Skiathos is a small island in the Sporades, Greece. It has stunning beaches on both its north and south coasts. A frequent bus service connects the east and west sides of the south coast, which is extensively developed, however there is no public transport to the beautiful beaches on the north coast. This prompted us to ask the question: how do we get to the north coast without hiring an ATV? The answer is, like usual, to hike there.
The view over Mandraki Elias Beach
You wouldn’t expect it on a Greek island, but Skiathos actually has a good network of walking trails that are marked on Google Maps. If you don’t have a Greek SIM card, you can always download an offline map on the Google Maps app using wifi before you set off. We were staying in the town of Troulos and we were able to start our hike to the north coast from nearby. Actually, it was right here. If you’re staying closer to Koukounaries just use Google Maps to find the trail closest to you.
Sign on the main road near Troulos telling you to take the path inland
The trail is easy, with a few ascents and descents, and is well maintained. It takes you through a pine forest that has stunning views over the multiple bays of the island. It also takes you past a farm with goats. The hike should take about 45 minutes and there are no shops to buy snacks or water along the way.
A goat at the top of the mountain
As for the beaches at the end of the hike, our favourite was Mandraki Elias, which is the centre of the three beaches. Given that the beaches are more secluded than those on the south of the island, prices for food and beverages are higher and the options are limited. The cheapest beer was about 3 EUR and the cheapest snack was 3.50 EUR for a small sandwich.
No matter where you go you’ll have a great time in Skiathos!
