It is a priority for Skiathos to preserve its natural beauty and environment

Interview with Thodoris Tzoumas, Mayor of Skiathos in Greece

Thodoris Tzoumas was born in 1980 in Skiathos. He was elected mayor of Skiathos in 2019. Tzoumas is very keen on the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage and the unique natural beauty of Skiathos.

Skiathos Unique by Nature

Skiathos is a small island in the northwest Aegean Sea in Greece. It is the westernmost island in the Northern Sporades. The main town is Skiathos and it is the eastern part of the island.

Mayor Tzoumas, what does the name Skiathos mean?

Named after its unique forests, as Skiathos means the rich shade of the trees, the island has the same name and has been continuously inhabited since the 10th century BC. From the Venetians and Dutch travelers and cartographers to holidaymakers and the rapid development of tourism, Skiathos consistently charms those who get to know it.

Please describe this picturesque island in a few sentences.

You discover Skiathos or better you 'conquer' it when you decide to learn its secrets. Words cannot describe the uniqueness of this island, the only one in Greece where two-thirds of the area is characterized as 'Aesthetic Forest of Νatural Beauty'.

With its monumental coastline and numerous beaches, including Lalaria, Koukounaries, and Mandraki, some are busy and 'loud' but most of the sixty-seven, untouched by time and man, are quiet even in high season. The shoreline covers almost the whole perimeter of the island and is extremely varied, from golden sand to black sand, multicolored pebbles or white pebbles, steep reefs, colorful marine life, and crystal-clear waters.

Furthermore, the island is not only a top European destination but also globally recognized, right?

Skiathos is known as at the top of the international rankings as the island with the best beaches in the world. Skiathos was chosen by readers of the leading Conde Nast Traveler Magazine as the island with the best beaches in the world for 2019, in voting for the 32nd annual Readers' Choice Awards, organized by the top US magazine and online media.

Which are the must-visit places for anyone who decides to come to Skiathos?

The magnificent network of walking trails, almost 200 km long, passes through fairy glens with streams and waterfalls, rows of plane trees, monasteries, Byzantine monuments, and small churches. There are also monuments of surprisingly great interest, left behind by man, among which the most important sites are 'Kefala' and Kastro.

'Kefala' is of particular importance as it is the first recorded position of inhabitants in the Sporades from early historical times, dating back to the 10th century BC. On the most northern part of the island stands Kastro, where the islanders settled in the mid-14th century, abandoning the current city to save themselves from pirate raids by the Turks and Venetians. Here the imprint of its inhabitants remains, transporting you into eternity via picturesque chapels and fortifications.

When walking around Skiathos town, don't miss the Plakes’ area where neoclassical buildings and quaint cobblestones are listed as monuments. A stop at the Papadiamantis House Museum is a must, as is the Bourtzi, home to the Naval and Cultural Tradition Museum. There you can learn about the great shipbuilding and maritime history of the island.

Skiathos offers unique coastline

Skiathos, as you have just read, is charming and full of contrast, a wonderful place to experience and, as with all things valuable, worth taking the time and effort to discover.

To find out more about Skiathos, visit the profile of the municipality.