Alonnisos made a decision that most Greek islands never had to make: it chose nature over development. The result is an island at the heart of Greece's largest marine protected area, with water so clear you can see the seabed at 20 metres, a medieval hilltop village that was abandoned and then reclaimed, and a pace of life that feels genuinely restorative.
The Island
Alonnisos is the most remote of the main Sporades, reached by ferry from Volos or Skiathos. It is green and hilly, covered in pine, olive and maquis, with a coastline of rocky coves and small pebble beaches. The island has two main settlements: Patitiri, the modern port, and Old Alonnisos (Chora), the medieval hilltop village that was largely abandoned after a 1965 earthquake and has since been beautifully restored by artists and lovers of old stone.
The Marine Park
The National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades — established in 1992 and the largest in the Mediterranean — covers the island and the uninhabited islets around it. It is the primary habitat of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), one of the world's most endangered marine mammals, with a population of around 50 individuals in the area. Sightings are not guaranteed but are not uncommon.
The park has also created extraordinary conditions for diving and snorkelling — the water clarity here is exceptional, and the marine life is rich.
Sights and Attractions
Old Alonnisos is the island's great reward — a maze of restored stone houses, bougainvillea-draped lanes and sweeping views across the Aegean. The walk up from Patitiri takes around 45 minutes through pine forest; the road is quicker but less rewarding.
The Folklore Museum in Old Alonnisos is small but excellent. Boat trips to the uninhabited islets — Peristera, Kyra Panagia, Gioura — are among the best excursions in the Sporades.
Beaches
Alonnisos's beaches are pebble and rock rather than sand, and they are exceptional. Chrisi Milia is the most popular — a sheltered bay with a good taverna. Agios Dimitrios and Leftos Gialos are quieter and wilder. Steni Vala is a small fishing village with a beautiful anchorage and excellent swimming.
Eating and Drinking
Patitiri has a good range of tavernas and fish restaurants. The Rock in Old Alonnisos is a favourite for sunset drinks with views across the Aegean. Local fish — caught daily in the marine park's outer zones — is outstanding.
Weather
Alonnisos has a typical northern Aegean climate: warm summers (July–August at 28–30°C), with the meltemi wind providing relief. Spring is beautiful — the island is intensely green and the wildflowers are extraordinary. The sea is swimmable from June through October.
How to Get There
Ferries run from Volos (around 3.5 hours) and Skiathos (around 1.5 hours), with connections from Thessaloniki and Athens. Skiathos has an international airport with direct UK flights in summer, making it the practical gateway.
Best For
Alonnisos suits nature lovers, divers and snorkellers, walkers, families who want calm and clean water, and anyone who wants the Sporades without the beach-bar crowds of Skiathos. It is one of the most genuinely unspoilt islands in Greece.
Thinking about Alonnisos? Talk to us — we can combine it with Skopelos and Skiathos for a perfect Sporades island-hop.
Written by
The Greeko Team
Greeko has been crafting bespoke Greek holidays for over 25 years. Every article is written from genuine first-hand knowledge of the islands, the culture, and the experiences that make Greece extraordinary.
