Skiathos town in Skiathos

Skiathos' villages are easy to count, there is only one village, and that is Skiathos Town - or Chora as some say. In addition, there are several tourist resorts, but none of them can be counted as a village, when the season ends, the tourist resorts go to sleep and do not wake up until the following summer.

View of Skiathos town from the bell tower.

You get a good overview of the town if you go up to the clock tower above the main harbour. The clock tower is fifteen metres high and the bells rings for the church in the same place. To the left you see the large harbour where the ferries dock, beyond it is the marina and a little further away you can possibly glimpse the bar street where bars and nightclubs open late and close early.

View of Skiathos town and the Bourtzi peninsula from the bell tower.

Instead, if you look straight ahead, you see the pine tree covered peninsula of Bourtzi and the small harbour. On Bourtzi there used to be a Venetian fortress, walls surrounded the whole island. Today there is a cultural centre and a popular café here. During the summer months, concerts and other cultural events are held on the island. Bourtzi is something of an oasis, when the sun is at its hottest it's nice to sit on one of the benches and enjoy the shade and the delightful view of the small harbour and the town.

Skiathos town seen from the Bourtzi peninsula.

Cozy cafe on the Bourtzi peninsula.

Cosmopolitan Skiathos Town is a maze of alleyways where restaurants, fast food places, cafes, pubs and bars are crowded with souvenir shops and boutiques selling everything from beach towels to the latest exclusive designer clothes. Nothing is missing. Almost the entire town is adapted for tourism, Greek everyday life is, if not invisible, at least quite insignificant.

The non-touristy parts of Skiathos town.

The tourists dominates, even though almost the entire island's population lives here. (Nearly 4,900 people live here, and the whole island has about 6,100 inhabitants.) But there are parts untouched by tourism, including the older neighbourhoods above the fishing harbour.

One of many alleys in the old non-touristy parts of Skiathos town.

The Odos Papadiamantis pedestrian street is the lifeblood of Skiathos Town. If one likens the jumble of alleyways to the town's arteries, the Papadiamantis pedestrian street is its aorta and lifeblood. The entire street is lined with shops of all kinds, as well as bars, cafes and restaurants.

The pedestrian street Odos Papadiamantis in one direction.

The pedestrian street Odos Papadiamantis in the other direction.

The pedestrian street is named after the famous Greek writer Alexandros Papadiamantis. He was born on Skiathos in 1851. Later he moved to Athens where he trained as a journalist. Papadiamantis wrote more than 100 short stories and short novels, all dealing with life on the island. His most famous work is the book "Tales from a Greek island". Alexandros Papadiamantis died on Skiathos in 1911 aged only 60. The house where he lived and worked during his time on the island is today a museum, it is located in a cute little square a few steps from the street that bears his name.

The writer Alexandros Papadiamantis museum in Skiathos town.

The long harbour promenade is doing its best to compete for the title Skiathos Town's lifeblood. Tavernas and cafes are located here in one long row. The competition is fierce. Which is noticeable when you pass by, the barkers do their best to drown out each other as they fight in the eternal battle for new guests.

The harbour promenade in one direction.

In general, you can say that the tavernas on the harbour promenade do not really live up to what the barkers are trying to convey. But no one can complain about the location, here they have an everything and everyone in sight. Above the harbour promenade there are several bars (with fluffy cushions) that attract many to have a drink before dinner.

The harbour promenade in the other direction.

The marina and the small harbour promenade.

The small harbor promenade is also lined with tavernas and restaurants.

I want to give a shout out to Taverna Myli, which is located by a windmill at the far end of the bar street. Apart from good Greek food, you are treated to incoming planes that pass with a thud and crash outside the taverna.

Taverna Myli where you can watch planes taking off and landing.

Perhaps the best restaurant, if you are looking for Greek home cooking, is called Akrogiali and is located about 100 metres before Taverna Myli. Many Greeks go there for lunch or dinner. Good food, good prices and very friendly staff.

Taverna Akrogiali is one of the best restaurants in Skiathos town.

In the old port, there are bathing and excursion boats together with colourful fishing boats. When the fishermen come in, they sell their catch to a fishing collective at the far end of the port. Greeks and restaurant owners come there to buy fish. A couple of good fish restaurants are located above the fishing port, some with a divinely beautiful view of the bay. Restaurant Batis is one of the better ones when it comes to fish.

The harbour promenade seen from the fish restaurants above the port.

Here we sit and wait for fresh fish at Restaurang Batis.

Recommending where to eat is not easy, it is best to follow your gut feeling and find your personal favourites yourself. It is not easy, I can promise, the selection is gigantic. I know many people like Marias Pizza in the alleys near the old port. I am not that impressed with the food, but I like the cosy square where you can linger away a lot of time and enjoy the street life.

Marias Pizza in the alleys near the small harbour.

Another popular restaurant is 1901 which is located between two cosy alleys. Not far from 1901 is the fish taverna Alexandros where you can listen to live music and eat fresh fish. One of the most awesome restaurants is the Windmill Restaurant which is located on a hill a couple of blocks above the bus stop. The restaurant is housed in a restored windmill from 1880. Book a table in advance and bring a large wallet.

Restaurant 1901 is very good.

At Alexandros you eat very good food and listen to live Greek music.

Many go to Restaurant Alexandros to enjoy Greek live music.

The awesome "fluffy-pillow-bar street" in one direction.

The "fluffy-pillow-bar street" in the other direction.

One of the nightclubs along the bar street.

If you like gyros, you have many good places to choose from.

View of Skiathos town on a cloudy day in June. The right part is unaffected by tourism.

A different house in the car-free parts of Skiathos town.

In the marina there are sailboats for excursions and private sailboats.

ACCOMMODATION IN SKIATHOS TOWN

The vast majority of people who travel to Skiathos stay in Skiathos Town or at Megali Ammos beach. If you like to stay in the heart of the city's pulse, Skiathos Town is the place to go. If you want to stay by a beach, Megali Ammos is a better choice. But on the other hand, it is so close that you can walk between them, or take a taxi boat. Below you find tips for good hotels in Skiathos Town.

Book Niso Skiathos here »

Book Vabel Skiathos here »

Book Anthena Studios here »

Book Babis here »

Book Fresh Rooms and Studios here »

Book other hotels in Skiathos town here »

Do not miss Megali Ammos beach, which you can read about here »

READ MORE ABOUT SKIATHOS