Greece - Korina Miller [534]
Skiathos Town, the island’s major settlement and port, lies on the southeast coast. The rest of the south coast is interspersed with walled-in holiday villas and pine-fringed sandy beaches. The north coast is precipitous and less accessible; in the 14th century the Kastro Peninsula served as a natural fortress against invaders. Aside from the ample sun and nightlife, the curious will find striking monasteries, hilltop tavernas and even secluded beaches.
Getting There & Away
See Island Hopping Click here for details of air and sea connections to other islands and the mainland.
AIR
Along with numerous charter flights from northern Europe, during summer there is one flight daily to/from Athens (€49). Olympic Air ( 24270 22200) has an office at the airport, not in town.
BOAT
Skiathos’ main port is Skiathos Town, with links to mainland Volos and Agios Konstantinos, and to Skopelos and Alonnisos.
Tickets can be purchased from either Hellenic Seaways ( 24270 22209; fax 24270 22750) at the bottom of Papadiamantis, or from GA Ferries ( 24270 22204; fax 24270 22979), next to Alpha Bank.
Getting Around
BOAT
Water taxis depart from the old port for Tzaneria and Kanapitsa beaches (€3, 20 minutes, hourly) and Achladies Bay (€2, 15 minutes, hourly).
BUS
Crowded buses leave Skiathos Town for Koukounaries Beach (€1.20 to €1.50, 30 minutes, every half-hour between 7.30am and 11pm). The buses stop at 26 numbered access points to the beaches along the south coast.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Reliable motorbike and car-hire outlets in Skiathos Town include Europcar/Creator Tours ( 24270 22385) and Heliotropio Tourism & Travel ( 24270 22430) on the new port.
TAXI
The taxi stand ( 24270 21460) is opposite the ferry dock. A taxi to/from the airport costs €5.
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SKIATHOS TOWN
Skiathos Town, with its red-roofed, whitewashed houses, is built on two low hills. Opposite the waterfront lies tiny and inviting Bourtzi Islet between the two small harbours and reached by a short causeway. The town is a major tourist centre, with hotels, souvenir shops, galleries, travel agents, tavernas and bars dominating the waterfront and the narrow main thoroughfare, Papadiamanti.
Orientation
The quay (wharf) is in the middle of the water-front, just north of Bourtzi Islet. To the right (as you face inland) is the newer small boat harbour; to the left is the curving old harbour used by local fishing and excursion boats. Papadiamanti strikes inland from opposite the quay. Plateia Tris Ierarches (Tris Ierarches Sq) is above the old harbour. The bus terminus is at the northern end of the new harbour.
Information
EMERGENCY
Port police ( 24270 22017; quay)
Tourist police ( 24270 23172; 8am-9pm; Ring Rd)
INTERNET ACCESS
Creator Tours ( 24270 21384; waterfront; per 30min €1; 9am-9pm) Inside Europcar office.
Internet Zone Café ( 24270 22767; Evangelistrias 28; per hr €2; 10am-3am)
MEDICAL SERVICES
Health Centre Hospital ( 24270 22222) Above the old port.
Pharmacy Papantoniou ( 24270 24515; Papadiamanti 18)
MONEY
Numerous ATMs are on Papadiamanti and the waterfront.
POST
Post office (upper Papadiamanti; 7.30am-2pm)
TRAVEL AGENCIES
For reliable information about Skiathos, or onward travel, try the following:
Creator Tours ( 24270 21384; www.creatortours.com; waterfront)
Heliotropio Tourism & Travel ( 24270 22430; www.heliotropio.gr; waterfront)
Mathinos Travel ( 24270 23351; Papadiamanti 18)
Sights
Skiathos was the birthplace of famous 19th-century Greek novelist and short story writer Alexandros Papadiamanti, whose writings draw upon the hard lives of the islanders he grew up with. Papadiamanti’s humble 1860-vintage house is now a charming museum ( 24270 23843; Plateia Papadiamanti; admission €1; 9.30am-1.30pm & 5-8.30pm Tue-Sun) with books, paintings and old photos documenting his life on Skiathos.
Tours
Excursion boats make half-