Many English words and idioms are derived from the Greek language. In addition, most Greeks speak at least a smattering of English, which is taught in public schools. So, if you’re planning a trip to famously friendly Greece there’s no need to be concerned about the language. That said it is always appreciated when visitors make an effort to communicate in Greek.
Useful phrases for travellers
Good morning - Kalimera (kah-lee-MEHR-rah)
Good afternoon / evening - Kalispera (kah-lee-SPEH-rah)
Good night - Kalinkta (kah-lee-NEEKH-tah)
Goodbye - Kherete (KHE-reh-tay)
Hello - Yassas (YAH-sahss) / Yassou (YAH- soo)
How are you? - Ti kanete? (te-KAH-neh-teh)
Well / good - Poli kala (po-LEE kah-LAH)
Thank you - Efkharisto (eff-kah-rees-TOH)
You’re welcome / please - Parakalo (pah-rah-kah-LOH)
Sorry - Signomi (seegh-NO-mee)
Yes - Ne (neh)
No - Ohi (OH-hee)
What is your name - Pos se lene? (POHS seh LEH-neh)
My name is … - Me lene … (meh LEH-neh)
Do you speak English? - Milas Anglika? (mee-LAHS Ang- lee-KAH)
I don’t understand - Den Katalaveno (then’ kah-tah-lah- VEH-no)
Can you help me? - Borite na me? (Boh-REE-tech nah)
Where is …? - Pou ine? (POO EE-neh)
How far is it? - Posso makria eenay?
How much is it? - Poso kani? (poh-soh KAH-nee)
Left - Aristera (ah-rees-the-RAH)
Right - Dexia (thek-see-AH)
Cheers - Yamas (YAH-mas)
A different kind of “sign language”
Greece has its own brand of “sign language” for which it is world famous. You’re bound to experience some colourful gesticulating between Greeks. However, sometimes what appears to be an argument might actually be some locals have a normal and not unusually loud, expressive conversation.
Need to know non-verbals
Don’t be too alarmed if a stranger tends to stand or sit a little closer than you are used to. Remember to keep eye contact, as letting your gaze wander during conversation is an affront. Usually Greek people are affable and helpful, even more so on the islands and you will become accustomed to some of the many gestures and facial expressions. Important ones include a kind of a nod when a local says “no”. Also, “neh”, which sounds like “no” actually means, “yes”.
Before you head off on your dream holiday
Ultimately, the Greeks welcome tourism as a mainstay for the economy. Most hosts at accommodation establishments, restaurants and sites and attractions will be patient with your innocent errors in communication judgement. Greek good-naturedness is world-renowned although every culture has its limits. At the very least enquire about and be respectful of the local customs of various parts of Greece as these might vary region-to-region on the mainland and island-to-island.
Obviously some of the more remote and traditional parts of Greece may observe some seemingly outdated traditions. Still, it really costs very little to be polite, to smile and to take along a user-friendly phrase book. Simple gestures such as greeting someone in the morning with a friendly “kalimera” will go along way to making friends. You might even enjoy learning the basics of one of the oldest languages in the world and come to appreciate the culture even more.
Skiathos Island is often described as lively but not rowdy and there are a number of spots, including some of the 64 beautiful beaches, which are quiet and more remote. Getting around is dependent on your sense of adventure, where you want to go, and what you’d like to experience. Transport options range from a popular public bus service to jeeps, scooters, quad bikes, and road and water taxis.
Bus-tling about
The more popular beaches on the Eastern side of the Island are easily accessible by bus. The local bus service is cheap and reliable and runs at regular intervals. It stops at various beaches, shops and hotels from Skiathos Town in the north to Koukanaris Beach on the southern tip.
Self drive by car, scooter, quad bike
There are also numerous dirt roads weaving through the island. Tackling the terrain on foot, unless you’re an avid hiker, might be a bit of a stretch. You might want to hire a little Suzuki jeep, a quad bike or scooter. These are available for rental in various parts of the island but most hire places are situated in the town itself. Take your time to shop around for the best deal. Full international driver’s license (and sometimes passport too) is required.
Road and water taxis
There’s no shortage of on road taxis. Most first time visitors arrange an airport transfer in advance but, in all likelihood, you’ll find a host of taxi drivers as you exit the airport terminus. Do agree on a fare before you set off and don’t be afraid to share cabs if you’re on a limited budget. Your taxi driver will ask your permission or if you’re joining another traveller/travel group, will ask theirs.
Water taxis generally leave the harbour area (Skiathos Town) every half hour or so en route to various popular island beaches and hotels.
Putting yourself at the helm
You can also hire your own boat, from a couple of the beach marinas. Boat size and where you’re able to go is dependent on the type of skipper’s license you have. If you don’t have a skipper’s license you can still hire a zesty little boat, scoot up and down the eastern side of the island, and do some small island hopping.
With so many Greek Islands from which to choose there’s a tendency to want to spread out your options. However, you’d probably enjoy the trip a great deal more and come away feeling way more relaxed if you select one that’s conveniently situated.
Rather than living out of a rumpled suitcase stay put and do some daily island hopping instead. Skiathos, part of the Northern Sporades group, is perfectly positioned to allow for mainland day trips and visits to nearby Skopelos, Alonissos and even Skyros.
When to visit
Everyone has their own take on the best time to visit Skiathos and much depends on your personal preference. While it is exceedingly beautiful all year roundthere is that small determinant called weather, which will impact on the quality of your beach time, shopping, sightseeing and dining options. Regardless, summer is undoubtedly the best time for warm weather and calm sea.
What of the weather?
With an average temperature of 26°C (78.8°F), July is the hottest month. If you like warmer seas, the best time to swim in the ocean is in August when the average sea temperature is 25°C (77°F).
Where to stay
It all depends on your expectations. As with any trip don’t be mislead by the hazy images in websites and the spa music in the background. Options range from self-catering to villas/guest houses and hotels in close proximity to the beach, around town and in the mountains. Be sure to do your homework first.
Night fever
Visitors start arriving late April or early May. June, July and August are exceptionally busy but also fun if you enjoy a lively nightlife scene. Skiathos town is known for its fabulous nightclubs, cafés, lively tavernas, and more intimate bars.
Movie devotees can enjoy open-air viewings at Attikon on the popular Papadiamantis strip or at Cinema Paradiso on the “ring road”. Both cinemas screen two shows nightly. You can’t possibly go home without having seen an open air, starry night screening of Mama Mia.
From late August, numbers start to dwindle and by end September the island ambience becomes fairly remote. It practically shuts down between October and April.
Read part 1 of 2
Even if you are the more spontaneous type, any good vacation requires some forethought and pre-planning. It’s also good to know what to expect when you get there. Unsurprisingly, practically everyone wants to do a Greek Island holiday at some point, and you’re certainly not starved for choice. In fact, there are 1000s of islands.
Skiathos Island features on many must do island lists and for good reason. It has 64 beaches, history, nature, shopping, nightlife, and a good dose of Mama Mia movie fame to recommend it.
Getting there, around and away
While some European cities offer direct flights to Skiathos, as with all Greek islands Athens is the main point of entry. From Athens you can reach Skiathos by ferry or airplane. A reliable and frequent bus service runs the length of the popular side of the island. You can also hire a road taxi or water taxi. If you want to explore in depth then hiring a car, scooter or quad bike is the way to go.
How to play pick-a-beach
Taking in the sites and activities all depends on how much time you have. You’ll need at least a week (preferably more) just to play pick-a-beach. Most first-time visitors rue not staying longer than 10 days as everyone has a favourite beach to which they want to return more than once and still experience what the rest of the island has to offer.
Are the historical attractions really worthwhile?
You won’t want to miss The Kastro, a medieval fortress built centuries ago, to which the entire town evacuated to escape pirate attacks. Taking a trip to the Evangelistra Monastery is also a must. Many people don’t know that the first Greek flag (as we know it today) was flown at this ancient monastery in 1807. It was made by the heroes of the Greek revolution.
Who is Greece’s most celebrated writer?
Literary enthusiasts certainly won’t want to miss the characterful, ambient house in which, quite possibly Greece’s most famous novelist and poet, Papadiamantis lived and died. You’ll find the museum house in the popular Papadiamantis strip in Skiathos town. It’s a quaint and intimate look at the way people lived in the mid to late 1800s and early 20th century.
Read part 2 of 2
When planning a Greek island holiday, you want the emphasis to be on comfort and convenience. You also want a destination that offers something for the whole family; somewhere that has the buzz of a lively holiday spot, but with some quieter more reclusive downtime options. Skiathos Island, part of the Northern Sporades group, east of the Greek mainland, is such an island.
No less than 64 diverse beaches
No island holiday is much of a getaway without a spectacular beach or two. This island certainly won’t disappoint. In fact, it has 64 incredible beaches on a 40km stretch of coastline. With Skiathos being relatively small, getting from beach to beach in a jeep, on a moped, or quad bike is easy. Island maps are plentiful and easily accessible. Plus there’s a reliable bus route that regularly runs the length of the more popular east side of the island.
Practically everywhere you go will open out on a beautiful beach vista, with each beach distinctly different from the last. However, there are certain beaches on the northwest side that are accessible by boat only.
Other Skiathos island highlights
Owing to the crystal, calm waters Skiathos is the perfect location for watersports including some scuba diving. It’s also fast becoming a popular mountain biking destination. You might also want to engage in some island hopping to nearby Alonissos or Skopelos. History lovers won’t want to miss Kastro, the famous cliff top fortress village built by the Skiathos town folk to escape marauding pirates centuries ago. You should also try to visit at least one of the historic monasteries.
Food glorious food
Visitors rave about Greek cuisine. However, in the unlikely event of traditional or modern Greek food not being to your taste, there are a variety of alternatives. There are numerous street cafés, coffee shops, and restaurants. Greeks are also known for their fresh produce including tomatoes, cheeses, yoghurt, artisan sausage and more. Then again, you might prefer the self-catering route so that you can put together an easy al fresco barbecue style meal of your own.
Selecting the right home away from home base
While Skiathos is known as a cosmopolitan island it has managed to retain much of its quirky, unspoiled charm. In order to experience the best of what the island has to offer, you’ll want to stay (link to Villa Nikh) fairly close to the main route that runs the length of the island. You want to be close enough to the town should you want to experience the daily buzz and nightlife. Conversely, you want to have sufficient distance from the main route to avoid the noise of the traffic, so that you can relax and unwind. You also want to wake up each morning to look across the tranquil blue-green sea for which the Northern Sporades islands, Skiathos included, are famous.
