Framed by electric-green pine trees, two forested headlands and a small salt-water wetland, Koukounaries' silky 1200m-long sweep of bleach-blonde sand is the island's (and one of the country's) most sparklingly beautiful, with beach bars, sunbeds (€8) and water sports creating a buzzy vibe. The beach gets completely packed in summer – but that's half the fun. The whole area is a protected nature reserve.
Shutterstock / Aleksandar Todorovic
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades
27.67 MILES
In a country not particularly noted for ecological foresight, Europe's largest marine park (2260 sq km) is a welcome innovation. Created in 1992, its…
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5.24 MILES
Perched dramatically on the island's rocky northernmost headland, 9km north of Skiathos Town, Kastro was the fortified pirate-proof capital from 1540…
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5.13 MILES
Centred on a triple-domed church, this historic 18th-century monastery was a hilltop refuge for freedom fighters during the War of Independence, and the…
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24.8 MILES
Patitiri's excellent town museum takes in antique nautical maps, traditional island costumes, an impressive collection of pirates’ weapons and boarding…
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27.99 MILES
This inconspicuous and faded mansion in little Anakasia preserves fanciful and colourful murals by Theofilos Hatzimihail (1866–1934). A wandering self…
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4.68 MILES
Bursting with generations' worth of Skiathos heirlooms, this handsome, stone-walled traditional early-20th-century home has been lovingly transformed into…
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17.24 MILES
You could easily lose an entire day picnicking and hidden-cove swimming at spectacular Cape Amarandos. It's just south of Agnontas: take the turn 75m east…
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4.86 MILES
Skiathos was the birthplace of famous 19th-century Greek novelist and short-story writer Alexandros Papadiamantis, who is looked on as the father of…
Nearby Skiathos attractions
0.49 MILES
Just west of Koukounaries across a narrow headland, Big Banana has long been loved for its curving shape, fragrant pines and soft cream-hued sand, but at…
0.52 MILES
Famous for its naturist and LGBT vibe, Little Banana (just north of Big Banana Beach) is blessed with white-gold sands and swaths of pines, but building…
0.59 MILES
Around 800m north of naturist Little Banana Beach, the slender gold-sand west-coast arc of Agia Eleni Beach is a favourite with windsurfers and has a…
0.94 MILES
A beautiful, sheltered turquoise bay, with buttery-white sand and a snack bar, down a steep path off a (drivable) dirt track on Skiathos' northwestern tip…
1.2 MILES
Distant enough to largely escape the summer masses, blonde soft-sand Mandraki, on the northwest coast, lies a 1.5km walk north along a shady path from…
1.97 MILES
From Troulos, a paved road winds 4km north and inland to the serene, uninhabited 17th-century Moni Panagias Kounistras, well worth seeking out for its…
2.05 MILES
This long and lovely (though somewhat exposed) stretch of honey-gold sand curled into the northwest coast is a popular stopping spot for day cruises, but…
2.5 MILES
Pine-fringed, sunset-view Vromolimnos is a slim strip of soft golden sand washed by gentle aquamarine waves and overlooked by a few cafe-tavernas, with…