Skiathos Holidays

Rooms

Expect to be welcomed by airy interiors that don’t use good value as an excuse for bad style. Bedrooms offer laid-back simplicity, making the most of sea breezes and natural light with gauzy drapes, whitewashed walls, stone floors and white linen. Adornments are minimal: brightly coloured cushions, silver lanterns, the odd driftwood wall-hanging or bowl of shiny seashells. The small, tiled shower bathrooms are similarly fuss-free with white towels stacked next to seashell soap dishes.

The same style principles apply wherever you sleep, but waking up to the dappled morning sun on our villa’s spacious terrace hit the spot for us. Some villas have 2 double/twin bedrooms, others 3, but all have 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite) and living and dining areas. They also have sea views, though not from the bedrooms, which are on the lower level.

You’ll find a mixture of garden and sea views in the open-plan Junior Suites, all of which have sofas and kitchenettes. These are a good size for a couple, but the extra space you get in a Suite (note: these have garden views) or Deluxe Suite (separate bedroom and living area) is worth the small increase in price. There's also a Two-Bedroom Suite, complete with 2 bathrooms.

All options have private outdoor space (a balcony, terrace or veranda), plus air-conditioning, safe boxes and hairdryers. Maid service is daily in the suites and twice-weekly in the villas.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

All accommodation is self-catering and nearby supermarket Hermes (300m away) will deliver groceries direct to your door (pre-arrival deliveries can also be scheduled). The complimentary bottles of wine and water on arrival are a nice touch, but you’ll need to bring or buy everything else, including basics like olive oil and salt. If requested in advance, an impressive breakfast spread of fruit, eggs, ham, cheese, bread and juice can be served on the lawn (small charge).

In the villas, Deluxe Suites and 2-Bedroom Suites you’ll find everything you need to knock up a decent meal, including a fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, oven, coffee machine and kettle. Think clean and functional rather than high-end and you won’t be disappointed. There’s plenty of dining space, both indoors and out. Facilities in the Junior Suites and Suites are more basic (kettle, fridge, 2-ring electric hob) and best suited to those who plan to eat out for most meals.

There are two good tavernas within 5-minutes' walking distance: popular Porto Paradiso at the end of Vromolimnos beach (one of our favourite spots for sundown cocktails) and locally renowned Taverna Stathis. A little further towards Skiathos Town, you'll find Taverna Sklithri, a charming beachfront fresh fish restaurant with gingham tableclothes and twinkly lanterns. For more options, take the bus or a taxi into town for waterfront eateries and upmarket delis (6km).

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Fridge
• Hob or stove
• Kids' meals
• Microwave
• Restaurants nearby
• Shopping service

Activities

• Roll out of bed and wander down to Vromolimnos beach. There are loungers and palapa parasols, plus a small and friendly watersports centre offering waterskiing and wakeboarding
  
• Explore other beaches on the peninsula (we like secluded Koutsouri and family-friendly Kanapitsa), or head further afield to check out windswept Mandraki, tucked-away Micro Asselinos, low-key Kechria or über-chic Ampelakia
  
• Take in the sea views on a walk around the peninsula (take a right onto the road at the top of the hill; it takes just under an hour)
  
• Take a bus or drive into Skiathos Town for a spot of shopping, a stroll along the waterfront, ouzerias, cocktails and clubbing
  
• Cross the bridge from town to the little islet of Bourtzi, home to a ruined fortress and scented pine groves
  
• Head into the hills for some tranquility at the beautiful Evangelistria Monastery & Museum, with its courtyard full of geraniums, lemon trees and tweeting lovebirds
  
• Visit the tiny, uninhabited islands of Tsougria and Arkos, just a couple of miles off the south coast - a perfect day escape. Boats offer trips to Tsougria from Skiathos Harbour, but to see the smaller Arkos we recommend chartering a sailing boat or hiring your own motorboat for the day (Christos can advise)
  
• Skiathos is known for its well-marked forest hiking trails; tours can be arranged, or you can make your own way using Ortwin Widmann’s well-regarded guide, Skiathos: Hiking in the Aegean Paradise

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Wakeboarding
• Waterskiing

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome here and there are accommodation options to suit all sizes of family. Baby cots, sofabeds, highchairs and bed guards can be provided at no extra cost.

There are no specific activities aimed at kids, but they’ll be fussed over by staff as they tear around the grounds. And you’ll appreciate the short distance from beach to room when they refuse to take another step without the vital stuffed rabbit they left in the bathroom.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Suites and Deluxe Suites are great for families as you can squeeze 2 children onto bench-style sofabeds at no additional cost. Junior Suite are large enough to accommodate a baby cot and have a sofabed suitable for 1 child. The villas and 2-Bedroom Suite have plenty of space, with 2 or 3 bedrooms that can be set up as doubles or twins, plus space for a baby cot. Note all bathrooms have showers only (no tubs).

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 8km (Skiathos)
• Hospital: 6km (Skiathos Town)
• Shop: 300m

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Skiathos is part of the Northern Sporades group of islands in the northwest Aegean. Skiathos Holidays is located by Vromolimnos beach on the Kalamaki Peninsula, 6km from Skiathos Town and port, and 8km from the airport.

By Air
Skiathos Airport (8km away) is served by year-round flights from Athens, and direct flights from the UK and elsewhere throughout high season - click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
Most guests hire a car (see below), but taxis are readily available if you don’t want to drive.

By Sea
Ferries and hydrofoils (summer only) arrive daily from Agios Constaninos and Volos. If combining a Skiathos trip with an Athens city break and don’t want to fly between the two, we recommend travelling via Agios Constantinos as the bus trip to the port is much shorter.

By Car
All the essentials are nearby and there’s a regular bus along the south coast, so a car isn’t necessary. However, you’ll get much more out of your holiday if you hire one for a few days so you can check out the beaches on the north side and head up into the hills. See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.

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