The island
Alonnisos, still untouched
A green island in a protected sea, with more footpaths than roads and more coves than people.
The National Marine Park
The largest protected marine area in the Mediterranean surrounds Alonnisos, and it is the reason the island has stayed so wild. Fishing is limited, building is limited, and the sea is astonishingly clear.
Monk seals
The park was created to protect the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the rarest sea mammals on earth. MOm, the Greek society that studies and rescues them, runs the information centre in Steni Vala.
Day boats into the park
Boats leave most mornings in season for the northern islets — Kyra Panagia with its monastery, Peristera, Gioura and the Two Brothers — swimming stops included.
Dolphins & birdlife
Dolphins often ride the bow on the crossing, and the cliffs shelter Eleonora's falcons and Audouin's gulls. Bring binoculars; the northern islets are a seabird sanctuary.
Things to do
Everything below can be booked on the island, usually the day before. Where we know a company well, we've linked it directly.
The Underwater Museum & the Peristera shipwreck
Ten minutes by boat from the villa, on the seabed off the islet of Peristera, lies a merchant ship that sank around 425 BC carrying some four thousand wine amphorae from Mendi and Peparethos — ancient Skopelos. It is one of the largest classical wrecks ever found, and in 2020 it became Greece's first underwater museum: certified divers descend with a guide to swim over the amphorae mound, still lying much as it fell. Non-divers can see it too, through the virtual-reality presentation in the Information Centre at Steni Vala, where video and 3D models take you down to the wreck without getting wet. Diving is by licensed centre only, in small guided groups, and slots book up quickly in July and August.
Diving
Alonnisos is Greece's diving capital: walls, caves and reefs inside the protected park, with visibility that regularly runs past thirty metres. Both centres run try-dives for complete beginners and full PADI courses.
Snorkelling
You barely need a boat: the cove below the house has clear, deep water over rock and pebble. Masks and fins are sold in Patitiri, and the dive centres run guided snorkel trips.
Boat hire
Small boats up to 30 hp can be rented without a licence in Patitiri, Steni Vala and Agios Dimitrios — the simplest way to reach the east-coast beaches. A skippered day is easy to arrange too.
Walking trails
Fourteen waymarked paths cross the island through pine forest and olive groves, linking old churches, windmills and beaches you can only reach on foot. The kalderimi from Chora down to Patitiri is the classic first walk.
The Old Village (Chora)
The hilltop village at dusk: stone lanes, small galleries and cafés, and the whole bay spread out below.
Museums & culture
The Alonnisos Museum above Patitiri covers piracy, shipwrecks and old island life; the little folklore collections and summer festivals fill the rest.
Slow days
Reading on the veranda, a swim before breakfast, lunch under the pergola, the full moon landing in the sea. This is what the house is really for.
Car & scooter rental
Local companies our guests have used and loved — they'll deliver to the villa.
Turismo Car Rental
On the waterfront by the port, running since 1995, with 24/7 service across the island.
Venus Car Rental
A few metres from the port — small cars, SUVs and cabrios, with island-wide delivery.
Alonissos Rent a Car
A local agency since 1987: cars, scooters, ATVs and bicycles, delivered to the port or to Agios Dimitrios.
Beaches
Distances are from the villa's gate. Two beaches are on foot; the rest are an easy drive down the east coast road.
Private cove (Agios Dimitrios)
50 m path · 2 min walk
Our own secluded pebble cove at the end of the private path through the olive grove. Deep, clear water straight off the shore and, most days, nobody else on it.
Agios Dimitrios
800 m · 10 min walk / 3 min drive
A long crescent of pale pebble shelving gently into blue, with a beach bar, sunbeds and a taverna in season. Best in the morning calm; it can catch the afternoon breeze.
Leftos Gialos
approx. 9 km · 20 min drive
White pebbles and translucent turquoise fringed by pines — the island's most photographed bay, with two good tavernas right on the water.
Tzortzi Gialos
approx. 10 km · 22 min drive
A long pebble beach reached down through pine forest, with a taverna above the steps. Rarely crowded even in August, and lovely late in the day.
Chrisi Milia
approx. 12 km · 25 min drive
Golden sand, shallow and sheltered, with shade from the pines and water sports in season — the easy family swim.
Kokkinokastro
approx. 11 km · 22 min drive
Red-tinged sand and pebbles below low cliffs, facing the islet of Peristera and the site of the ancient city. Striking colour at midday, no facilities — take water.
Steni Vala coves
approx. 5 km · 10 min drive
Small pebble beaches either side of the fishing harbour — Glyfa and Agios Petros — with tavernas a two-minute walk away.
Shops & essentials
Patitiri, the port, is about 15 minutes down the coast road and has everything. Steni Vala, five minutes away, covers the daily basics.
Supermarkets in Patitiri
Several well-stocked grocery stores around the port, open roughly 8:30–14:00 and 17:30–22:00 in season, with the waterfront ones open later.
Bakery
Fresh bread, spinach pies and coffee each morning — pick up the day's picnic on the way to the beach.
Pharmacy & health centre
The island's pharmacy and the Alonnisos health centre are both in Patitiri and cover everyday needs; the nearest hospital is in Volos.
Bank, ATM & post
An ATM and the post office sit on the Patitiri waterfront. Card payments are widely accepted, but keep some cash for small tavernas and boat tickets.
Steni Vala & Votsi
Small harbours a few minutes from the house with mini-markets, a fishmonger and seafood tavernas — ideal for a swim-and-lunch outing.
Fuel & car hire
The island's petrol station is on the road above Patitiri. A car is worth having — the rental companies below deliver to the villa.
Getting here
By ferry
Daily ferries and hydrofoils run from Volos (about 3 hours) and Agios Konstantinos, with seasonal crossings from Thessaloniki, Mantoudi, Kymi and Skiathos. Book early for August and for cars.
By air
Alonnisos has no airport — fly into Skiathos (JSI), about 70 km away, then take the 1.5–2 hour ferry to Patitiri. Volos and Thessaloniki airports both connect by road to the ferry ports.