Alonnisos is a green and picturesque Greek island belonging to the Northern Sporades archipelago. It has an area of 65 km2 and has about 2,700 inhabitants. Its highest peak is on Mount Kouvouli (476 m.). Alonnisos is covered with plantations (pines, holm oaks, arbutus, lentisks, etc.) and the island is the third largest of the Northern Sporades.
Patiri is the capital and the main port. It is in this cove that life is most active: restaurants, automatic ticketing, bars, souvenirs, post, various rentals, disco, shops … The majority of the population is concentrated in this city. Patitiri was built after the destruction of the ancient capital of the island, Chorio (or Alonnisos), destroyed by an earthquake. The houses are built in amphitheater while respecting the natural beauty of the region.
The Alonnisos Marine Park in Northern Sporades is the first national marine park in Greece and was established in 1992. It is located in the east of the country, encompasses the Sporades Islands and comprises seven uninhabited islands. It occupies an area of 251,440 hectares. The need to protect the seal of the Mediterranean was the reason for creating the marine park.
The beaches:
Most are pebble beaches.
– Steni Valla: Only beach accessible by bus, 10km from Patiri
– Agios Dimitrios: Sandy beach, one of the most beautiful of the Aegean Sea, 15km from Patitiri
– Leptos Gialos: Beautiful beach with pebbles, crystal clear waters, 7km from Patitiri
– Roussoum and Votsi: Two small coves close to the port
– Chrissi Millia: Big sandy beach, the most beautiful of Alonnisos, 5km from Patiri
– Kokkinokastro: One of the most beautiful. Red earth, sand and pebbles, crystal clear waters, 6 km from Patitiri
Do not miss:
The capital Patitiri (shops and taverns and Folk museum), the national marine park.