Alonnisos
The old village, the marine park boat trip, and the deserted beaches of the north coast.
Alonnisos is the least-developed major island in the Aegean — mostly car-free lanes, dense maquis, and a marine park protecting the last monk seal population in Europe. The island was devastated by a 1965 earthquake and the population mostly moved away, leaving the old hilltop village abandoned. Today it's the most peaceful and wild island in the Sporades, with beaches accessible only by boat and water of extraordinary clarity.
Getting there
No airport. The most remote Sporades island — reach from Volos/Agios Konstantinos via Skopelos. Marine park around the island protects monk seals.
Read full route
Tip: Combine with Skopelos for a quieter Sporades trip — Skiathos can be skipped.
When to Visit
Alonnisos sits inside Greece's biggest marine park (Mediterranean monk seal habitat) — boat trips to the protected islands of Kyra Panagia and Peristera are the main attraction. Quieter than Skiathos and Skopelos. Best May-October. June and September. This is a hiking and snorkelling island.
3-day itinerary for Alonnisos
Day 1: Patitiri & the Old Village
- 09:00 · Patitiri
The main port — a small, relaxed harbour town with good tavernas and a helpful boat-trip booking office. Pick up a rental scooter or car here. - 10:00 · Chora (Old Village)
The abandoned hilltop village slowly being restored by hippies and artists who moved here in the 1970s. Extraordinary views, medieval lanes, and a completely different atmosphere to the port. - 12:00 · History & Folklore Museum
Small museum in Patitiri covering the island's fishing and seafaring heritage. The exhibits on the monk seal and marine park are worth seeing before the boat trip. - 15:00 · Roussoum Beach
Pebble beach just south of Patitiri — calm, clear water, easy access. Good for a first-day swim while you find your feet.
Day 2: Marine Park Boat Trip
- 09:30 · Patitiri — Boat Departure
Full-day boat trip into the National Marine Park — the largest protected marine area in Europe and home to the Mediterranean monk seal. Book from the harbour the day before. - 11:00 · Gioura Island
Wild uninhabited island in the marine park. The cave here is claimed to be the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus from the Odyssey. Extraordinary wildlife — wild goats, rare birds. - 14:00 · Peristera Island
Uninhabited island opposite Alonnisos with deserted sandy beaches and crystal water. Most boat tours stop here for swimming and snorkelling. - 16:00 · Monk Seal Spotting
The waters around Alonnisos have the highest concentration of Mediterranean monk seals in the world — about 40 individuals. Patient boat skippers often spot them in the late afternoon. - 17:30 · Return to Patitiri
Boat returns to Patitiri Port in late afternoon (about 90 min from the marine park area). The harbour fills up at dinner time — Patitiri's fish tavernas are some of the best in the Sporades.
Day 3: North Beaches & Departure
- 10:00 · Agios Dimitrios Beach
Remote sandy beach on the north coast — accessible by a rough road or by boat. White sand, crystal water, almost always empty. One of the finest beaches in the Sporades. - 12:30 · Leftos Gialos Beach
Sandy beach midway up the west coast — calmer than the north coast beaches and slightly easier to reach. Good swimming and a small taverna. - 16:30 · Patitiri — Departure
Ferry to Skopelos, Skiathos, Volos or Thessaloniki. Alonnisos is the end of the Sporades line — ferries are less frequent than on the other islands, check timetables.
Top beaches of Alonnisos
Agios Dimitrios Beach
The finest beach on Alonnisos — white sand, turquoise water, almost always empty. The rough road access keeps the crowds away. This is what Greek beaches looked like before tourism.
- Type
- White sand
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Shallow to medium — crystal clear water
- Wind protection
- North-facing — fully exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often choppy June–September
- Facilities
- None — rough road access or boat only.
Leftos Gialos Beach
The most accessible good beach on Alonnisos — a sandy cove on the west coast with a small taverna and calm, clear water. A relaxed spot that captures the island's peaceful character.
- Type
- Sand and fine pebble
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, clear
- Wind protection
- West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- Basic: small taverna, accessible by road.
Chrisi Milia Beach
A beautiful sandy beach in a sheltered bay south of Patitiri — the best organised beach on the island. Clear water and a good taverna make it ideal for a full day.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 250 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, warm
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Good: small hotel and taverna behind the beach.