Cheap island holiday Skiathos

When is the best time to go?

May, June and September are ideal: pleasantly warm, swimmable seas and quieter than July and August, when the island is hot and busy. In high season the famous beaches get crowded, so go early or head to the northern side. Out of season (roughly November to March) tourism is largely dormant and many tavernas and hotels close.

The best areas on Skiathos

• Skiathos Town The only town, between two harbours, with the Bourtzi islet, narrow alleys and the house of the writer Papadiamantis.
• The south coast Megali Ammos, Achladies, Tzaneria and Vromolimnos: most of the hotels, close to town, with the bus running along the shore.
• Koukounaries The green south-western tip with the famous pine-forest beach and the Strofilia marsh behind it.
• The north coast The wild side with Lalaria, Aselinos and the abandoned medieval Kastro, partly reachable only by boat.
• The interior Pine forests and olive groves around the Evangelistria monastery.

Top 5 things to do

• Koukounaries (Golden Beach) Golden sand with a pine forest running down to the sea; bus 2 goes there directly from town and the beach itself is free.
• Lalaria & the sea caves A white-pebble beach beneath tall cliffs, reachable only by boat, often combined with the Skotini and Galazia caves.
• Skiathos Town & Bourtzi Wander the alleys and walk up the 13th-century Bourtzi fort between the two harbours, free with views over the bay.
• Evangelistria monastery A monastery you can visit free in the green interior, where the first Greek flag was raised in 1807.
• Plane-spotting by the runway Skiathos is called the St Maarten of Greece; at Xanemo the aircraft skim right over the road.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

New for summer 2026: Transavia flies direct from Amsterdam to Skiathos (JSI) in about 3 hours, from €89 one way (starting 11 May 2026, on Mondays); TUI fly also operates the route. There is no direct flight from Eindhoven; fly via Amsterdam instead. The airport is about 2 km from Skiathos Town.

The island is small and bus 2 runs all day along the south coast to Koukounaries (around €2). To also see the north coast and the hidden coves, a rental car or scooter via DiscoverCars or a day on a boat is ideal. Skiathos uses the euro, so there is no currency to convert.

What does a week in Skiathos cost?

Studios and guesthouses from €35, mid-range hotels €70 to 120, apartments around €90 per night. Food is affordable: a gyros around €4, a taverna dinner with wine €15 to 22. For 8 days budget from €520 per person including a direct flight from Amsterdam.