Alonissos: a paradise in the Sporades Arcipelago!
A paradise rarely crowded or visited by tourists. Let’s yourself explore it!
The island of Alonissos is one of the largest in the Northern Sporades archipelago. It is clearly different from other islands in that it is covered in lush vegetation and is rarely crowded or visited by tourists. It has also been a part of a national marine park since 1992, and as a result, many fish species, birds, and even monk seals visit the island to reproduce. This is one of Greece’s most extensive national parks.
To get to Alonissos, first go to Volos, which is connected to the other islands by daily ferries or hydrofoils. Volos is served by an international airport. When you are traveling from Italy, Ryanair has some routes from both Rome and Bergamo, as well as many other flights from other European airports. At last, you can take a hydrofoil towards the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos.
Why choosing Alonissos?
Alonissos is the ideal destination for a peaceful and relaxing vacation surrounded by a lush landscape and crystal clear waters. When you arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is Patitiri, the island’s largest inhabited center, where you’ll find hotels, apartments for rent, taverns serving delicious traditional Greek cuisine, and even some bars where you can enjoy the view of the sea while sipping a nice tea or cocktail in this Greek paradise corner.
If you enjoy walking, there are numerous excursions and long walks available throughout the island. In fact, in Alonissos, you will have the chance to go walking in some absolutely gorgeous pine forests where the wild vegetation is still untouched, offering you an idea of what these islands were like before tourism finally showed up.
Best things to do in Alonissos
Despite the island counts modest size, there are many things to do and must-see:
- THE BEACHES: Agios Dimitrios, Chrissi Milia, and Glyfa are among Alonissos’ most beautiful beaches, and visitors should not miss a boat trip to the Northern Sporades Marine Park, which is home to the rare Mediterranean monk seal.
- THE NATIONAL PARK FOREST: Alonissos cannot be discussed without first mentioning the National Marine Park. It was founded in 2003 and has an area of about 2200 km2. Its goal is to preserve the environment and protect endangered species such as the Mediterranean monk seal. There are also several important historical and archaeological monuments from prehistoric, classical, and Byzantine times within the park.
- CHORA: The old village (Chora), also known as Old Alonissos, is a magical place to explore with its labyrinth of paved alleys and steep steps lined with white houses with colorful shutters, taverns, and tourist shops. The terracotta roofs provide breathtaking views of the Aegean due to its location at the top of the hill, but that’s not all: there’s also a partially restored medieval castle to explore, as well as some remains of Byzantine walls that were restored by the Venetians.
- UNDERWATER MUSEUM OF ALONISSOS: Due to the obvious presence of Greece’s first underwater museum, the island truly provides a one-of-a-kind experience for divers. The museum, which opened in 2020 and is only open during the summer, allows tourists and enthusiasts to see with their own eyes the famous “Shipwreck of the Amphorae” of the 5th century, strictly under the supervision of experienced divers.
Admittedly, the island of Alonissos is off the beaten path and thus difficult to reach. The residence Secret Sporades, located on the island of Skopelos, is the ideal starting point for exploring the entire archipelago, as well as a great place to spend your holidays thanks to its apartments equipped with all comforts.
