ALONISSOS

Take a swim in the turquoise waters of the beaches at Agios Dimitrios or Kokkinokastro. Let yourself wander the picturesque, winding alleyways of Palia Alonissos, with its enrapturing views of the island and enchanting sunsets. Hike across gorgeous trails and visit the local monasteries and quaint chapels. This is Alonissos.
The island’s main hallmark is the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, the most extensive marine park in Europe, which covers a sea area that encompasses Alonnisos and smaller islets and rocks. The park protects a unique ecosystem that features various Mediterranean biotopes – both terrestrial and marine habitats – home to a wealth of flora and fauna, not to mention prominent historical and archaeological sites. The protagonist here is the famous Monachus monachus Mediterranean monk seal, which makes its home in the area. The Park is accessible to visitors, with multiple opportunities for activities such as swimming and scuba diving, nature hikes and wildlife observation. Alonissos is especially well-known for its diving tourism: in addition to the truly striking variety of local marine life, the area is full of shipwrecks and monuments from antiquity that transport visitors back in time.

Gastronomy

On Alonissos, fish is king. While the island is known for its local tuna prepared either in the classic manner or with tomatoes, the local seafood – shrimp, prawns and lobsters – is also a major source of culinary inspiration, exploding with flavour. Whether it’s the local fish stew, fish pastas or famous cheese pies, the cuisine of Alonissos is known for its freshness, simplicity and hand-made approach. The local cuisine remains authentic and unadulterated. The island’s sweets are also worth special mention: chamalia, the delicious local almond sweets wrapped in phyllo, sprinkled with sugar and infused with cinnamon and nutmeg; the island’s own sweet bougatsa, known to the locals as soultana; or its loukoumades, fouskakia in the local dialect.

How to get there

Alonissos is an island in the Sporades archipelago. It is easily accessible from the mainland, by ferry from Agios Konstantinos or Volos, as well as from Mantoudi in Evia.