With some 65 beaches to choose from, beach-hopping on Skiathos can become a full-time occupation. Buses ply the south coast, stopping at 26 numbered beach access points. Megali Amos is only 2km from town, but fills up quickly. The first long stretch of sand worth getting off the bus for is the pine-fringed Vromolimnos Beach . Further along, Kolios Beach and Troulos Beach are also good but both, alas, very popular. The bus continues to Koukounaries Beach , backed by pine trees and touted as the best beach in Greece. But nowadays its crowded summer scene is best viewed at a distance, from where the 1200m long sweep of pale gold sand does indeed sparkle.
Big Banana Beach , known for its curving shape and soft white sand, lies at the other side of a narrow headland. Skinny-dippers tend to abscond to laid-back Little Banana Beach (also popular with gay and lesbian sunbathers) around the rocky corner.
West of Koukounaries, Agia Eleni Beach is a favourite with windsurfers. Sandy Mandraki Beach , a 1.5km walk along a pine-shaded path, is just far enough to keep it clear of the masses. The northwest coast's beaches are less crowded but are subject to the strong summer meltemi (northeasterly winds). From here a right fork continues 2km to Mikros Aselinos Beach and 5km further on to secluded Kehria Beach .
Lalaria Beach is a tranquil strand of pale grey, egg-shaped pebbles on the northern coast, but can only be reached by excursion boat from Skiathos Town.
