homepage title Skiathos Attractions

A  short walk over the hill from  Koukounaries, following the road which branches off from the bus terminal/car park, pass Xenia hotel, and continue through the forest, the path  leads to Banana beach.

The original name of this beach is Krassas but due to the fact that this was the first and only nudist beach on the island gained the name banana beach given by the locals. There are in fact 2 beaches, the one a short scramble over the rocks to the right having fewer visitors.

Nice music, wonderful sunsets and view to Pelion.

Jewel in the Sporades crown Koukounaries (pinecones) beach is correctly named after the pine trees forest which grow densely around it. The lagoon behind the beach and its forest forms a natural harbour at one end of the beach. The area behind the lagoon is of a great botanical interest and protected by the Ramsar act for wildlife.

Koukounaries Bay is classified as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

The beach is known also as Golden sand because , its fine blonde powder sand has tiny golden stone pieces that remain in your skin  when playing with it. The beach is ideal for children as it shelves gradually into the sea .

Facilities on the beach : sunbeds ,umbrellas, watersports schools , restaurants.

It is the Northern corner of this island and is accessible only by boat.

Rocky cliffs surround the beach, which is covered with smooth round white stones called Lalaria which make the sea have this unique blue turquoise color. The North winds make the sea rough and the waves give the stones their round shape.

The most beautiful sight is the rock  by the end of the beach ,jutting out  into the sea which is pierced by a large hole thus forming a huge natural arch which is called  (trypia petra) . Next to it the famous cave which at midday when the sun enters from the top of the cave has a splendid color just for half an hour.

At the Northern point of the island lie the ruins of Kastro the fortress which the medieval town once nestled and its inhabitants lived from around 1300 – 1829.

The Kastro was built on a gigantic rock springing from the sea and commands panoramic views. It is more of a natural large fortress than a man made one. Three of its four sides were overlooking the sea, and were surrounded by walls. Impressive was the defense potential of this fort as its connection to the rest of the island was a steep passage. Right there a wooden mobile bridge was connecting the entrance of the Castle to the rest of the island making access impossible for unwanted visitors. Behind the wooden bridge there was an iron gate, which, in case of  attack ,would close up and isolate the enemy outside.

Above this gate was the ‘ zematistra’ a hole through which  the defenders would pure boiling oil  and chase everyone away.

Once contained over 300 houses 30 churches, a mosque and Turkish baths and was the islands capital from  1538 – 1829. 3 of the houses have been restored and 4 chapels are in a very good condition and you may visit them. Christos sto Kastro  (The Christ in Kastro) is the most famous chapel mentioned in Papadiamantis stories is decorated  with Byzantine frescoes and Icons.  Aghia Marina , Aghios Vasilios , Aghios Nicolaos.

Are the litlle churches around Christos sto Kastro.

During world war  II  the Kastro area was used as a hideout by Allied soldiers making their way to Turkey.

A short walk down the Kastro path is the Kastro beach, the stones of the beach and the rocks around are of a unique purple pink and light green colors that make the sea water transparent blue. A stone little cottage completes the scenery where one can have a drink or a light lunch.

The nature in the North is wilder and the visitors in Spring may have a unique experience and feeling .The Valley is full of different kind wild flowers and herbs that create a multicolor natural carpet and there are no words to describe the essences of these flowers mixed with the sea air .Both make the elixir of relaxation.

The sunset colors in this part of Skiathos are spectacular.

The Monastery makes a pleasant excursion in a peaceful paradise. There you may only hear the sounds of nature and pray to God. It is famous for its frescoes which are similar to Mystras early Byzantine times and is the oldest monastery existing in Skiathos. It is also devoted to Virgin Mary. There is a fresh water spring there like in all monasteries and ancient temples around Greece.

Walking down the path next to the small river you arrive in one of the most unspoiled beaches of Nothern Skiathos, Kehria beach. Enjoy the sea water that is mixed with the sweet water of the small river , have a shower with the same spring water that runs continually through a pumkin, try the fresh small fish and salads at the small taverna by the beach ,have a siesta under the shade of  the olive grove next by and all this can only make you feel you had a special day . Kehria beach reminds us of Greece during 1950’s.

Driving North East, up the hills of Skiathos, you will notice a  different kind of nature and trees . The scenery turns to be wilder the trees are different the color of the earth is different. You notice you arrive to the monastery when many Cypresses trees appear and a hidden valley. It is small Byzantine type monastery. The beauty of its icons is unique and as you enter  peace and nice sentiments fill you.

All the icons of Aghios Charalambos are kept in the Monastery of Evangellistria for security reasons.

The legend goes like this: a candle light was on ,in a certain point up the mountain that showed the monk Symeon, the place where the Kounista ,an Icon of Virgin Mary  was  hanging from a pine  tree moving when the wind was blowing (that is the meaning of Kounistra).

In the same place high above Aselinos Beach the inhabitants raised a small monastery to honor and welcome the Icon of  the Virgin Mary Mother of Christ made by the hand of Saint Lucas the Evangelist . Even Turks that know Virgin Mary from the Koran, were participating in the construction works of this monastery , as the way the Icon was found ,was considered a miracle.

You may visit Panagia Kounistra either by car or on foot  following the road to Aselinos beach .

The original icon is kept in the Metropolis of Skiathos downtown for security reasons .

Every year the 21rst of November most of the people of Skiathos and the priests start walking from the Church in town.  Through the mountains using the old paths Skiathos people walk carrying the miraculous icon in turns in their hands till they arrive at the  Monastery. They stay all night there and after the early morning service they walk back in town 5 o’clock in the morning. It is one of the nicest traditions well kept in Skiathos. When the crowd with the Icon arrives in the exit of town ,the Mayor  and the people of Skiathos honor and pay their respects to  the Icon, same way like to the President of a country in the sounds of the municipal band.

The  eighteenth century monastery of Evangellistria lies in the mountainous north of the island, nestling beneath the highest peak, Karaflytzanaka 436m approx 3 km out of town.,. It is a large and imposing building almost invisible from any direction .The reason for this structure was to offer protection from pirates attacks. The architecture rhythm is Byzantine  cross type (cruciform) rhythm Basilica with Domes of a unique beauty. Through the 4 Domes windows that create a cross , a mysterious light enters the church.

Wandering around the monastery gardens you may visit the olive factory, and the museum.

Monks Nyfon and Grigorios were the founders of this Monastery and started building it in 1794.

It was here that in 1807 the Greek flag was raised for the first time, and with it a small band of resistance commanders gave the oath to liberate Greece from Turkish occupation – amongst them Nikotsaras, Stathas and Kolokotronis. It was also here that Nikotsaras was brought when he was fatally wounded in 1808 as the monastery was also a hospital during the revolution times.

The Monastery was very wealthy and owner of thousands of acres of land including the island of Tsougrias and was famous for its icons, wooden curved Iconostasis and first editions. Its Monks were producing olive oil, wine, and candles. Because of its wealth  it helped a lot the island and the revolution against the Turks and after the end of the general Uprising  offered land to the families in need.

There is a MUSEUM  housing the Treasures of the Monastery and a private collection of music instruments from all over the world.

The 15^th of August is its celebration day and it worths visiting the night of the 14^th August when the Epitafios tis Panagias takes place (burial of the Madonna)

There is a number of traditional products you may buy in the Monastery  like , Alypiakon wine, traditional fruit liqueurs, marmalades and tea spoon . The income obtained from these products goes to the restoration of the monument.

Is a small church by the entrance of town always open and modest.

A church located  opposite the new port of Skiathos is most of the time closed exept the day of the Saint s celebration day in December.

The church was built in the beginning of the 19^th century Its terrace provides a panoramic view to the port .

A church devoted to Virgin Mary  is further up the steps in the oldest part of town and was built in 1829 . It is a 3 spaces Basilica, the Iconostasis (curved screen) reminds us of the Central Europe baroque.

The church houses the miraculous Icon of Panagia I Limnia ,which was brought from Limni village in  Euboea island . The people who emigrated from there to Skiiathos brought it with them and were settled in this part of town  together with the people that arrived later emigrants from Asia Minor.

Both churches have a big selection of old Byzantine icons which were transferred there from the small  country chapels and the churches in Kastro  for protection against theft.

The METROPOLIS of Skiathos ‘3 IERARHES’ is located  right by the end of the old port up the stairs and it is a 3 space Basilica .

The marble Iconostasis of this church was designed and made by a a Tinian artist George Kaparias in 1883. It is rare expression of Gothic revival in Greece. The artist showed his designs to the people of Skiathos and amongst them there was one really different than the traditional ones. This one was meant to be made for a church in France but the people of Skiathos ordered it for their church.

The church was completed in 1846.

It is in this church that the Matron Saint of Skiathos ,Panagia I Kounistra,made by Lucas the Evangelist ,original Icon is kept

The Bourtzi is the town Fortress on the main harbour front in Skiathos .It was built by the Venetians and used as their governors residence and for the overall security of the town.

In 1907 a school was built there by a very wealthy (nenefactor ) Greek man called ‘Sygros’. The building is now converted to house an art gallery occasionally, a civil weddings room, open air theater and a multi use meeting room of a capacity of approx 100  people.