Alonnisos

Alonnisos is an island in the Northern Sporades archipelago of Greece, administratively part of Thessaly. It is known for its traditional hillside villages, maritime landscape and proximity to a major marine protected area.

The island’s hilltop Chora with narrow alleys and sea views, the small harbour village of Steni Vala, and numerous beaches and coves used for swimming, snorkeling and boat trips. The coastal waters are a draw for diving and wildlife watching, particularly for marine mammals and diverse sea life.

The island has long fishing and maritime traditions and developed as a small-scale agricultural and fishing community; in recent decades tourism, boating and conservation have shaped its economy. The surrounding waters were designated as a protected marine area to conserve the Mediterranean monk seal and other marine species.

Alonnisos lies in the Aegean Sea as part of the Northern Sporades chain, off the east coast of mainland Greece. Regular ferry connections link the island to neighbouring Sporades islands and to mainland ports, and its terrain is a mix of rocky coastline and low hills.

• Location in the Sporades: Part of the Northern Sporades island group and often visited as part of sailing, diving and marine-wildlife itineraries between Skiathos, Skopelos and the mainland.
• Marine protection and wildlife: The surrounding sea is part of a protected marine area that supports the Mediterranean monk seal and diverse marine life, so boat-based wildlife watching and diving are common activities.

What to See #

• Chora (main town): The island's principal settlement on a hillside with narrow alleys and traditional stone houses, offering viewpoints over the Aegean and access to local tavernas and shops.
• Steni Vala (harbour village): A small harbour village with moorings for inter-island ferries and dive boats, serving as a gateway for sea-based activities and island-to-island connections.
• Beaches and coves: A network of coves and beaches on the east and west coasts popular for swimming, snorkeling and small-boat excursions; notable beaches include several pebbled and sandy bays used by day visitors.