About 2 miles east of the island of Skopelos lies Alonnisos, which is also belongs to the Sporades Archipelago in Aegean sea. Thanks to remoteness, no airport and often sparse ferry/catamaran connections, Alonnisos attracts fewer foreign visitors than Skopelos or Skiathos.
Alonnisos is the largest and only permanently inhabited member of a mini archipelago at the east end of the Sporades. It’s more rugged and wild than its neighbours, but no less green, and has spring water. Alonnisos rises from the sea in a mountain of greenery, with thick stands of aleppo pine and kermes oak, mastic and arbutus bushes, vineyards, olive and fruit trees, threaded with perfumy patches of wild oregano, sage and thyme. The west and north coasts are mostly steep and rocky, but the east coast is speckled with small bays and pebble-and-sand beaches.
In the National Marine Park of the island of Alonnisos you are guaranteed to see some of the many dolphins that frequent this protected area. Alonnisos ’ main port is Patitiri and it sits between two sandstone cliffs at the southern end of the east coast. The quay is in the center of the waterfront, from where two roads lead inland. Patitiri has links to Volos and Agios Konstantinos on the mainland and the other Sporades isles of Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros, as well as the port of Paralia Kymis on Evia.
Alonnisos is surrounded by eight uninhabited islets, all rich in flora and fauna. Piperi, the furthest island northeast of Alonnisos, is a refuge for the monk seal and is strictly off limits. Gioura, also off limits, is home to an unusual species of wild goat known for the crucifix-shaped marking on its spine.The most remote of the group, Psathoura, boasts the submerged remains of an ancient city and the brightest lighthouse in the Aegean. Peristera, just off Alonnisos ’ east coast, has sandy beaches and the remains of a castle. Nearby Lehousa is known for its stalactite-filled sea caves. Skantzoura, to the southeast of Alonnisos, is the habitat of the Eleonora’s falcon and the rare Audouin’s seagull. The eighth island in the group, situated between Peristera and Skantzoura, is known as Dio Adelphi.
Alonnisos population is about 3000 inhabitants and while argiculture, mixed farming and vineyards and fishing are locals occupation, the tourism industry prevails for the economy of the island. The total area of Alonnisos is 65 square kilometers and the island lies northwest of Skyros island. Alonnisos specific geographical coordinates are 39°12’22.5″N 23°54’25.5″E in the Aegean Sea.
