Skiathos

Lore & Background

In ancient times, Skiathos played a minor role during the Persian Wars. The island later became part of the Delian League, and its original city was destroyed by Philip V of Macedon in 200 BC. In the mid-14th century, inhabitants moved the capital to Kastro, a high rock on the northern coast, due to pirate threats. The island is the westernmost of the Northern Sporades, lying east of the Pelion peninsula and west of Skopelos. Its terrain runs on a north-to-southwest axis, with a rugged north coast featuring the highest peak on Mount Karafiltzanaka, while the southeast and southwest have gentler slopes where most settlements lie. The coastline is heavily indented with inlets, capes, and peninsulas, and the island is wooded largely with Aleppo pine, with a small stone pine forest at Koukounaries, which also hosts a lagoon and a popular beach. Despite its small size, Skiathos has over 60 mostly sandy beaches scattered around its coastline, including Achladies, Troulos, Vromolimnos, and Koukounaries. The main town, also called Skiathos, sits in the eastern part, and other settlements include Kalyvia, Troullos, and Koukounaries. The municipality includes several small islets off the southeast coast, such as Tsougria and Arkos. The island’s history also features the Evangelistria Monastery, built in 1704 by monks from Athos, which served as a hide-out during the Greek War of Independence and where the first Greek flag was created and hoisted in 1807.

Reader's Guide

Skiathos, the westernmost island of the Northern Sporades, has a rugged north coast with its highest point on Mount Karafiltzanaka, while the gentler southeastern and southwestern slopes host most settlements and facilities. The main town, also called Skiathos, lies in the east, with other villages including Kalyvia, Troullos, and Koukounaries. The municipality includes several small islets such as Tsougria and Arkos. Much of the island is wooded with Aleppo pine, and a small stone pine forest exists at Koukounaries, which also features a lagoon and a popular beach. Historically, the island played a minor role in the Persian Wars; in 480 BC, the Persian fleet was damaged on its rocks, and the Greek fleet later blockaded the area. The original city was destroyed by Philip V of Macedon in 200 BC. In 1207, the Ghisi brothers built the Bourtzi fortress on an islet, but by the mid-14th century, inhabitants moved the capital to Kastro, a rocky northern site, due to piracy. The island returned to Byzantine control in the 1270s, passed to Venice after 1453, and was conquered by the Ottoman admiral Barbarossa in 1538. In 1704, monks built the Evangelistria Monastery, where the first Greek flag was created and hoisted in 1807. After independence, the capital returned to its original site. During the 19th century, Skiathos became a key shipbuilding centre, exploiting its pine forests until steamboats ended the industry; a small shipwright still builds traditional caiques. Today, the island is a popular tourist destination with over 60 sandy beaches, a main paved road along the southeast, and regular bus transit to beaches. Skiathos International Airport, located near a lagoon, serves Olympic Air flights from Athens and Thessaloniki and charter flights from several European countries, and is noted for plane spotting due to its spectacular take-offs and landings.

Did You Know?

• Skiathos has over 60 sandy beaches along its 44 km coastline.
• The island's airport is a destination for plane spotters due to spectacular take-offs and landings.