If your dream vacation is to escape to an island paradise with breathtaking turquoise beaches, lush mountain sceneries overlooking the Aegean Sea and escaping the crowds, Alonissos Island is the destination you are looking for next summer! Thanks to Visit Alonissos and Albedo Travel Agency, I thoroughly indulged in an unforgettable 3-day experience exploring Alonissos. While tourists stay at popular islands like Santorini or Mikonos, only passionate travelers choose this underrated, yet amazing Greek island where they can connect directly with nature while also having access to the finest villas and most authentic restaurants.

How to Arrive to Alonissos Island

Alonissos belongs to the Sporades Islands along with Skiathos, Skopelos and Skiros. It is the third island of the group, so the transfer from Skiathos International Airport takes a bit of time. However, after taking a 90-minute ferry ride on the comfortable and safe Hellenic Seaways catamarans, the magnificent mountains and beaches of Alonissos greet you, and you quickly realize that the journey there has been absolutely worth it. Another way to reach the island is using your own private boat. There are many ports on the island such as Patitiri and Steni Vala which have excellent facilities to accommodate yachts and catamarans.

Relying on a specialized travel agency made the entire process much easier. Upon arrival in Alonissos, the Albedo Travel and Visit Alonissos team met us at the port and provided us with useful recommendations and a list of places we could not miss. They also had our rental car ready. As I suggested in my Skopelos review, in Alonissos it is also recommended to rent a small car with 4×4 drive to navigate safely through the narrow mountain roads.

Historic Villages on Alonissos Island

The charming port of Patitiri is the heart of the island. We arrived at this port by ferry after some days in Skopelos. Walking along the waterfront, you can find several bars and restaurants and lively nightlife. The crystal-clear beach of Patitiri is definitely a place not to be missed! Besides, to book most of the tours and experiences in Alonissos, you should visit the agencies in the port, including the Albedo Travel’s office.

The Old Village (Chora) is spectacularly located inland at one of the highest points on the island. The colorful historic buildings tumble down the hillside, and from the top you have stunning views over the Aegean Sea. The Chora has a magic flair, its cobblestone streets, bougainvillea flowers and traditional architecture are quite picturesque and breathtaking!

In addition to the countless cafes, restaurants, Orthodox churches and souvenir stores, in the Old Village you can visit the Alonissos Underwater Museum Center, the first of its kind in Greece. Here you can find out about Peristera Island’s shipwreck -around 3,000 amphorae piled up on the seabed- which is open to recreational divers since 2020. If you don’t have a diving diploma, you might consider taking a few introductory lessons during your stay on the island. Still, you can now enjoy the museum ashore, thanks to an immersive VR experience available at the information center.

Wild Nature on Alonissos Island

Alonissos boasts its own Marine Park, also the first of its kind established in Greece in 1992. Since then, the island has been awarded the “eco-tourism island” status, which has turned Alonissos into an ideal destination for nature lovers.

There are six main islands in the park area -where Alonissos and Peristera are the main ones- along with other 22 rocky islets. The Marine Park was conceived to preserve the biological diversity of the region, and especially the endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal. Activities such as bird watching, trekking, climbing, dolphin watching, snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular in Alonissos.

Unspoiled Beaches on Alonissos Island

Sea lovers and beach goers will be delighted with the crystal clear beaches of Alonissos Island. If you don’t like crowded summer places, you will fall in love with beaches like Agios Dimitrios, Leftos Gialos, Chrisi Milia (the only sandy beach on the island), Kokinokastro and Megalos Mourtias. However, Glyfa Beach was definitely my favorite!

Glyfa Beach is a peaceful paradise to unwind while waves break on the shore. The colorful, smooth rocks contrast with the clear blue waters in a unique spectacle for the senses. Very close to this beach, you will find Steni Vala port, an ideal place to have lunch in one of its many restaurants or fish taverns. In addition, Glyfa Beach is also home to Suelto Beach Bar, where you can chill out in total tranquility as well as experience their warm hospitality.

Dining Options on Alonissos Island

After a memorable day of sightseeing or relaxing on a quiet beach, it’s time to taste the delicious Greek cuisine in one of the many restaurants or fish taverns on the island. Impressively, Alonissos Island has the largest fishing fleet in the Aegean, with around 250 boats, so fresh fish is definitely one of their main specialties.

To taste the delights of the sea, I recommend going to Kalamakia Beach where there are several fish taverns such as Maina Tavern, Corali Restaurant and Ta Kalamakia Tavern. The atmosphere of the small pier is absolutely charming with a picturesque panorama of fishing boats with nets and fishing rods moving with the swaying of the waves.

Another restaurant I loved was Dolopes Restaurant & Island Beach Bar. It is the perfect place to spend a day of complete leisure on the beach and at lunchtime you can savor a delicious meal alfresco under the olive trees. Dolopes also has a bar area and even a swimming pool!

For a romantic or family dinner in a very enjoyable atmosphere, I suggest Ostria Restaurant. This family business at Patitiri port offers a more modern approach to Greek cuisine and Alonissos delicacies. Don’t miss their version of cheese kataifi and lamb kleftiko!

Luxury Accommodation on Alonissos Island

Although Alonissos is a distant island where most visitors are interested in wildlife and water sports, it is surprising to find so many luxury accommodations geared towards travelers seeking peace and relaxation. In a future article, I will share a list of my favorite hotels and villas in Alonissos, all of them family-run businesses with an essence of their own.

For now, I will highlight ILYA Botanic Suites, a venue just a few steps from my favorite Glyfa Beach that evokes the colors, textures and smells of Alonissos to immerse guests in an experiential journey for their senses. I fell in love with the open-space concept, carefully crafted decor and handmade furniture both in their Suites and Deluxe Suites! In every room, there is a special spot dedicated to a water element, either with a small pool or jacuzzi. For a moment, you feel in direct connection with nature and all you hear in the background is the sea.

Holidays in Alonissos Island allow you to appreciate nature at its absolute best. Whether you’re looking for a trip with a dose of action or would rather simply relax away and disconnect from everything, Alonissos is the ultimate destination for you. The best way to truly experience Greek way of life, rather than visit popular destinations, is to explore this beautiful, unspoiled island that is just waiting to be discovered!