Alonnisos in 3 Days
The old village, the marine park boat trip, and the deserted beaches of the north coast.
Alonnisos in 3 days, day by day: what to see, in what order, how far you drive and where you sleep. Base: Patitiri.
Patitiri & the Old Village
Patitiri
The main port β a small, relaxed harbour town with good tavernas and a helpful boat-trip booking office. Pick up a rental scooter or car here.
Chora (Old Village)
The abandoned hilltop village slowly being restored by hippies and artists who moved here in the 1970s. Extraordinary views, medieval lanes, and a completely different atmosphere to the port.
History & Folklore Museum
Small museum in Patitiri covering the island's fishing and seafaring heritage. The exhibits on the monk seal and marine park are worth seeing before the boat trip.
Roussoum Beach
Pebble beach just south of Patitiri β calm, clear water, easy access. Good for a first-day swim while you find your feet.
Marine Park Boat Trip
Patitiri β Boat Departure
Full-day boat trip into the National Marine Park β the largest protected marine area in Europe and home to the Mediterranean monk seal. Book from the harbour the day before.
Gioura Island
Wild uninhabited island in the marine park. The cave here is claimed to be the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus from the Odyssey. Extraordinary wildlife β wild goats, rare birds.
Peristera Island
Uninhabited island opposite Alonnisos with sandy coves and clear water β most boat tours stop here to swim. Just off its shore, at about 20 m, lies the Peristera shipwreck: a merchant ship that sank in the late 5th century BC carrying some 3,000β4,000 wine amphorae, mostly from Mende and ancient Skopelos. A local fisherman found it in 1982, and in 2020 it opened as Greece's first underwater museum. Certified divers can visit it with a licensed dive centre; non-divers can take the virtual-reality dive at the museum's information centre on Alonnisos.
Monk Seal Spotting
The waters around Alonnisos have the highest concentration of Mediterranean monk seals in the world β about 40 individuals. Patient boat skippers often spot them in the late afternoon.
Dinner in Patitiri
Boat returns to Patitiri Port in late afternoon (about 90 min from the marine park area). The harbour fills up at dinner time β Patitiri's fish tavernas are some of the best in the Sporades.
North Beaches & Departure
Agios Dimitrios Beach π beach card Β· wind & conditions β
Remote sandy beach on the north coast β accessible by a rough road or by boat. White sand, crystal water, almost always empty. One of the finest beaches in the Sporades.
Leftos Gialos Beach π beach card Β· wind & conditions β
Sandy beach midway up the east coast β calmer than the north coast beaches and slightly easier to reach. Good swimming and a small taverna.
Patitiri β Departure
Ferry to Skopelos, Skiathos, Volos or Thessaloniki. Alonnisos is the end of the Sporades line β ferries are less frequent than on the other islands, check timetables.
Planning questions
Is 3 days enough for Alonnisos?
Yes, for a first visit. The plan covers the essentials at a pace that leaves time in the water. With one more day, add a slow beach day with no driving.
Do I need a car on Alonnisos?
It helps for a day or two, but the core of this plan works with the bus, taxis and boats.
Where should I stay on Alonnisos?
The plan sleeps in Patitiri.