Alonissos is a small island in northern Greece. It has an area of 64.5 km2 and about 1,881 inhabitants (2011). Unlike other Greek islands, it stands out for its small size, cave towns, and lack of roads.
Although its soil is mountainous and rocky, Alonissos has multiple plantations of almond and olive trees, which makes the gastronomic experience of this destination unmissable.
In addition, it is known worldwide for its natural landscapes, where vegetation and crystal-clear waters take center stage.
If you are looking for a cozy place to relax and enjoy nature, Alonissos is a very good option for you to consider.
The island of Alonissos, along with its neighbors Skiathos and Skopelos, make up the Sporades archipelago, in the north of the Aegean Sea. Hence the name by which they are known, the "Northern Sporades".
The distance between Athens and Alonissos is 138 km, so you can visit it from there by ferry.
The only way to get to Alonissos is by ferry. You can take a flight to other nearby destinations, such as Athens or Thessaloniki, and from there take a cruise to the island.
In turn, to go from the port of the island of Alonissos to the city center, we recommend you do it on foot since it is a small island and the distances will not be excessively long.
The best months to visit Greece, in general, are from April to June or from September to October, since the weather during this time is warm and you can enjoy long sunny days.
The number of days to visit Alonissos depends on the activities you want to do there. We recommend you allocate between 3-4 days to enjoy the days at the beach, the gastronomic proposals, and the water activities.
However, going for a day to the island of Alonissos is enough to get to know its main attractions.
On the island of Alonissos, you can eat different dishes from fresh fish from the Aegean and Mediterranean. The island also specializes in harvesting fruits, almonds, olives, and figs, among other options.
Much of the food in Alonissos, as in the rest of Greek gastronomy, is grilled or fried.
A famous Alonissos cheese is called mizithra, a soft goat cheese that is often served fried.
Another unique dish is the loukoumades, a donut made with water, flour, and yeast that the locals fry in olive oil.
In addition, you can enjoy typical Greek sweets and desserts. Don't forget to try the delicious Greek breakfast, its olive oils, and a rich local wine!
On the island of Alonissos, you can do all kinds of water activities in the permitted areas.
Among them, we highlight the boat trip through the Sporades Islands of Greece, snorkeling off the coast of a beach in Alonissos, or diving and exploring the gorgonian garden, located 40 meters deep in the Mediterranean.
A very beautiful area to visit if you do diving in Alonissos is the blue cave.
Being a small island, it is possible to explore Alonissos on foot. We recommend that you start from two very important towns in the south of the island, such as Patitiri or Chora, and from there follow the marked trails to Steni Vala, a beautiful fishing center on the north coast.
In case you want to get to know Alonissos in one day, you should keep in mind that it will take around seven hours. In the end, you will find a change in the landscape and a cedar forest surrounding Steni Vala.
Also known as the North Aegean Marine Park, it is the first national part of Greece, which belongs to the largest marine protected area (MPA) on the European continent.
There you can find different marine species such as the Mediterranean monk seal, the short-beaked dolphin, or Eleonora's falcon.
On its shores, you can also spot the old shipwreck of the island of Alonissos.
It is a ceremony that takes place annually during the month of July throughout the island of Alonissos, especially in the ancient capital, Chora. The locals seek to show the old customs of the island, whether from gastronomic and craft proposals to theatrical performances or Greek dances.
There is also a demonstration of the island's typical threshing kitchen, as well as a dish made from broken wheat, specific to the festival, called tarhana and made in large popular pots.
Its recipe will transport you to ancient times. During this festival, you will see many natives wearing traditional Greek garments.
Alonissos is an island little known among foreign tourists, but it can offer you all kinds of attractions. Due to its proximity to other destinations in the Aegean Sea, it is included in different travel packages in Greece.
You can take into account proposals to visit the Sporades Islands from Athens, such as Ikos, Clio, or Nymph.
Greca also offers packages that combine Greek destinations, which stop at Alonissos, as is the case with Trains and Boats.
Everything will depend on your possibilities and needs. Don't wait any longer to choose your own adventure!