Our Family Holiday in Skiathos – What the Kids Loved Most
Early in the summer season in 2025, we headed to Greece for a break during the school holidays. This was our first holiday in Skiathos, and it definitely won’t be the last one. Although I have sold it as a travel agent many, many times, I was still taken aback by what a beautiful island it is. Not only did I enjoy it, which is important of course, but the kids loved it too and had the best time.
First Impressions of our Holiday in Skiathos
On arrival, the small airport was efficient and compact. First impressions were good. We decided to skip the coach transfer and jump in a taxi. I just hate waiting for the slowest people to get on the transfer when we could be on our way! The island is small (only 12km long), so the taxi ride was quick and cheap at around €25 for the 4 of us. The coastal drive down to Agia Paraskevi from the airport gave us a good idea of what was in store!
Where We Stayed & Why It Worked for Families
We stayed at the Roulla Studios in Agia Paraskevi. Great resort for families, nice and central at bus stop 16, making it easy to get from one resort to another. Agia Paraksevi has a lovely beach and a good selection of restaurants, including the extremely popular Pork n Roll. Definitely get there early to get a seat – it’s usually packed by 8 pm, but worth it if only for the disco toilet!
The Roulla studios are really nice. Some reviews on TripAdvisor had me worried, but it seems that they’ve had a bit of a refurb in the last year or 2 and are perfect. A 2-bedroom apartment was perfect for us with a good-sized balcony. There are no lifts here, though, so if you have a buggy, be prepared to carry it up the stairs, especially if you’re on the top floor. It shares a pool area with the cabana Studios and the Iguana Pool bar.
Top Things Our Kids Loved
Our kids are teens and tweens now, and I think they’re the perfect age to appreciate Skiathos. My daughter is a massive fan of Mamma Mia! So all of the references to the movie and spots where scenes were shot are perfect for her. Skiathos town is the perfect mix of traditional and modern – beautiful cobbled streets and photo opportunities with modern cafes and great food. And all of the beaches appeal to them too, soft sand, gorgeous, clear water and opportunities for water sports. They didn’t even complain once that we kept taking them on the bus, as it’s so efficient (comes every 15 minutes) and the island is so quick to get around.
Things I Loved as a Parent
As a parent, I love how pretty the island is – I took about 3,000 photos in a week. We didn’t eat one bad meal at all; the food on the island as a whole was amazing. I really like how clear the sea is, too. I mean, crystal clear. Such a stunner of an island.
Tips for Others Planning a Holiday in Skiathos
When planning a trip to Skiathos, don’t worry too much about the location of the apartments or hotel – no matter where you are, you’ll be well placed to get out and about and explore the island. Focus more on making sure that they suit your needs. For me, we wanted self-catering facilities (realistically, only using the fridge and worktop areas) and a pool; the Roulla studios ticked the boxes for us.
Would I Go Back?
In a heartbeat! I honestly can’t believe I was in my 40s by the time I first visited. It definitely will not be our last trip. We went during the school holidays at the end of May – ideally next time I’d like to visit towards the end of June or beginning of July to guarantee the weather, as we did have a couple of days that were hit and miss. But then again, the weather wasn’t an issue, and it meant the island was nice and quiet! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a bargain again, I think, and I will stick to self-catering for sure.
Thinking of planning your own trip? Don’t miss my Beginner’s Guide to Skiathos for more tips.
Been to Skiathos yourself? I’d love to hear what you thought. Drop your favourite memory or question in the comments below!
Becky x
