The Greek island of Skiathos is the smallest island in the Aegean Sea with an airport accessible by international flights. Finding the best place to stay in Skiathos is very easy. In this guide, we will discover which is the best, both for those who want to go out in the evening and for those who want to immerse themselves in tranquility!
The island of Skiathos, with its 10 km in width and its small airport, still has plenty of space for nature and silence. This is because there is only one town on the island, Skiathos Town, on the east coast near the port and the airport, and just a few paved roads along the southern coast.
Skiathos offers a multitude of beaches to visit, including the beautiful Lalaria Beach, and if you ever get tired of the sea, there are still plenty of things to do in the inland.
A small introduction to the island’s geography. Starting from the main town of the island (“Skiathos Town”), a main road runs along the entire southern coast of the island, highlighted in the map below, along which you can travel by public bus to reach most of the beaches and villages.
From this road, a few others branch off, some of them are not even paved. It is along this road that you will find the best areas to stay in Skiathos. Let’s see them all!
Stay in Skiathos Town
The best area to stay in Skiathos for those who want to combine beach life and the possibility of going out in the evening on foot, having a drink and enjoying a bit of life on the colorful streets of the center, is right in Skiathos Town.
Staying in Skiathos Town gives you the chance to always move on foot in the evening. You can reach the famous Papadiamantis street where there are many restaurants, shops, and cafes, or the old port, for a relaxing walk or a drink in the famous bars with cushions.
No worries for those who want to sleep peacefully, Skiathos Town, despite offering a decent nightlife, is not a place of wild partying, so noise is not a problem.
You may also be interested in: Guide to Skiathos nightlife
Sleeping in Skiathos Town is also convenient because you are always close to services and supermarkets. From the town, you have within walking distance 4 of the 26 bus stops (including the terminus, which is always preferable during peak times: in the article on Skiathos buses, I explain why).
What area is the best to stay in Skiathos Town?
In the map below, the best area to stay in Skiathos Town is highlighted in yellow. The red line (Papadiamantis street) and the green pin (the Old Port) are the two most lively spots in the evening, where most of the Skiathos nightlife is located.
Some places to stay in Skiathos Town with good value for money and excellent location are:
- Armonia Guest House : rooms with private bathroom and fridge, up to 4 people, at a really good price. Some also have a kitchenette;
- Pension Pineapple : affordable guesthouse with rooms up to 6 people with private bathroom, near the main street with bus stops and the entrance to the pedestrian Papadiamantis street. Free wifi and parking, pets allowed.
- Atlas Hotel Skiathos : in a really central location along Papadiamantis street, hotel with modern decor, air conditioning, parking, and free wifi.
- Hotel Kostis : 1-star hotel with room service, wifi, and rooms for 2 or 3 people.
Punta
The Punta Peninsula (Pounta) is another area to stay in Skiathos for those looking for a bit more peace and luxury. It is the peninsula located directly opposite Skiathos Town on the east side, overlooking the port area.
If you want to stay in Skiathos in complete tranquility in a villa with a high view over the port of Skiathos Town from the other side of the bay, to appreciate the evening lights, the Punta peninsula might be perfect for you.
The disadvantage of choosing this area to stay in Skiathos is that to reach the center, the port, and all the beaches you will always need to travel with your own means: there are no buses on this peninsula.
- Hotel Punta : a 4-star hotel with a view of the port, private beach and private pool with free umbrellas and loungers, buffet meals, 24-hour reception, shuttle bus, rooms for up to 4 people;
- Core Luxury Suites : soundproofed rooms for up to 6 people, with dry cleaning service, bicycle rental, tennis court, free parking and wifi;
- Takis Studios : apartments for 2 to 6 people, generally cheaper than the previous ones, provided you give up the port view;
Quieter Areas to Stay in Skiathos
The best areas to stay in Skiathos for who looks for tranquility and don’t care about nightlife are Koukonaries, Troulos, and Platanias.
From these areas, you can reach some beaches on foot and move to others using only the buses, without the need to rent a car or scooter. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Koukounaries
If you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing experience, with the interesting possibility of reaching various beaches simply by walking, the area of Koukounaries might appeal to you a lot.
In this area, there are some relaxed hotels and resorts (some of which are surrounded by greenery, like the Elivi Hotel), mini-markets, a couple of restaurants, and lots of nature. There are several bus stops available to take you to Skiathos town, including the terminus (stop No. 26) at Koukounaries beach.
- at least 4 of the best beaches of Skiathos, with a short walk south or west;
- the small lake with a pine forest, which isn’t spectacular but is very quiet and good for a walk while heading to Koukounaries Beach or Banana Beach;
- the wilder northern beaches, walking for half an hour along a path where you’ll only hear the sound of the wind among the tree branches;
- Skiathos Town, taking a bus from the main road; in summer, the last bus to return is around midnight.
I recommend choosing Koukounaries for staying in Skiathos to anyone who wants to reach some beautiful beaches on foot, to those who want to stay in an area surrounded by greenery or in a luxurious yet relaxed hotel.
I would advise against this area for those looking for nightlife at their doorstep, as there is practically nothing here in the evenings. The alternative is to take the bus to Skiathos Town, but remember to return before midnight with the last runs.
- Elivi Hotel: a 5-star resort built in 2018, surrounded by pine forest just a few steps from Koukounaries Beach, with rooms/suites/villas with sea views, outdoor jacuzzi, private pools, gym, tennis and basketball courts, wellness centers and massages, wifi, buffet breakfast, restaurant, and room service;
- Maistrali Studios: affordable studio apartments for 2 people, with kitchenette, A/C, safe, and balcony; wifi in common areas;
- Mandraki village Boutique: 4-star hotel with accommodations for up to 4 people, free parking and wifi.
Troulos or Platanias
Finally, here are two other areas where you can stay in Skiathos, with similar considerations to those made for Koukounaries: Troulos or Platanias.
These are two adjacent villages on the central south coast of Skiathos, where you can combine the tranquility of areas mostly surrounded by greenery with the possibility of reaching some beautiful beaches on foot, such as Troulos Beach, Agia Paraskevi, or Kolios Bay.
Also in Troulos and Platanias, along the now well-known main road, you’ll find stops for the public buses that will take you to Skiathos Town to the east or Koukounaries to the west.
Inner streets of Troulos and Platanias have some restaurants, certainly more traditional than those in more touristy areas, as well as a couple of bars open in the evening where you can have a drink without going far, such as Christakis Sports Bar.
These areas are recommended for those who prefer quieter places compared to the crowded Koukounaries beach or prefer having some basic services within easy reach.
- Esperos Hotel: 2 stars with excellent reviews and great prices with rooms and apartments for up to 5 people, A/C, wifi, kitchenette; close to the bus stop and restaurants;
- Almira Hotel: 3 stars with a restaurant, bar, garden, outdoor pool, and terrace; offers free Wi-Fi and private parking, pets allowed;
- Paraschos Studios: Affordable apartments in a convenient location, close to the beach and bus stop, with wifi, A/C, garden, free parking, and kitchenette;
- Villa Ourania: apartments with kitchenette, private bathroom, A/C, free wifi, in a villa surrounded by greenery at low prices with excellent reviews.
Where to Stay in Skiathos for Young People?
If you’re young and looking for some moderate nightlife, the right place to stay is the main town of the island: Skiathos Town.
If you want to discover what you can find, read about nightlife in Skiathos.
Where to Stay in Skiathos with Children?
If you have children, there’s good news: all the areas indicated in this guide are suitable for families. Even the town, Skiathos Town, while busy, is not too chaotic and is ok for any age.
If you have children and strollers, consider renting a vehicle depending on the period in which you travel: indeed, the buses in Skiathos during the busier months can become very crowded and might be uncomfortable.
And now, off to explore the beaches and wonders of Skiathos! 🙂
Now that you know where to stay in Skiathos, it’s time to look for a good flight with the box below to find all possible flights from your area:
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