The island from the air, Skiathos — 5 days on Skiathos dronepicr · CC BY 2.0

5-day itinerary · Bus and boat, no car required

5 days on Skiathos

Five days on Skiathos: the town and orientation, the west end, a round-island boat, a hire car for the north, then your favourite beach a second time. It adds the monasteries, a second day on the water and enough slack to go back to a beach you liked. Bus journeys cost €2 to €3.

5Days

€2–3Per bus journey

0Car days required

Who this is for

The most common length of stay, and the point at which hiring a car for one day starts to pay.

Day 1 — town and orientation

The waterfront, the Bourtzi, the Papadiamantis house. Get your bearings around the two harbours: ferries east of the Bourtzi, boat trips west.

Day 2 — the west end

Bus to the 26 terminus for Koukounaries, then walk over the headland to Banana. Agia Eleni at stop 25 for the sunset side.

Day 3 — round-island boat

Sea caves, Kastro from the water, Lalaria. Book the day before and pick a smaller boat if you want to get inside Skotini.

Day 4 — hire a car for the north

Evangelistria Monastery on a paved road, then Kastro by land — park at Panagia Kardasia and walk the last 30–35 minutes. Panagia Kounistra on the Aselinos road if there is time. This is the day a car earns its money; the bus does not go here.

Day 5 — your beach, again

Go back to whichever one you liked. Everyone does. Eat at the place you walked past on day one.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see Skiathos in 5 days?

Adds the monasteries, a second boat day and enough slack to have a favourite beach twice. The most common length of stay, and the point at which hiring a car for one day starts to pay.

Do you need a car for a 5-day trip to Skiathos?

No. This itinerary is built around the bus, which serves every south-coast beach for €2–3, and the boat trips that leave from the Old Port. A car is only worth hiring for the northern half of the island, and then usually for a single day.

Other lengths