The Papadiamantis Museum
Devoted to the “Saint of Greek Letters”, this museum is housed in the two-storey mid-19th-century mansion where Alexandros Papadiamantis lived until the end of his life. Through personal artefacts, visitors discover unfamiliar aspects of the great writer’s life and the Skiathos of a previous century.
Strofilia Lagoon
This enchanting lake is located in the heart of Koukounaria Forest and communicates with the sea through a natural channel. It is a protected area of great ecological importance as it is a refuge for migrating birds.
The Bourtzi Peninsula
The fortress constructed by the Venetian Gizi brothers on the pine-covered peninsula in the main port was intended to protect Skiathos from pirates. Today, the Bourtzi is a idealistic place to go for a walk and a popular recreation area with spectacular views of the Aegean.
The Monastery of Our Lady of the Annunciation
This historic 18th-century monastery situated in verdant surroundings was a stronghold of the Greek War of Independence. According to tradition, this is where the first Greek flag was made in 1807. Restoration work has highlighted its exceptional fortress architecture of hewn stone. Valuable relics and religious icons are kept here.
Kastro
The medieval town of Skiathos, built in the 14th century on the top of a rock, was connected to the mainland by a wooden drawbridge. Its remains include parts of the walls, four churches, a mosque, two cisterns, the gate, and a cannon. Make a stop at the small Church of Christ’s Nativity with its superb 17th-century murals, before enjoying the otherworldly beauty of the place and its splendid views of the Aegean.
Skiathos Town
The island’s capital, constructed around the harbour, has cobbled streets full of stone houses with red-tiled roofs, as well as elegant shops and fine restaurants. Here, between the old harbour with its fishing boats and the new port with its fashionable clubs, is where the cosmopolitan heart of Skiathos beats.
The Museum of Musical Instruments of the World
This excellent museum, which occupies part of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Annunciation, contains a rare private collection of 500 or more musical instruments from Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Monastery of the Virgin Mary Eikonistria
One of the most important places of worship on Skiathos, this sacred monastery is notable for its marvellous 17th-century murals and is a work of art in its own right. According to legend, it was built after a hermit found an icon of the Virgin Mary hanging from the branch of a pine tree in the nearby forest.
The Phryctoria in Pyrgi
Set in a dazzling green landscape of oak trees, this imposing circular tower is believed by archaeologists to have been an ancient phryctoria, which sent signals using a system of flames. The location offers unparalleled views of the sea and the horizon.