Skopelos / Skiathos / Alonnissos

[longshot]

I have booked 10 days in June, flying into Skiathos. Where should we 'base ourselves' in terms of locations to look for accommodation? Family of 4, DCs are 11 and 8. We like snorkelling, eating, beach going and day trips / walks. Last year we did Paxos and loved it and we tended to walk early evenings / mornings and then spend time on the beach during the day when it was hot. We had a car and travelled all over the island. The kids aren't up for massive hikes but a couple of hours walking is fine. We'd like to see two islands I guess and Skopelos is a definite but we could skip Skiathos other than the transfer unless it's really nice?

Has anyone been and if so what would you recommend?

I loved Skiathos. We stayed in agia paraskevi. Some decent restaurants, nice beach with clear water so snorkelling is probably good.
There is a bus that goes around the island which we used. Sometimes the bus was busy and the taxi drivers then followed it around to pick up people who couldn’t get on. If there were four it was comparable to the bus fare.
Almost everyone that we spoke to there had been before.
we did a boat trip to skopelos but I don’t actually remember too much about it.
Skiathos town is well worth a visit. Good restaurants there too. And in the oppostite direction from Skiathos town there are some good walks.

Skopelos is a very steep (lots of steps) and much quieter Island, so I think a day trip on the ferry from Skiathos would be good, or the Mamma Mia boat trip. Skiathos has pretty much everything you need.

DH and I loved Alonissos, this was 12+ years ago mind you. Beautiful clear water, pebbly beaches. We stayed in the Chora which was charming. Not much in the way of “sights” just a lovely unspoiled Greek island.

With kids I think I’d do Skiathos and Skopelos even though I love Alonissos. More to do and easier transport wise.

How are you taking school kids away in June…? Bear in mind the sea may still be on the chilly side then (less so if it’s late June).

I went to Skiathos a few years back we stayed in a place called Kolios it had a small beach not much going on in the way of night life we used the bus service that was really good going into Skiathos town in the evening nice town to explore
The other end of the island was nice too had a very large beach and some bigger hotels cannot remember the name of it
Out of the 2 islands I loved Alonissos really beautiful island it was like going back in time it was so quiet not much to do but the beach and just a restaurant at night the sea around that island is amazing it so clear you see lots of colourful fish from just the harbour and boats I remember you could hire a small boat out but we never got round to it as was only there 2 nights I'm not sure Alonissos is a place to take children I'd say it's more of a couples place we said at the time we would go back but not got round to it yet.

I loved Skiathos. We stayed in agia paraskevi. Some decent restaurants, nice beach with clear water so snorkelling is probably good.

I'd second this. I've been to Skiathos around half a dozen times. AP is lovely and the town is only a 15 minute bus ride away, where there is plenty going on. The beaches are fabulous and you can get boat trips to Skopelos and Alonissos.

I think Alonissos would be too quiet for the kids, it's gorgeous but more suitable for a relaxing adult holiday. I've only visited Skopelos for the afternoon so can't advise about there.

We are going again this year, last having been pre kids. Last time we stayed in Skiathos, and took day trip to Skopelos and stayed the night on Alonissos. Will probably do the same again this year. Travelling with older teens so staying in Skiathos Town this time. Plan on roaming round the beaches, trying out lots of watersports and visiting the winery a few times - the latter whilst the teens laze in bed!

Thank you. Some great tips. We get a two week half term hence we can go at this time, it’s early June so yes the sea may be chilly! Although we did Corfu and Paxos last year at the same time and it was nice.

i think I’m going with 5 nights skiathos, 5 nights skopelos (in a hotel with pool and kids club there) and then a day trip to Alonissos. I love the look of Alonissos but for the kids it might be too slow for a longer stay…. Also this seems to work well with the ferry timetable.

Remember to factor in getting back to Skiathos for the airport, ferry takes around an hour between Skopelos and Skiathos.

Thanks, yes our flight home is 9pm so should be safe to travel on the day back to skiathos.

OP, how did your trip go? We have booked 10 nights in Skopelos and 4 nights in Skiathos for next year (with our quiet 13 year old) and I'm very excited! What hotels did you stay in?

@MiniCooperLover it was fabulous! In the end we did 1 night in skiathos, 5 on Alonissos and 5 on skopelos. Loved it all. Particularly Alonissos which is quiet and unspoilt and just beautiful but it was all gorgeous.

In skopelos we stayed in the adrina hotel - pretty fancy but there’s a 5 section and a cheaper 4 part (the older building) and if I went again I would ho to the 4 star part as it was lovely but full up. 5 star was obviously great but actually had less atmosphere etc and was pricey.

There was not a lot to do with kids but I do think skiathos is much livelier. Skopelos town was lovely. Do a trip to alonissos if you can do even if just for a day. We just did beaches and some walks and boat trips etc.

If you have 14 nights I would definitely go to Alinissos as well I think. If you like Greece you will love it. More old fashioned and the people were just lovely. We stayed in a little house there which I would recommend if you want the details I can dig them out. You have to have a car on both islands (probably not on skiathos)

Hi. Does anyone know if you can get a ferry from Skiathos to Alonissos in the afternoon? I can only see morning schedules and our flight doesn't land until 12pm? Thank you

Hi there, I believe you can but the full ferry lists don't come out until about March and even then I think they add to it regularly. I'm waiting on the lists coming out so I can book ours and we land a similar time of day.

Thanks @MiniCooperLover How long are you staying on each of the islands and any recommendations on where to stay?

@longshot As you have been, do you have any ideas regarding ferries? Thanks

We are doing 2 weeks in July, Skopelos for 10 nights and 4 nights in Skiathos. What are you thinking?

We stayed in the Adrina (4 star but) a couple of years ago, lovely and relaxing, although a bit boring for our 13 year old.

@Dooher19 i remember there weren’t any afternoon ferries. We had the same issue and so spent a night in skiathos and sailed the next day. You can do a private boat though. We did that from skopelos back to skiathos and it was €115. Obviously that’s closer though.

Similar but wondering whether to go to Alonnisos or not for a few nights. Also looks lovely! Are you staying in one place in Skopelos or a few?

Hi @longshot would love details of where you stayed in Alonissos please. If we don't make it there then I'm thinking a few day trips.

@MiniCooperLover just wondering what your thoughts were on Skiathos. We have booked for 4 nights at the end but wasn't sure if this was too long, although have found a lovely little place near Skiathos Town. Availability of the places we like aren't quite working unfortunately. May have to just do day trips to Alonissos or do you think it's definitely worth making the effort to stay there a few nights. I think I need 3 weeks!

We are doing 10/4 because I didn't want to be rushed/worried about the ferry back for our flight. I have a friend who loves Skiathos and says we'll love having 4 days there so I'm happy to do the transfer and then still have a few days to relax. We've found a place just outside Skiathos Town called The Irida Aegean View which is quite basic in terms that it does B&B but no snacks, etc. But I think for four days that's OK.

We stayed at Lithea beach apartments. It was lovely. Simple but super friendly lovely family run place. There were lots of lovely places to stay but I would avoid the bigger hotels there as saw mixed reviews unless maybe if you are going super luxe. Alonissos town was gorgeous (would have liked to stay there) as was a tiny harbour called Steni Vala which we were close to. If you just do a day trip i think you could only get to the town because you can only get around by car.

When weighing up whether to go...

Skiathos is bustling and busy but nice (didn't stay long though)
Alonissos is sleepy and quiet and proper Greece but also had lots of lovely cafes and restaurants. No nightlife etc. Cats sleeping in the middle of the road sort of territory. You can find secluded beaches.
Skopelos - in between. The town is busier and has more life, lots more hotels and tourists but not at all tacky.

My favourite was Alonissos but it wasn't for anyone who likes more 'life'! We went in June and there was nothing happening for kids much but I think by July there would be on all islands (less on Alonissos obvs). I hear they have water inflatables on the sea / fair rides etc etc. My kids loved it all (11 and 8) but they have grown up going on Greek beach holidays, they love cats and happy reading and swimming. More than 4-5 days though they would get bored on Alonissos. The town is nice and has some lovely gift shops if they like that sort of thing and a live music night.