Skiathos holidays

Things to do

Explore the ruins and enjoy the spectacular coastal views at Kastro, a ruined medieval town in the north of the island, fortified to keep swashbuckling pirates at bay. Visit Moni Evangelistrias, an 18th century monastery with a delightful setting, poised above a gorge. Take a boat trip to the neighbouring islands of Skopelos and Alonnisos. See a show in the summer theatre at Bourtzi, which divides the port in two and offers breathtaking views of the sea and tiered houses.

Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Greek Night
For a real flavour of Greece, this fun-filled night out is a must. With traditional food, music, dancing and ouzo on the menu, you'll experience Greece in all its glory and have an evening to remember.

Kastro
With its exciting history filled with tales of swashbuckling pirates, the ruined medieval town of Kastro is a fantastic place to visit. Fortified to keep buccaneers at bay, you'll explore the ruins and taste the past on this trip to the north of Skiathos.

Highlights

• Exploring Skiathos Town's quaint harbour and cobbled streets, stopping off in the little gift shops, bars and restaurants
• Seeing a show in the open-air summer theatre on Bourtzi, the peninsula which divides Skiathos Town's port in two and gives amazing views of the sea and tiered houses
• Treading in the footsteps of Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, who filmed scenes from the recent ABBA-themed movie, Mamma Mia!, on Skiathos's harbour
• Taking a boat trip to the beach below Kastro, from where it's a short climb to this ruined medieval town, once fortified to keep pirates away
• Visiting the monastery of Evangelistria, in beautiful scenery just north of Skiathos Town, where fighters of the revolution against the Turks once hid and made the first independent Greek flag
• Sailing to Skiathos's neighbouring island, Skopelos and to nearby Alonissos for a further taste of Greek island life
• Lounging on the gorgeous golden sands of Koukounaries, which is backed by a forest of fragrant pine trees and a protected lagoon

Food and drink

You'll find the biggest choice of international restaurants in Skiathos Town, with the best seats in the house overlooking the harbour, where you can choose a fish and watch it being cooked for you.

There are also some excellent tavernas scattered throughout the main resorts, especially in Koukounaries.

Try tasty Greek dishes like snapper baked with garlic and tomatoes; cheese pie from Skiathos's neighbouring island, Skopelos, and sweet pastries like baklava, made with nuts and honey.

In many restaurants, you'll even be given a complimentary liqueur with your bill: it's a lucky dip but you might get pungent Ouzo or, for the more discerning drinker, a 7-star Metaxa brandy.

Evening Flavour

Wherever you stay, make sure you head to Skiathos Town for a night out: large cobbled steps stretch up from the old harbour, lined with chill-out bars, where you can lounge on beanbags around candlelit tables.

If you prefer something more lively, along Papadiamanti and Polytechniou streets, there's a fabulous choice of music bars and clubs.

For a really relaxed experience, watch beautiful sunsets from the hammocks and beanbags of trendy bars along Banana Beach, near Koukounaries.

Shopping

For those who like their shops to sell more than just sunglasses and suncream, head to Skiathos Town, where there's a choice of craft and gift shops, boutiques and galleries. Take home ceramics and glassware, beautiful pieces of jewellery and designer leather bags, shoes and belts.

With olive oil, local wines and the Greek brandy, Metaxa, on the shelves, you can find something for everyone, whatever their taste.

Local weather

Information

Language: Greek. Currency: Euro. Greek Tourist Office: 4 Conuit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel: 020 7734 5997. Fax: 020 7287 1369. www.gnto.co.uk

Travel money

Euro

You can get foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.