Photos from the green Alonissos

Also available in: Ελληνικά

Alonissos is a small green island that belongs to the Sporades island complex and is located next to and northeast of Skopelos. It is now considered the “home” of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachous Monachous and for this reason the first National Marine Park was created in its marine area in order to protect this endangered species.

Alonissos is an ideal place for quiet and carefree holidays. It has many beaches, most of them with pebbles and all of them with crystal clear waters, while in the small picturesque villages you will feel the tranquility of the place and the people who live there.

Photos from Alonissos
Map of the area
Accommodation / Hotels in Alonissos

Alonnisos and the picturesque Patiriri, Sporades Islands

Wine press of Alonissos

The capital and port of the island is Patitiri. Although it is built in an excellent location with steep slopes and pine trees hanging over the sea, it does not have the picturesqueness of the other villages as it actually started to be built after the great earthquake of 1965 that forced many residents of Chora(Old Alonnisos) to settle there. Nevertheless, the natural landscape of the small creek in which it is built is beautiful and there you will find most of the hotels and rooms to let for your stay.

In addition, it has a narrow beach for swimming just below the cafes and bars (on the left of the settlement as you can see Patitiri from the boat as you arrive at the port) that give colour and emphasize the youthful presence on the island.

One of them is the Puerto Loco of the excellent owner and DJ that plays from rock and funky to reggae, heavy and jazz depending on the mood of the people! In Patitiri you will also find the offices of MOM, the organisation for the protection of seals and their environment. It is worth going up to the offices and find out about the excellent activities of its members and volunteers.

In Chora or Old Village of Alonnisos Sporades

Old Alonnisos

The Old Village of Alonissos or Chora is located 2.5 km from Patitiri and was the old capital of the island. It is a picturesque village built on the top of a hill with an excellent view of the Aegean Sea and the rest of the Sporades islands. Walk through its picturesque streets and small squares and enjoy the traditional food of the island in the taverns. In addition, you will find some cafes with very nice views of the Aegean Sea and the sunset.

Beaches of Alonnisos

As we have already mentioned, in Alonissos you will find many beautiful beaches. Most if not all of them are with thick pebbles and green waters. The landscape around them is usually overwhelmed by the pine trees that dominate most of the island, except for the northern part which is rocky.

The most famous beaches of Alonissos are probably Kokkinokastro and Agios Dimitrios with its characteristic shape and the “nose” that penetrates into the sea.

The beach of Agios Dimitrios – Alonnisos Sporades

As we said in Patitiri you can swim but even better in the nearby beach of Roussoum yalos which you can walk to in about 10 minutes. It is located in the small settlement of Votsi which is just one kilometer from the port.

Another beach near and south of Patitiri is that of Marpounta while one of the most beautiful beaches we visited, we did not go to all of them, is that of Leptos Gialos. It is relatively organized with 2-3 beach bars and tavernas behind and is in a very nice closed location full of pine trees that fall into the sea.

The coarse pebbles dominate so don’t rush into the water as you walk towards the sea! Leptos Gialos is located about 7km northeast of Patitiri and you can either drive your own vehicle or take one of the excursion boats that leave from the harbour.

These will take you to a large part of the marine park of Alonissos and to some of the islands that exist opposite the coast. The largest of these islets are Kyra Panagia, Piperi, Skantzoura, Peristera and Yura. They are all located within the boundaries of the Marine Park and are breeding grounds for the Mediterranean seal. For information about itineraries and destinations you can call directly at the port and the tourist offices there.

Arriving in Alonissos and its port Patieri

Access to Alonissos

You can reach Alonissos by ferry from the port of Volos, the port of Agios Konstantinos but also from Kymi in Evia. From Volos the boat, after passing through Skiathos and Skopelos, takes about 4.30 hours to reach Alonissos , while the same time will be needed from Agios Konstantinos.

From Kymi things are much better as in the summer of 2010 the ferry we took from there took just over two hours to Patitiri without any stops. Of course from Agios Konstantinos and Volos you can also take Dolphin which takes about half an hour but at a similar and higher cost of course. Once you arrive in Alonissos, if you have not taken a car or motorbike then you will have to limit yourself somewhat in terms of the destinations you can visit.

Routes in Alonissos

From Patitiri there is a municipal bus with destinations in Chorio(Old Alonissos or Chora) and Steni Vala. Steni Vala is a beautiful small seaside settlement that you should visit as it is built in a small and quite narrow natural bay where the boats and some sailing boats that visit the area are moored.

There you will also find a few tavernas on the sea to enjoy your meal while enjoying the scenery and the tranquility of the area. Apart from Steni Vala you will find seaside tavernas in Kalamakia which is also a seaside settlement even smaller than Steni Vala. In this area you will also find taverns with excellent views of the Aegean Sea and the islets opposite Alonissos.

Stay in Alonissos

See the best accommodation suggestions in Alonissos comparing hotels and rooms to let and reading the reviews of the visitors of the beautiful and economical Alonissos before making your choice!

text/photos: Yannis Tsouratzis