Banana Beach Greece Skiathos: Skiathos’s Dazzling Beach Destination
In the southwest corner of Skiathos Island is a sought-after beach renowned for its crystal-clear waters, called Banana Beach. Its quirky name comes from the two banana-shaped beaches on either side of the bay. It’s not only home to dreamy beaches where you can relax, but it’s also a hub for exciting nightlife and all-night partying. In this guide, you’ll find all the need-to-know details about the bustling Banana Beach Greece, Skiathos’ oceanside paradise, including how to get there to all the best things to do.
What to Expect at Banana Beach
Banana Beach is all about kicking back along the stretches of soft gold sand by day and blowing off steam by night.
This bay centres around two main beaches, both of which have been dubbed Big Banana and Little Banana due to their curved coastlines.
The larger of the two lies along the eastern side of the bay and boasts superb vistas of the Aegean Sea.
Big Banana tends to be much livelier than its more compact counterpart, and the area is filled with tavernas, restaurants and buzzing bars surrounded by thick pine trees.
It’s also a fantastic spot to try your hand at some watersports, with windsurfing being a particularly popular activity here.
Sunbeds and umbrellas line the water’s edge, providing some shade to escape the often scorching Greek sunshine.
Head to the other side of the bay, and you’ll stumble upon Little Banana, the quieter, smaller, and more rugged of the two beaches.
Little Banana also happens to be a nudist beach and has been for decades now. However, you don’t have to follow a naturist lifestyle to enjoy the tranquillity here, as many non-nudist folk flock here rather than visiting the vibrant Big Banana.
Although Little Banana is noticeably more relaxed than its neighbouring beach, it’s increased in popularity over the years and is now equipped with sun loungers and a taverna playing music and serving up tasty, albeit costly, food and drink.
As a result, it’s not quite as wild and untouched as it once was, but the fine sand and calm sea conditions have ensured this spot has retained its charm.
If you’re wondering about where to stay in Skiathos, accommodation along the coast at either beach is exceptionally scarce. You’ll likely need to base yourself in the quaint nearby town of Koukounaries, a 10-minute walk from Big Banana and 25 minutes from Little Banana.
How to Get to Banana Beach
Before you start daydreaming of afternoons spent unwinding along either side of Banana Beach on Greece’s Skiathos island, you’ll need to figure out how to find your way there.
Luckily, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from. Chances are, you’ll be starting your Skiathos adventure from the island’s namesake capital city, home to Skiathos International Airport.
From here, it’s a little over 20 minutes away by car.
If you choose to rent a vehicle during your stay, you can drive up right beside Big Banana and take advantage of the nearby car park.
It’s also possible to drive along the dirt road to Little Banana, but you’ll then need to make a short walk, making it a little less accessible than the more developed Big Banana.
There’s no need to fret if you’re not planning to rent a car or motorbike, as public transport will take you here, too, though it’ll require slightly more work!
From the city of Skiathos, hop on the 2E bus to Koukounaries and get off at bus stop number 26. A 5-minute stroll will take you right to the soft golden sand of the larger part of Banana Beach.
The hilly walk from the bus stop to the smaller banana beach is longer and more challenging, but it shouldn’t take more than 15 or 20 minutes on foot.
Your third option is to reach Banana Beach by boat, though the boat operators are typically more geared towards day trips and island-hopping tours.
Things to do at Banana Beach
Now that you know how to get to Banana Beach on Greece’s Skiathos island coast, it’s time to delve into the surprisingly lengthy list of things to see and do.
Of course, many people come here simply to catch some rays and spend the day sunbathing, but that’s not all Banana Beach has to offer.
The glass-like waters are perfect for swimming, and the stillness of the sea also makes it a super safe spot for a refreshing dip.
Thanks to the clarity of the water and the abundance of colourful fish, it’s also a lovely snorkel spot. There are also diving schools in the area, allowing keen scuba divers to venture further afield to discover the Aegean Sea’s diverse marine life.
Any thrill-seekers reading on their holidays this will be glad to know that there are plenty of exhilarating water sports to enjoy, and most are concentrated on the more vibrant Big Banana Beach.
Learn the ropes of windsurfing, get your adrenaline flowing with a fast-paced jet ski excursion, or hold on for dear life on an inflatable boat towed ride!
There’s also no shortage of relaxing water sports, as many of the rental companies have kayaks and stand-up paddle boards available for hire.
You can even charter a boat for the day to check out some of the neighbouring islands and beaches, and you’ll have a choice between navigating the boat yourself or hiring a driver.
Last but not least, among the top things to do at Banana Beach is to let your hair down and dance the night away.
You’ll likely notice that Big Banana has quite a party-orientated atmosphere even during the day, but the bars really come to life around sunset as swathes of young people flock to the shores.
Final Thoughts on Banana Beach
That’s our guide on Banana Beach, everyone’s favourite beach in Skiathos, sure to tempt you for a dip next time you take of trip to lovely Skiathos. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!