Norsk utgave (Norwegian edition)

Skiathos Town was founded just after the liberation from Turkey in 1829. The town is built around two churches, each of them situated on a natural hill. Today there are 3000 inhabitants in the town. It its also the capital of the Sporades Islands.

Skiathos "by night".

In many ways Skiathos Town is much more modern than many of the towns further south in the Cyclades. For one, here many streets are so broad that cars can use them. But happily there are also narrow and steep alleys and streets completely without cars. In particular, the parts of town facing toward the ferry harbour have these.

Skiathos Town actually has such a rarity as a quite broad main street safe for driving. Here it is always a jolly mixture of people and motor vehicles. Though the police try to limit the use of motorised traffic in the evenings, all the motor bikes and mopeds still driving here are quite annoying. One really has to watch the children. If you are able to ignore the traffic, the main street has a lot to offer. You will find restaurants, bars, tavernas, souvenir shops, super markets and many other small shops nicely mingled.

From the newer part of Skiathos Town.

Down at the harbour there are even more to see. Here the outdoor cafes and restaurants lie along the whole harbour in a line. If possible, you may find it is even more loaded with tourists than the main street, as they are strolling up and down and enjoying their holiday. The best way to enjoy is to sit down and order good food and a drink just to relax and look at all that are passing by. Major parts of the harbour are fortunately free from motorised vehicles. Along one part of the harbour there are rebuilt fishing boats being used to take tourists out to the several beaches and sights around the island. In the morning there is a swarm of people with fierce struggle among the touting crew of each boat.

Fortunately there are still a few fishing boats left, all are not rebuilt as "tourists boats".

Skiathos Town has a very comprehensive offering for those who are after plenty of parties and fun, with a good atmosphere. But the town is also suitable for people who like it more quite. Most of the accommodation facilities are outside the town itself.

Skiathos Town at sunset.

There is no beach in the town itself. Actually there is a small beach just west of the town, but we recommend taking one of the small boats from the harbour to one of the many great beaches around the island. There is practically a boat service to any beach on the island. Another possibility is to take the bus going the main road along the southern part of the island and jump off at one of the many beaches along this route. The buses go all the way to the parking grounds at Koukounaries and Banana Beach. A popular tour is a boat trip all around the island. Then as a rule, both Lalária and Kastró are included.

Here at the 1st floor is the local police station. At the ground floor are Saga and Gulliver's service offices (1995).

The clock tower of the largest church in the town, right opposite the fishing harbour.

Back to Skiathos	Further on to Lalaria
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Thanks to Toralf Sandåker, Asker, Norway for his translation into English!
© Jan Bergtun, 2. October 1999	Updated, 02.07.2007
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