Skiathos Town (khora) is the chief place and indeed the island's only real town, where almost all the permanent inhabitants of the island live. It was built in 1830 on two low-lying hills, when after the War of Independence people left the town located at Kastro and settled near the harbour. It was reconstructed after heavy German bombardment during World War II. Skiathos officially became a town in 1965 and today has a population of 5.000.

Orientation. You should buy a map, it is available at all kiosks. The ferries dock in the middle of a long waterfront, lined with travel agencies, tavernas, cafes and bike and car rental outlets. As you disembark from ferry or hydrofoil, on the left side is the curving long harbour with several outdoor cafes, a few small hotels, excursion boats and, in the corner, a staircase leading up to the town's next level. To the right is the straight new harbour with many tourist services. On the far right of the waterfront a road winds up to the airport, the lake and several beaches. The main street is named Papadiamanti. It strikes inland from opposite the quay. You can find the police, post office, National Bank, telephone (OTE) and Olympic Airways office. The buses for Koukounaries leave from the bus stop at the northern end of the new harbour.

Bourtzi. The little peninsula which divides the harbour of Skiathos in two is called Bourtzi and was once a fortress. It used to be linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway which was flooded by the sea at high tide, turning the fortress into an islet. Bourtzi was built by Venetians during the first period of their rule and also destroyed by Venetians in 1660. The remarkable neoclassical building on the Bourtzi islet, now a unique cultural centre, is worth a visit. The islet is thickly wooded with pines and one can see part of the walls, in ruins. The fortress also houses a taverna.

At the church Tres Ierarches is the icon of Holy Mother Panaghia Kounistra, the patron saint of the island. Inside the church are the icons of the prophets and apostles, originally housed in the church of Christos at Kastro as well as a section of the carved wooden iconostasis from the church of Panaghia Prekla, also at Kastro. Up the street, towards Limnia, is the second parish church, Panaghia Limnia. Here, at the narthex, is the skull of Alexandros Papadiamandis, great writer, born in Skiathos.

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