Skiathos is situated in the middle of north-western
Aegean Sea; it is the westernmost of an island group named Northern
Sporades.
The island has got a surface of 61 km² and a perimetre of 48 km.
It is mostly mountainous (70% of its surface). Skiathos has an
irregular shape (12 km long and 6 km wide from north to south).
Its coastline forms 70 gulfs, bays and several peninsulas.
In the south-eastern part of the island is Skiathos town, built
on the western coast of a bay bearing the same name.
The scenery is calm in the south, but it gets wilder in the north
and east.
The
island' s climate is magnificent, with mild winters and a
lot of sunshine during the summer months. The weather is
quite warm from april till october, but the etesian winds
blowing from the north-west all over the Aegean, make high
temperatures drop.
Close
to Skiathos is a multitude of bigger and smaller islands,
like Skopelos, Alonissos and a bit further Skyros.
Scattered all around are the islets of Peristera, Kyra-Panagia,
Poura, Skantzoura, Piperi, Psathoura, Tsougria and Tsougriaki,
Aspronissi, Maragos, Arkos, Kastronisia, Troulonissia and Mirmigonissia.
Skiathos, the most cosmopolitan and well-known of Northern
Sporades group is an island blessed by nature. Its vegetation
covers almost the entire surface with imposing pine forests,
plane-trees, countless olive groves, vineyards and other types
of cultures, showering the island with a unique colour, as
dark green touches the crystal blue beaches, so numerous and
yet so different one from the other.
Here, the forces of sea and time have created natural masterpieces,
chiseling on the virgin coast of the northern part of the island
caves, towering rocks and picturesque bays enchanting and taking
the breath away from innumerable visitors.
The
Greek sun, reflecting on the crystal blue waters of the
Aegean Sea, creates at every single moment of the day a new
and always different combination of colours and illuminations;
as for Skiathos/ southern coast, certainly most hospitable
and accessible, it reveals a whole new aspect of the Aegean/s
natural riches.
Equally important are the two lakes of the island, one at
Hora (Skiathos town) and the other at Koukounaries, which are
among the most significant aquatic reserves of greek ecosystem,
hosting numerous species of endemic and migratory birds traveling
every year from north to south and vice versa.
In a place so hospitable and so fertile, it would be impossible
that man does not thrive along with nature both in everyday
and cultural life.
Skiathos,
the diamond of Northern Sporades.