Alonissos – Surprising Beauty with Rich Marine Park and Amazing Beaches
Alonissos is one of the surprising Sporades islands. Known for its stunning beaches and amazing emerald marine park of the Northern Aegean Sea Alonissos has much to offer for nature lovers and divers. Let this natural beauty surprise you with great exploration above and under sea level.
Where is Alonissos Greece?
How big is Alonissos Greece?
Map of the Sporades Archipelago
The Villages in Alonissos
Alonissos – Things to see
Alonissos – What to do?
Alonissos Beach Guide
Alonissos – How to get there?
Weather and Climate in Alonissos
Alonissos is covered with lush green vegetation and the many small beaches are hiding in coves surrounded by forest. It is the perfect setting for relaxing holidays, even during high season Alonissos manages to keep its tranquil and laid-back charm. And with its proximity to the rest of the Sporades islands, Alonissos is a perfect base for island hopping to nearby islands, like Skopelos, Skiathos, Skyros, and Evia
Where is Alonissos Greece?
Alonissos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is located east of mainland Greece, northeast of Evia and northwest of the island of Skyros. After Skiathos and Skopelos it is the third member of the Northern Sporades. It is 3 km east of Skopelos.
How big is Alonissos Greece?
The island at its widest is 4.5 km from northwest to southeast and at its longest is 20 km from southwest to northeast. The area of the island is 64 km2. The island is mostly limestone. The Municipality of Alonissos includes the nearby islands of Adelfoi, Gioura, Kyra Panagia (Pelagos), Peristera, Piperi, Psathoura and Skantzoura.
Map of the Sporades archipelago
The villages in Alonissos
Chora is the capital of Alonissos and the most picturesque village on the island. It is sitting on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean Sea. Chora alone is a good reason to visit the island. Seeing Chora today it is difficult to imagine that it was ever damaged by a major earthquake in 1965. This earthquake caused the inhabitants to move to Patitiri, the port of Alonissos. Along with Chora, the countryside of the island has many beautiful villages, like seaside Votsi, Patitiri, Steni Vala, and Rousoum Gialos. These little villages are all ideal for families and couples.
Thanks to its proximity to the rest of the islands of the Sporades, Alonissos is a great base for island hopping to nearby islands, such as Skopelos or Skyros!
Alonissos – Things to see
On your trip to Alonissos you should not miss a boat trip to the Marine Park of the Northern Sporades. It is a shelter for the rare Mediterranean monk seal. Also, Chora, the old capital of Alonissos is worth seeing during your holidays.
- Marine Park of the Northern Sporades – is located along the northern coast of Alonissos. It is rich in marine life and the habitat of the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus Monachus). This seal is one of the rarest species in Europe with just approx. 800 surviving worldwide.
- Small Islets – Alonissos is surrounded by several islets, all with a wild coastline and lovely chapels. Some of them are Piperi, Peristera, and Papous. You can visit them with one of the excursion boats from the port of Patitiri.
- Blue Cave – is in the northern part of Alonissos. It can be reached with an excursion boat from Patitiri on a day trip to northern Alonissos and nearby islets.
- Shipwreck – the halfsunken shipwreck is to be found in Peristera island on the shore.
- Mavrikis Folklore Museum – is located on a hillslope in Patitiri. Here you can see traditional costumes, war memorabilia, local artworks, and items from the winemaking tradition.
- Church of the Birth of Christ – is a tiny church in Chora of Alonissos. It is one of the few churches to survive the earthquake in 1965 – the only damages are some cracks in the walls. It was originally built in the 12th century, inside you will find some fine 17th century frescoes.
- Church of Agios Georgios – built uphill in Chora, also having survived the 1965 earthquake. It has beautiful 18th century icons.
- Church of Agios Athanassios – is a small church located inside the fortress of Chora Alonissos – yet another earthquake survivor. It was built in stone in the 17th century. Its valuable icon is dating from the 18th century.
- International Academy of Classical Homeopathy – is in Votsi. It was founded in 1995 and is dedicated to teaching of homeopathic medicine.
- Monastery of Kyra Panagia – is built on a hilltop on the east coast of Pelagonisi Islet (or Kyra Panagia). It is the post-Byzantine monastery of Kyra Panagia.
- Alonissos Castle – is where the old village of Alonissos was situated. From up here you will have a gorgeous view of the Aegean Sea and Alonissos. Inside the castle you will find the beautiful church of St. George, dated from
Sporades Tours
TICKETS, ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO:
Alonissos – What to do?
Scuba diving
Alonissos has some diving centres, most of them based in Patitiri. You can take courses and rent the necessary gear and equipment to explore the nearby marine park, Alonissos National Park, the famous Blue Cave or the Shipwreck of the Two Brothers.
The center has all the necessary gear and equipment, while most courses take place in Alonissos National Park, a significant Greek marine park. Moreover, some of the additional diving spots of Alonissos Triton Dive Center is the famous Blue Cave of Alonissos as well as the shipwreck of the Two Brothers that is located 5.8 nautical miles away from Patitiri.
Hiking
Alonissos is great for hiking. You will find many old footpaths across all the island, leading to tiny chapels, villages, secluded beaches, and hilltops with stunning views to the Aegean Sea. The best seasons for hiking is during spring and autumn when the temperatures are not too high. During the summer season you might feel uncomfortable on long hikes in the summer heat.
Daytrips and boat tours
If you are the adventurous type and nature lover, try going on a daytrip by boat from the port of Patitiri to visit the Marine Park of Northern Aegean. It is a park consisting of tiny islets surrounded by emerald-coloured waters. Here the rare seal species Monachus Monachus breed. Here visitors often combine their vacations in Alonissos with study and volunteer work in the Marine park of Northern Aegean.
Alonissos Beach Guide
The beaches in Alonissos are surrounded by pine trees and clean waters. Chrissi Milia, Votsi, Glyfa, and Rousoum Gialos are the most famous beaches in Alonissos.
Organized beaches
- Chrisi Milia beach – Sandy, family friendly, located 5 km northeast of Patitiri.
- Roussoum Gialos beach – Pebbled, family friendly, popular, located 2 km north of Patitiri.
- Marpounta beach – Pebbled, family friendly, with sunbeds and umbrellas. Narrow beach surrounded by tall cliffs, located 3 km south of Patitiri.
Partly organized beaches
- Agios Dimitrios beach – Pebbled, family friendly, located 14 km northeast of Patitiri.
Non-organized beaches
- Agios Petros beach – Pebbled, secluded, located 8 km northeast of Patitiri, close to Stevi Vala, a popular tourist resort.
- Kokinokastro beach – Pebbled, secluded, located 7 km northeast of Patitiri, close to the fishing port, Tzortzi Gialos.
- Tzortzi Gialos beach – Pebbled, secluded, and surrounded by pine trees, located 6 km northeast of Patitiri.
- Glyfa beach – Pebbled, family friendly, located 10 km northeast of Patitiri.
- Lefto Gialos beach – White pebbled, family friendly, located 7 km northeast of Patitiri. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Alonissos.
- Megali Ammos beach – Pebbled, secluded, 7 km northwest of Patitiri, accessed through a track road.
- Milia beach – Pebbled, secluded, located 4 km north east of Patitiri. Milia is a popular resort with many hotels and taverns.
- Megalos Mourtias beach – Pebbled, secluded, 6 km southwest of Patitiri, surrounded by taverns.
- Spartines beach – Pebbled, secluded, 2 km northeast of Patitiri, near the popular tourist resort, Votsi.
- Vamvakies beach – Pebbled, secluded, located 14 km northeast of Patitiri.
- Vrisitsa beach – Pebbled, secluded, located 5 km northwest of Patitiri, accessible through a track road.
- Votsi beach – Pebbled, surrounded by tourist facilities, located 2 km northeast of Patitiri.
Alonissos – How to get there?
You can reach Alonissos island by ferry from the port of Agios Konstantinos and the port of Volos Town, both on the Greek mainland. The ferry ride lasts approx. 4 hours. During the summer months extra ferry routes are carried out to Alonissos from Kymi in Evia. If you are traveling from Athens you can reach Volos or Evia by KTEL bus and ferry from there.
Airports near Alonissos
The island of Alonissos has no airport. The nearest airport is in Skiathos. Skiathos International Airport “Alexandros Papadiamantis” is receiving flights from Athens International Airport all year. From Athens to Skiathos the flight duration is approx. 30 min. as well as seasonal flights from different cities in Europe. Arriving in Skiathos the best transfer solution is to take a taxi from the airport to the port of Skiathos. From there you can embark the ferry for Alonissos. The ferry ride from Skiathos to Alonissos lasts two hours.
Weather and climate in Alonissos
Like in the other northern Sporades (Skiathos and Skopelos) the climate in Alonissos is characterized by rainy, mild winters and warm summers. The hot summer hours are cooled down by the “Meltemia”, the north winds from medio July to medio August.
| April | May | June | July | August | September | October | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air | 15° | 19° | 23° | 26° | 25° | 22° | 18° |
| Sea | 14° | 17° | 22° | 24° | 25° | 23° | 21° |
