Skiathos is a rather large island located approximately 55 kilometers from Volos. The capital of Skiathos, Skiathos Town, is built amphitheatrically in a windless bay, full of simple white houses with tiled roofs and narrow streets. It is about 46 square kilometers and contains over 60 beaches. The normal population (without tourists) is around 4,000, but during the summer months it can skyrocket to over 70,000. This island is geared toward young tourists looking to have an outrageous time in Greece, and spend a lot of money. Right as you step off the boat, you are met with a variety of restaurants and bars, all of them trendy and mod, definitely enticing to the average Joe or Jane College. Hundreds of small shops and kiosks line the main road, most of them carrying similar goods. Fake purses, hats, clothing, and large amounts of fashionable footwear line the entire street from beginning to end. Between the shops lie smaller pubs and restaurants that are generally cheaper than those near the harbor. All of these pubs give off a low key air, like you walk into a Greek island version of “Cheers.” The regulars are all sitting around chatting, watching the game while enjoying their favorite alcoholic beverage. Most of these bars have the week’s soccer schedule posted outside their door, with drink specials right next to it. Here you can mellow out, have a tall, cool Mythos, and watch the game with the locals and other tourists, mostly Brits. I highly recommend a bar called the Albatross, which serves a variety of alcohol from everywhere from Greece to America. They also have a fine selection of natural fruit juices that they claim will cure any hangover. The restaurants serve a variety of food, from pizza and pasta to traditional Greek cuisine such as moussaka, gyros, and interesting seafood dishes for the brave souls who like to try new things. For the most part, the food here is geared toward the tourists and things that they would find appetizing, which apparently is not the traditional food of the country. All of the food and shops are located on Papadiamantis Street, the main road through the island and the first big street you will see.
Skiathos is definitely known for its beaches. With over sixty of them along the coast, you can always find a place to catch some sun. From family to nude, there is a beach to satisfy everyone’s tastes. There are several beaches that are for younger people looking to have a wild time in Greece. Koukounaries is one of the more popular beaches for this kind of crowd. It is a little larger than most of the private beaches, and has a couple casual restaurants. It is world famous for long, sandy bays and pine trees, and has a watersport rental area. The water is gorgeous and clear, which is true of all of the beaches on Skiathos, and the sand is relatively fine, comfortable for walking in bare feet. This beach is busy all year round—a hot tourist spot.
If you are looking for something a bit more exotic, and a definite cultural experience, go to the Bananas. Big Banana is a family and nudist beach (with possible sightings of a big banana), complete with watersports and two snack bars. It is a relatively small beach, only about a quarter of a mile long, but that quarter mile is packed with hundreds of people in their birthday suits. Most of the nudists here are older, in their mid-fifties, and could stand to lose a few pounds. The people whom you would like to be nude will not be; it is a guarantee. The quickest way to get there is by a short bus ride from one side of the island to the other. It is about fifteen minutes, and will cost € 1,80. It is stop 26, the last stop on the line, and as you exit the bus you will see signs directing you up a hill. The walk to the beach is a bit grueling, with very steep slopes to climb. It only takes ten minutes, but it will seem like an eternity. It is entirely worth it, because the beach itself is absolutely pristine. You will be greeted with a small café on your left, with comfortable, plush seating on the right. The beach itself is small, but you can always find a place to sit. The sand is not very fine, but it is softer than most of the rocky beaches for which Greece is known. The water is clean and blue, and very salty, but the perfect setting for enjoying beach life for a day.
Little Banana is a gay nude beach located right next to Big Banana. It is separated by a large rock formation jetting out about fifty feet into the water. You can climb up the rock from the beach and take a look at the fantastic panorama. The view looks like a picture on a postcard; the contrast of the blue sea with the dark blue mountains in the background is absolutely flawless. But if you look to your right, you will not see a single person clothed. People of every age, young and old, relax completely in the buff, and don’t even cause a stir. They almost seem to like it if you stare, and I did, completely unwillingly; it is something you cannot help doing.
If you are ready to go out for a night on the town, consider taking a stroll down Polytechniou Street, otherwise known as “Bar Street.” This is a mile long road packed with tons of bars. The prices range from relatively cheap up to fifteen euro for a cocktail. The best bar I found is a little place called Suga. It is generally not crowded during the early summer, and the prices are reasonable (four euro for a beer, eight for a cocktail). You get as much finger food as you can eat, which is a ploy to get you to drink more since it is all salty, but it is delicious nonetheless. The bartenders are friendly; you do not have to worry about them being anti-American since most of the people they meet speak English. If you stay long enough and buy a couple rounds, you might get a few free shots before the night is through.
If you are more into the club scene, there are plenty of places to choose from. I visited Club Pure, located right along the harbor, just a short walk from the Bourtzi Hotel where we stayed. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with hundreds of people, loud techno music, and multiple bars. The club is two floors of nonstop dancing and flowing drinks. The lights blink in beat with the music, which gives an added effect. Every once and awhile, the music will stop for a couple seconds and the lights will become steady just long enough to look at your surroundings, then will return back to their normal pulsing rhythm. These clubs know how to cater to the needs of those who live to party, and they do it well.
Skiathos is about a one and a half hour trip on a Flying Cat, or about two and one half hours on the giant Hellenic Seaways ferry. The faster boat will cost about twice as much, but it is well worth it since it gets you there at least an hour earlier. Either way, you are in for an exciting adventure when you arrive. Whether your idea of a vacation is relaxing on a quiet beach or partying until the wee hours of the morning, Skiathos is the place for you. It has something for everyone, young and old, yet still maintains its cultural integrity through its people, food, and lifestyle. To see all that this island has to offer it will take more than one visit, but it is well worth the trip a second time to witness the experience that is Skiathos.
Lindsay Z.
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