I arrived here a few days ago for a 10 day stay and am thinking it might be too short. This is a very lovely island more or less off the hard beaten tourist trail of Mykonos/Santorini/Corfu etc which are more like small British enclaves than Greek islands.
Alonissos by comparison is a quiet, small place. it’s main town Patitiri is the quintessential Greek island town (if a bit more modern and not so stereotypically travel-poster-Greece). The town is full of great little shops with things actually priced reasonably, wonderful restaurants all lined up along the waterfront and some dotting the hillsides and one of the most beautiful harbors.
The town itself rises steeply from the waterfront up thickly forested hills of pine trees, Alonissos is Green, forested and covered with herbs and foliage.
I had to hunt for this Island. I wanted to avoid the hordes of Northern Europeans that descend upon the Greek Islands in August and I was pretty successful. We are not the only ones here by a long shot but in comparison to the more famous islands we are “alone”.
This island has a deep and long history that goes back to well before the Greek civilization and many places to visit. The road that runs along it’s spine is only 19Km long and there are more idyllic coves and beaches along it’s shores than most other islands. So many in fact they cannot get them all on the map.
This is not the island for you if you are looking for thumping clubs and Discos, all night parties and your next hookup. (Well I am not sure about that last one) but you get my point....this is a quieter place, relaxing, slow paced with lots of families and those seeking a different Greek Island Experience.
Many come here on day trips from nearby islands of Skiathos and Skopelos both of which are much bigger, noisier and not as pretty to my mind as Alonissos.
One of my measures of a good Island is how many sailboats are in harbor. Sailors, like myself, (I have a 43 foot sailboat [13 meters] ) know a good island when they see one. And there are lots of sailboats here from all over. Its heaven for me, like going to a small boat show...
I am staying in a lovely small hotel, the Pension Galazios Kolpos in a room with a large balcony holding a table and two chairs that directly overlooks the harbor and town from it’s high position on the cliff and is an easy 5 minute walk to the harbor front. The view is stunning. (And I have a clear view of all those Sailboats I mentioned) The room is an incredible 60€/night (in august) and they take my pooch. (One of the few here that do)
So if you want a quiet, beautiful, slower paced Greek Island stay consider Alonissos. Now trust me I hesitated to write this and advertise this place further, but that is nonsense as in this digital/global world nowhere is immune to discovery and fame. So look at it this way...I have given you a chance to come before it becomes the next Mykonos....