Agia Paraskevi Holidays

Looking for a Greek getaway that’s more 'chill vibes and chilled wine' than 'club crawls and 4am kebabs'? Agia Paraskevi is a total hidden gem on Skiathos, offering that perfect blend of long golden sands and green trees for that dappled shade that makes your Instagram feed look 10/10 every time.

Highlights of your holidays to Agia Paraskevi

• The Beach - A long crescent of golden sand with shallow, calm water that's ideal for families. Pine trees line the back of the beach, the water stays warm from June into October, and there's enough space that you won't be towel-to-towel even in August.

• Pine Forest Everywhere - Skiathos is one of the greenest Greek islands, and Agia Paraskevi sits right in it. The scent of warm pine on a still afternoon is basically free aromatherapy.

• Koukounaries Next Door - One of Greece's most famous beaches is a short drive or bus ride away. Golden sand, turquoise water, a protected nature reserve behind it, and the kind of scenery that makes you wonder why you ever go anywhere else.

• Ten Minutes from Skiathos Town - The bus runs regularly along the south coast, so the harbour, the restaurants, the nightlife and the old town are always within easy reach without needing a car.

• Boat Trips to Lalaria - The island's most dramatic beach (white pebbles, turquoise water, a natural stone arch) is only reachable by boat from Skiathos Town. Half-day trips run daily in summer.

Good to Know

• ☀️ Weather - July and August hit 30°C with reliable sunshine. The south coast is sheltered from the Meltemi, so the sea stays calm and warm. Shoulder season (May, June, September) sits in the mid-20s with fewer crowds and warm enough water for swimming.

• 💶 Money - Skiathos is mid-range for the Greek islands. A taverna meal runs €12-€18, a beer €4-€6, and beach sunbed setups are reasonable.

• 🏴 Fun Fact - The Greek national flag was first raised at the Monastery of Evangelistria in Skiathos' hills in 1807, during the early stages of the fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire. The monastery is a 20-minute drive from Agia Paraskevi and still operates today.

What are the best beaches to visit on your Agia Paraskevi holidays?

While the local stretch is unbelievable, Agia Paraskevi is the perfect base to explore the island's most iconic coastal spots. Grab your flip-flops and prepare for some serious Vitamin Sea.

• Agia Paraskevi Beach - A mahoosive stretch of golden sand with calm waters, making it the ultimate choice for families and lazy sun-worshippers.

• Troulos Beach - Just down the road, this spot offers a more upbeat atmosphere with plenty of watersports for those that still have energy left to burn.

• Koukounaries Beach - Often voted one of the best in Greece, this world-famous bay is a top-drawer pick for scenery and pine-fringed beauty.

• Banana Beach - The place to be if you want a trendy vibe, beach clubs, and sunset sessions that are absolutely popping off like there's no tomorrow.

• Vromolimnos Beach - Popular with a younger crowd, this beach features great music and a social scene that’s perf for meeting fellow holidaymakers.

Local Lingo

Greek is the language on Skiathos, with English widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas. The south-coast resorts see plenty of visitors from the UK & Ireland, but a few words of Greek still earn you a warmer welcome and occasionally a free dessert.

Yassas, YAH-sas (Γειά σας), Hello (formal/plural)

Efharisto, ef-hah-ree-STOH (Ευχαριστώ), Thank you

Parakalo, pah-rah-kah-LOH (Παρακαλώ), Please / You're welcome

Yamas, YAH-mas (Γεια μας), Cheers

Ena bira, parakalo, EH-nah BEE-rah pah-rah-kah-LOH (Ένα μπύρα, παρακαλώ), One beer, please

🏨 What are the best hotels in Agia Paraskevi?

See all hotels in Agia Paraskevi or browse our top picks below...

✨ Luxury

• Hotel Skiathos Princess. Five-star right on the beach with suites, a presidential suite, two restaurants (Basillico for buffet breakfast with live cooking, Ammos for a la carte on the sand), two bars, a spa and 24-hour room service. One of the top hotels on the island, and the beachfront location means you can go from breakfast to sunbed in about thirty seconds.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Hotel Skiathos Princess. The suites are spacious enough for families, the beach restaurant Ammos does half-board a la carte, and being right on the sand means you never have to negotiate a transfer with toddlers in tow.

• Atrium Hotel Skiathos. Twenty-one suites among the standard rooms, sea views from every balcony, a Greek tavern on site for dinner, and a pool bar for the days you can't be bothered to walk to the beach. Right by the shore.

• Villa Xanthippi. Self-catering apartments on a hilltop with views over Evia island and the bay. Pool, kitchenettes for family cooking, and a quiet setting about 500m from the beach. Good for families who want independence.

💑 Couples

• Hotel Skiathos Princess. The suites and the presidential suite are properly romantic, the spa is a real treat, and dinner at Ammos on the beach with the Aegean as your backdrop is date-night perfection.

• Atrium Hotel Skiathos. Sea-view balconies, the Greek tavern for candlelit dinners, and a quieter feel than the big resorts. Twenty-one suites if you want extra space.

• Villa Xanthippi. Hilltop setting with sweeping bay views, self-catering freedom and a pool to come back to after a day on the beach. Simple, peaceful, and affordable.

🎉 Groups

• Atrium Hotel Skiathos. Suites and standard rooms give the group flexibility, the pool bar keeps everyone in one place during the day, and the beachfront tavern means nobody has to travel for dinner.

• Roulla Studios. Self-catering studios and two-bedroom apartments in Platanias, with a pool bar that stays open late and a mini market on site. About 350m from the beach, and the bus into town runs regularly.

• Ostria Hotel. Pool, 250m from the beach, kitchenettes in every room and a price that leaves serious budget for eating out and boat trips. Simple but solid.

💰 Value

• Ostria Hotel. Two-star with a pool, a breakfast buffet, kitchenettes and balconies. 250m from the beach and well below the Skiathos average on price. Does exactly what it needs to.

• Roulla Studios. Self-catering with a pool bar, on-site mini market, and two-bedroom apartments for families or groups sharing. Budget-friendly and close to the beach.

• Villa Anna Maria. Self-catering studios and apartments overlooking the bay of Platanias, with balconies, kitchenettes and a hilltop position. About 600m from the beach and extremely well-priced.

👉 All hotels in Agia Paraskevi | All hotels in Skiathos

Travel Guide - Agia Paraskevi Holidays 2026/2027 - Things to do

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Spend a full day on Agia Paraskevi Beach, where the shallow water is safe for young swimmers and the pine trees behind the sand give free shade for when the sun gets too much.

• Take the bus to Koukounaries for a change of scenery and a walk around the Strofilia Lagoon nature reserve, where the kids can spot terrapins and herons.

• Book a boat trip from Skiathos Town to Lalaria Beach for a morning of pebble-skimming, swimming in impossibly blue water and spotting the famous stone arch.

• Drive up to the Monastery of Evangelistria in the hills for a short history lesson (the Greek flag was first raised here), a wander through the gardens, and views over the island.

💑 Couples

• Hire a small boat from the harbour and spend a day exploring the south coast's coves, stopping wherever the water looks too good to pass up.

• Take the bus into Skiathos Town for an evening starting with cocktails at the Old Port, dinner in the harbour-side restaurants, and a slow walk through the narrow alleys of the old town.

• Walk along the pine-shaded path from Agia Paraskevi towards Troulos Beach for a morning swim in a quieter cove before the crowds arrive.

• Book a sunset sailing trip around the island, with swimming stops, wine and views of the coastline as the light drops.

🎉 Groups

• Rent a car and beach-hop the south coast: Agia Paraskevi, Troulos, Koukounaries, Banana Beach. Each one has a different vibe and enough bars to keep a group entertained all day.

• Head into Skiathos Town for a night out, starting with seafood on the harbour and working through the old town bars until someone suggests one more drink and nobody says no.

• Book a group boat trip around the island, covering Lalaria Beach, the Blue Cave on the north coast, and swimming stops at coves you can't reach from land.

• Take the ferry to Skopelos for a Mamma Mia day trip, visiting the famous wedding chapel and Kastani Beach before heading back in the evening.

More Destinations

• Skiathos - Skiathos Town, the south-coast beaches, the harbour nightlife, boat trips to Lalaria, and the full hotel range across the island.

• Koukounaries - One of Greece's most famous beaches on Skiathos' southwest tip, with golden sand, turquoise water, a protected lagoon nature reserve and pine-forest walks.

• Troulos - Sheltered bay between Agia Paraskevi and Koukounaries with watersports, a laid-back village feel and family-friendly hotels. One of the quieter south-coast spots.

• Skopelos - The neighbouring Sporades island where Mamma Mia was filmed. The greenest island in Greece, with the famous clifftop wedding chapel, pine-backed beaches and a gentler pace than Skiathos.

• Greece - All the islands and mainland, from Crete and Corfu to Santorini, Mykonos and beyond.