Maratha, Sand beach near Koukounaries, Skiathos, Greece

Maratha is a sandy beach on Skiathos, about 500 metres long, near Koukounaries. A row of straw-roofed umbrellas and sun loungers runs along the light tan sand, and the water is shallow and clear near the shore, turning green-blue further out.

Maratha lies on the south coast of Skiathos, in the Koukounaries area, where a long sandy shore faces the Aegean. The island's south-coast beaches developed as resort areas from the 1970s onward, when tourism replaced farming and fishing as the main local income. Maratha grew alongside neighbouring Koukounaries as hotels and beach services appeared.

Maratha takes its name from the Greek word for fennel, maratho, a plant that grows on Skiathos. The beach lies beside the Skiathos Palace Hotel, whose guests share the sand with day visitors arriving by bus. Straw-roofed umbrellas and sun loungers line the back of the beach in long rows.

Maratha lies along the coast road west of Skiathos Town, near Koukounaries, and is served by the island's regular bus line; the ride takes about 25 minutes. Buses run frequently through the day, so you can arrive in the morning and leave in the late afternoon. The sand slopes gently into shallow water, making entry easy for swimmers of all ages.

The beach received Blue Flag certification in 2018, confirming it meets strict environmental and safety standards. This award reflects the commitment to maintaining clean water and proper beach management.