Sporades
Alonnissos
A marine park, monk seals, and the cleanest water in the Aegean.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Ferry only
In pictures
Alonnissos
Alonnissos is the centrepiece of Greece's first and largest national marine park, and the environmental commitment shows in the water quality, which is consistently rated the cleanest in the Aegean. The island itself is quiet, forested with pine and evergreen oak, and relatively undeveloped compared to its Sporades neighbours. The old village of Paleo Chorio, perched on a hillside above the port and abandoned after a 1965 earthquake, has been slowly restored by expats and returning Athenians; wandering its restored lanes has a beautiful, slightly ghostly quality. The main ecological draw is the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) — one of the world's rarest marine mammals, with a total population of around 600 — which uses the marine park's uninhabited islands as breeding grounds. Boat trips through the protected zone, with a chance of seal sightings, are the highlight of any visit.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Very quiet evenings — limited dining and nightlife options. Best reached via Skiathos or Skopelos.
Where it sits
Sporades, Greece
Alonnissos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Alonnissos? +
- The best months to visit Alonnissos are May to October. It's calm and uncrowded most of the year, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Alonnissos from Athens? +
- Alonnissos has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Alonnissos good for couples? +
- Alonnissos is one of the most romantic Greek islands — sunsets, candlelit tavernas, sea-view rooms.
- Is Alonnissos good for families with kids? +
- Alonnissos is a great choice for families — calm swims, walkable towns, and short transfers.
- Is Alonnissos expensive? +
- Alonnissos is affordable by Greek-island standards.
- Do you need a car on Alonnissos? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Alonnissos. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Alonnissos? +
- Very quiet evenings — limited dining and nightlife options. Best reached via Skiathos or Skopelos.