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.
Explore the sparkling waters and surrounding islands of Alonissos on a variety of boat trips. It's not uncommon for dolphins to accompany your journey and if you look skyward you might see Eleonora's Falcon circling above you. And often you will find that you are being “watched” by goats standing on the edge of the cliffs. The excursions offered take you to the islands of Peristera, the monastery on Kyria Panagia and the more distant islands of Yioura, Psathoura and Skantzoura. The tour selection varies from year to year and you can choose between different providers. 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 discover the waters on the “Planitis”. With Giorgos Malamatenios and his traditional fishing boat “Agios Nikolaos” (Wonderworker Cruise) you can go on a sunset tour or even go fishing. When you arrive on the island, it is advisable to check with the agencies in Patitiri about the current excursion offers and plan your adventures in the sparkling waters of Alonissos.
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 Kastro”. 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 floors 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 floors on the road to the cemetery and the parking lots.
But let's face it - Alonissos captivates visitors less with its archaeological sites than with its underwater world.
The island offers a special highlight for divers: Greece's first underwater museum, the "Parthenon of Shipwrecks." A large merchant ship dating back to 425 BC, possibly originating from Athens, capsized with a cargo of wine in amphorae from the town of Mendi on Chalkidiki, which was famous in ancient times for its wine. Advanced divers can still make out the outlines of the massive ship through the thousands of amphorae that cover the seabed at a depth of 28 meters. It is considered one of the most important ancient wrecks known today.
For those who cannot or do not wish to dive, there is the option of experiencing the wreck virtually. The Knowledge Awareness Center in the Old Village has created an exhibition about the ancient wreck, offering a virtual dive into the area. Opening hours during the season 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
