Where Nature, Sea, and History Meet
Alonissos can rightfully be proud of its National Marine Park of Alonissos – Northern Sporades, the largest marine protected area in Europe. It includes not only the main island itself but also the small, uninhabited islets to the north and east. The goal is to preserve the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem—from the endangered monk seal population to rare seabirds—while shaping tourism in a way that ensures future generations can continue to experience this beauty.
Those who explore the crystal-clear waters around Alonissos quickly understand why this island is a dream destination for nature lovers. On boat trips, dolphins often accompany you on your journey, while high above, the graceful Eleonora’s falcon circles the sky. From the cliffs, goats watch the scene on the sea below with stoic calm.
Popular excursions lead to the neighboring island of Peristera, to the monastery on Kyra Panagia, or to the remote islands of Yioura, Psathoura, and Skantzoura. The routes vary each year, so even returning visitors always discover new facets of the island world. For decades, Captain Pakis has set sail with his boat Gorgona, entertaining his guests with stories and myths from the region. Equally legendary are the tours with Giorgos and Dimitris Malamatenios aboard their traditional fishing boat Agios Nikolaos—whether for a romantic sunset cruise or a fishing excursion. Those planning a maritime adventure will find the best contacts in the travel agencies of Patitiri.

Traces of Antiquity
Back on land, Alonissos reveals its modest archaeological heritage. At Tsoukalia Beach, the remains of an ancient amphora workshop can still be seen, with pottery fragments dating back to the 4th century BC. In antiquity, when the island was still known as Ikos, it was famous for its wine. Amphorae bearing the inscription IKION—proof of their origin from Ikos—have been found in Athens, the Black Sea region, and even in Alexandria. The name of the harbor Patitiri still echoes this tradition, deriving from patitirion, meaning “wine press.”
At Kokkinokastro—the “Red Castle”—you can find traces of the ancient settlement of Ikos. Especially at sunset, when the rocks glow in a vivid orange, the place exudes an almost mystical atmosphere. The tip of the promontory, where the remains of the settlement stand atop steep sea cliffs, is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of eroding sandstone, making access on foot nearly impossible.

Churches and Chapels
Scattered across the island are small, often modest churches: Profitis Ilias, Panagia sto Vouno, Agios Konstantinos, and Agios Yorgos. Particularly rewarding is the walk to the Agii Anargyri chapels: the path winds through a pine forest to a Byzantine church and its newer counterpart, built after the 1965 earthquake. From here, the view opens over the emerald-green sea—a place where silence and vastness blend into one.
In the narrow lanes and among the whitewashed houses of Old Village Chora, you’ll find many small churches, such as the Church of the Nativity of Christ and Agios Athanasios from the 17th century, or Agios Giorgios, hidden within the Kastro and probably dating from the 15th century. As with other churches on the island, they are mainly used on the feast days of their patron saints. If you have the chance to visit the village or the island on such a day, you can witness heartfelt religious celebrations and traditional festivities.

Agricultural Heritage
Below Chora, along the road to Patitiri, the old threshing floors recall the island’s agricultural past. These sites, still used until the late 1970s, are reminders of rural life. On Alonissos, as in many parts of Greece, they were traditionally used to separate grain from the chaff. Two more threshing circles can be found along the road to the cemetery and near the parking areas.

Underwater Wonders
The true jewel of the island, however, lies beneath the surface: Greece’s first underwater museum, also known as the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks.” A large merchant ship, dating from 425 BC and possibly originating from Athens, sank with a cargo of wine amphorae from the city of Mendi in Chalkidiki—famed in antiquity for its wine. Advanced divers can still discern the outlines of the massive vessel among the thousands of amphorae covering the seabed at a depth of 28 meters. It is considered one of the most important ancient shipwrecks known today.

Those who prefer to stay on land can explore the wreck virtually: at the Knowledge Awareness Center in Old Village Chora, an interactive exhibition allows visitors to take a digital dive into the ancient site (open daily during the high season, 10:00–14:00 and 17:30–21:30).

Alonissos is more than just an island—it is an invitation to experience nature, history, and the sea with all your senses.