Kastro Beach

The Kastro area which includes a beautiful beach and the ancient town, are located in the northernmost part of the Skiathos Island. The capital Skiathos Town is less than ten kilometers away.

Kastro beach is a stupendous inlet and has a small shoreline made of pebbles, crystalline and extremely transparent waters, an intense blue sea with a seabed that descends quite quickly and is not very comfortable especially for families with children as the presence of stones make entry difficult, so it's better if you have rock shoes with you so you can move more comfortably and safely. Hugged by high cliffs and with rock formations on the sides, Kastro beach is perfect for snorkelers who can have fun looking for marine fauna and flora so if you are passionate, remember to pack fins, snorkel and mask in your backpack .

Wild and still intact, it is not equipped at all, you can hang your towel where you feel most inspired and enjoy a wonderful day at the beach. As far as catering is concerned, there is a typical tavern where you can taste excellent fresh fish dishes of the classic Greek and local tradition as well as refresh yourself with a refreshing drink. Remember that this area of Skiathos is very hot during the summer so if you fall into the category of do-it-yourself tourists, bring plenty of water and what you need to eat.

However, one does not come to Kastro (in Greek it means castle) only for the beach, mainly travelers go up to here to admire the ruins of the ancient settlement of the old capital dating back to the late Middle Ages. Perched on top of a high cliff that stands out over the sea, it is considered one of the most characteristic places on the Skiathos Island. It dates back to the fourteenth century and the reason for its construction in this place lost by God is the position, perfect for spotting the pirates and usurpers who sailed the seas in search of raids.

A fortified village that has undergone various dominations passing from the Byzantine to the Venetian and finally Turkish which have left clearly distinguishable traces until 1830 when it was completely abandoned. Today it preserves the ruins of typical houses, palaces and a drawbridge restored to their splendor after careful restoration. In the past it had about twenty churches and more than three hundred houses that welcomed the inhabitants of the island to take refuge during the attacks. The view from here is something phenomenal, you can see the immense Aegean. Its charm is priceless enough to be one of the major attractions to visit during a holiday in Skiathos.

There are several opportunities to discover this part of the island. If you have your own transport you will need to go north following the road to Agios Konstantinos and the road signs pointing to Kastro. You will arrive at a parking lot where you can leave your car or scooter and continue on foot along a dirt road (it is better to have tennis shoes or any other comfortable shoes) for about an hour.

The second alternative is by sea. From Skiathos Town every day especially during the summer season, there are organized trips that will take you directly to the beach which is located at the foot of the cliff where the Kastro stands. From this point, continue on foot along a steep dirt path that takes about half an hour (don't do it perhaps at noon when the sun is right above your head).

The last but certainly the most fascinating walk (there are more or less two hours of walking) but be careful is for those who are trained and used to walking on dirt paths, perhaps a little demanding but which will give you breathtaking views breathless through a unique landscape of natural colors.

A destination to mark among the things to do in Skiathos to combine history and the sea.