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Tourist information - Skiathos
The island of Skiathos lies 41 nautical miles from Volos and 44 from Agios Konstantinos. It has an area of 48 sq. km., a coastline of 44 km and a population of 4,200. You go to Skiathos by plane from Athens. You can also go by ferry boat or the fast hydrofoils from Agios Konstantinos, Volos, Alonissos and Skopelos. In summer you can also go from Kymi, Euboea, Skyros and other islands. Skiathos took part in wars against the Persians and in 478 BC, became a part of the Athenian Alliance. Later was occupied by Alexander the Great and then by the Romans. During the Byzantine period it sank into oblivion. In 1204 was conquered by the Venetians and in 1583 by the Turks. It was then that the inhabitants of the old town, built on the site of present-day Skiathos, abandoned it and constructed on the north side of the island the famous Kastro, perched on a nearly invisible rock.
During the Greek War of Independence of 1821, many warriors from Thessaly opposite, took refuge on the island. Skiathos was liberated in 1823. In 1830, the local people, left the historic Kastro and rebuilt Chora.
Skiathos was one of the unknown paradises to be discovered. Life in Skiathos has changed a great deal since those days. Luxury hotels slowly began to be built along its lovely sand beaches, tourist activity continually grew and Skiathos became one of the most cosmopolitan islands in Greece. But its celebrated beaches are still insuperable and the narrow lanes of Chora are still as picturesque as ever.
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