Plane spotting is a lot more fun than people give it credit for. Spending an hour or two by an airport runway watching the various aircraft landing or taking off is quite a wholesome activity, when you think about it.
Famous places include spotting from In-N-Out Burger at LAX and at Maho Beach in St. Maarten, situated right at the end of the runway. The latter is considered the best in the world for the sheer thrills. Skiathos in Greece has to be in second place, as the experience is quite similar.
Plane Spotting In Skiathos
The end of the runway is perhaps five minutes or so walk from where the bus on the island drops you off at the last stop in Skiathos Town. When you get there, there is a parking area for cars and signage warning you to be careful.
Is It Dangerous?
I was standing on a wall during one of the departures, not directly behind the aircraft. Much to my surprise a strong blast of wind hit me and I went backwards off the wall. Luckily I kept my balance, but I’d probably recommend not standing on the wall.
The video above shows what it is like for those right behind the planes. Of course it’s a bit dangerous, but it’s also lots of fun. Lots of tiny bits of grit and debris hit you in the face, so I’d probably recommend wearing some sunglasses you’re not particularly attached to.
A Selection of Pictures
Skiathos seems to be package holiday heaven, with a few TUI Boeing 737s cycling through, not to mention a couple from Jet2. There was an occasional business jet and at least one helicopter during the two hours I was there.
Two More Videos
Here are two more short videos, one of a departing Boeing 737 of Jet2 and another of the British Airways Embraer 190. As the runway is not that long, most aircraft seem to use full power on take-off.
While there is less variety in both airlines and aircraft types when compared to St. Maarten, there are no complaints from me. It’s far easier – and cheaper – to get to Skiathos for a start!
Overall Thoughts
This isn’t a niche thing in Skiathos, as the plane spotting is even mentioned in some of the tourist brochures. There were a wide variety of people there, such as mothers taking children on a day out, local youths, to the serious people sporting Go-Pro cameras and aircraft radio receivers!
I certainly enjoyed the couple of hours there in the lovely warm 30c temperatures of this Greek island. Would thoroughly recommend if you’re in the region.
Have you been plane spotting in Skiathos or anywhere else before? What do you think of it? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please let me know.
Like planes? See my “Does anyone remember” series.
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Interesting article, thanks Flight.
You’re welcome!
I went to Skiathos twice and, much to my surprise, my entire extended family loved the plane spotting experience! It was very cool at dusk and night too, not just during day time. The nearby restaurant, in a former wind mill, is a good spot, if you can get a table by the water.
Also, we went to the beach at the other end of the runway, and it was amazing to see the planes soaring above us, during take off. I
Great to hear you all enjoyed it so much! It really is lots of fun. I didn’t visit that beach at the other end of the runway, but I can imagine what it would be like. Thanks for the comment!