Alonissos, Greece: The Sporades Island, Marine Park, Beaches and Chora
Alonissos is a green island in the Sporades, in the north Aegean Sea, with its port at Patitiri. The island belongs to the same group as Skopelos, Skiathos and Skyros. It covers 64 square kilometres of pine forest, keeps a quiet, barely populated north, and sends excursion boats from Patitiri to the Marine Park and the small islands off the coast that are frequented by the monk seal. The old capital Chora sits on a hilltop 3 kilometres above the harbour. Hire a car to reach the parts of Alonissos the buses miss, covered in our Alonissos car hire guide.
- Group
- Sporades
- Area
- 64 km2
- Hills up to
- 500 m
- Population
- 2,985 (2008)
The island of Alonissos
Alonissos covers 64 square kilometres in the Sporades, a green island of pine forest in the north Aegean Sea. It had a population of 2,985 in 2008. The hills reach about 500 metres, so the island has no high mountains. The road network is limited and runs mainly through the south, where the main port lies. The north is barely populated and stays quiet. The capital, Chora, sits on top of a hill, as many Greek-island capitals do. Alonissos is the most serene island of the Northern Sporades and is only slowly touched by tourism, which makes it good country for long walks and quiet beaches. Its neighbouring islands include Peristera, across a narrow strait to the east.
The Marine Park and the monk seal
The small islands off Alonissos are frequented by the monk seal and lie within the Marine Park. Excursion boats leave the harbour of Patitiri for the coastline, the Blue Cave, the Marine Park and the nearby islands, which hold beaches, a lighthouse and a monastery. Alonissos sits at the heart of the Northern Sporades, and the seawater around it is claimed to be the cleanest of the Aegean. A boat trip along the green and rocky coastlines can also bring an encounter with dolphins, which is not unusual in this area.
Beaches of Alonissos
Alonissos is known for pebbly beaches in clear water framed by pine trees. Roussom Gialos lies about 1 kilometre from the port of Patitiri, and Votsi sits a little further in the next bay. Both beaches are pebbly and shelter in a protected bay, and Roussoum Gialos has umbrellas and sun beds for hire. Kokkinokastro, further along the coast, covers the sunken remains of the ancient city of Ikos, which snorkellers can still see in the sea. Most beaches are natural, and some of the quietest are best reached by boat. The full run of coves is set out in the Alonissos beaches guide.
Where to stay
Most accommodation on Alonissos gathers around Patitiri harbour and the nearby beach villages. The island offers a good range, from simple rooms to luxury villas. Some places stand in the capital Chora, and others sit in more remote spots along the coast. Patitiri and its neighbouring villages hold the largest choice near the beaches. Compare the options in the Alonissos hotels guide and the Alonissos villas guide, and find places to eat in the Alonissos restaurants guide.
Chora, museums and ancient sites
Chora, the old capital, crowns a hill 3 kilometres above Patitiri. An earthquake in 1965 destroyed most of its buildings, after which many people moved down to Patitiri by the sea. The village has since been rebuilt and offers wide views of the island and fine sunsets. It keeps the remains of a fortress whose origin dates to 2800 BC and which was later restored in Byzantine and Venetian times. Chora holds three Byzantine churches, the largest of which is the 12th-century Church of Christ, with 17th-century frescoes inside. The Alonissos Museum in Patitiri, founded in 2000 by Kostas and Angela Mavrikis, fills a four-storey stone building. The Traditional House Museum on the main square in Chora shows an old stone house furnished as it once was, and its entrance is free. More sites appear in the Alonissos sights guide, and the villages are covered in the Alonissos villages guide.
Getting around
Alonissos is reached by hydrofoil or ferry from Agios Konstantinos, Skopelos, Volos and Skiathos. Patitiri is the main port and the first village most visitors see. Chora lies about 25 minutes on foot from Patitiri and is also served by bus and taxi. The road network is limited and runs mainly through the south, so many quiet beaches are best reached by boat. Boat rental is available on the island for exploring the coast and the surrounding islets.
The Alonissos guides
Six guides cover the island in detail. Pick a theme below.
Roussom Gialos, Votsi, Kokkinokastro Alonissos hotels
Patitiri, Chora and the beach villages Alonissos restaurants
Patitiri harbour and Chora tavernas Alonissos sights
Chora, the fortress, museums, ancient Ikos Alonissos villages
Patitiri, Chora, Votsi, Steni Vala Alonissos villas
Stone houses and villas near the sea
