Jsi-Spot1
Skiathos Airport – Spotting Guide
Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport, also called the Sint Maarten of Europe because you can get very close to the aircraft (spot 4), is a small island in the Aegean sea . The airport is located north of the small town of Skiathos, the capital of this Greek island. It sees only a few daily scheduled flights to Athens by Olympic during the year, but its operating explode during July and August. Indeed, this part of the island is very popular among vacationers. English, Nordic and Italian tourists are very fond of this destination to top charm. These preferences are felt in traffic observed that I will detail below.
The track of barely 1,600 meters runway is at both side surrounded by sea. Given the lack of space, the small road from the airport towards the center and the small tidal harbor passes the threshold. Runway 01 is mainly used for arrivals and departures, making a movement “back track” far end racket. In July and August, the number of seasonal charter flights are operated mainly on Friday, other days are much quieter. Charter flights are insured by the common European carriers like TUI, Condor, Volotea, SAS, Tarom, Transavia. There is no cargo or military activity.
For a timetable with the arrivals and departures check the airport website in advance. They are online one day in advance.
Written by Cédric Valence, Stephan Weidenhiller and Dimitri. Last change: September 2023 (Spot 9 added).
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 01/19 | 1.628 m (5.341 ft) |
| Terminals | One Terminal for all flights. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is not needed for the southern locations. For the spots on the north you can rent a quad or car. From the terminal to spotting points at runway 01 it is just a 10 minutes walk. |
| Restrooms | At both ends there are bars with restrooms |
| Drinks/Food | At both ends there are bars. |
| Hotels | There are cheap apartments and plenty of hotels close of the spotting points. The Villa Ariadni offers a fantastic view from the hills down to the airprot. See spot 8 for more infos |
| Season | Skiathos is busiest during summer seasons as many vacationers spend their holidays here. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 01/19 | Depend of the wind but arrivals and departures are mainly on the runway 01 |
 |
Spot #1 – Xanemos Beach – 19 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located at the end of runway 19 at the Xanemos beach. From the terminal just follow the road running parallel to the runway to the final destination. Once arrived climb up the little mountain via the footpath, it’s easy! There is even a big free parking. |
| WHAT | Good for arrivals of RWY19 and departures as well as backtracks for 01 arrivals as they turn around at the end of the ruwway. |
| TIME | From sunset till amout noon. |
| MISC. | You ‘ll find food and drink at the beach’s bar. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | On the line up, A320 at 300mm. |
 |
Spot #2 – Kalivia – 19 Movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminal drive northwards along the street to the village of Kalivia. Close to the threshold of runway 19 you have a great view. Keep in mind, trees are growing and you might interfere with more and more branches of the trees and plants growing there. Went up the street even further and got there interesting new and other angles. |
| WHAT | Especially when they are departing RWY 01 you get some aircraft just after rotating and already in the air. You also have a good view of the turning table. Nevertheless also there you need to adjust to the trees, as some branches grow into the runway view. |
| TIME | In the summer the light is good from 3pm till sunset. Even earlier when the planes making the u-turn for the 19 departure. |
| MISC. | Take water! There is nothing there and it’s very hot in the summer! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B737 at 150mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Apron – All movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminal follow northwards and when you have passed the ramp turn left into a little stone road. Climb the rock and you’ll get a geat view on the runway. You can also stay at the bottom along the road to the fence for a different angle. A ladder is not needed there. |
| WHAT | Great view on the new apron as well as all runway movements. |
| TIME | In the summer the light is good from 3pm till sunset. |
| MISC. | Take water! There is nothing there and it’s very hot in the summer! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 about 150mm |
From the top:
From below:
 |
Spot #4 – Approach Path – 01 movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This is the most popular location at JSI. The plane spotters paradise is located at the waterfront, just next to the threshold and the city of Skiathos. You can stay on each side of the approach path or directly at the fence when they turn around. There isn`t really a high fence and you can easily photograph over it by standing on the barrier. Parking is available directly at the spot. |
| WHAT | Great for all movements on 01 arrivals as well as departures. The planes are very close! |
| TIME | In general you can spot here the whole they when 01 is active as you can stay along the whole threshold. Depends of the angle of the airplane turning on the raquet. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the Amaretto bar. A bar with fresh drinks, hot meals, free wifi, shadow. Be aware of the jet blast and DON`T place yourself behind the aircraft during the take off run! People suffered bad injuries. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Use <18mm to 55mm |
 |
Spot #5 – Harbour – 01 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is located on the opposite site of the Amaretto bar at the small harbour. |
| WHAT | Great spot for 90 degree arrivals shots on runway 01. |
| TIME | Good from sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the Amaretto bar. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Depend where you’re cause you can walk to change the angle, but from 28mm till 100mm for a B737. |
 |
Spot #6 – Perimeter Fence – 01 movements, 19 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is on a road situated between a small lake and the airports perimeter fence. Walk along the street and choose your place. +++ Update July 2022: A new, second fence has been installed and a ladder is needed now. +++ |
| WHAT | Great view for all 01 movements as well as 19 arrivals. |
| TIME | Good from sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the Amaretto bar. The grass can be a little bit high and can cut off parts from the landing gear. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 50mm |
 |
Spot #7 – Hill – 01 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the port walk about three minutes along the sea up to the trees where you’ll find a public bench. |
| WHAT | Take pictures of 01 arrivals with the city or the boats at the background. 19 departures are already too high. |
| TIME | Good from sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the Amaretto bar. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B737 +- 200mm |
 |
Spot #8 – Villa Ariadni – All movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The “Villa Ariadni” is located on a hill, on the opposite side of the airport’s terminal. From the rooms and the pool area you have a fantastic view of the complete airport. |
| WHAT | All runway movements can be made. |
| TIME | Good from sunrise until noon. Be aware of heat distortion due to the distance. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the Villa. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Sunclass A321 = 200mm, Austrian A320 = 350mm |
 |
Spot #9 – Hill – All movements |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Coming from the city take the 2nd right and follow signs for „Anamar Skiathos“. You pass by, until you get a view of Skiathos city. You can park approx 50m further down where the junction to „Hotel Punta“ is and walk back to the free space. |
| WHAT | Take pictures of 01 arrivals with the city or the boats at the background. 19 departures are already too high. |
| TIME | Good from sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Nothing there, bring everything you need |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300mm and above for full frame aircraft. If you want to have a bit more oft he landscape then you need less. |
Insite the Terminal on the first floor, there is a Restaurant offering good views through cleaned windows. The Restaurant is before Security. Hence, everybody csn enjoy the view.
If you have checked-in the luggage and want to take photos from your plane when incoming, you csn walk from the terminal to Amaretto Bar within 10min
In general, there is a bus running between the harbour and the airport every 15min. Tickets are sold at a booth in front of the busstop.
Do you need a reservation for spot 8?
No
Hello all. I am planning to go to Athens for June 2025 and I am thinking of going to Skiathos for 1 day. Which day do you recommend? Which day is the best with traffic?
Hi, first thank you very much for this great spotting guide. Can you tell how far are spotting places 1 and 4,5,6 from Terminal building, by foot. I am planing to arrive by bus to terminal, so I am interested is it viable to go by foot. Also, In what part of the day, Friday, is the busiest. Thank you. Veljko
Hi, you are welcome. As stated in the guide the spots at 02 are a 10 minutes walk from the terminal. To postion 1 it should be around 20 minutes. The runway is just 1600m long so it’s pretty easy to get around.
For traffic check the airport website one day in advance.
-Julian
Hi Julian,
Can you please give me some guides for Thessaloniki and Athens Airports?
Thanks much,
Emmi
Since Spring 2018 there is a new apron with 5 positions for a/c like 321s max in the north. The place is relly great for spotting. In summer up to 40 Flights on a Friday, in September around 6 to 10 Flights. Very relaxing spotting place.
Hi, the airport sounds cool! But… about how busy is the airport in high season, lets say, August? How many planes land there per day?
Thanks!!
Hi, safest way is to check the airport website and click through the destination timetable https://www.jsi-airport.gr/en/flights–more/flights–destinations/destinations/destinations/dest_id-1518/nd_id-1518
But as June until August is the high travel season, flights that actually arriving will come in August too.
-Julian