Little Banana / Banana 2 / Spartacus
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Some contributors prefer the beach which is just around the headland called Banana 2 or locally Spartacus. It has a taverna, a fine sandy beach, and good swimming. It is a super beach, regularly scoring 90 or even 100% in the many reports the Captain receives. It is more difficult to get to than Banana because of the climb over the rocks, but a terrific beach. And in high season it may be the most reliable beach on the island for naturism.
More often than not this beach is pretty nearly 100% nudist. Lots of Barefoot contributors describe it as ideal for first-timers. There is also now an allocated area of the beach for those not wanting to hire a bed. (Perhaps somebody has been reading this page!)
The gates leading down to the beach have now been removed, the road has been widened and access by vehicles is now possible right down to the beaches, although 4-wheel-drive vehicles are safer to negotiate the ruts.
It must be said that Little Banana is quite the most crowded Greek island nudist beach the Captain has visited or heard of. When the Captain visited there was hardly a scrap of clothing in sight anywhere, but the beach was very busy with not much room between the sunbeds and umbrellas if you prefer to sit on a towel or a beach mat. The Captain can fully understand why some think this beach amounts pretty much to perfection, but that assumes you don't mind being cheek by - er - cheek with fellow visitors. There was more space on Big Banana, although that was busy too. Space constraints may differ depending on the state of the tide. Others have reported that they find the lack of space and the number of sunbeds off-putting. In fact, the Captain's Mate has made clear she has no particular desire to return for this reason.
Various Barefooters have reported that every afternoon a tour boat loaded with tourist cameras would come close to the shore at Banana and Banana 2 to let them see the naturists. We were hoping the boat would sink.
I'm delighted to receive a report from a couple trying naturism for the first time - on Little Banana they described four days of total pleasure - a relaxed atmosphere but crowded in the afternoon. Totally un-intimidating for first timers like them. Wonderful marine life (fish and the odd octopus).
The beach was very clean and well maintained. The small taverna was still operating but limited in selection. Good mixture of nationalities, couples, families and gays all enjoying the sun together, which is just how it should be.
You can get to Little Banana via Banana Beach itself. Take the bus to the last stop (number 26) follow the signs to Banana Beach, it's a 10-15 min. walk on a dusty track over a hill and could be tough if it's hot. You will first arrive at Banana beach, if you follow this beach to the left (south), you will find a few nudists. But it's better to go to the right (north) and walk over the cliffs (not too difficult) then you are at Little Banana.
Some Barefooters say that the best route to Little Banana is via the road to Elia beach. Get off the bus at stop 24 then go up the hill towards Elia beach (Golden Beach Hotel is on the corner). Turn left after the 6 or 7 electricity poles, continue up the track and keep going up to the crown of the hill. Follow the track through the gorse and turn down toward the beach as it widens out.
A boat leaves the beach each day at about 5 pm and stops at most of the beaches en route to Skiathos Town. Some people find this makes a very pleasant end to the day and avoids another scramble over the rocks!
2020: Report from Mott the Hoople in the Forum: "We returned to Skiathos, last year, after many years away. We were, like most others, horrified at the changes to Little Banana beach. However…this year it’s better than ever. The beach bar (currently closed) has relocated to the area at the rear of the beach where the concrete road ends. Best of all, the horrible sunbeds have disappeared, too. It’s just like it was when we first visited in the ‘80s" No doubt the changes are due to reduced guest numbers at the hotel complex. I’m sure that we may not have the beach back like this when the current situation ends. But for now…it’s heaven! [September, confirmed by Roger Wells]
2021 July: Back to Skiathos, after many years. away. Little Banana is the perfect place for nudism. You can strip as much as you like, the beach bar is open from 10:00 to 18:00 and there are large sunbeds and shower. Of course most of the beach is free for everyone to put up their own umbrella. You have to leave your car before the gate and then walk around 450 metres, as there is no parking area near the beach. We really loved it and went repeatedly to this beach.
2022 June: Visited LB for the first time in a number of years. We abdicated to Aselinos when Elivi Hotel got involved. Very difficult to park. A few parking spaces at the top of the road outside the Villa. You have to be there early to get a space, otherwise you park on the approach road getting further and further away. Very noisy during our brief visit with jet ski racing across the bay. Walking downhill to LB past the barrier not really a problem on the concrete road. Not many people. Beds 24 euro (free if guests of Elivi). Bar drinks and food very expensive. Walking back up the hill in the heat of the day was a killer though. Especially if you have breathing problems and carrying backpacks etc. Returned to Aselinoss.
July Just read a report that the Elvi hotel staff are now trying to segregate naturists and non naturists Elvi guests by asking naturists to stay to one side. Seemingly the hotel is renaming the beach to the Black Swan.
September Following altercations between the water sports operator and naturists the police were called. He was complaining that his customers were upset at the sight of naturists. The police made everybody get dressed. The next day all returned to normal.
2023: Visited LB right after the big storm "Daniel". Storm damaged the beach bar & sun bed facilities, so LB was converted into 100% free nudist beach at that time. Quite busy, all nude, mixed public. Car can be parked down at Bus stop 26, afterwards some uphill walk along hotel paths.
2024 June: Chose to visit LB as our last beach before taking the plane home on the next day. From the №26 bus stop walk past the vast parking space & take the road that goes steeply up. Continue on the left past the carpole. When you reach a fork continue towards the right hand side (Blackbird's Cafe sign), the down. Beach is 90% naturist (even on the sunbeds!) with a few textiles, with an obviously male/gay cruisy area towards the left side of the beach when facing the sea with men roaming towards the peak that is close to Megali Banana which can be seen on the other side. A masseur was working on the beach on his massage table. When he was done he undressed and performed Qigong in front of the sea. In the evening a couple of swans came to the bar where they were fed and then acted like true movie stars for the many people wanted to take gorgeous pictures of them with the sea in the background. Very very nice beach and hope it stays this way for many years to come!
2025: From a Barefooter - "Greece has implemented new beach rules to address overcrowding and ensure public access to beaches. A key change is that 70% of beaches must be free of sun-beds and umbrellas."
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The Elivi Hotel brings their guests to the beach with 4/6 person golf buggies.
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2025 June: A Barefooter reports: I was again on Little Banana Beach a few weeks ago. The beach is now run by the hotel nearby. They still have the canteen bar at the back of the beach. The right hand side of the area of the sun beds is for Textiles and the remaining half is clothing optional. The free section of the beach to the left is also Clothing Optional. During my week at the beach in late June 2025 I am happy to report that Naturists 85% to 15% textiles/topless women. For people looking for shade there were around 4/5 umbrellas stored in a little alcove near the left hand side of the beach while looking out to sea. The sun beds at the front were 45 euros for 2 and umbrella. The ones further back are 40 euros. Probably they are free to those staying at the hotel?