Sporades · The charm of life by the sea
Alonnisos
Alonnisos is the quiet one of the Sporades, an underrated, tranquil island at the heart of the largest marine protected area in Europe. We design private Alonnisos itineraries for travellers who want sea kayaks, monk seals and tavernas instead of nightlife.
Alonnisos is an island that is underrated, tranquil, and not big on nightlife. It is precisely that charm that makes it special.
The island that rises from the sea
Alonnisos was among the first inhabited Greek islands. In mythology it was the home of Stafylos, meaning grape, son of Ariadne and Dionysos, god of wine. In ancient times the island was called Ikos; after the war of independence, when the islands were given Greek names again, this one was accidentally assigned the name Alonnisos, which had actually belonged to what is now Kyra Panagia. The name combines the ancient Greek als, salt and sea, with nisos, island: a Greek island born of the sea. The many shipwrecks from the classical and Byzantine periods found in its waters show that it was once a significant economic power.
Explore Alonnisos
Getting here is part of the adventure. You take the same ferry that stops at neighbouring Skiathos, where droves of people disembark for the nightlife, then at Skopelos, until only a handful of travellers remain on board, still heading for Alonnisos. Those few are in on the secret.
Chora
Perched on a hilltop with incredible views in every direction, Chora was once the island’s main town and the perfect vantage point for spotting approaching pirates. The earthquake of 1965 pushed many inhabitants down to the shore, where the port town of Patitiri grew up; decades of careful restoration later, Chora has regained its splendour.
National Marine Park of Alonnisos and the Northern Sporades
Undoubtedly the island’s biggest drawing card, the marine park is the largest marine protected area in Europe. Alonnisos and its six surrounding uninhabited islands, Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Gioura, Skantzoura and Piperi, are home to a significant share of the world’s endangered Mediterranean monk seals. A must for any nature lover travelling Greece.
The Peristera shipwreck
Off the coast lies the first underwater museum in Greece. Divers can explore the 2,500 year old shipwreck of Peristera, believed to be a large Athenian merchant ship that sank around 425 BC with some 3,500 amphorae of wine on board.
Pairing Alonnisos
Alonnisos completes the Sporades route begun in Skiathos and Skopelos: arrive through their buzz, and save this island for the stillness at the end.
Known first-hand
Our best picks on Alonnisos
- Best Dining Tassia's Cooking
Drive or, better, take a boat to Steni Vala, a picturesque harbour with a handful of tavernas. Tassia's serves succulent crayfish pasta, a sea samphire salad you will struggle to find anywhere else, and wafts of basil, jasmine and sea air. Home cooking at another level.
- Best Hidden Spot Leftos Gialos
Of the east coast beaches, Chrisi Milia is the only true sandy one and horn-shaped Agios Dimitrios the most famous, but our favourite hidden spot is Leftos Gialos, with its beach club tucked into a dreamy olive tree garden.
- Best Wine Eleonas
A meal among the olive groves, eating the finest and freshest Alonnisian dishes, with the best selection of Greek wines on the island.
- Best Activity Kayaking
Rent a kayak and spend a day in the magnificently clear waters around Alonnisos and uninhabited Peristera. You may be joined by schools of dolphins, or glimpse the elusive monk seal that breeds in the sea caves of the marine park.
- Best Local Specialty Alalunga tuna
Alonnisos is the Greek island most associated with tuna fishing, and this tender white fish is definitely worth trying, ideally at a harbourside taverna with the day's catch.
- Best Bar Sunset Bar
Halfway between Patitiri and Old Alonnisos, with unbeatable views; in July and August, live music provides a lovely soundtrack to the sunset.
Alonnisos has no airport; ferries reach it from Volos and Agios Konstantinos via Skiathos and Skopelos, with Skiathos (JSI) as the nearest airport.
Design
Design your experience
Tell us the occasion, the season and who is coming. One of our Epicureans will come back with a first sketch of Alonnisos, and will tell you if another island suits your dates better.