Top 10 things to do in Alonissos
Alonissos, the quietest of the islands of the Northern Sporades where you will find hotels, beaches with crystal clear waters and a beautiful country that is one of the few with such beauty.
Pine trees and olive trees that fade only on the wave, a geography that betrays a steep rift that separated the Sporades from Pelion, the same architecture, so green that you think it will even green your eyes, painting them a new color.
Its elongated shape favors the magical sea views, the sunset paints the water pink in a unique phenomenon, here all the houses look down from above, fairy-tale landscapes.
Alonissos as well as the Chora of Alonissos has nothing to envy the other islands since it is an ideal destination with several points of interest combining good accommodation in Patitiri or Chora or in other parts of the island, delicious food to eat, relaxed quality nightlife and natural landscape with as much green as few islands.
So if you have decided to spend your holidays in Alonissos and are wondering what to do, what to see, where to go and where to stay, then read below the 10 things we recommend you to do and see in Alonissos.
Visit the Chora
Chora in Alonissos is one of the most beautiful in Greece, it has been built since medieval times on a privileged hill where it stands imposingly. You have so much to see but also to browse through its narrow streets and inside the castle with many points of interest, churches, places with stone benches to stop and gaze at the view and take pictures.
Visiting Chora is a must if you visit Alonissos. At the point where it is located, the view is unobstructed from every point, while at the entrance of the settlement you will see the stone threshing floor and the windmill. Now, Chora has fewer inhabitants compared to the past and has not lost anything of its picturesqueness.
A walk in Chora, which has been characterized as a traditional settlement, will reward you even more since you will walk on cobbled cobblestones and see the stone-built and whitewashed houses with their trademark colored windows and doors covered with tiles. It is true that Alonissos has one of the most beautiful countries you will find on a Greek island and many do not know this.
Visit the Museum in Alonissos
Visit the Museum in Alonissos located in the port of the island (Patitiri). It is a private museum with 4 thematic sections on each floor of the building. The items in the pirate ship items section are impressive. The museum is on the left of Taste the port as you look at it when you arrive by boat. The ticket costs 3 euros.
It is a four-level stone building where the basement houses the folklore piece with traditional objects of Alonissos and equipment used for olives, for the creation of wine, but also everyday tools such as the barber’s razor, bakers’ tools and others. The collection is rich and the space is large to see them all one by one.
Enjoy the beaches of Alonissos
Beaches, many pebbly beaches you will find in Alonissos. Almost all the beaches in Alonissos are pebbly, except for Chrysi Milia beach. Some of the must visit beaches are Gyalia, Kokkinokastro, Milia and Leftos Gyalos, all beaches of rare beauty with easy access.
The Golden Millia we mentioned above is sandy and shallow, making it ideal for families with children. Driving towards each beach of the island, there is so much greenery on the road that you forget you are on an island.
Dive in the in the rich seabed of Alonissos
If you want a deeper exploration then try diving in the rich seabed of Alonissos. The deep crystal clear waters teeming with marine life including 300 species of fish, dolphins and corals such as the pink coral make Alonissos an ideal diving destination. The underwater museum in Peristera makes Alonissos one of the top diving destinations.
It is considered one of the most important of classical antiquity and at its bottom you will see a commercial ship from 425 BC. with thousands of wine amphorae. In general, 8 ancient and medieval shipwrecks and over 30 modern ones have been found in the area to date. Read more in our article diving in Alonissos. If you don’t like diving then try hiking, there are many hiking routes and paths and in a large part of the island, the several signs that you will find in various places will help you.
Taste the local cuisine
If you are wondering where to eat in Alonissos and if you specifically want to eat seafood in Alonissos, two very good destinations are the village of Kalamakia and Steni Vala. It is in the northern part of Alonissos, see our map above to see exactly where it is! Beautiful destinations both within easy reach and tavernas with delicious food by the sea. However, of course there are options in Chora as well as in Patitiri.
Even if you’re not interested in beaches, the trip is worth it just for the deliciousness! In Alonissos you will eat magically everywhere. Even the most mundane beach bar cooks with fish from its boat, with vegetables and fruits from its garden. The exclusively family businesses will cook you home-made food, real, from the hands of mom and grandma, lobsters, shellfish and fresh fish do not cost a fortune, the olive oil is everywhere organic and cold-pressed, since only this produces the local olive press and every house and shop makes its own Alonissos tuna – with the deliciousness of another freshness.
Enjoy the sunset from Chora
You will go back to Chora, beautiful colors, beautiful view to spend with your loved one. In the evening you can also combine it by staying in Chora for dinner. You will find several taverns either at the entrance of the Town at the bus stop, or going up the main alley and before the entrance to the Castle. Other sunset spots in Alonissos are Tsoukalia, Vrysitsa and Chrysi Milia beaches.
Take a boat tour
As in other islands, in Alonissos you will find boats that organize sea excursions mainly to the marine park of Alonissos but also to other destinations such as the tour of Alonissos. You will find boats for more information at the port of Alonissos, Patitiri with information on departure time and route schedule.
A day trip by boat will take you on a tour of the “park” of the Mediterranean seal. Peristera, Iura, Piperi, 2 Adelfia, Skandzoura and Psathoura, the most tropical islands of Greece with the most turquoise waters.
The boat trip to Pelagonisi will introduce you to the largest, uninhabited island of the Sporades. The old liotrivi, the water mill and the monastery of Kyra-Panagia, an experience that will take you right back into the pages of Papadiamantis, with the aroma of sun, oregano and thyme.
Drive to Gerakas
If you have your own car and want to make a long journey, try going to Gerakas, which is in the northern part of Alonissos. The road from Chora to Gerakas takes about 35 minutes. It is a relatively comfortable route but what makes it special is that you see the wild and unspoiled landscape of Alonissos combined with the island of Peristera which is constantly on your right for a large part of the route.
The destination, Gerakas beach has boats and a canteen to make a stop. On the road to Gerakas you will find many signs of hiking routes, the most famous of which is to Kastanorema. The gorge starts at a place called Kastania as a small narrow river bed but soon turns into a serpentine gorge that carves the landscape deep between steep cliffs and rocks.
Hike in the walking paths of Alonissos
If you like walking in nature, here you will find your paradise, under shady paths reminiscent of Red Riding Hood’s forest. Chapels and beaches are the reason to put down the path guide that you will get on site and walk it through passable, easy routes that will reveal to you a virgin universe between the green and the turquoise, the sound of the fireflies and the song of the cicadas .
Visit Peristera
Peristera is the second largest island, after Kyra – Panagia and the closest to Alonissos. It has two natural ports, Peristeri and Vassiliko, where excursion boats dock. The beaches of the island, famous for their natural beauty and the purity of their waters.
For more alternative walks if you have more days at your disposal you can visit Kyra Panagia which is located north of Alonissos, Peristera which is opposite Alonissos and also within Alonissos Vythisma beach which is a nudist beach
