Alonissos is famous and proud of its Alonissos - Northern Sporades Marine National Park. The largest marine protected area in Europe covers not only the main island of Alonissos, but also the scattered islands in the north and east of the region. The main aim is to protect the rare flora and fauna in the area and to preserve the natural beauty of the island for future generations through sustainable tourism.

There are a number of boat trips that take you to the sparkling waters and surrounding islets. It is not uncommon for dolphins to keep you company. If you look up, there's a chance you'll see the Eleonora's Falcon flying overhead. And often you will find that you are being “watched” by goats standing on the edge of the cliffs. Excursions take you to the islands of Peristera, the monastery on Kyria Panagia and the more distant islands of Yioura and Psathoura and Skantzoura. The range of excursions varies from year to year. Captain Pakis has been sailing his boat “Gorgona” for many years and entertains his guests on board with many stories and myths about Alonissos or you can explore the waters on the “Planitis”. You can even go fishing with Giorgos Malamatenios and his traditional fishing boat “Agios Nikolaos” (Wonderworker Cruise). It's best to get information from the agencies in Patitiri after you arrive on the island.

Back on land there are a few modest archaeological sites worth seeing. Tsoukalia Beach is one of these sites. Here you can find the remains of an amphora workshop, with fragments of earthenware dating back to the 4th century BC. Ikos (nowadays Alonissos) was known in ancient times for its extensive vineyards and wine production. Amphorae of Ikos have been found in ancient cities around the Black Sea, Athens, Pelia and Alexandria, testifying to the importance of the island. The inscriptions "IKION"on these amphorae indicate that the wine originated from „IKOS“. Additionally the name Patitiri, the harbour town, is connected to the island’s history wine production. A "Patitirion" was the place where the grapes were trodden to make wine.

Some archaeological findings and evidence of the ancient site of Ikos can be found on the headland of Kokkinokastro. During sunset, when the headland turns a deep orange color, it is rightfully carries the name “Kokkino Kastro” or “Red Acropolis”. The tip of the headland where the remnants of the city are located, with its steep coastal cliffs, is secured by a tall, fragile isthmus of eroding sandstone that virtually denies access on foot.

Scattered across the island, there are many small churches, such as Profites Ilias, Panagia sto Vouno, Agios Konstantinos, and Agios Yorgos. The two small chapels of Agii Anargirii are something you should definitely include in your sightseeing itinerary. After a walk through a pine forest, you'll find an old Byzantine chapel and its younger neighbor, built to replace the original that was damaged in the 1965 earthquake and has since been restored. From its location high on the cliff, there are fantastic views of the crystal-clear, emerald-colored sea below.

In the Old Village itself, there are numerous churches. These include the Church of Christ and Aghios Athanasios on the sqare, both dating back to the 17th century, and hidden in one of the narrow streets of Kastro, the oldest preserved church in Chora, Agios Giorgios, likely originating from the 15th century. Similar to the other churches on the island, these are mainly used on the feast days of their patron saints. If you have the opportunity to visit the village or the island on such a holiday, you may witness religious ceremonies and traditional celebrations.


Just below the village on the road to Patitiri, you can see the threshing circles that were still in use until the late 1970s. On Alonissos, as in many other parts of Greece, these threshing floors were traditionally used to separate grain from the ears. There are two additional threshing circles on the road to the cemetery and the parking lots.

But seriously, Alonissos is not an island one visits for archaeological interest.

Unless you have diving experiences. Then you can participate in a guided tour of Greece's first underwater museum, the "Parthenon of Shipwrecks.“ Located near the island of Peristera lies one of the most important ancient shipwrecks ever discovered in Greek waters. The enormous 5th-century BC wreck, with its cargo of thousands of mostly intact amphorae, rests at a depth of approximately 28 meters. A spectacular dive for advanced divers.