Skiathos: “Bike Friendly Destination” for the third consecutive year

Skiathos is widely known for its natural beauty, but it is crucial for a destination to invest not only in its natural assets but also in alternative forms of tourism. The Municipality of Skiathos, by receiving the “Bike Friendly Destination” certification for the third consecutive year, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Environment & Energy, and the Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure, demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the visitor experience on the island.

The lush island of Skiathos offers many amenities for cycling enthusiasts, making it an attractive cycling destination, particularly in the spring, early, and late summer, thanks to favorable weather conditions.

The promotion of cycling tourism on the municipality’s websites is complemented by a newly developed network of trails accessible to cyclists, as well as special cycling routes (mountain and road distance routes) for experienced cyclists, including routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Additionally, the island offers unique forest routes for adventure lovers and mountain bikers, harmoniously combining exploration of the island’s natural wealth with an environmentally friendly means of transport.

Moreover, the island has private businesses and hotels that rent bicycles, including electric bikes in some cases. The Municipality of Skiathos has also joined a program for acquiring public electric bicycles as part of a “micro-mobility” initiative, establishing and operating public electric bike-sharing stations.

Furthermore, the municipality has consistently participated in international tourism exhibitions in recent years, with a steady focus on the sustainable development of the destination. It also engages in thematic forums and networking events dedicated to cycling tourism, promoting the island’s cycling opportunities as a recreational and fitness activity for visitors. This theme serves as both an experience and an incentive for year-round tourism.

Finally, to ensure the convenience of cycling visitors, the municipality has temporarily designated electric bike charging points at the port in collaboration with the Port Authority. The island also has specialized laundry services for cyclists (athletes, groups, clubs, and individuals), as well as two certified Bike Friendly Hotels—ELIVI Skiathos and Hotel Punta—offering relevant bike-friendly services.

For the past three years, Bike Friendly Skiathos has consistently participated as a certified destination in the Bike Friendly Network, promoted through thematic newsletters to cycling clubs and associations, as well as travel agencies in Greece and abroad.

The island’s mayor, Theodoros Tzoumas, emphasized their goal of creating a complete experience for visitors through cycling tourism, with a focus on sustainability and the island’s unique offerings, while also extending the tourism season.