Alonnisos Island Things to Do Tips by StefanosS

Other islands

During the summer from Patitiri you can visit the Marine Park with tourist boats. Information regarding these excursions you can find at the Travel Agencies along the seaside of Patitiri. Excursions that will make your vacations unforgettable...

Other islands within the National Marine Park you can visit:

Peristera (or Xero) island : It has lovely sandy coves and just a few inhabitants. The bays Vasiliko in the middle of the west coast (across the canal to the east of Alonnisos) and Peristeri to the south of the island are safe places to anchor your small or medium size boat and spend the night there.

Skantzoura island : with an ancient Monastery and the white marbles. Its only inhabitants are some shepherds.

Piperi island : access to this island is not allowed.

Kyra-Panaghia (or Pelaghos or Pelaghonisi) island : where there is the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin, a dependency of the great Meghistis Lavras monastery on Mount Athos. Among the deserted islands in the Marine Park the safest places to stop would be on Kyra-Panaghia island. Planitis bay on the north coast of the island, which is one of the safest natural harbours in the Aegean, and the bay of Aghios Petros on the south-west coast of the same island, with fine sandy beaches.

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/22b26/665d9/

Yioura island

A mountainous and difficult to approach island, with Cyclops’ cave on it. A rare species of wild goat, similar to the Cretan kri-kri lives on the island.

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/22b26/6580d/

Psathoura island

A flat volcanic island with a lighthouse, ancient underwater ruins of a city (possibly the ancient Alonnisos) and a gorgeous beach to the south.

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/22b26/661f1/

Historical Maritime Museum of Alonnisos

At the south end of the seaside of Patitiri, on the hill, there is a new building housing the Historical Maritime Museum of Alonnisos. An interesting collection with a lot of findings, rescued folklore articles, family heirlooms, trophies and nautical maps of different ages are exposed in its halls. A visit there could be a good change intermediate at the leisure of Patitiri.

More beaches...

More beaches:

Aghios Dimitrios (Poly Nero) : Perhaps one of the best beaches on the island, with a spectacular view. On the coast of Aghios Dimitrios there is a small wetlands area. The protection and conservation of such habitats, used as resting-places by migrating birds, is imperative.

To the west coast:

Yialia and Vrysitsa : Both are very beautiful, consisting of flat stones and black sand.
Meghali Ammos and Aghalou Lakka : Virgin beaches, on the west coast of Alonissos, ideal for the nature lovers.
Other numerous beaches exist, that can be reached by small boats, cars, bikes or even on foot.

Glyfa beach

Glyfa beach, next to Steni Vala, only 5 minutes walk on the coastal path.

Chrysi Milia beach

From Patitiri, by caiques or on foot through beautiful paths, you will arrive at the most magnificent beaches of the island, such as :

To the South of Patitiri:

Marpunta : A tourist resort with two gorgeous sandy beaches as well as a rocky seafront and with a nice hotel.
Vythisma : A small lovely bay, little visited, with big and small stones and black sand.
Mourtias : Overlooked by Old Chora, it is covered with flat stones, crystal clear water, with several tavernas on the beach.

To the North of Patitiri:

Rousoum Yialos : The bay next to Patitiri, this beach is covered with stony sand. There are several traditional tavernas along the beach.
Votsi : It is a new settlement with lush verdure and sandy beaches, overlooking the most picturesque bay of the island. The harbour of Votsi is very traditional and charming, with small fishing boats and romantic tavernas. The inhabited bay of Votsi is a safe moorage for a small or medium size boat.
Milia : A beach with blue crystal clear waters.
Chrysi Milia : A good beach with no tavernas or cafes, ideal for children since there is a sandy bottom for some distance out. Located 20min north of Patitiri by caique. Next to it is cape Kokkinokastro with the archaeological findings of ancient Ikos.

Steni Vala

Other beaches to the North of Patitiri:

Tzortzi Yialos : A beach with its own special colour, next to Kokkinokastro. Possibly it was the port of ancient Ikos.
Leftos Yialos : A picturesque small bay with pure white sand and very clean waters, 30min north of Patitiri by caique.
Steni Vala : The fishing village Steni Vala is a popular region with anchorage for small or medium size boats. There you can find ice, drinkable water and a couple of groceries stores. At Steni Vala there is also the care centre for sick or orphan seals, which was inaugurated in 1990 by MOm (the Society for the Study and Protection of the Mediterranean Seal).

Patitiri

Arriving on Alonnisos by the ferryboat or the hydrofoil, one disembarks in Patitiri. It took its name from the old wine pressures (Patitiria) that used to exist, since the island was a red wine producer, the basic occupation of the locals until the 50's. After the destruction of Old Chora by an earthquake in 1965, the first makeshift houses were set up by the harbour at Patitiri and nearby Votsi and everyone gradually moved here. The new houses were built hurriedly with concrete frames and without town planning. Patitiri became the main town of the island accommodating the facilities of life. Consequently the island's present capital has only a few of the features of a traditional Chora. Although, there is a lot of places to stay, mainly in private rooms to let, tavernas to taste the delicious sea food snacks, cafes for morning or evening leisure and bars for night-life activities.

Marine Park Information Centre

Marine Park Information Centre is located at the first floor of a building at the seaside of Patitiri, but it is hardly noticed. It contains some articles of biological importance, posters and photos from the Marine Park and a lot of info about the activities for the protection of the Mediterranean Monk Seal and its habitat. There is also a movie on the same subject projected in the exhibition hall.

Website: http://www.mom.gr