If there's one thing Skiathos is famous for, it's beaches. The island's main paved road runs along the south coast and links the town to the famous sandy beach of Koukounaries. A bus travels this route (every 15-20min.) so you can easily reach a good number of beaches.

The beaches nearest town, such as Megali Ammos and Tzaneries, are extremely crowded and are probably the island's least attractive. The first beaches worth getting off the bus for are on the Kalamaki peninsula - Rigas and Vromolimnos. Vromolimnos is less crowded, offers windsurfing and has a taverna. The next two beaches are Platanias and Troulos, with the picturesque islets that can be seen right off the coast.

The road ends at the famous beach of Koukounaries, a long sandy crescent stretching between low trees, one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The word koukounaries means "pine cones" in Greek. Behind this grove of trees is a kilometer-long stretch of fine gold sand in a half-moon-shaped cove. The beach is backed by a lovely lagoon, wheat fields and olive groves. The beach has clear, gradually deepening water. Jet-skis, motorboats, windsurfing and water-skiing are all available off the beach.

My favourite beach? Apparently so!

A short walk from the Koukounaries bus stop, at the other side of a narrow headland, is the curved yellow (and not very crowded) Krassa beach, more commonly known as Banana. If you prefer nude sunbathing, try the next beach, Little Banana (Bananaki). The broad Agia Eleni beach is splendidly isolated and popular for windsurfing.

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