Alonissos

Destinations - Sporades � Alonissos

Alonissos, the least populated island in the Sporades group, is the place for those seeking a quiet vacation away from the noise and traffic. It is famous because the sea around Alonissos and the seven uninhabited islets near it have been declared a marine park, so it is the cleanest in the Aegean Sea.

All the islets and Alonissos itself have very rich fauna and flora, and they all offer one of the last remaining habitats for the mediterranean monk seal, better known as the monachus-monachus. The marine park was established in 1983 and its research station and rescue-centre for seals are based on Alonissos. Having that in mind, take care not to disturb the wildlife, as the greatest threat for the extinction of the monk seal comes from human disturbance.

Apart from the peace and quiet, the island has nice -mostly pebbly beaches - mainly on the east coast. Starting from Patitiri, the first beach is Chrysi Milia, followed by Kokkinokastro, Steni Vala and Kalamakia (the last two have tavernas), and Saint Dimitrios beach - unofficially - for the nudists. Steni Vala and Lipsos Yialos are sheltered from the meltemi, thus popular with yachts.