Must-see attractions in Alonnisos

In a country not particularly noted for ecological foresight, Europe's largest marine park (2260 sq km) is a welcome innovation. Created in 1992, its…

Patitiri's excellent town museum takes in antique nautical maps, traditional island costumes, an impressive collection of pirates’ weapons and boarding…

Triangular Agios Dimitrios, 5.5km northeast of Steni Vala, is one of the island's most beloved beaches, with a seasonal truck-canteen and domatia sitting…

Don’t miss this superb 1st-floor waterfront info centre all about the rare, protected Mediterranean monk seal. It has good displays, videos with English…

The gorgeous golden-white pebble-and-sand arc hugging red-tinged Cape Kokkinokastro, 6km northeast of Patitiri, was the site of the ancient, now-submerged…

From just east of Old Alonnisos, a steep road leads 2km downhill to popular Megalos Mourtias, a beautiful enclosed curve of pebbles with a couple of…

The island's northernmost village of note, 2km north of Steni Vala, Kalamakia comprises a small harbour, a few domatia and several fine, low-key dockside…

A 17th-century rough-hewn, slate-roof stone church, with its origins in the 12th century, sits on the village square; inside you'll see a tiny wooden…

Washed by deep-turquoise water, this white-pebble beach 7km northeast of Patitiri is graced by a couple of lively summer tavernas and a sprinkling of sun…

A 2km dirt track and a well-kept footpath lead south and downhill from the village to reach this peaceful, secluded sand-and-pebble beach, which has a…

The island's third settlement, 11km northeast of Patitiri, is an attractive little fishing village and deep-water yacht port, backed by excellent seafront…

Perched on a dreamy aqua-blue bay 2km northeast of Patitiri, the quiet fishing village and port of Votsi hosts several terrific sea-view restaurants and a…

Hrysi Milia is a gently shelving, set-back, sandy gold strand with pine-tree shade and popular summer-only beach bars (also offering scruffy-haired…

With a spectacular setting on a cliff above a north-coast beach, 4km north of Patitiri (down a dirt track), this 13th-century Byzantine church has…

Small, pebbly east-coast Agios Petros sits 500m south of Steni Vala (by coastal path), bordered by pines and olive groves and with just a few apartments…

Golden-grey pebbles and clear water are the draws at easy-going Glyfa, fringed by greenery just north of Steni Vala and often used by water-sports…

Backed by seafood tavernas, the first bay east of Patitiri is an easy 1km walk away, and its beautiful, sheltered, pebbly curve provides great swimming.

On the northern tip of the island, pebbly and sheltered Gerakas has a few fishing boats and a summer food truck. Turtles often nest here (though the water…