The ancient village of Kastro is located at the northern tip of the island of Skiathos and lies perched on a cliff overlooking the sea.
It is a
village, now uninhabited, dating back to the fourteenth century and which has undergone several dominations: Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish and Greek until it was finally abandoned in 1830. It is important to know that
in ancient times it was one of the most important of the island of Skiathos and counted 300 inhabited houses and 20 churches.
Today, only the remains of the civilizations that lived here can be admired: as a drawbridge, churches, palaces, houses. Everything has been reconstructed where possible, to allow us to learn about the history and culture that together accompanied the village of Kastro, in history. You will also want to visit a
settlement of the XIV century, which with its majesty protected the island of Skiathos from the continuous attacks of pirates. Its ruins together with the wonderful view from here, make Kastro one of the favorite places for visitors, making it one of the main attractions of the island of Skiathos.
The village of Kastro offers those who wish to get to know a splendid walk through history as well as a
breathtaking view, making it an excellent destination for a day trip. If you love characteristic and mysterious places then you can't miss Kastro.
For those looking for a corner to relax from the hot summer sun,
there is a small bay with pebbles and crystal clear sea, where you can relax before climbing up along the cliff. There is also a small traditional tavern where you can enjoy a good Greek dish or an excellent fish dish.
The ancient village of Kastro is one of the attractions of the island that you cannot miss, the splendid views that can be admired reaching it are truly a spectacle. If you then add the ruins of an abandoned village, you will create a place full of mysterious charm and history!
How can I reach Kastro?
To get there there are three ways: the first one, the most comfortable one, is to get there
by car (it's about 9 km from
Skiathos Town ). It is sufficient to take the direct road to Agios Konstatinos and then follow the road signs that will lead you to the village of Kastro. Once you have parked the car you will have to cross a dirt road on foot, it is not very tiring but, being one of the warmest areas of the island of Skiathos and lacking any bar or tavern in its vicinity, we advise you to bring water and food , so that you can fully enjoy the exploration of the village.
The second way to get there is
by sea. We often organize excursion boats that lead to Kastro and all will land you on the beach of Kastro: the bay is located right at the foot of the cliff on which the village rests. From here you will have to cross a steep dirt track for at least half an hour, so we suggest you choose a time when the sun tends to be less warm.
The third way to reach Kastro is the most tiring one: going along a
dirt path that after two full hours of walking will take you to the village. Obviously the latter way we recommend it to those who are experts in long walks and already know how to undertake them. Always equip yourself with everything you need to travel this route safely and without problems.
It must be said that both the road by car and the steep path offer
truly exceptional panoramic views, so in both cases
your effort will be well rewarded!