After Skiathos and Skopelos, Alonissos is the third member of the Sporades group of islands and is situated 3 km east of the island of Skopelos. The island at its widest is 4.5 km from northwest to southeast and at its longest is 20 km from southwest to northeast. The island is mostly limestone.






Alonissos lies surrounded by 25 uninhabited larger and smaller islands which all together forms the only National Marine Park in Greece(NMPANS). As a result Alonissos has been awarded with a special ECO Island status, making it an ideal holiday destination for people interested in communicating with nature.





 It is an island of an incredible natural beauty and amazing beaches. Most of the island’s coasts offer the superb image of marble formation, striking with red and descending into crystalline emerald waters. Oak trees, mastic and arbutus bushes as well as fruit trees are also covering the surface of Alonissos. The waters of Alonissos are the cleanest of the Aegean Sea.



 Because of the richness of the soil and the mild climate, a wide range of herbs are growing in Alonissos, which is why the island is the centre for the International Academy of Classic homeopathy. This Academy is situated just outside Votsi near Patitiri.





According to the excavations on the island, Alonissos was inhabited from pre-historic times. Moreover, these excavations show that a number of different cultures developed on this Greek island.

The main port of the island is located in the south-east and is called Patitiri. There is ferry and hydrofoil service from Patitiri to Volos, Agios Konstantinos, and Thessaloniki on the mainland and to the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros.



When you first arrive, you might be a little disappointed, since the harbour of Patitiri is not your typical picturesque Greek village. It was built after the terrible earthquake in 1965 destroyed most of the houses in the old capital of the island  (also known as Chora).



The people, who until then had lived in the old village, were forced to move down to Patitiri. The old village was left alone for many years, but in the 1970's the old, ruined houses were bought, mainly by Germans, and slowly the village started coming to life again. Now in 2009, Chora is an absolutely beautiful little village with small cafes looking over the Sporades island, local artists' shops and lovely rooms to rent.


In general, Alonissos is a quiet island where you can enjoy total relaxation. Of course, there are a lot of restaurants, bars and organised excursions, but it is absolutely  not a commercialized place.