Holiday in Alonissos

What makes Alonissos special as a destination?

Alonissos is the green soul of the Sporades and the heart of the first and largest marine national park in Greece. While neighboring islands Skiathos and Skopelos attract visitors with beaches and Mamma Mia tourism, Alonissos has preserved its original character: dense pine forests cover the hilly island, the sea shines in an unreal turquoise, and the underwater world is among the most diverse in the Mediterranean. Here live the extremely rare Mediterranean monk seals – one of the most endangered mammal species in the world. The National Marine Park of Alonissos includes the island itself as well as six uninhabited neighboring islands and a vast marine area. Dolphins, monk seals, Eleonora's falcons, and over 300 fish species are native to these protected waters. Boat trips to the marine park are among the most impressive natural experiences that Greece has to offer – with snorkeling in crystal-clear water and encounters with dolphins. The Old Chora (Palio Alonissos) sits on a hill and offers a panoramic view over the entire island world. Abandoned after an earthquake in the 1960s, the village has been lovingly restored by artists and foreigners in recent decades and now houses studios, taverns, and small guesthouses. The island's beaches – Chrisi Milia with its golden sand, Kokkinokastro with the red cliffs, and Leftos Gialos – are little visited and surrounded by nature. Alonissos can be reached from Volos by ferry (about 3 hours) or by speedboat from Skiathos. German tourists fly to Skiathos (direct flights in summer) and take the ferry from there. A rental car or scooter is helpful but not essential – the island has a functioning bus service.