Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sound of caged songbirds, there's a shop selling local wine and preserves, and an eclectic
museum
comprising ecclesiastical and rural-folklore galleries plus a vast collection of
documents, posters and photos from the independence struggle and Balkan wars.
Below the monastery, another signed
path
leads north, past restored
Ayíou Haralámbou
monastery, full of cats and chickens kept by the caretaker, and on past
Panayía Dombón
chapel and then to
Panayía Kardhási
on the way to Kástro (see below).
Kástro
Daily sunrise-sunset • Free
Kástro
, occupying a windswept headland at the northernmost tip of Skiáthos, was the
island's main population centre throughout the Middle Ages. The fortified settlement,
established for security from pirate raids, thrived under Byzantine, Venetian and
Turkish control until its abandonment around 1830, when the new Greek state
stamped hard on piracy and the population left to build the modern capital. Most of
the buildings were dismantled and the materials reused elsewhere, so all that's left now
are the remains of the defences, half a dozen churches (there were once 20) and a
mosque. You enter the rocky outcrop across a narrow, stone ridge - a superb natural
defence once enhanced by walls and a drawbridge; inside, the remains are beautifully
maintained and well signed, with tables where you can picnic and fresh spring water.
If you come by boat you're unlikely to escape the crowds; driving or walking involves
an exceptionally steep, narrow cobbled track, but does give the chance to arrive early or
late, and perhaps get the place to yourself.
ACCOMMODATION SKIÁTHOS
Much of the accommodation on Skiáthos, especially villas and places out of town with pools, is block-booked by package
companies. You may find it easier to check the island's website (see p.673) or go through a local agent such as Dolphin of
Skiathos (
T
24270 29910,
W
dolphin-skiathos.gr). There are also two local room-owners' association kiosks on the
quayside (
T
24270 22990 or 21488), operating long hours in high season. Everywhere is heavily booked in August; at
other times, rates dip by as much as half.
10
a/c, fridg
e a
nd TV, with balconies overlooking the
courtyard.
€70
Thymi's Home
T
24270 22817,
W
thymishome.gr.
Modern studio complex in the heart of town (signed of
Papadhiamándi) with classy modern decor and every
facility including wi-fi, flat-screen TVs, quiet a/c, internal
balcony and tiny kit
chen
ette. Some rooms are pretty small,
and the pool is tiny.
€80
SKIÁTHOS TOWN
Bourtzi
Moraïtou 8
T
24270 21304,
W
hotelbourtzi.gr.
Boutique hotel just off Papadhiamándi with designer decor
and a courtyard pool; rooms boast marble floors, flat-
screen TVs and all mod-cons. Impress
ive, t
hough the
atmosphere is more business than island.
€170
Meltemi
New harbour
T
24270 22493,
W
meltemi
skiathos.com.
The waterfront position is unbeatable, and
rooms at the front have great sea views. Simple, island-
style rooms are a bit dated, but scrupulously clean and with
an exceptionally friendly welcome. Wi-fi and a/c in
clude
d,
and breakfast is available in the snack-bar out front.
€90
Pension Nikolas
Evangelistrías
T
24270 23062,
W
nikolaspension.gr.
Very central place, off
Papadhiamándi close to the port, in two buildings facing
each other across an internal courtyard, tucked away from
the street so reasonably quiet. The simple rooms all have
KOUKOUNARIÉS
Mandraki Village
T
24270 49301,
W
mandraki
-skiathos.gr.
Delightful garden complex near the lake, at
bus stop 23, with tasteful, modern pastel-coloured rooms,
family quads and junior suites (worth the small price
difer
ence)
, all very well equipped, spacious grounds and
pool.
€140
EATING AND DRINKING
By Greek standards - just about any standards in fact - eating in Skiáthos is expensive. The best places also get very busy
so, unusually, booking is often advisable.
restaurant in the old-town backstreets; signposted from
Platía Trión Ierarhón but still hard to find, in an alley behind
SKIÁTHOS TOWN
Ì
Alexandhros
T
24270 22431.
Traditional Greek
