Most beaches on the island are pebbled, with the exception of a few that are a little bit more sandy, for example Vythisma Beach, Tsoukalia Beach, Chrisi Milia. At the top of the list for most visitors are the beaches of Kokkinokastro, Leftos Gialos, Megalos Mourtias, Megali Ammos, and Ag. Dimitrios. There are also a number of smaller beaches that are not as easy to get to, as the roads to them are unpaved, but are equally beautiful. And of course, there are many others accessible only by boat.

The waters surrounding Alonissos are among the cleanest in the Aegean Sea and, in 1992, were declared the first National Marine Park in Greece. The park was established to protect the rare Mediterranean monk seal, whose population had become increasingly endangered. A rescue and care center for the species operates on the island, while the park’s protected waters serve as an important breeding ground for the seals.

Beyond the monk seals, the area is home to a rich variety of marine life, birds, reptiles, and other rare species that make up the island’s unique flora and fauna. For more information, visit mom.gr.

Because of the richness of the soil and the mild climate, a wide range of herbs are growing in Alonissos, which is why the island is the centre for the International Academy of Classic homeopathy. It is the only institution in the world dedicated exclusively to the teaching of Homeopathic Medicine. For more information, visit vithoulkas.com

Perched on a hillside about 200 meters above sea level, at the southern tip of the island, Chora offers spectacular views of Skopelos and the Aegean Sea. Once the capital of Alonissos, it was destroyed by the major earthquake of 1965 and lay abandoned for many years. In the 1980s, foreign visitors captivated by the island’s charm began restoring its old stone houses, bringing new life to the village.

Today, Chora’s cobbled streets are lined with restaurants and tavernas serving delicious local food, long-established shops offering homemade products and wines, and a variety of small boutiques and gift stores. Head there in the late afternoon for a sunset aperitif, and stay on to enjoy a moonlit dinner in one of the most atmospheric settings on the island.

The many empires that ruled Alonissos — Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman — each left their mark on the island, and their influence is reflected in the exhibits of the Folklore Museum, located in the main port of Patitiri. Established in 2000, the museum offers a vivid glimpse into life on Alonissos before the devastating earthquake of 1965, which destroyed much of the island’s traditional architecture.

For more information, visit alonissosmuseum.com