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Alexandros Papadiamantis Museum: The house where the great Greek writer was born, lived and died, operates as Museum since 1994, on the central street of the town, that is named after him. The layout of the house remains the same as the original and includes many of Papadiamantis' furniture and personal items, such as his desk, bed, many unpublished manuscripts and pictures of the writer. 
Papadiamantis Street, tel: +30 24270 22240, 

Bourtzi: The verdant peninsula splitting the port in two, where you will see the ruins of the Venetian Castle of Agios Georgios, built in 1207. The old primary school, a donation by Andreas Syggros, today houses the Cultural Centre of the Municipality. After your walk, stop at the café, to enjoy the view to the Aegean Sea.

Churches: While wandering in the picturesque alleys of Chora, you will see many small churches, giving a special touch to the island. Among them, the Treis Ierarches Cathedral, with the miraculous icon of Panagia Ikonistra, Panagia i Limnia - an 1838 building - where the skull of Alexandros Papadiamandis is kept, and higher up, Agios Nikolaos, with its famous clock, stand out.

Kastro: A favourite location for Papadiamantis' short stories and up to 1830 capital of Skiathos, Kastro (the Castle) is literally perched on the rock, on the north end of the island. The now desolate Castle town dates back in the 14th century, when there used to be more than 300 houses and 30 churches enclosed in its walls. Today, only three are still standing: the church of Christ, of Agios Nikolaos and of Agia Marina. You will access the Castle, after a fascinating hiking trail, 700 metres, while from the top you can enjoy an amazing view to the Aegean Sea.

Beaches: More than 60 beaches are gathered on this small island of North Sporades, and they are all fantastic. Most of them, you can access by road, but there are some that require sea access, such as famous Lalaria beach. On your trip from Chora to the famous and most photographed beach of Koukounaries, where the forest almost touches the water, you will see at least eight more, amazing beaches, some of which are organised and ideal for sea sports, such as Tzaneria, Agia Paraskevi, Vromolimnos etc. To the west, from Banana and Agia Eleni, you can enjoy the most enchanting sunset on the island. The north side of the island has some more secluded beaches: Kastro, Xanemos, Mandraki or Xerxes' port, as it is said that it is where Xerxis started his campaign to Artemisium from, Elia, Kechria, Limenaria, Megalos Gialos, Mikros and Megalos Aselinos (Agistros). 

Lalaria: One of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, often featuring in advertising campaigns of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) across the world. The steep, white rocks plummeting to the sea, the rare geological phenomena, such as the “Stone with Hole”, the vast rectangular rock forming a natural bridge over the water and beach with the white wide pebbles, compose a wild scenery that does not remind anything of the verdant, calm setting of the island. It can be accessed only by boat, when the weather is good.

Trips to Sporades: While at Skiathos, you can organise day trips to the nearby islands of Sporades. Picturesque Skopelos has the easiest access, but Alonisos, less cosmopolitan, is also worth a visit. There, you can visit the National Marine Park, which is the natural habitat of the endangered species of Monachus Monachus Mediterranean seals. The local tourist agencies, in the port of Skiathos, organise many trips.

Papadiamantis Street is where most tourist shops of the island are located. Here you will find all sorts of souvenirs, as well as hand crafted jewellery, clothes and accessories that are ideal for your summer looks. If you opt for something with a more distinct local flavour, you will find “Alypiakos Oinos” (wine) and good tsipouro, prepared by the monks at the Evangelistria Monastery. Almond lovers will have to keep an eye for the famous “aspro” (white) dessert and various marzipan varieties in the local product shops. Buy delicious hamali, honey pies with walnuts and home-made liqueurs from the Municipal Women Cooperative.

Although the local cuisine is not so broadened so that Skiathos be famous for some special dish, you will find many restaurants and tavernas for all tastes and budgets. The menu includes ethnic cuisines and traditional Greek flavours, focusing on fresh fish, seafood and local meat. Pies from Skiathos, fish stew, octopus with split peas mousse, crayfish with cabbage, are only some of the dishes you can enjoy in Skiathos. Most tavernas are located around the port, but quite a few good restaurants can also be found on the hill opposite Bourtzi, with the bonus of a fantastic view. 

The night-life is vibrant on the island, with many cosmopolitan or alternative hotspots crowding the so-called “bar street”, the coastal Polytechneiou Street, on the east side of the town, in the new port.

There are many local holidays and fairs that give a special note to the island throughout the year.

• “Dream on the wave”: named after the short story of Alexandros Papadiamantis, these are the summer events held in Skiathos in July and August.
• Violin Days: a set of interesting musical events held in September, in commemoration of the sinking of the submarine “Katsonis” during WWII. 
• Fairs: In the summer, the fair at Profitis Ilias chapel stands out, as it attracts locals and tourists alike to a traditional feast till dawn. If you visit the island on 21 November, walk up to the Monastery of Panagia Ikonistra (Kounistra), where the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is majestically celebrated. The horse races organised in the area of Limni, on the day celebrating Saint George, is also a special custom of Skiathos. Easter is very interesting in Skiathos, where the Epitaph litany of Good Friday is held at 01.00 in the morning of Saturday, following the rituals of Mount Athos.
• Summer Events: In the summer the open air theatre in Bourtzi is the venue for performances and concerts of Greek and foreign artists.

Getting to and from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands on “Alexandros Papadiamantis” airport, located 4km from the town of Skiathos. Although small, the airport connects Skiathos with direct flights to many cities of Europe. Airport facilities include a duty free shop, a café and a car rental agency. To move from the airport, you may choose the bus service Skiathos - Xanemos or a taxi.