches and takeoffs at very close range. At present, there are 2 domestic flights from Skiathos airport Athens and Thessaloniki. During the summer time is very busy and it has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 29 destinations in 7 countries (United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Netherland, Sweden) . After Thomas Cook downfall the jet2.com appeared and programmed Seasonal flies from Birmingham, London, and Manchester (begins May 2020) It is located outside from the town of Skiathos and it is accessible either from Skiathos town ring road or the coast road. You can find outside a taxi or many Skiathos hotels arrange the transfer by van. The telephone number of Skiathos airport is +302427029105, Fax: +302427024130

Vassilias is very close to Megali Ammos, but it is far quieter and is surrounded by pine and olive trees which make it look like a hidden bay. The idyllic scenery together with the light sea breeze create a cooling and refreshing atmosphere, particularly when lying under the natural shade of the trees. The bay could be separated into two parts, the quieter and the busier one which offers waters sports cafes and tavernas. This dual character of the beach makes Vassilias a fantastic option for everybody. Here you will swim in crystal clear waters and take delight in the tranquility and privacy it offers. Nature lovers will adore the quiet and green environment and couples will enjoy romantic walks by the sea. The distance from Skiathos hotels of the town is about 4 km. Vassilias means king in Greek and is best destination for the queen and king inside each one of you!

Weather of Skiathos Island If you would like to visit Skiathos for vacations, you don't need to think about the time of the year you'll be there because the island is incredibly beautiful and it is always a good time to visit it. Unlike the famous Cyclades with the very hot and dry climate, Skiathos has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.Skiathos is a small Greek island in the northwest Aegean Sea, east of the Mount Pelion, hence its climate and weather is very affected by the mountainous climate of the area. In summer, from June to mid-September, the island is hot and sunny with rare showers. The typical Temperature is around 30°C during the day, but it can easily exceed 37°C in the hottest period. In fact, the island is full of trees that make extreme heat bearable. Also all Skiathos hotels have air-conditioning system, so don’t worry about that. During the summertime, there is frequently a refreshing breeze which also makes your stay more pleasant. In June sometimes there can be some cool evenings, so it is better to bring a sweatshirt for the evening. A unique characteristic in the summer is the strong winds, the so-called Meltemia. All these are usual of the Aegean and you'll have to take them into consideration as regards clothing and boat trips, particularly if you are going to visit the island in July and August. If you enjoy sunbathing and desire a nice deep tan, then visiting Skiathos at the summer is the correct time for you. If you are eager to explore the island in Spring you will be excited by the captivating colors the blossoming flowers and the verdant mountainous sceneries. The weather is almost as warm as in summer time with the average temperature being approximately 17-20°C during the daytime. Despite the fact that the temperature is high enough to enjoy the sun without getting sunburn, the water is still quite cold to go swimming in contrast with the warm temperature of the sea at the start of autumn, especially in September. As for the rainfall is rare in the summer and occurs occasionally in the form of short showers and more rarely thunderstorms. The heaviest rainfall is more frequent from October to April and amounts to 101-200milimeters per year. The winter in Skiathos is peaceful. The weather on the island may not be ideal for swimming, but it is still mostly sunny apart from a few days of rain and strong storms. Sometimes it can even snow making an even more picturesque the landscape.

Skiathos is among the very verdant Greek Islands, owes its green look everywhere to the trees placed over the island. But, the most characteristic of Skiathos Island is its own impressive coastline. There are over 60 beaches with white or blue crystal waters. Also the history of the island and the hospitality of its people are very important. The island is famous for its vibrant nightlife that makes it one of the greatest destinations for young men and women. Kinds of accommodation include luxury Skiathos hotels and villas to simple studios and rooms or organised campsites. Skiathos town is the heart of the island, where all the Important events taking place. Here you find beautiful beaches, easily accessed by foot, very close to it. Although Skiathos town is the most populated region around the island, it is not the only one place which provides quality accommodation and amenities. Along the southern coast of Skiathos, you'll discover small summer Skiathos hotels offering a selection of alternatives, based on your own preferences. If you are on vacation with your family and you would prefer a calm atmosphere or together with your friends and searching for experiences, Skiathos is the best place for you! Also it is the right place for adventurers due to its mountainous terrain as well as the scenic shores of the northern side. For romantic people, skiathos has magnificent panoramic views in the hills up north as well from the old harbor of Skiathos town in which you can drink a glass of wine at the night bars on the waterfront just opposite of the Bourtzi Fortress. Skiathos island is famous also for the history starting from the Pre-historic age and extending to the Classical, Byzantine and Venetian period. Nearly all the monuments of the island are Byzantine churches and monasteries. One of the most popular sights are the Bourtzi Fortress and the Medieval Castle of the Old Town Aside from the historic monuments, even when you are on the island it is important to visit a number of beautiful natural sights, like the wetland of Koukounaries, the Sea caves and Lalaria, and the islet Tsougrias. The picture scene of these areas will make you to wish to remain on Skiathos eternally! The northern side of the island is very quiet, and secluded, because it’s difficult to reach by car or bus. You can reach this place by small boats from Skiathos Town running regularly. Beautiful sandy beaches and many facilities, from accommodation, bars with sun loungers and restaurants you‘ll find there. If you like diving you can meet more than 300 fish species in the Sporades group of islands, such as dolphins, swordfish, tuna and infrequent red corals. Also you can try horse riding or hiking at the well-defined walking paths in various areas around the island. As an alternative, you could take part in one of those daily tours organized by Skiathos old port. It‘s a good idea to visit Skopelos, Alonisos and the Marine Park or the Mama Mia tour around the places where the famous movie was filmed. For visitors who prefer cultural events, you can find plenty of events in the summertime. The Papadiamantis house, in Skiathos town, is an example of the architecture of the island that you must see. If you would like to taste the Skiathos cuisine, you could visit many restaurants in Skiathos town with local specialties, freshly caught fish and international cousins. Overall, this little island with the natural beauty, the vibrant nightlife and the friendly and hospitable residents may turn your vacations into an unforgettable experience.

“Look this” said my guide and he then picked up a large bay leaf from the ground. Please approach it close to your face and smell it deeply. “Bay laurel has so many health benefits. It is good for insect bites, skin infections and stomach upset. Of course, it is also a great ingredient in meat plates. My guide was Ortwin Widmann and what we were doing can be described as herb-hiking on Skiathos island. Mr Widmann is from Germany and has lived in Skiathos for 13 years. He, with his personal cost, has planned the route of all walking paths across the island, almost 200km in total.He has also written a book, which is the ultimate hiking guide on Skiathos island. This incredible man is also a naturalist and offers his expertise in local plants and their medical. The peak of blossom is during spring and early summer, when camomile, wild mallow and poppy, generously give their colors to the ground. To my surprise, there are also other plant species to see throughout the year. At the beginning of autumn, oregano, fennel, lemon balm and sage were everywhere, offering us a cup of tea or the option to dry them and take them home. Widmann explained to us that these herbs can replace a pharmacy store! Lemon balm is good for insomnia, fennel for coughing and sage for a throat infection! I recall when reaching the end of one of the paths and saw this amazing view of the Aegean sea not far away from Skiathos hotels of the town. We were surrounded by fragrant thyme plants. At that moment I felt complete, it was not only the view, but also the smell that I kept inside forever. It was so much worth it than spending one more day at the beach.

Except for the Movie Mama Mia, Papadiamantis' novels and the pine woods of the island, Skiathos is also renowned for its lovely beaches with golden and white sand and crystal blue waters, often awarded with blue flags. Nearly all the best beaches are in the south coast of the island, with the most famous, Koukounaries, being at the end of the main road. The northern shores are quite wilder and less sheltered as the ones in the southern area. However, another incredibly beautiful shore of Skiathos, Lalaria, is located north. It's only accessed by ship, but if you visit it, you will feel as you're in heaven. Due to its proximity to Skiathos town Megali Ammos is a popular choice for every visitor to the island. Whether you are travelling with your family or you are a group of young people, you will like this beach since it is just a short walk to the facilities of Skiathos town. A variety of shops, restaurants and luxury Skiathos hotels you can find there. For the water sports lovers, here you will find the most organized water sports school of the island. There are quite a few water sports schools on several beaches including Koukounaries, Banana, Troulos, Vromolimnos and Agia Paraskevi among others.

Planespotting is a modern hobby and Skiathos airport is the destination for this. Skiathos airport is famous for being the Sint Maarten of Europe. The runway is very short, only 1.6 km long and narrow, whereas it is surrounded by sea. It is located at the north of Skiathos town next to the beach. Outside the airport, but right next to the runway, there is a small street, where the planes fly over. Many tourists gather at this area to watch the planes pass only a few meters above their heads. They are ready with their cameras and smart phones to film this and share it through the internet. They have created a hobby called planespotting. Numerous people visit Skiathos particularly for this reason to feel the jet blast and take a memorable video of a Boeing 757 pass just above their head. The busiest period for the airport is during July and August and especially Fridays, when numerous flights come from many parts of Europe and Skiathos hotels are fully booked. These low height flights and the jet blast of the aircrafts can be really dangerous for people standing on their way. There have been reported over the years a few cases of people being blown away and knocked to the ground. Particularly children are at risk and those, who get really close ignoring the safety precautions. Definitely, actions should be taken, so as to protect viewers.

Known for its picturesque view, active night life, beautiful sandy beaches, the small island of Skiathos invites thousands of passengers every year. Skiathos national airport “ Alexandros Papadiamantis”is located 3 km from the city of Skiathos, in the north –eastern side o the island and it is easily accessible. The journey to and from the city takes 10 minutes. It accommodates flights from Athens during the whole year which are quite convenient as they take less than an hour. Additionally, there are limited connecting flights in Thessaloniki , Chios and Kavala running year round. The island's airport is also connected with various cities overseas, with frequently scheduled flights to take you to this gorgeous green heaven. There are also direct flights from large European capitals , such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol in the UK, Amsterdam, Rome, Vienna, Oslo, Gothenburg,Copenhagen and many others. Although Skiathos is an all time favored destination for summer vacations ,take into consideration that airlines constantly change where they 're flying to, therefore this information may be subject to change. Aside from direct flights, there's always the choice of taking different airlines and combinig flights, based on your ease and available time. There is a variety of airlines flying to Skiathos every year, such as Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Skyexpress, Transavia, Scandinavian Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Thomson Airways among many others. An alternative way to reach the Island is flying into Volos airport. The city is very close to the island and there is connection with ferries, running to a scheduled basis. A lot of low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair and others, fly to Volos in the summer, offering cheap prices. To get to Skiathos airport to your destination, you can choose from manifold travelling options that include a public bus service which operates on a regular basis from the airport to the town center, taxi which can easily found at the taxi rank situated in front of the terminal building and renting a car. Certain Skiathos hotels propose a transfer to and from the airport by some private mini buses, thereby increasing accessibility to the airport. Choose your closest airport and catch the next flight to Skiathos!

Alexandros Papadiamantis, an influential Greek author, was born in 1851 and lived most part of his life in Skiathos. His house is located in Skiathos town and was built around 1850 by his father. Papadiamantis family was very poor and had 9 children, 2 of them had died at birth and the author was the fourth child in the row. His father was a priest and constructed their house on his own, making it very simple with scattered furniture. The Greek Ministry of Culture bought this house 40 years after Papadiamantis death in 1954. It was then declared as a preserved monument under the authority of the Municipality of Skiathos. Nowdays, the house operates as a folklore museum devoted to Papadiamantis. The museum is very close to the old port and luxury Skiathos hotels. It is situated in a pleasant and quiet small square. It presents his life habits and part of his work. It is a two storey house typical of the Sporadian architecture. The ground floor was the family’s storage area and has now been converted to an exhibition floor with a collection of his pen, the inkwell and many original manuscripts. The upper floor consists of three small rooms, which have the family’s furniture. Every object is authentic and representative of Greek life in the mid of 19th century. Papadiamantis life was very spiritual. He had never showed any interest in material goods and personal property. Thus his legacy is his masterpieces of contemporary Greek literature. His novels reflect his free spirit, his strong religious beliefs and the love of his island, Skiathos. The winter of 1911 he died at his favorite home in Skiathos, due to his poor health and pneumonia.

Vacations in Greece are correlated with idyllic sceneries on exquisite islands. But in Greece, one thing will also be memorable: the nightlife! Greeks likes to have fun and enjoy partying at night occasionally until early in the morning. Be ready to experience the very best parties and live music events on Skiathos! In this island you don’t meet only parties at clubs with buzzing dance songs. If you prefer quieter nights you‘ll find beach bars close to the beachfront with cocktails and soft music. Many Skiathos hotels have their own Pool Bars, where you can enjoy your drink. If you like to party all night long, the regions where you can meet mostly young people dance inside and outdoor the bars are the Street on the eastern side of the harbor or the area near Papadiamantis Street and the Trion Ierarchon Square, in the Old Town. As most clubs in Greece don't open before midnight, we suggest you to go out quite late. You can begin your night with some drinks in bars at the waterfront with the marvelous view of the Bourtzi fortress along with the small, colorful fishing vessels. Later at night we recommend you go to the bars at the other side of the Skiathos town after the new port. A very famous region in the island, selected also by famous celebrities, is the bars at the old port, with all the cushions on the staircase, used for sitting and enjoying your drink at a relaxed, summertime! You must visit these bars as they've become among those typical destinations for a cocktail on Skiathos. The atmosphere is different from the remaining bars and nightclubs available on Skiathos, therefore it turns your drink into an unforgettable experience! For those of you that are cinephiles, you must go to the outdoor cinema of this island. You can watch your favorite films under the Greek starry summertime sky. If you're on intimate vacations, this can be a wonderful way to spend a beautiful evening with your partner. As an alternative, you might visit the art gallery and exhibition centre in the fortress of Bourtzi or the open air theater next to it where several concerts, festivals and other cultural events take place in the summertime. The bars and nightclubs on Skiathos play with all kinds of music including pop, rock, and mainstream, jazz. If you want Greek music it’s a good idea to visit "bouzoukia" where you can hear folk and Popular Greek music.

On Skiathos you will see the Sea Caves, near Lalaria, the Strofilia Lake, close Koukounaries shore, which is unique wetland and very rare in Greek islands. The small islets around Skiathos, for example Tsougrias, will also be stunning. Sea caves There are just two caves near Lalaria beach, the Skotini cave and the blue cave The skotini (means dark) cave is a very narrow and very low cave which can be retrieved only by small boats. Lalaria Accessed only by ship. Virtually all people of Skiathos have a picture from Lalaria due to the sublime and wild beauty of this beach. There are daily cruises from the old port of town not far away from Skiathos hotels. Strofilia Lake It is a protected wetland with abundant fauna and flora. It's fairly rare to find wetlands on Greek islands and it is characteristic of the special tradition of Skiathos. Tsougrias Opposite Skiathos island there's a group of small islands with Tsougrias being the most seen of them. There is a small snack bar on the side of the island which sell sandwiches and Refreshing drinks. Daily tours run from Skiathos Town and most visitors prefer These islands to get a nice swim in the turquoise shallow water and the tranquil atmosphere. If you’re visiting Tsougrias by your boat, be cautious with the Rocks nearby the shore, since they're not visible when the sea is rough.

If you want your holidays to be a more religious and live a Religious experience, then pay a visit to the monasteries of the island. They are strongly connected with the background of Skiathos island as well as the popular beliefs and celebrations of the locals. Evangelistria The Agalianou region. It is the only active monastery. It is not far from Skiathos hotels of the town(about 4 Km) Here you have the unique opportunity tο admire preserved frescoes, old icons, rare manuscripts and books from 18th centuryAlso there is an exhibition of local products. Kounistra It is in the west side of Skiathos island. There is a legend that a monk found the icon of the Virgin Mary hanging out of a tree and this is how the name"kounistra" (swinging) was originated. A useful information when seeing Monasteries: In order to enter the sites of the monasteries a descent outfit is required. Women need to wear long skirts and men long trousers.

During the medieval age, the Castle or Kastro used to be the capital of Skiathos. The reason was its ideal position. At the northern part of the island, at the top of a steep cliff was as remote as it should be, in order to be protected from pirates and other troops. Although, it seemed impossible to build a whole community on the rocks many meters above the tough sea, the Skiathians managed to accomplish this project. They also surrounded their city with tall and strong walls, which had many loopholes and field guns. From the mid of 14th century until 1829, Kastro was the capital of Skiathos. It had about 300 residences and 22 churches. In 1830, with the establishment of the independent Hellenic State, it was abandoned and gradually declined. Nowadays, there are mainly remnants of the old buildings and the walls. The area is protected and restoration has been accomplished in some parts of it. In particular, guests arriving at Kastro can see the churches of St. Marina and St. Basil, two cisterns, the Ottoman mosque, the gate complex, and parts of the walls. The view from the Kastro is unbelievable. At this steep rocky edge, one’s eye can endlessly gaze the horizon and the infinity blue. The mainland and the north part of Skopelos can also easily be seen, when the day is not cloudy. Underneath Kastro, there is a fantastic beach with crystal clear waters. You may easily reach it by boats leaving the old harbor not far from the luxury Skiathos hotels. The option to then hike up to the town is a challenging experience. The route and the views are fantastic, but there is certainly a level of difficulty, taken into account that the path is steep. The usual way of visiting Kastro town is by a vehicle. The road stops about an hour’s walking distance from Kastro, which can be done, if you wear the appropriate shoes and have some water with you.

Besides Skiathos town, Koukounaries is one of the few residential areas on the island. It is a small, picturesque area with distinctive beauty located near the pine forest from which it took its name. Koukounaries in Greek means pine trees. It is a lively place with hospitable people that leaves any visitor speechless with its striking natural beauty in every corner. It is a nice tourist resort that is overwhelmed by tourists during the summer season. The area is extremely developed with modern comforts and quite welcoming and its reputation as the best beach on Skiathos has led to the whole development of the region. Koukounaries is fully equipped and attracts tourists of all kinds. There are numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and tavernas, shops, mini market and a variety of Skiathos hotels. As the region is not very big, everything is at a convenient distance. Another huge asset is the savory Mediterranean cuisine. If you haven't tasted it yet, get ready for an unprecedented palatable experience. The area also offers international dishes, traditional delicacies and seafood. Koukounaries is a perfect destination whether you travel with family , friends or seek a romantic haven. It is well-organised and provides all kind of facilities and amenities. For the sporty travellers, there are water sports schools on the beach and no one should miss the chance to live the experience. We suggest you go scuba diving to explore the beautiful sea and share stunning pictures from your holidays in Greece with your friends. Koukounaries are waiting for you to explore them and enjoy their natural beauty and the hospitality of the locals

Kolios is one of the most beautiful beaches in Skiathos , famous for the sunsets and the staggering views. The origin of the name of the region is unknown, Greek speakers can't help but associate the name with a small fish named “kolios”. It is located on the south-eastern edge of the island, on the main road to koukounaries . It is around 6 km away from the city of Skiathos with famous Skiathos hotels, and almost 7 km from Skiathos airport. Kolios has a special morphology which keeps the beach well-protected by the strong winds, therefore the sea is as calm as a millpond. Even when there are huge waves, Kolios is peaceful. This round- shaped organized sandy beach with exotic waters making it a great spot for sea sports. The crystal clear turquoise water will be one of the most impressive things you will notice if you swim and this by itself can be one of your highlights of your trip to Skiathos.

Reaching Skiathos by plane is the most convenient way. Skiathos airport also known as “Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport” is a medium sized Greek airport, serving both domestic and international flights. Domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki come daily to Skiathos airport. The price is affordable especially, if you book in advance. At the moment, two Greek airlines are in charge of these routes. There are also plenty of flights that come directly from many European cities. So, there are non-stop flights from Skiathos to 29 destinations in 7 countries. Skiathos is directly connected with London (Gatwick airport), Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol in the UK, Amsterdam, Rome, Vienna, Belgrade, Oslo, Copenhagen, Gothenburg and many others.Another way to reach Skiathos is by taking a boat from Volos or Agios Konstantinos. They run daily and are either high speed boats or conventional ferries that can carry cars, as well as passengers. These ferries also connect Skiathos with the other islands of the Sporades complex, meaning Skopelos and Alonissos. The distance between the three islands is about an hour.In order to reach the ports of either Volos or Agios Konstantinos, you need to take a bus from the center of Athens. The journey to Agios Konstantinos is about two hours and to Volos four hours. Many tourists are taken off by the idea of changing transportation from a bus to a ferry and prefer the direct flight option. Many Skiathos hotels offer the option to transfer their guests from port or airport.The telephone number of Skiathos airport is +302427029105, Fax: +302427024130The telephone number of port authority of Skiathos is +302427022017 , Fax: +302427023720

Greece is among the best destinations for food fans and people who want to taste quality Mediterranean foods with unique flavors. Typical of Greece's food culture is the regional specialties you can enjoy in almost every place you see, transforming your experience into an original gastronomic journey! In Skiathos there is something to enjoy for everybody. You can find a variety of restaurants both for your budget conscious and the gourmet lovers. Tasting the local cuisine is also a must as you will discover a lot of traditional products of Skiathos, carefully produced by the natives with the purest ingredients the nature of the island has to offer you. Skiathos is famous because of its Conventional macaroon biscuits, called'amygdalota' from the Greek word for almond, and its"spoon candies". They can be made of fruit, but in Sporades islands, they create it with almonds and they call it 'aspro', meaning white, due to the color of those blanched almonds used to make them. You must try Skiathos pies, especially the herb pie( in Greek hotopita).More products of Skiathos are the wine of the region known in the ancient days, homemade liqueurs, olives and honey. You can discover these products in traditional or health food stores around the island. Some of them you can find in shops in Skiathos hotels. If you are looking for lunch or dinner, walk across the old harbour of Skiathos and find one of the many restaurants available in this area serving continental cuisine along with traditional Greek meals. If you visit this island first time or even in Greece, you should certainly try the freshly caught fish served in approximately all these "tavernas". However, even in case that you've got a more cosmopolitan taste, there are various restaurants serving international dishes. It doesn’t matter what your preference is, you'll discover the appropriate place for you and you will feel as though your mouth is in heaven! Because Greek people love food, there are restaurants in almost any of the most well-known villages and beaches around the island. Thus, don't care if you're away from Skiathos town and the port. For something quick and deliciouse that will make you feel as complete as possible, you will find pizzerias and other fast food restaurants, but you should certainly taste the Greek"souvlaki" or"gyros", particularly if you are not knowledgeable about the Greek fast food at all. Both of them are made from meat pork or chicken and take street food to a different level! When visiting Skiathos, 1 thing is for certain: You won't go hungry!

There is a capital city in every Greek island that is named “Chora”. As soon as you approach Skiathos island, you are taken by its capital’s beauty. Skiathos chora is spread from the old port and the Bourtzi islet up to the hills. The atmosphere is romantic, picturesque as a card postal. The green surrounding nature adds an extra character to this unique island. Skiathos combines it all, the beautiful seas, the green nature, the magnificent chora and the wild nature, as well. Skiathos capital, the Chora is the centre of the island. Everything happens here. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs for every taste and age. All cultural events, like theater shows, movies, and music concerts take place at Skiathos town. A wide variety of shops covering fashion, art, jewelry are available here. Moreover, all necessary facilities and services for tourists can be found in the town, like car and boat rentals, ticket offices, tourist information centre, luxury Skiathos hotels, the post office, the police station and the healthcare centre. The Town has about 5000 habitants, but this number reflects only the permanent residents. The true population during the summer season, meaning from April to October of each year is 10 to 15 times more! One can imagine what the challenges could be to serve this high population. The fact is that Skiathians are very well prepared to accept and serve the incoming touristic wave. They work throughout the year, so as to accomplish a high standard of service delivered to their guests. Walking around the alleys of Skiathos Chora is the best way to spend your evening. One can admire the characteristic architecture of houses and find beautiful places to shop or have a drink or a meal. Moreover, there is always the choice of visiting a museum or an art gallery.

Achladies is the most liked among the beaches on Skiathos. It is placed in a valley surrounded by scenic view. The name of the beach means pear trees where you can find o lot of them. It shapes a sheltered cove and it is fully organized with a lot of facilities, restaurants and bars serving traditional Greek menus close to the seashore. A variety of Skiathos hotels you can find there. Sunbathing on its golden fine sand is a once in a lifetime experience. There are also water sports centers which offer many fun games for an enjoyable day at the beach.The village is just a few kilometers from Skiathos Town and it is easily accessed by foot, bus or car and by the sea taxis- an economic, fast and flexible way to travel to, from and around Skiathos island. You can take it from the old port of Skiathos.

Both Agia Paraskevi the village and the beach took their name after the close little church of Agia Paraskevi.The village is placed in the south area, 7 km far from Skiathos town. It is a picturesque village , reminiscent of the Mount Pelion area ,with tall trees and aspens to sit down under their shade and delight in a traditional Greek coffee. Here, you will find a lot of taverns serving Greek menu just close to the sea. It is worth trying seafood and fish when eating at these places. Enjoying delicious dishes along with the sea breeze will surely make you wish to stay on the island forever! The village has something for everyone. There are literally lots of cafes, bars and clubs scattered throughout the area to keep you entertained at night. A lot of Skiathos hotels you can find there.The beach is one of the largest on the island, with space for everyone. It is organized with crystal- clear water and offers romantic sunset views. From here, you could also rent boats to go on little trips around the island. The shore is usually busy, but there are two isolated smaller beaches nearby. For walkers, there are walking paths to Kechria through the valley.It's worth coming to Agia Paraskevi in July, Particularly on 26th July. Agia Paraskevi is celebrated and the locals organise a feast, in Greek"panygiri". Such feasts are typical of Greece and every area has unique customs To observe them. A lot of fun, drinking and possibly dancing as well as other Cultural events are involved. Don't miss it!

The first important underwater exploration was conducted under the supervision of the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and researched in many regions of the island: The old port of Skiathos town remarkable for its Venetian fortress called Burtzi, in Kehria region along with many others. Byzantine jetties together with an ancient breakwater were uncovered in the area around the old port of Skiathos town not far from Skiathos hotels. This means that the old harbor coincides with the ancient one. In the place of old harbor were also identified many parts of ceramic jars. The most important findings were two intact lamps of the 4th and 6th centuries, a marble section with an acanthus (Late Roman times) and two intact vessels of the late classical period. These findings were lifted from the marine basement area. At the Tarsanades area, the divers found part of a shipwreck of late Roman times. In a region close to the old harbor of Skiathos town was also discovered a shipwreck from Byzantium transferring mostly roof tiles and parts of Byzantine jars. Another shipwreck of the late Roman age was discovered in Platania cove.

Skiathos island has several churches and Monasteries which impresses all tourists from the very first sight. The majority of them are constructed at the very interesting places of Skiathos while some could be noticed along the seafront. Very interesting is the Cathedral church of Three Bishops which is located in Skiathos town. In this church there are valuable relics and the amazing icon of Panagia Kounistra, the saint protector of Skiathos. The Monastery of Evagelistria This monastery is the only one that is active in Skiathos island. It is located surrounded by lush trees and vegetation, only 5 kilometers from Skiathos town. In post-Byzantine years was built by some monks across the ruins of an ancient monastery. In this place you meet a fine library with rare books, a museum, and many cells. The monastery of Panagia Kounistra This monastery is dedicated to the Holy Virgin. It lies in the middle of a pine forest, about 13 km from Skiathos town, on the way to Aselinos beach. The monastery is dated in 17th-century. It has a great significance in the religious life of the locals. Church of Three Bishops The beautiful church of the three Bishops is the Cathedral Church of Skiathos Island. It was built in 1846 upper the old harbor and it has a tall bell tower seen from the sea. In this church there are some very rarely meted handmade icons. Church of Agios Nikolaos The church of Agios Nikolaos is colored in white and includes a remarkable tall Clock tower. Near this church you can find luxury Skiathos hotels.

Mandraki Beach If you search for a tranquil site, even at the peak of the summer season, then you should find your way to Mandraki beach. It is 15 km away from Skiathos town and luxury Skiathos hotels at the north side of the island. It is a remote beach, but luckily enough there is a canteen there for some cold drinks and snacks. Due to the fact that the access is not easy, there are a few people visiting, mainly locals and some adventurous tourists. The waters are amazingly clear, the beach is sandy and stretches for a few meters and the view is magnificent. In order to visit Mandraki, you need a motorbike, a 4X4 car or strong legs! So, you will reach Koukounaries beach by your vehicle and then you go through the forest from a track road. It is about a mile distance, meaning 30 minute of easy walk. Elia Beach It is another wonderful beach at the north side of the island. Again, you need to walk through the forest from Koukounaries. The scenery is fantastic. You walk through the lovely nature of the pine forest and enjoy amazing views. When you reach Elia, you discover a beautiful sandy beach with shallow waters. So, it is ideal for young kids, if they manage to walk the 20 minute distance. The waters can be shallow even for 100 meters of the shore! The waves can be very large at this part of the island, when it is windy, making it a lot of fun for wave games. The beach offers a few tourist facilities with sun beds and a small tavern.

It is tiny yet perfect. Although, Skiathos has minute proportions, it is an exciting destination offering much more than 5 reasons to visit again and again, year after year. 1) Is it possible? More than 60 amazing sandy beaches in a 44 km (27 mi) coastline. It is practically one for every mood or preference. If you would rather be in a well-organized yet perfectly clean beach, you can choose between Koukounaries, Kanapitsa, Troulos, Agia Paraskevi, Vromolimnos. Are you in the mood of being alone in a remote place and just cherish the nature and the warm sun? Why don’t you visit Aselinos, Stigero, Kalamaki, Glyfoneri or Lalaria? Do you fancy a good party and dance or better swim to the beat? Then Big Banana is calling for you and your friends. 2) You will love the pretty Skiathos town with its endless alleys full of unique shops, bars, restaurants and the best luxury skiathos hotels too. The traditional architecture creates pictures that resemble a postcard. Small whitewashed houses with wooden windows and balconies and red tiled roofs are characteristic. The flowerpots with the colorful and aromatic flowers spray your memories with vivid colors and sensual perfumes. Eating out is a delight, shopping is exclusive and drinking is fun! 3) Beautiful place, beautiful people, equals to memorable holidays. The locals are friendly and kind. You will have the opportunity to experience Greek hospitality and you will feel safe even at the late hours. 4) Skiathos is an ideal destination for a religious trip, as religion and faith are everywhere. Skiathians have impressed their Christianity throughout the island and over the centuries, building monasteries and churches of significant religious and architectural import. There are more than 50 churches and monasteries in this small island. The most remarkable monument is Evangelistria Monastery, an 18th century monument built on a hillside surrounded by trees. Another sacred monastery is Panagia Eikonistria or Kounistra built in 17th century after the miraculous appearance of Virgin Mary's icon on a tree nearby. The Catholicon has remnants of really old frescoes. The monastery is located in a pine tree forest. 5) Skiathos offers new and exciting experiences in terms of natural attractions and physical activities. You may hike the lush mountains, cycle around the island or visit Lake Strofilia. At your most energetic days, join an entertaining water sport club and have some beach fun! But honestly, if resting is your priority, do it at Bourtzi islet or Kastro cliff and let your gaze wonder in the blue sky and sea.

Koukounaries is the most famous beach of Skiathos, rated 7th best in the world, 3rd in Mediterranean and best in Greece. It is located 13 km southwest to Skiathos Hotels Mystery. The approach is very convenient by bus and it is the terminal stop of the bus route starting from Skiathos town. The bus runs every 30 minutes. You may also arrive there by water taxi or the small excursions boats that leave from Skiathos port. Skiathos Mystery personnel will be more than happy to arrange and book your transport to Koukounaries with any mean you choose. Koukounaries is also known with the name "Chrisi Ammos", meaning Golden Sand, because it has fine- texture powder-like sand that sparkles underneath the sun. The beach is a long stretch of sand and the waters are crystal clear with low inclination, making it ideal for children to swim. The uniqueness of Koukounaries beach is related to the surrounding environment as well. Behind the beach is the famous pine trees forest. It extends in 145,000 square meters. The trees are reaching all the way to the shore offering generous shade. Moreover, Lake Strofilia is located in the same area with an extend of 95.000 square meters. The site has been declared totally protected nature and is under Natura 2000. Although you may enjoy unspoiled nature, Koukounaries is a very well organized beach. To the rear of the beach runs a wooden pathway with a selection of beach bars and little shops, where you can refresh yourself and find anything you will need for a day at the beach. There are also plenty of umbrellas and sun beds to relax. Koukounaries offers a wide variety of water activities suitable not only for athletes, but for families and children as well. So, well equipped water schools with experienced and friendly staff will assist you with water skiing, banana, water rings, wind surfing, sea bike, kanoe kayak, scuba diving and many more. Last but not least, Koukounaries village is a short walk away from the beach. At the village, you may find quite a few restaurants, taverns and bars to end your day with a special dinner before returning to Skiathos Mystery. Again, we will be delighted to help you organize your day at Koukounaries according to your preferences.

Skiathos Mystery honored with the Tourism Award 2016 for Architecture and Interior Design! The award is in the category Bioclimatic architecture / integration landscape. It is a great pleasure to be acknowledged for our effort to create a luxurious yet green hotel. We strongly believe in compatibility between luxury and ecology. Since, our hotel is a brand new construction, it was a challenge for us to apply all the latest developments in green technology and maintain local traditional architecture at the same time. Skiathos Hotels Mystery is a complex of 10 self-indulging Suites built in a natural landscape of an Olive Garden at the top end of Skiathos town. All the Suites are spacious ranging from 50 to 75 square meteres. They all offer views to hotel’s garden and pool and also to the green surrounding mountains and the red tiled roofs of Skiathos town. As a result, although, Skiathos Mystery is close to the town centre, the guest enjoys only the relaxing and calming views of the surrounding nature. The materials used for the construction were chosen after taking into account the local traditional architecture. So, stones were used for wall decoration which originated from the excavation of the land itself. The stone decoration is aligned with the remnants of an old quarry, located right next to Skiathos Mystery. The roofs were covered with red tiles following the local morphology. A strong preference was given in wood and this natural material predominates indoors and outdoors. According to local typology, wooden balconies were made both at the front and the rear of each Suite, resulting in a airy and sunny residence. Apart from wood, marble from Pelio was also used for flooring and decoration. Regarding the bioclimatic aspect of our building, we shall mention the basic principles in design and construction that lead to a hotel with minimal energy consumption. Thermal insulation of the building envelope: the whole building is covered by a “shell” which protects it from temperature fluctuations. Solar heating system covering the needs in warm water of all our guests. High performance windows Extra insulation in walls Energy-efficient lighting – LED lights. At night, security lighting is activated by photocells. Inventor air conditioners Last but not least, we apply a green policy in the daily operation of all departments. Recycling, using of non-toxic cleaning products, re-using of rain water, eco-friendly policy for laundry are some of our actions.

The house where A.Papadiamantis was raised and passed away is open to the public as a folklore museum. It is located at the centre of Skiathos town just a few meters away from the port and closed to our skiathos hotels mystery. The house was built by Papadiamantis father, who was a priest, in 1860. It is a two-storey house of 75 square meters. His big and very poor family lived there all together. Papadiamantis had 3 sisters and two brothers, one of whom died in young age. The author left his home for studies at the age of 14. Due to his great financial struggles, he had to discontinue his education several times and return to Skiathos. He finally returned in 1908 in poor health and died 3 years later in his favorite island. All museum's displays are donated by the children of his married sister Ourania and his brother George. The visitors of the museum have the chance to see not only the architecture and furnishing of a typical 19th century house, but also they become familiar with the great work of the famous author. There is an exhibition of his books, old editions, original manuscripts and also an exhibition of his personal belongings, including his pen and inkwell. He has written with this pen 180 novels, which ironically were all published after his death. The museum has been declared as a historic monument in 1965, by the Ministry of Culture.

Greek Easter – Pascha – is a wonderful opportunity to visit Skiathos Hotels Mystery and experience the spiritual atmosphere and the sacred rituals, as it is the most important celebration of Christianity. Easter week is the last week of April this year, meaning the weather is very pleasant neither cold or too hot. The nature is also blooming in spring, thus it is the perfect time for hiking or traveling around. What is so special about Skiathos Easter Holidays is that they imply the monastery rituals of Mount Athos. Particularly, Good Friday is the most mournful day for all Christians. The faithful attend church with devoutness from early in the morning to decorate Epitaph with flowers. Τhe procession of the epitaph takes place at 4am on Holy Saturday through the narrow streets of Skiathos town, around the old port and the Bourtzi islet. At 05:30 the litany returns to the church and the faithful shout “Open the gates!”. The senior priest opens the gate of the church banging them hard and this action represents the descent of Jesus Christ to the Underworld. At dawn, people return home from church only to go back a few hours later for the First Resurrection service. The church's bells are calling Christians to come and celebrate the victory of life over death by ringing in a joyous way. Easter Sunday is the most festive day in Christianity full of joy and excitement. According to the tradition, lamb is prepared on the spit. The Easter table is set and people merrily rejoice, eat and drink with their family until late at night.

Skiathos is a very religious island with numerous churches and monasteries. The most important of all is the historical Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria, located just 4 km from Skiathos Hotels Mystery on a lush green slope. Evangelistria Monastery is a 18th century monument. It played a key role in Greek Revolution in 1821, as it was a shelter for the revolutionaries and also ensured their financial support. The first Greek flag was weaved, blessed and raised here. The great heroes Kolokotronis, Miaoulis, Vlachavas, Nikotsaras swore the Oath of Freedom at Evangelistria Monastery. The visitor has the unique opportunity tο admire preserved frescoes, old icons, rare manuscripts and books from 18th century. At the premises, there is also an exhibition of local products. While you are here, it is worth trying the wine produced by the monks. It is used for religious chores, but its production has increased over the years, so nowadays it is bottled and sold. According to Alexander Papadiamantis, this wine may relieve the sadness and worries of the world.

We are proud to say that luxury goes along with ecology at our hotel. We are complying with green policies at every step from construction of the building to everyday operation. The architects and engineers implied all the modern environmentally friendly methods. Name it and we have it. To be more specific, there is a list of actions that proves our green consciousness. Solar heating system Green roofs Collection of rain water to reuse on site Grey-water recycling Thermal insulation of the building envelope (shell) High performance windows Extra insulation in walls Energy-efficient lighting – LED lights Inventor air conditioners Recycling of plastic, paper, cans, ink cartridges, batteries, cooking oil Non-toxic cleaning agents It is our belief that by caring for ecology, we care for our guests more and deliver a healthier environment to them. In Skiathos Hotels Mystery we are open to any suggestions to improve ourselves in this field.

The archaelogical site of Kefala is sited near the bay of Xanemos, on the northeast side of the island of Skiathos. From 2009, the Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology of Thessaly University in collaboration with the 13th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture has been conducting a systematic survey of the area. Their recent announcement revealed extremely important findings and suggest that Kefala was the first city that inhabited in Skiathos. Three buildings came up to light dated between 8 to 6th century BC. Moreover, there is evidence that this location had been inhabited since 10thcentury BC, according to pottery remnants in deeper layers dated to this period. The archaeologists also discovered a tomb, dated to the late 5th – early 4th centuryBC, which was about to crumble into the sea, implying the existence of the ancient city's cemetery at this location. Kefala site seems to have been abandoned during the early Hellenistic period (3rd-2nd century BC.), when the residents gradually transferred and settled in the second city of the island, where the current town is. The research continues from team of skiathos hotels mystery and is expected to shed more light on the ancient history of the place.

The Monastery of Panagia Kounistra (or Eikonistra) is 13km away from the town centre and the luxury skiathos hotels, at the west side of the island. It is inside a pine tree forest, so the atmosphere is unique and only 2 km away from Aselinos beach. Panagia Kounistra is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is the patron saint of the island. Panagia Kounistra was constructed in the 17th century. A monk called Symeon, who led an ascetic life, had found the icon of Virgin Mary hanging from a tree and moving back and forth like a swing. The appearance of the icon was considered a miracle and the monastery built was named after it “Panagia Kounistra”, meaning the swinging Mary. The icon is now kept in the cathedral at Skiathos town. Every year though, it travels back to the Monastery on the 21st November, in order to celebrate there the Presentation of Virgin Mary. This day is a public holiday only for Skiathos Island and worshipers come to the Monastery to pay tribute to their patron saint, Virgin Mary. Handy information for tourists visiting the Monastery regarding dress code. Women need to wear long skirts and men long trousers. It is definitely worth the visit, as one can admire the wooden iconostasis and remnants of really old frescoes dated from the 17th century.

The famous photographer and cinematographer was born in Vienna, August 29, 1912. He emigrated to the Netherlands in 1934 and from there arrived in London in 1935. He travelled around the world and captivated thousands of subjects with his affectionate eye and kind soul for more than seven decades. In 60's he visited Greece for the production of film Mikhalis, directed by John Ingram with original music by Mikis Theodorakis. This was a short- story film screened in Skiathos and the very first film ever screened in the island. "Mikhalis" was the reason that the famous photographer created a unique collection of black-and-white photographs with scenes from social events, everyday life, rural habits and greek traditions. Mostly taken in Skiathos and a few from his subsequent visits to Hydra and Athens. This collection is a treasure that captivated our past in a romantic and nostalgic view rather than a documentary archive. The "Voyage in Greece" collection comprises of 48 original taken and developed by the great Wolf Suschitzky. The exhibition has been held until now by the Benaki Museum at the N. Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Gallery. It is expected to continue in Skiathos island, where you can visit and Skiathos Hotels Mystery. Papadiamantis Museum

Η χώρα του νησιού, από τα χρόνια του Μ. Αλεξάνδρου, αλλά και κατά τη διάρκεια της Ρωμαϊκής, της Βυζαντινής εποχής και μέχρι την περίοδο του Μεσαίωνα παρέμεινε αναλλοίωτη στη σημερινή της τοποθεσία στο λιμάνι του νησιού. Κατά το Μεσαίωνα όμως δέχθηκε αλλεπάλληλες λεηλασίες και καταστροφές από τους πειρατές, οπότε και μεταφέρθηκε στην ενδοχώρα του νησιού, στο σημερινό Κάστρο που έως πιο δυσπρόσιτο μέρος θεωρήθηκε και πιο ασφαλές. Το 1829 οι κάτοικοι της Σκιάθου μετοίκησαν και πάλι στη χώρα στην περιοχή του λιμανιού. Ξεκίνησε η αναδόμηση της και σταδιακά πυκνοκατοικήθηκε. Η χώρα καταστράφηκε πλήρως για δεύτερη φορά κατά τον Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο με τους βομβαρδισμούς από τα γερμανικά αεροπλάνα της κατοχής. Η αναγέννηση της ήρθε μετά το τέλος του πολέμου, οπότε και χτίστηκε από την αρχή στη σημερινή της μορφή. Με το πέρασμα των χρόνων, η σύγχρονη χώρα άρχισε να συγκεντρώνει σταδιακά την πλειοψηφία των κατοίκων του νησιού και να βρίσκεται σε πλήρη ανάπτυξη και οργάνωση. Η οικοδόμηση της νέας Πόλης έγινε πάνω ακριβώς στην παλιά και εκτείνεται ανάμεσα σε δύο λόφους και δίπλα στη θάλασσα. Το Skiathos Hotels Mystery σας προτείνει να την εξερευνήσετε με κάθε της λεπτομέρια. Ανατολικά της χώρας της Σκιάθου, βρίσκεται το λοφάκι του Αγ. Νικολάου. Η εκκλησία του Αγ. Νικολάου προσφέρει πανοραμική θέα του λιμανιού, του Μπούρτζι και της νήσου Τσουγκριάς. Χαρακτηριστικό είναι το καμπαναριό της εκκλησίας με το ρολόι του 1954. Εικόνα χαρακτηριστική της χώρας του νησιού, που πρωτοαντικρίζουν οι επιβάτες του πλοίου, όπως προσεγγίζουν το νησί. Στο εκκλησάκι του Αγ. Νικολάου υπάρχει η εικόνα της Παναγίας της Μεγαλομάτας, η οποία μεταφέρθηκε από την Παναγιά την Πρέκλα του Κάστρου και θεωρείται θαυματουργή. Δυτικά της χώρας της Σκιάθου, βρίσκεται το λοφάκι με τον ανεμόμυλο. Τα φτερά του είναι από λεπτές σανίδες αντί για πανιά. Στο τέλος του σύγχρονου λιμανιού βρίσκεται το τελευταίο καρνάγιο του νησιού. Άλλα σημεία ενδιαφέροντος της χώρας της Σκιάθου είναι το άψογα διατηρημένο σπίτι του Αλέξανδρου Παπαδιαμάντη, που γεννήθηκε και έζησε στο νησί και λειτουργεί πλέον ως μουσείο. Υπάρχει έκθεση με τα βιβλία του, αυθεντικά χειρόγραφα και προσωπικά του αντικείμενα. Το σπίτι χτίστηκε το 1860 από τον πατέρα του Παπαδιαμάντη που ήταν παπάς. Πρόκειται για ένα διώροφο οίκημα 75 τετραγωνικών. Εκεί έμενε ο συγγραφέας με τις 3 αδερφές του και τα 2 αδέρφια του. Έφυγε σε ηλικία 14 ετών για να σπουδάσει στην Αθήνα. Επειδή βρισκόταν σε δεινή οικονομική κατάσταση αναγκάστηκε να διακόψει τις σπουδές του πολλές φορές και να επιστρέψει στο νησί. Το 1908 επέστρεψε οριστικά, όντας βαριά άρρωστος και πέθανε 3 χρόνια μετά. Το σπίτι του κρίθηκε ιστορικό διατηρητέο μνημείο από το Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού το 1965. Άλλο αξιοθέατο της χώρας της Σκιάθου, είναι το ενετικό φρούριο (Μπούρτζι) στο λιμάνι της πόλης. Σε μια μικρή χερσόνησο λοιπόν, υπάρχει το μοναδικό Μπούρτζι,η καταπράσινη μικρή χερσόνησος στο λιμάνι του νησιού, που σε καλεί να την επισκεφθείς. Το 1207 έφτιαξαν εκεί οι αδερφοί Γκίζι ένα Ενετικό Κάστρο, προκειμένου να προστατέψουν το νησί από τις επιδρομές των πειρατών. Το μέτρο αυτό απέτυχε, οπότε οι Σκιαθίτες στα μέσα του 14ου αιώνα μεταφέρθηκαν στα ενδότερα και έχτισαν την πόλη τους στην κορυφή ενός βράχου στο βορειότερο άκρο του νησιού, το Κάστρο. Η πόλη κατοικήθηκε έως το 1830 και πέρασε από τους Βυζαντινούς στα χέρια Ενετών και Τούρκων, που άφησαν το στίγμα τους. Από τη μεσαιωνική πόλη διασώζεται ακόμα μέρος των τειχών, η πύλη, ένα κανόνι, τέσσερις εκκλησίες, τα απομεινάρια του τζαμιού και του τουρκικού διοικητηρίου, δύο δεξαμενές. Ο ιστορικός αυτός τόπος έχει απόκοσμη ομορφιά με θέα τον απέραντο ορίζοντα και τη θάλασσα. Μέσα στο φρούριο κτίσθηκε με μέριμνα και δαπάνη του Ανδρέα Συγγρού το Δημοτικό σχολείο του νησιού, στο οποίο στεγάζεται πλέον το πολιτιστικό κέντρο της Σκιάθου.

Το νησί της Σκιάθου πήρε το όνομά του από τους Πελασγούς που κατοίκησαν πρώτοι το νησί κατά την ελληνιστική περίοδο και εντυπωσιάστηκαν από τα ψηλά δέντρα της περιοχής που δημιουργούσαν σκιές. Κατά μία άλλη άποψη το νησί ονομάστηκε έτσι εξαιτίας της γεωγραφικής του θέσης, καθώς βρίσκεται στη σκιά του Αγίου Όρους και της Χερσονήσου του Άθω. Εξαιτίας της γεωπολιτικής της θέσης της η Σκιάθος υπήρξε σημαντικός κόμβος της περιοχής. Αποτέλεσε σταθμό για τους Αργοναύτες στο ταξίδι τους για την Κολχίδα, καθώς και για τον ελληνικό στόλο που με επικεφαλής τον Αγαμέμνονα εκστράτευσε εναντίον της Τροίας. Τον 7ο αιώνα οι Χαλκιδείς, αφού δημιούργησαν αποικίες στην Χαλκιδική, κατέκτησαν το νησί και έκτισαν στα νοτιοανατολικά του λιμανιού πόλη οχυρωμένη με τείχος που κατασκεύασαν από πελώριους μαρμάρινους λίθους. Η πόλη χτισμένη σε ύψωμα δέσποζε στη γύρω περιοχή και ήταν προστατευμένη από εχθρικές επιδρομές. Το 14ο αιώνα δημιουργήθηκε στο βόρειο τμήμα του νησιού η μεσαιωνική πόλη Κάστρο, στην οποία εγκαταστάθηκαν οι Σκιαθίτες μέχρι την Επανάσταση. Η Σκιάθος πρωταγωνίστησε την περίοδο των Περσικών Πολέμων παίρνοντας ενεργό μέρος στον αγώνα των Ελλήνων εναντίον των Περσών. Μάλιστα το 480 π.Χ. οι κάτοικοι της Σκιάθου ειδοποίησαν με πυρσούς τους έλληνες που βρίσκονταν στο Αρτεμίσιο για την επικείμενη κάθοδο των Περσών. Υπήρξε μέλος της Α' Αθηναϊκής Συμμαχίας που είχε ως έδρα το νησί της Δήλου και που ιδρύθηκε το 478/7 π.Χ. Την περίοδο αυτή το νησί είχε αυτονομία και δημοκρατικό πολίτευμα, καθώς η βουλή, η εκκλησία του δήμου και οι επώνυμοι άρχοντες αποφάσιζαν για τα σοβαρά ζητήματά της. Με το αξιόμαχο ναυτικό της πήρε μέρος στην Επανάσταση του 21 και στα προεπαναστατικά απελευθερωτικά κινήματα. Το 1770 συμμετείχε στα «Ορλοφικά», πήρε μέρος στη ναυμαχία του Τσεσμέ με επικεφαλής το ρώσο αξιωματικό Αλέξιο Ορλόφ και λίγο αργότερα με επανδρωμένα πλοία της ενίσχυσε το απελευθερωτικό κίνημα του Λάμπρου Κατσώνη κάνοντας επιδρομές στα παράλια της Τουρκίας και επιθέσεις σε τουρκικά πλοία. Κατά τη διάρκεια της Επανάστασης του 1821 οι Τούρκοι πολιόρκησαν την πόλη και εισέβαλαν στο Κάστρο, σκοτώνοντας άνδρες, γυναίκες και παιδιά. Το νησί απελευθερώθηκε τελικά το 1829 ύστερα από πολλούς αγώνες. Μετά το τέλος της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης και την απελευθέρωση οι Σκιαθίτες εγκατέλειψαν τη μεσαιωνική πόλη του Κάστρου και μετοίκησαν στην αρχαία παραλιακή πόλη. Το Κάστρο χρησιμοποιήθηκε και πάλι στα χρόνια της κατοχής. Η εισβολή των κατακτητών στο οχυρό φρούριο, ο εμπρησμός του νησιού και η εκτέλεση επτά πατριωτών από τους Ναζί στις 23 Αυγούστου 1944 αποτελεί και σήμερα επέτειο και γιορτάζεται στο νησί. Σήμερα το Κάστρο της Σκιάθου με τα ερειπωμένα τείχη, τα κανόνια και τις πολεμίστρες, αποτελεί ιστορικό αξιοθέατο, μνημείο μιας μακρινής εποχής που συνδυάζει την φυσική ομορφιά και τη μοναδική θέα. Το Ιστορικό και Λαογραφικό Μουσείο και το Μουσείο Λαϊκών οργάνων αποτελούν ζωντανές μαρτυρίες της ιστορίας και της παράδοσης του νησιού που σήμερα διακρίνεται για τον κοσμοπολίτικο χαρακτήρα, την έντονη νυχτερινή ζωή, τις τουριστικές υποδομές και τις σύγχρονες ξενοδοχειακές εγκαταστάσεις. Τα σύγχρονα ξενοδοχεία στη Σκιάθο και γενικότερα ή τουριστική ανάπτυξη του ιστορικού νησιού την καθιστούν κορυφαίο ταξιδιωτικό προορισμό που αξίζει να το επισκεφτεί ο επισκέπτης για να γνωρίσει από κοντά την ιστορία και την παράδοσή του, να επισκεφτεί τα αξιοθέατά του και τις αμμουδερές παραλίες με τις ταβέρνες.

Μία από τις ωραιότερες εμπειρίες που χαρίζει στον επισκέπτη η Σκιάθος, είναι το πανέμορφο ηλιοβασίλεμά της. Η δυτική πλευρά του νησιού προσφέρει στους επισκέπτες μοναδικές στιγμές με θέα το ηλιοβασίλεμα και είναι πολύ εύκολο κάποιος να τις προσεγγίσει, ακολουθώντας την κεντρική οδική αρτηρία από τη χώρα και με κατεύθυνση της Κουκουναριές. Η χώρα του νησιού είναι από τις καταλληλότερες για να παρακολουθήσει ο επισκέπτης το μαγικό ηλιοβασίλεμα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, ένα ξεχωριστό μέρος για να απολαύσει κανείς τη δύση του ήλιου είναι το Μπούρτζι, η μικρή καταπράσινη χερσόνησος, που χωρίζει το παλιό από το νέο λιμάνι και ήταν κατά το παρελθόν φρούριο. Σήμερα διασώζονται ίχνη των ενετικών τειχών, ενώ υπάρχει το πρώτο δημοτικό σχολείο, που λειτουργεί ως Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο και το Δημοτικό αναψυκτήριο. Εκεί λοιπόν, κάτω από τη σκιά των δέντρων, με θέα το απέραντο γαλάζιο από τη μια και τη γραφική χώρα από την άλλη, μπορείτε να απολαύσετε τη μαγική ώρα της ημέρας, τη γλυκιά μετάβαση, πριν λαμπυρίσουν τα φωτάκια του νησιού στα νερά της θάλασσας. Μια άλλη επιλογή, την οποία MYSTERY SKIATHOS HOTELS προτείνει, έτσι ώστε κάποιος να απολαύσει το υπέροχο ηλιοβασίλεμα της Σκιάθου είναι να επισκεφθεί τις δυτικές παραλίες της. Το απόγευμα στις Κουκουναριές θα σας μείνει αξέχαστο. Εκεί το ηλιοβασίλεμα είναι απλώς από τα ωραιότερα, καθώς το υπέροχο αυτό φυσικό τοπίο αλλάζει χρώματα. Η παραλία, το πυκνόφυτο δάσος πίσω από αυτήν και η Λίμνη Στροφυλιά με τον υδροβιότοπο της, βάφονται πορφυρά. Η ομορφιά του τοπίου ολόγυρα και οι αποχρώσεις του ουρανού, που θυμίζουν card postal, συνθέτουν ένα σκηνικό που συγκινεί και συναρπάζει. Συνεχίζοντας την πορεία σας δυτικά, σε απόσταση ενός χιλιομέτρου από τις Κουκουναριές, βρίσκεται η παραλία της Αγίας Ελένης. Το όνομά της προέρχεται από το εκκλησάκι της Αγίας, που υπάρχει εκεί. Η παραλία της Αγίας Ελένης είναι φημισμένη για τα ηλιοβασιλέματα της. Ο δυτικός της προσανατολισμός προσφέρει την δυνατότητα να απολαύσετε τον ήλιο μέχρι αργά, χρησιμοποιώντας παράλληλα την σκιά των δέντρων που βρίσκονται στην παραλία, όποτε το χρειάζεστε. Το ηλιοβασίλεμα είναι ξεχωριστό, καθώς βλέπει κανείς τον ήλιο να χάνεται πίσω από τα βουνά του Πηλίου. Εάν επιδιώκετε να δημιουργήσετε αναμνήσεις σε πιο απομονωμένες και ιδιωτικές τοποθεσίες, αξίζει να επισκεφτείτε την παραλία Μικρή Ασέληνος. Βρίσκεται στο βόρειο τμήμα της Σκιάθου, περίπου 16 χιλιόμετρα από τη χώρα. Για να την προσεγγίσει κανείς διανύει οδικώς μια πολύ όμορφη διαδρομή στο πράσινο και αναλλοίωτο φυσικό τοπίο και έπειτα διασχίζει ένα μονοπάτι. Η διαδρομή και ο προορισμός ανταμείβουν τον επισκέπτη. Το ηλιοβασίλεμα στο απομονωμένο και παρθένο φυσικό τοπίο είναι μοναδικό. Αν επιθυμείτε να απολαύσετε την απόκοσμη ομορφιά του Κάστρου, του βορειότερου άκρου του νησιού, η πιο κατάλληλη ώρα της ημέρας είναι πριν σουρουπώσει. Όταν οι επισκέπτες και τα καραβάκια αποχωρούν, εσείς μείνετε λίγο ακόμα. Το Κάστρο, η μεσαιωνική πρωτεύουσα της Σκιάθου, είναι κυριολεκτικά σκαρφαλωμένο στην άκρη ενός βράχου. Η θέα από εκεί είναι απέραντη και πανοραμική. Το τοπίο άγριο και ερημικό. Τίποτα δεν εμποδίζει το βλέμμα να παρακολουθήσει την πορεία του ήλιου και το μεγαλοπρεπές βύθισμά του στη θάλασσα. Όποια και αν είναι η διάθεση σας, όποια και αν είναι η επιλογή σας, ένα είναι σίγουρο, το ηλιοβασίλεμα στην Σκιάθο θα σας δέσει για πάντα στο νησί!

Το καταπράσινο αυτό νησί των Σποράδων ξεχωρίζει για τις πανέμορφες παραλίες του. Οι περισσότερες είναι εύκολα προσβάσιμες με αυτοκίνητο ή λεωφορείο. Η αφετηρία του λεωφορείου είναι στη χώρα του νησιού. Το Skiathos Hotels Mystery ξεχώρισε τις παρακάτω παραλίες και σας συστήνει να τις επισκεφτείτε κατά τη διαμονή σας στη Σκιάθο. 1) Λαλάρια Η φυσική ομορφιά της παραλίας αυτής μαγεύει τον επισκέπτη. Πήρε το όνομά της από τα λευκά στρογγυλά βότσαλα, που οι ντόπιοι ονομάζουν λαλάρια. Η πρόσβαση γίνεται με καραβάκια, που αναχωρούν καθημερινά από το παλιό λιμάνι της χώρας. 2) Βρωμόλιμνος Πρόκειται για μια πανέμορφη οργανωμένη παραλία. Έχει γαλάζια σημαία και πράσινη βλάστηση καθόλο το μήκος της ακτής. Αξίζει να την επισκεφτείτε κατά την ώρα του ηλιοβασιλέματος. Η πρόσβαση είναι εύκολη με αυτοκίνητο και απέχει μόλις 7 χιλιόμετρα από τη χώρα του νησιού. 3) Κουκουναριές Είναι η παραλία που αποτελεί το σήμα κατατεθέν της Σκιάθου. Βρίσκεται στο νοτιοδυτικό άκρο του νησιού και είναι η πιο απέραντη παραλία του. Απέχει 14 χιλιόμετρα από τη χώρα της Σκιάθου. Αν επισκεφτείτε τις Κουκουναριές με το λεωφορείο κατεβαίνετε στον τερματικό σταθμό νούμερο 25. Η απέραντη αυτή παραλία έχει μήκος 700 μέτρα. Χαρακτηρίζεται από τη χρυσαφένια αμμουδιά της. Η λεπτόκοκκη άμμος λαμπυρίζει στον ήλιο, γι αυτό η παραλία ονομάζεται αλλιώς «Χρυσή Άμμος». Η προεξέχουσα ονομασία «Κουκουναριές» προέρχεται από το πυκνό δάσος κουκουναριάς, που βρίσκεται ακριβώς πίσω και καθόλο το μήκος της παραλίας χαρίζοντας πλούσια σκιά στους λουόμενους. Το δάσος συνορεύει επίσης με τη λίμνη της Στροφυλιάς, αναγνωρισμένο και προστατευόμενο υδροβιότοπο, όπου βρίσκουν καταφύγιο σπάνια πουλιά. Ο επισκέπτης έχει πολλές επιλογές εκτός από το μπάνιο του. Μπορεί να περιηγηθεί στον υδροβιότοπο, να ασχοληθεί με θαλάσσια σπορ, καθώς και να απολαύσει τοπικά εδέσματα καθώς υπάρχουν πολλές ταβέρνες, εστιατόρια, καφετέριες, μπαρ δίπλα στη θάλασσα. 4) Μπανάνα Η πρόσβαση γίνεται με τα πόδια μέσω χωματόδρομου από τις Κουκουναριές. Πρόκειται για ένα πράσινο πανέμορφο κόλπο, που σφύζει από ζωή. Εδώ διασκεδάζει όλη μέρα η νεολαία του νησιού, υπό τον ρυθμό γνωστών dj ή ακόμα και live εμφανίσεων δίπλα στην παραλία. Παράλληλα, υπάρχει η δυνατότητα να ασχοληθεί κανείς με θαλάσσια σπορ. 5) Αγία Ελένη Η παραλία της Αγίας Ελένης βρίσκεται στο δυτικό τμήμα της Σκιάθου και απέχει 13 χιλιόμετρα από τη χώρα. Μπορείτε να την επισκεφτείτε με το λεωφορείο, που αναχωρεί από τη χώρα του νησιού και κατεβαίνοντας στη στάση 23. Το όνομά της προέρχεται από το εκκλησάκι της Αγίας Ελένης, που βρίσκεται κοντά στην παραλία. Είναι πιο ήσυχη παραλία από τις γειτονικές Κουκουναριές και Μπανάνα. Προσφέρει όμως τις παροχές της οργανωμένης παραλίας με ξαπλώστρες και ομπρέλες. Είναι ειδυλλιακό μέρος για να απολαύσετε το ηλιοβασίλεμα. 6) Κρυφή Άμμος Πράγματι είναι μια κρυφή, αλλά πανέμορφη παραλία μόλις 2 χιλιόμετρα από τις Κουκουναριές. Η παραλία δεν είναι ορατή, καθώς κρύβεται από βράχια και λόφους. Επίσης δεν είναι οργανωμένη, αλλά μπορεί ο επισκέπτης να εκτιμήσει και να απολαύσει τη φυσική ομορφιά της, τα κρυστάλλινα νερά της και την πεντακάθαρη αμμουδιά. Η Κρυφή Άμμος βρίσκεται στο δυτικό τμήμα του νησιού και σε απόσταση 15 χλμ. περίπου από τη χώρα της Σκιάθου. Μπορείτε να την προσεγγίσετε είτε με τα καραβάκια που αναχωρούν από το λιμάνι της Σκιάθου, είτε οδικώς ακολουθώντας την παράκαμψη μετά τη λίμνη Στροφυλιάς.

Η χώρα μας αποτελεί έναν από τους κορυφαίους τουριστικούς προορισμούς ανά τον κόσμο, κυρίως κατά τους θερινούς μήνες του χρόνου. Συγκριτικό της πλεονέκτημα αποτελούν αναμφισβήτητα τα αναρίθμητα νησιωτικά της συμπλέγματα, με τη μοναδική φυσική ομορφιά τους, τις δαντελωτές παραλίες και τις γαστριμαργικές εκπλήξεις που επιφυλάσσουν για τον επισκέπτη. Οι Βόρειες Σποράδες αποτελούν – όχι άδικα – σταθερή αξία και κορυφαία επιλογή ξένων και εγχώριων τουριστών. Το απαράμιλλο φυσικό κάλλος του νησιού με την πλούσια βλάστηση, τα κρυστάλλινα νερά με το χαρακτηριστικό σμαραγδένιο χρώμα, η σπάνια πανίδα και χλωρίδα του νησιού, που αποτελεί προστατευόμενο βιότοπο, αποτελούν δικαιολογημένα πόλο έλξης για τους απανταχού φυσιολάτρες. Η φυσική ομορφιά σε συνδυασμό με την ήπια, αλλά άρτια τουριστική ανάπτυξη με πολυτελή ξενοδοχεία στη Σκιάθο, η παραδοσιακή ελληνική φιλοξενία, και η πολυσχιδής ανάπτυξη του νησιού, με τρόπο που να ικανοποιεί κάθε επισκέπτη, καθιστούν τον προορισμό μοναδικό. Η έντονη νυχτερινή ζωή στα clubs της πόλης, τα μοδάτα μπαράκια και lounge café που προσφέρουν υπηρεσίες υψηλού επιπέδου, τα καταστήματα ειδών λαϊκής τέχνης, που δίνουν στον επισκέπτη τη δυνατότητα να πάρει φεύγοντας ένα σημαντικό ενθύμιο της μοναδικής εμπειρίας και τα πολυάριθμα κέντρα θαλασσίων σπορ με εκπαιδευμένο προσωπικό εξασφαλίζουν στους επισκέπτες μια ευχάριστη και γεμάτη εμπειρίες διαμονή. Ένα ακόμα στοιχείο της μοναδικότητας του νησιού αποτελεί και η γαστρονομική υπεροχή του. Τα παραδοσιακά ταβερνάκια της Σκιάθου, αλλά και τα μοντέρνα culinary εστιατόρια εκμεταλλευόμενα τον πλούτο της περιοχής και τα μοναδικά προϊόντα του νησιού, καθιστούν τη «γευσιγνωσία» μία νέα εμπειρία. Ξεχωριστή άλλωστε είναι και η αρχιτεκτονική του νησιού, που αφίσταται της καθαρά νησιωτικής αρχιτεκτονικής, καθώς εμπεριέχει πολλά στοιχεία της Πηλιορείτικης. Πετρόκτιστα αρχοντικά, που αποπνέουν κοσμοπολίτικη αύρα, πλακόστρωτα καλντερίμια σε απόλυτη ισορροπία με σύγχρονες τουριστικές μονάδες και εμπορικά καταστήματα. Ο επισκέπτης μπορεί να επισκεφθεί το υπέροχο κάστρο της Σκιάθου, αλλά και το σπίτι του Αλέξανδρου Παπαδιαμάντη, που αποτελεί πλέον μουσείο και είναι ένα από τα πιο παλιά αρχοντικά του νησιού, υπόδειγμα της ντόπιας αρχιτεκτονικής. Επίσης το Μπούρτζι, με τα απομεινάρια του φρουρίου που έχτισαν οι αδελφοί Γκίζι, όταν κατέλαβαν τη Σκιάθο το 1207, αποτελεί τόπο αναψυχής, με όμορφη θέα από τη χερσόνησο και πεύκα που παρέχουν στον επισκέπτη τη σκιά και τη δροσιά τους. Πάνω απ’ όλα, πόλο έλξης του νησιού αποτελούν οι υπέροχες παραλίες του, με τον ιδιαίτερο χαρακτήρα τους, την πλούσια παράκτια βλάστηση και τα γαλαζοπράσινα νερά. Κάθε μία είναι ξεχωριστή και μοναδική και ανταποκρίνεται σε κάθε γούστο. Άλλοτε πολυσύχναστες και «ζωντανές», άλλοτε μοναχικοί παράδεισοι για τους πιο ρομαντικούς, πάντα όμως μία εμπειρία που αξίζει να ζήσει κανείς. Μία από τις πλέον φημισμένες παραλίες, ψηφισμένη ως μία από τις κορυφαίες στον κόσμο, είναι η παραλία των Κουκουναριών, που περιβάλλεται από τον προστατευόμενο υδροβιότοπο. Αξίζει κανείς να επισκεφθεί ακόμα τη Μπανάνα, τα Λαλάρια, το Βρωμόλιμνο, τη Μεγάλη Άμμο, τον Τρούλο και πολλές ακόμα. Το απαράμιλλο σε φυσικό κάλλος νησί έχει εδραιωθεί στην παγκόσμια τουριστική προτίμηση ως ένα από τα ομορφότερα μέρη στον κόσμο και ως το πλέον κοσμοπολίτικο νησί των Σποράδων. Τα «Ρόδινα ακρογιάλια» του περιμένουν να μαγέψουν ακόμα και τον πιο «δύσκολο» επισκέπτη…

«ΦωτοΝερόΠετρα» αποκαλούσε την Ελλάδα ο Οδυσσέας Ελύτης, παρατηρώντας πως τα τρία γεωλογικά και κλιματικά στοιχεία που τη χαρακτηρίζουν είναι το φως, η θάλασσα και ο βράχος, από τον οποίο είναι καμωμένα τα νησιά του τόσο αγαπημένου του Αιγαίου. Ωστόσο οι Σποράδες φαίνεται πως δεν «συμφωνούν» με αυτή την προσέγγιση, καθώς το ανάγλυφό τους δεν έχει συγγένεια με τη βραχώδη υφή των Κυκλάδων, αφού είναι κατάφυτες από δέντρα και σε κάποιες περιοχές πνιγμένες στο πράσινο. Από τη στιγμή κιόλας που το πλοίο του επισκέπτη θα προσεγγίσει το λιμάνι, η θέα προς το Μπούρτζι και προς τον λόφο όπου είναι χτισμένη η Χώρα είναι καταπράσινη, εντύπωση που επιτείνεται ακόμη περισσότερο μόλις γνωρίσει την ενδοχώρα και τις παραλίες της. Και είναι πράγματι αμέτρητες οι ακτές που στολίζουν το νησί. Αν πάρει κανείς το τοπικό λεωφορείο, κυριολεκτικά θα… βαρεθεί να μετράει παραλίες και στάσεις μέχρι το τέλος της διαδρομής. Η Μεγάλη Άμμος είναι η πρώτη παραλία που θα συναντήσει κανείς αφήνοντας τη χώρα, ενώ αμέσως μετά ακολουθεί ο Βασιλιάς, ο Αγ. Ταξιάρχης, το Σκληθρί, η Τζανεριά και ο Βρωμόλιμνος. Στο δεύτερο μισό της διαδρομής θα συναντήσει κανείς ακόμη πιο δημοφιλείς παραλίες, όπως ο Τρούλος, τα Μάραθα, που απαιτούν καλή φυσική κατάσταση, ειδικά κατά την επιστροφή, το Μανδράκι, η Αγ. Ελένη και στο τέρμα του δρόμου οι μαγευτικές Κουκουναριές, μια παραλία που κανείς δεν μπορεί να επισκεφτεί μόνο μία φορά. Με βλάστηση που φτάνει σχεδόν μέχρι το κύμα και νερά… να τα πιεις στο ποτήρι, δεν είναι τυχαίο που οι Κουκουναριές καταλαμβάνουν πάντα μια από τις πρώτες θέσεις στις λίστες με τις ωραιότερες ελληνικές παραλίες, ενώ διαθέτουν και Γαλάζια Σημαία. Εδώ νομίζει κανείς πως βρίσκεται σε τροπικό νησί του Ειρηνικού, κι ας απέχει μόνο μισή ώρα από την πρωτεύουσα ενός αιγαιοπελαγίτικου νησιού. Και μόλις ο ήλιος δύσει και έρθει η ώρα της επιστροφής στη Χώρα, η Σκιάθος φοράει τα βραδινά της και παρουσιάζει το άλλο της πρόσωπο στον τουρίστα, εκείνο της ποιοτικής και ποικίλης διασκέδασης για κάθε νέο και… λιγότερο νέο. Πανέμορφα ξενοδοχεία, μεταξύ των οποίων και το skiathos hotels mystery, πλήθος μαγαζιών κάθε είδους, από ταβέρνες και ψαροταβέρνες μέχρι κλαμπ και μπαρ, ακόμη και καταστήματα με σουβενίρ για να κρατήσει κανείς ζωντανές τις αναμνήσεις του, είναι σκορπισμένα στον δρόμο μπροστά από το λιμάνι αλλά και στον κεντρικό πεζόδρομο και τα γύρω σοκάκια. Όσοι πάλι αρέσκονται στη διασκέδαση μέχρι πρωίας και έχουν διάθεση για φλερτ πάντα περνούν μια βόλτα από τις «μαξιλάρες» κοντά στο παλιό λιμάνι, όπου η ανθρώπινη επαφή είναι πιο ζεστή και υπάρχει χαλαρή και αγαπησιάρικη ατμόσφαιρα. Εκείνοι που θέλουν πιο ήσυχες καταστάσεις μπορούν να απολαύσουν ένα γκουρμέ δείπνο στο εστιατόριο που υπάρχει στο Μπούρτζι ή κάποιο ποτό με υπόκρουση τους ήχους από τη ζωηρή νυχτερινή ζωή της Χώρας. Όσο κι αν έχει διασκεδάσει όμως κανείς, όσο κι αν έχει… παρεκτραπεί σε σχέση με το ποτό, η επιστροφή στη Χώρα, όπου συνήθως διαμένει, είναι εύκολη και άκοπη, αφού όλα τα στέκια απλώνονται σε μια ακτίνα λίγων λεπτών από την πρωτεύουσα της Σκιάθου και περιμένουν με ανοιχτές αγκάλες τον επισκέπτη τους και την επόμενη μέρα.

Μια μοναδική εμπειρία, που δεν πρέπει να χάσετε, είναι η ημερήσια εκδρομή με καραβάκι. Επιλέγουμε το πλοιάριο από το λιμάνι της Σκιάθου και ταξιδεύουμε με πρώτο προορισμό τη Σκόπελο. Σαλπάρουμε στα κρυστάλλινα γαλανά νερά και θαυμάζουμε το καταπράσινο τοπίο. Κολυμπάμε στην Καστάνι , μια υπέροχη παραλία με πεντακάθαρα νερά και καταπληκτικό βυθό. Το τοπίο θυμίζει σκηνές από τη γνωστή ταινία «Mamma Mia». Ανοίγουμε πανιά και βάζουμε πλώρη για Στάφυλο, που είναι μια γραφική καταπράσινη παραλία με κρυστάλλινα και ήρεμα τα νερά, καθώς ο κόλπος της είναι αρκετά κλειστός . Στη συνέχεια, αγκυροβολούμε στη Μηλιά και στον Πάνορμο, που είναι από τις μεγαλύτερες και πιο οργανωμένες παραλίες της Σκοπέλου, με τα πεύκα να αγγίζουν τις ακτές και τα βράχια να δίνουν μια άγρια ομορφιά. Έπειτα, κάνουμε μια στάση στο εκκλησάκι του Αγίου Ιωάννη, για να δούμε το χρυσοκόκκινο φως του ηλιοβασιλέματος και να βγάλουμε τις καλύτερες φωτογραφίες. Και λίγο πριν αναχωρήσουμε για Αλόννησο, το ξενοδοχείο Skiathos Hotels Mystery προτείνει μια ρομαντική βόλτα στα πλακόστρωτα δρομάκια της Σκοπέλου. Μπορούμε να επισκεφτούμε το Λαογραφικό Μουσείο, να απολαύσουμε τοπικά εδέσματα ή να αγοράσουμε τοπικά προϊόντα. Αποχαιρετώντας το γαλαζοπράσινο όνειρο, κατευθυνόμαστε για Αλόννησο. Η φυσική ομορφιά της Αλοννήσου δημιουργεί το απόλυτο σκηνικό για πραγματικές ήρεμες και ξεκούραστες διακοπές. Δεν γίνεται όμως να είσαι στην Αλόννησο και να μην επισκεφτείς το θαλάσσιο πάρκο. Είναι μοναδικό και αποτελεί μια ξεχωριστή εμπειρία! Επιλέξαμε λοιπόν το πλοιάριο για τη γνωριμία μας με το θαλάσσιο πάρκο της Αλοννήσου. Πρόκειται για το μεγαλύτερο φυσικό θαλάσσιο πάρκο της Μεσογείου. Είναι καταφύγιο σπάνιων πτηνών και κυρίως της μεσογειακής φώκιας Monachus monachus, ένα από τα σπάνια και πλέον απειλούμενα θηλαστικά της Μεσογείου. Αν είστε τυχεροί, θα συναντήσετε κάποια μοναχική φώκια ή μια παρέα παιχνιδιάρικων δελφινιών και τότε η εμπειρία σας θα απογειωθεί! Κολυμπήσαμε στη Μπλε Σπηλιά , στον Άγιο Πέτρο και στο ναυάγιο της Περιστέρας, σε φανταστικά καταγάλανα νερά, μακριά από τον πολύ κόσμο. Η καλύτερη στιγμή βέβαια, ήταν η ξενάγηση στην Κυρά Παναγιά από τον μοναχό. Η ανεπανάληπτη θέα του μοναστηριού σε αποζημιώνει για την πεζοπορία. Πριν φύγουμε από το νησί, περάσαμε από τη χώρα, περπατήσαμε στα πλακόστρωτα σοκάκια της και θαυμάσαμε την πέτρινη αρχιτεκτονική της και τις ολάνθιστες αυλές. Η μικρή, γαλαζοπράσινη ,πανέμορφη Αλόννησος μας έκλεψε την καρδιά!

Πολλοί είναι οι χαρακτηρισμοί που έχουν αποδοθεί στη Σκιάθο, το νησί με την απαράμιλλη ομορφιά που συνδυάζει πυκνή βλάστηση, γαλάζιες ακτές και έντονη νυχτερινή ζωή, όμως κανείς δεν είναι τόσο ταιριαστός όσο «το νησί με τα ρόδιν’ ακρογιάλια», όπως τα περιέγραψε ο κορυφαίος λογοτέχνης Παπαδιαμάντης στην ομώνυμη ηθογραφική νουβέλα του. Και είναι αλήθεια πως το νησί διαθέτει πολλές παραλίες, έτσι ώστε ο παραθεριστής να κάνει κάθε μέρα μπάνιο σε διαφορετικό μέρος. Κι όχι μόνο αυτό… Τα ακρογιάλια της Σκιάθου είναι τόσο κοντά στα δέντρα που ο τουρίστας μπορεί να έχει φυσική σκιά από τα πεύκα που φτάνουν σχεδόν μέχρι τη θάλασσα, όπως συμβαίνει στις πασίγνωστες Κουκουναριές. Ένα ακόμη πλεονέκτημα που διαθέτει το νησί είναι πως οι περισσότερες ακτές του βρίσκονται κοντά στη Χώρα, με την πιο απομακρυσμένη να μην ξεπερνά σε χρόνο προσέγγισης τα 30-40 λεπτά με τη συγκοινωνία, που είναι πολύ πυκνή. Μόνη εξαίρεση αποτελούν τα Λαλάρια, η βοτσαλωτή παραλία που βρίσκεται στο βόρειο τμήμα του νησιού και την οποία μπορεί να επισκεφθεί ο τουρίστας με τα καραβάκια που υπάρχουν στο λιμάνι. Φτάνοντας στο τέρμα της νότιας ακτογραμμής του νησιού, μπορεί κανείς να δει τις Κουκουναριές, μια ειδυλλιακή παραλία που έχει τιμηθεί με Γαλάζια Σημαία και αποτελεί το καμάρι της Σκιάθου και πόλο έλξης για τους τουρίστες, ντόπιους και ξένους. Η μορφολογία της ικανοποιεί τόσο τους λάτρεις της θάλασσας όσο και εκείνους του πράσινου, ενώ έχει προβλεφθεί ακόμη και οι εγκαταστάσεις της να βρίσκονται σε αρμονία με το περιβάλλον (π.χ. beach bar και διάδρομοι από ξύλο). Απέναντι από τις Κουκουναριές υπάρχει η πολύβουη Μπανάνα, όπου επίσης υπάρχει beach bar και γι’ αυτό είναι ιδιαίτερα δημοφιλής στη νεολαία, αλλά και η Μικρή Μπανάνα, την οποία τιμούν περισσότερο οι μεγαλύτεροι σε ηλικία και οι φυσιολάτρες. Οι τρεις αυτές παραλίες απέχουν μεταξύ τους ελάχιστα λεπτά και μπορεί κανείς να τις επισκεφτεί όλες μέσα στην ίδια μέρα. Εμείς από την πλευρά μας στο skiathos hotels mystery σας διαβεβαιώνουμε οτι όσο μαγευτική είναι η Σκιάθος την ημέρα χάρη στις παραλίες της, άλλο τόσο ελκυστική είναι το βράδυ η Χώρα, όταν έρχεται η ώρα της νυχτερινής διασκέδασης. Νέοι, πολλοί από τη Θεσσαλονίκη ή από τη γειτονική Θεσσαλία, αλλά και ξένοι, κυρίως Ιταλοί και Βορειοευρωπαίοι, που έχουν «ερωτευτεί» το νησί, γεμίζουν κάθε βράδυ τα μαγαζιά της και απολαμβάνουν με κάθε τρόπο τις διακοπές τους. Και μην απορήσετε αν πέφτετε κάθε χρόνο σε γνωστές φυσιογνωμίες από το εξωτερικό… Δεν είναι λίγοι εκείνοι που έρχονται κάθε χρόνο στο νησί ή έχουν αγοράσει και κάποιο σπίτι στη Σκιάθο, ειδικά Γερμανοί, και την έχουν κάνει δεύτερη πατρίδα τους. Στο κεντρικό τμήμα του λιμανιού μπορείτε να βρείτε πολλά εστιατόρια για το δείπνο σας, ενώ μπορείτε να πάτε και στο εστιατόριο που βρίσκεται στο Μπούρτζι. Δεξιά και αριστερά από τον κεντρικό πεζόδρομο της Χώρας υπάρχουν πολλές επιλογές για νυχτερινή διασκέδαση (καφετέριες, μπαρ, ντισκοτέκ, κλαμπ) για κάθε γούστο και μουσική προτίμηση. Και αργά το βράδυ, όταν η νυχτερινή σιγαλιά πάρει τη σκυτάλη από τα ντεσιμπέλ και τα φώτα της διασκέδασης, παρηγορηθείτε με τη σκέψη πως και την επόμενη μέρα θα επαναλάβετε τον ίδιο ευχάριστο κύκλο δραστηριοτήτων με ορμητήριο και κατάληξη τη μαγευτική Χώρα…

Μονή Ευαγγελιστρίας Η Ιερά Μονή της Ευαγγελιστρίας είναι από τα πιο αξιόλογα μνημεία των Βορείων Σποράδων, με θαυμαστή αρχιτεκτονική. Η ανοικοδόμηση της Μονής άρχισε το 1794 και ολοκληρώθηκε το 1806 από μια μικρή ομάδα μοναχών, τους «Κολλυβάδες». Τους ονόμασαν έτσι ειρωνικά, γιατί μετά την αποχώρησή τους από το Άγιο Όρος τελούσαν μνημόσυνα τις Κυριακές, παρά τις διαφωνίες των υπολοίπων μοναχών. Το κίνημα των Κολλυβάδων επηρέασε πολύ την καθημερινή ζωή των κατοίκων της Σκιάθου. Πρωταρχικό τους μέλημα ήταν να διασωθεί ο Ελληνορθόδοξος πολιτισμός. Συνεισέφεραν σημαντικά και στην Επανάσταση του 1821, τόσο ηθικά όσο και οικονομικά. Εδώ υφάνθηκε για πρώτη φορά η Ελληνική σημαία του αγώνα και ορκίστηκαν οι Ηγέτες της Επανάστασης . Οι επισκέπτες έχουν την ευκαιρία να δουν μια μεγάλη συλλογή λαογραφικών αντικειμένων, ιστορικών κειμηλίων και εκκλησιαστικών σκευών, τα οποία εκτίθενται στο Μουσείο που λειτουργεί στη Μονή. Αξίζει να την επισκεφτείτε ιδιαίτερα την Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα και το Δεκαπενταύγουστο, όπου οι λειτουργίες έχουν πανηγυρικό χαρακτήρα. Η οικία του Αλέξανδρου Παπαδιαμάντη Ο Αλέξανδρος Παπαδιαμάντης γεννήθηκε στις 4 Μαρτίου 1851 στη Σκιάθο και είναι ένας από τους σημαντικότερους Έλληνες λογοτέχνες . Ο Οδυσσέας Ελύτης στο «Άξιον Εστί », μας παροτρύνει να μνημονεύουμε τον Α. Παπαδιαμάντη, όπου και να μας βρίσκει το κακό. Ενώ ο Καβάφης τον χαρακτήρισε «κορυφή των κορυφών». Το σπίτι –μουσείο του Παπαδιαμάντη χτίστηκε από τον πατέρα του το 1860 και βρίσκεται στο κέντρο της πόλης , σε απόσταση λίγα μέτρα από το λιμάνι. Είναι ένα διώροφο κτίσμα με τοίχους από πέτρα και ξύλινη στέγη με κεραμίδια. Το σπίτι είναι ένα φτωχικό, παραδοσιακό σκιαθίτικο σπίτι, καθώς και ο ίδιος ήταν απλός και λιτός στη ζωή του. Η περιήγηση στο σπίτι, όπου έζησε και απεβίωσε ο γνωστός και ως «Άγιος των γραμμάτων» , είναι μια μοναδική εμπειρία για τον κάθε επισκέπτη. Το Κάστρο Το Κάστρο βρίσκεται στο βόρειο άκρο της Σκιάθου, χτισμένο σε ένα βράχο πάνω στη θάλασσα. Το φυσικό αυτό φρούριο υπήρξε καταφύγιο των κατοίκων από πειρατικές επιδρομές. Η ζωή στο Κάστρο ήταν δύσκολη, λόγω έλλειψης χώρου.Υπήρχαν 400 μικρά σπίτια, το ένα δίπλα στο άλλο, ενώ ο πληθυσμός έφτανε τα 1500 άτομα. Υπήρχαν επίσης 20 εκκλησίες, 4 ενορίες ,ένα τζαμί και ένα διοικητήριο κατά την τουρκοκρατία . Το Κάστρο ιδρύθηκε το 1360 υπό βυζαντινή κυριαρχία . Το 1453 το κατέλαβαν οι Ενετοί και το διάστημα μεταξύ 1538- 1821 οι Τούρκοι . Το 1829 οι κάτοικοι της Σκιάθου επέστρεψαν στην σημερινή πόλη της Σκιάθου, παίρνοντας μαζί τους ό,τι μπορούσαν από τα υπάρχοντά τους. Το ξενοδοχείο Mystery Skiathos Hotels προτείνει να επισκεφθείτε την Καστροπολιτεία . Ένα σύμπλεγμα κτισμάτων στην κορυφή του λόφου που σε ταξιδεύει σε άλλες εποχές, η θέα σε μαγεύει , ενώ η ελληνική σημαία που δεσπόζει πάνω από τη θάλασσα συγκινεί. Μπορούμε να φτάσουμε είτε οδικώς, είτε με ημερήσιες εκδρομές με καραβάκι που κάνουν στάση εκεί. Το Μπούρτζι Το Μπούρτζι είναι τόσο εμβληματικό, που αξίζει να το επισκεφτούμε. Βρίσκεται πάνω σε ένα καταπράσινο βράχο στην άκρη του λιμανιού. Χτίστηκε το 1207 από τους Ενετούς αδερφούς Γκίζι. Το 1660 το φρούριο καταστράφηκε από τον Ενετό ναύαρχο Φραγκίσκο Μοροζίνι . Είναι ο ίδιος που βομβάρδισε και τον Παρθενώνα. Σήμερα, δεν σώζεται τίποτα από τα τείχη . Οι επισκέπτες όμως, αξίζει να περιηγηθούν στο πολιτιστικό κέντρο που λειτουργεί στο χώρο. Επίσης μπορούν να απολαύσουν τη βόλτα τους στο Μπούρτζι οποιαδήποτε ώρα της ημέρας, καθώς είναι υπέροχο, δροσερό και καταπράσινο με μαγευτική θέα στη θάλασσα και τη χώρα του νησιού. Ακόμα, προσφέρεται και για μπάνιο, καθώς έχει μονοπάτια που οδηγούν στη θάλασσα .