Skiathos

Skiathos is an idyllic island in the western part   of the Aegean sea and  belongs to Sporades islands complex. It is connected with Athens and Thessaloniki on a daily basis and during the summer time there are charter flights directly from United Kingdom. Skiathos is also linked to mainland of Greece with scheduled sea routes via Agios Konstantinos, Volos and Thessaloniki and the rest of Sporades islands with a hydrofoil .
 
The island went under several occupations through out its history such as French,Venetians and Turkish. Skiathos island also  suffered from pirates as the island became their  hideout for a long time. In 1538, was ransacked by Barbarossa and the island’s population suffered a lot. During the Greek War of independence the island was place of refuge for the warriors. Skiatho’s ships played an important role for Greece’s liberation and finally the island became independent in 1823.
Skiathos island has been an inspiration for many poets and artists and has been the   birthplace of Alexandros Papadiamantis a  well known novel writer.
Skiathos during 19th century was an important shipbuilding in the Aegean sea as in the island there were plenty f pine forests. Still a small shipyard still exists in Skiathos, where they built traditional  Greek caiques.

The island became more famous when the film Mama Mia was partially filmed in Skiathos and the nearby island Skopelos

Skiathos sightseeing – While in Skiathos is worth visiting- Kastro(the castle), which as built to protect the old town from pirates invasions, Bourzi, a small peninsula, where ruins from the old castle are still around.. Bourtzi is a Venetian castle, which was built from the Venetian family Ghizi. Papadiamantis; House the novel  writer, which has been transformed into a museum.
Important  churches and monasteries worth visiting for their architecture and hidden cultural treasures are: Evagelismos Monastery. Panagia Kounistra (Aselinos area). St. Charalambous monastery,

Beaches to visit and enjoy  sandy beaches, blue clear waters are: Koukounaries- it is considered the best beach in all Aegean sea -  has a fine sand and lukewarm swallow waters. The beach is almost a   kilometer long.

Most of Skiathos beaches are crowded during the summer months and if you are a lover of crowded beaches Kokounaries, Banana, Vromolimnos for water skiing, Platanias and Megali Ammos are the right places for you.
If you love peace, then try Xerxes, Elias and Agistri beaches,which are located in the north western part of Skiathos.
Other beaches are Troulos Beach, Agia Eleni, Kryfi Ammoudia, Mikro Asselinos.Kechria, Lalaria.
The island has more than 60 beautiful sandy, green beaches with the pine trees cuddling  the water.

Skiathos is an excellent choice for a small, relaxing wedding either in a traditional town hall or in the small peninsula or Bourtzi with unspeakable views to the port of Skiathos