Banana Beach is really two beaches: a pair of west-facing sandy coves about 1 km north of Koukounaries and roughly 12 km from Skiathos Town. Big Banana is the organised, social one, with a beach bar, music, sunbeds and water sports. Little Banana sits over a low rocky headland, is smaller and quieter, and is the island's best-known clothing-optional beach. You reach both by taking the bus to the last stop at Koukounaries and walking around 15 minutes over a hill.
If you are reading this in November, both beaches are empty right now. The bars have packed away, the sunbeds are stacked, and the only footprints belong to dog walkers. That makes it a good moment to plan: this guide covers what you need to know to get the Banana beaches right in summer 2027, going deeper than our island-wide overview.
Key Takeaways
- Big Banana (Megali Banana, locally called Krassa) and Little Banana (Mikri Banana, also called Spartacus) sit side by side, about 1 km north of Koukounaries.
- The bus terminus at Koukounaries, stop 26, is the nearest stop; expect a 15-minute walk with an uphill stretch.
- Both coves face west, so they catch the sunset - rare among Skiathos's popular beaches.
- Little Banana is widely known as the island's main clothing-optional beach; Big Banana is a conventional beach.
- Facilities typically run from May to early October; in winter both beaches are unserviced.
- Across the island, two sunbeds and an umbrella typically cost 15-20 EUR in 2025; busy bars can charge more.
Where Are Big Banana and Little Banana?
Both beaches sit on Skiathos's west coast, around 1 km north of Koukounaries and about 12 km from Skiathos Town, separated from each other by a low rocky headland you can walk over in a few minutes.
The name comes from the curved shape of the main bay. Big Banana is the southern of the two, a long crescent of fine golden sand backed by pine and olive trees. Little Banana is a smaller sandy cove just to the north, reached either over the rocks or by a sandy track through the pines, as Travel.gr's beach guide describes it.
Locals often call the main beach Krassa, and you will see that name on some maps and signs. Little Banana is also known as Spartacus. One point worth clearing up: our Koukounaries beach guide covers the famous neighbour in detail, and the two are easy to combine. But they have very different personalities. Koukounaries is broad, family-orientated and protected; Banana is more social, more sculpted by the headlands, and more of an adult beach.
| Big Banana | Little Banana | |
|---|---|---|
| Local names | Megali Banana, Krassa | Mikri Banana, Spartacus |
| Size | Long sandy crescent | Small sandy cove |
| Atmosphere | Social, music, busy in peak season | Quieter, relaxed |
| Dress code | Conventional swimwear | Clothing-optional, mostly naturist |
| Facilities | Beach bar, sunbeds, water sports, lifeguard in season | Small canteen-style bar, fewer sunbeds |
| Faces | West | West |
How Do You Get to Banana Beach by Bus or Car?
By bus, ride the main line from Skiathos Town to the final stop, number 26, at Koukounaries, then walk north for about 15 minutes over a hill. By car, follow the access road near Koukounaries, but expect limited parking close to the beach in July and August.
The island's single main bus route runs the length of the south coast with 26 numbered stops, and in peak summer it can run as often as five times an hour. The ride from town takes around 30 minutes. Fares have been around 2-3 EUR in recent seasons; check the 2027 fare when you travel. Our Skiathos beaches without a car guide maps the full route stop by stop.
From the terminus, the walk is short but not flat. Greeka notes it is about fifteen minutes with an uphill section, then a descent to the sand. Trainers or sturdy sandals make a real difference in August heat.
Driving is straightforward until the last stretch. The access road branches off near Koukounaries and gets narrow, and close-in parking fills early in high season. Many drivers park around Koukounaries and walk the final section anyway. A small car is far easier than an SUV here; our car rental guide covers what to book.
Two other options:
- Water taxis and excursion boats from the Old Port have served Koukounaries and the Banana beaches in summer, and arriving by sea is the most relaxed way in.
- Taxis run from the town rank, but are in demand in peak season. Agree the drop-off point, as taxis may not be able to go all the way down.
What Is Big Banana Like?
Big Banana is Skiathos's most social beach: a long crescent of fine sand with a beach bar, music, rows of sunbeds and water sports, calm water, and a lively crowd that builds through the afternoon in high season.
Travel.gr calls it "the island's party beach", and in July and August that is fair. The bar plays music through the day, the front rows fill with groups of friends and couples, and the atmosphere is upbeat rather than raucous. It is not a club beach in the Mykonos sense; it is simply the place on Skiathos where people come to see and be seen with a drink in hand.
The water is the real draw. The bay is generally calm, with a gentle sandy entry and the clarity the west coast is known for. SUPs, canoes and kayaks have been available to rent in recent seasons, and there is a lifeguard in summer. The sand is fine and golden, similar to Koukounaries.
What Big Banana is not: quiet, cheap or shady. Natural shade is limited to the edges near the pines, so most people rent an umbrella. If you want calm, come early or late. The beach is at its best in the first hours of the morning and in the long golden light before sunset, when the day crowd drifts back to the bus.
Is Little Banana a Naturist Beach?
Yes. Little Banana is widely known as Skiathos's main clothing-optional beach. Nudity is accepted and common, but not compulsory, and the cove is smaller, calmer and noticeably quieter than its neighbour.
Both Greeka and Travel.gr describe it as mainly frequented by naturists, and that matches what visitors report. In practice, you will find a mix: naturists, topless sunbathers and people in ordinary swimwear sharing the same small stretch of sand without fuss. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and respectful.
A few points of etiquette worth knowing:
- Cameras and phones: photographing other bathers is unwelcome. Keep wide shots of the cove to the empty moments, or skip them.
- Staring and lingering: walking through from Big Banana is fine; treating the cove as a spectacle is not.
- Elsewhere: naturism is tolerated on a handful of quieter Skiathos beaches, but not on busy family beaches. Keep it to recognised spots.
Facilities are simpler than at Big Banana. A small beach bar runs sunbeds across the middle of the cove in season, and visitor reports from recent summers put a set of two sunbeds and an umbrella there at around 30 EUR. Bring your own towel or mat if you would rather not pay; there is usually room at the edges.
How Much Do Sunbeds Cost and When Should You Go?
Sunbed prices are set by each beach bar and change every year. Across Skiathos, two sunbeds and an umbrella typically cost 15-20 EUR in 2025, with front rows at busy bars like those at the Banana beaches often higher; check prices on arrival in 2027.
A 2025 cost survey of Skiathos holidays reported 15-20 EUR for two sunbeds and an umbrella on the island's beaches. On the most popular beaches, the price often includes a minimum spend at the bar rather than a flat fee, and front-row sets cost more. We have not seen confirmed 2027 prices yet, so treat these as a guide.
Timing matters more than price. Here is how the season tends to play out:
| Period | Facilities | Crowds | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|
| November - April | Closed | Empty | Walks only; water too cool for most |
| May | Opening up, often partial | Light | Fresh, quiet, sea still cool |
| June | Fully open | Moderate | Excellent balance |
| July - August | Fully open | Busiest | Arrive by 10:30 or after 16:30 |
| September | Fully open | Moderate | Warmest sea, calmer mood |
| Early October | Winding down | Light | Hit and miss, but lovely when open |
Our weather and sea temperature guide shows how the water warms through the season, and June and September deliver the best combination of warm sea and space.
Two daily patterns are worth knowing. First, the beaches face west, so the afternoon brings full, direct sun - pack proper shade or rent an umbrella if you arrive after lunch. Second, the best hour of the day is the last one. Arrive around 17:30 in high summer, swim while the crowds thin, and watch the sun drop into the sea before walking back to Koukounaries for dinner.
From our own guests' experience, Banana works best as part of a west-coast day rather than a destination on its own. Our villas sit on the Kechria hillside, roughly 6 km and 15-20 minutes by car from Skiathos Town, so a typical pattern is a slow breakfast on the terrace at Villa Moondancer, a mid-morning drive or bus to Koukounaries, lunch, Banana in the afternoon, and back in time for a sunset swim in the private pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Banana Beach in Skiathos?
Take the main bus line from Skiathos Town to the final stop, number 26, at Koukounaries. From there, follow the road and track north over the hill for around 15 minutes to Big Banana. Little Banana is a few minutes further, over a low rocky headland. Drivers can use the access road near Koukounaries, but parking near the beach is limited in peak season.
Is Little Banana a nudist beach?
Little Banana (Mikri Banana, also called Spartacus) is widely known as Skiathos's main clothing-optional beach. Nudity is accepted and common, but not compulsory, and plenty of visitors wear swimwear. Big Banana next door is a conventional, textile beach. Be discreet with cameras and phones, as photographing other bathers is unwelcome.
How much are sunbeds at Banana Beach?
Prices are set by each beach bar and change every season. Across Skiathos, two sunbeds and an umbrella typically cost around 15-20 EUR in 2025, while visitor reports from Little Banana put the beach bar's set at around 30 EUR for two. Expect 2027 prices to be similar or slightly higher, and check on arrival.
Is Banana Beach good for families?
Big Banana has calm, generally shallow water and good facilities, but it plays music and has a party reputation in high season, and reaching it involves a hilly walk. Families with young children usually find Koukounaries, Troulos or Agia Paraskevi easier. Little Banana's clothing-optional character makes it a less obvious family choice.
Is Banana Beach open in November?
The sand and sea are always there, but the beach bars, sunbeds and water sports close in autumn, usually by early October. In November the beach is empty, unserviced and the water is cool. Facilities typically reopen around May, with the full set running from June to September.
Does Banana Beach face the sunset?
Yes. Both Big and Little Banana face west, so they catch the evening light and the sun setting over the sea, which is unusual on an island where most popular beaches face south. Staying for the last hour or two of the day is one of the best ways to enjoy them.
The whole coastline: Our Skiathos beaches guide sorts all 60+ beaches by what you want from the day, from family coves to boat-only Lalaria.
Making a day of it: The Koukounaries beach guide covers the lagoon, the stone pine forest and where to eat next door, and our sunset spots guide shows where else the evening light is best.
At Damari Luxury Villas, we like to think of Banana as the island's afternoon beach - best enjoyed after a slow morning and before a quiet evening of your own. Our two private villas in the Kechria area sit among pine forest and olive groves, each with a private infinity pool, fully equipped kitchen, and covered outdoor dining with BBQ, around 15-20 minutes from town. If you are planning summer 2027, now is a good time to secure June or September dates. Explore our villas, see the setting in our gallery, or contact us to check availability.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Banana Beach in Skiathos?
Take the main bus line from Skiathos Town to the final stop, number 26, at Koukounaries. From there, follow the road and track north over the hill for around 15 minutes to Big Banana. Little Banana is a few minutes further, over a low rocky headland. Drivers can use the access road near Koukounaries, but parking near the beach is limited in peak season.
Is Little Banana a nudist beach?
Little Banana (Mikri Banana, also called Spartacus) is widely known as Skiathos's main clothing-optional beach. Nudity is accepted and common, but not compulsory, and plenty of visitors wear swimwear. Big Banana next door is a conventional, textile beach. Be discreet with cameras and phones, as photographing other bathers is unwelcome.
How much are sunbeds at Banana Beach?
Prices are set by each beach bar and change every season. Across Skiathos, two sunbeds and an umbrella typically cost around 15-20 EUR in 2025, while visitor reports from Little Banana put the beach bar's set at around 30 EUR for two. Expect 2027 prices to be similar or slightly higher, and check on arrival.
Is Banana Beach good for families?
Big Banana has calm, generally shallow water and good facilities, but it plays music and has a party reputation in high season, and reaching it involves a hilly walk. Families with young children usually find Koukounaries, Troulos or Agia Paraskevi easier. Little Banana's clothing-optional character makes it a less obvious family choice.
Is Banana Beach open in November?
The sand and sea are always there, but the beach bars, sunbeds and water sports close in autumn, usually by early October. In November the beach is empty, unserviced and the water is cool. Facilities typically reopen around May, with the full set running from June to September.
Does Banana Beach face the sunset?
Yes. Both Big and Little Banana face west, so they catch the evening light and the sun setting over the sea, which is unusual on an island where most popular beaches face south. Staying for the last hour or two of the day is one of the best ways to enjoy them.
Sources & last checked
- Greeka - Skiathos Banana beach (Access walk from the bus stop, facilities and the Little Banana naturist cove)
- Travel.gr - A guide to Skiathos's best beaches (Location 1 km north of Koukounaries, 12 km from town, west-facing orientation and Little Banana's naturist reputation)
- Skiathos (Wikipedia) (Bus route with 26 stops and summer frequency of up to five buses an hour)
- Wall-Street.ro - What a holiday in Skiathos costs in 2025 (Reported 2025 price of 15-20 EUR for two sunbeds and an umbrella on Skiathos beaches)
