Skiathos was one of the first "unknown paradises" to be discovered. Until the early 60s, its only fame was as the setting for Papadiamantis' novels. The first modem visitors who saw the island were awestricken at how such a small place could possibly hide so many varieties of beauty: the beach of Koukounaries with its golden sand, exotic Mandraki with its sand dunes, Lalaria. with its round pebbles and natural rock bridge over the sea, and Tsougnia, the charming neighboring islet. Since then, ever-increasing numbers have come to enjoy Skiathos' gifts.

From that time, luxury hotels started looming gradually on its lovely beaches and tourism grew steadily. Transport to the island was facilitated. Before long, Skiathos was one of Greece 's most cosmopolitan islands. Charters come and go in summer, the luxury hotels are full of tourists and the island bustles day and night. Each year it attracts more and more visitors, including many with a passion for underwater fishing.

Life on Skiathos has changed dramatically since its "discovery". But its celebrated beaches have remained beautiful and the lanes in the Hora continue to be picturesque. On one of them stands the house of Papadiamantis, humble and unadorned, restored just as he had lived in it, and reminiscent of the times during which he wrote his masterpieces.

Skiathos is one of the northern most islands in Greece. Its pine covered hills and deep blue coves are home to some of Europe's best beaches. Big Banana Beach (right) is a long sweep of white sand in a nature conservatory. There is one small taverna but the beach is famous for natural beauty, not its facilities.

HISTORY
The island's first inhabitants were the Pelasgians. In 480 B,C. when the Persians invaded Greece , Skiathos tried to defend itself with three ships against the Persian fleet. After the Persian wars, it joined the First Athenian Confederacy, Later, it succumbed to the Macedonians and was subsequently attacked by Attalus, the Rhodians, the Romans, Philip III and Demetrios Poliorcetes. Eventually, it became a hideout for pirates and was awarded autonomy by Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.). Under the Frankish occupation it was a part of the Ghizi's duchy before being taken over by the Venetians (1454) who fortified the Bourtzi islet and the castle. In 1538, Skiathos was ransacked by the Turkish soldiers under Haireddin Barbarossa and the population suffered terribly, In 1803, Skiathos had 12 ships and, later, became a refuge for revolutionaries from Pelion and Macedonia . After 1829, its people abandoned their fortress capital on the northern tip of the island and built the present town. Skiathos gave birth to two famous writers, Alexandros Papadiamantis (1851 - 1911) and Alexandros Moraitidis (1851-1929).