The easiest way to get to Alonissos is by boat from one of the other Sporadic Isles, or the port of Volos on the mainland. From Norway or other parts of Northern/Middle Europe, we would recommend going by air to Skiathos, and from there by boat (ferry or catamaran - "Flying Dolphin"). We arrived in Alonissos for the first time on a September evening in 1995, after a long ferry trip from a not very sucessful stay in Skyros. We fell in love immidiately. With the boat one comes to the port Patitiri, which by some is claimed to be both unattractive and noisy. We disagree deeply. If one gets a room not to close to the port, noise is definitely no problem. Unattractive? Judge for yourself - but we don't think so! Patitiri is situated in a natural "gulf" with high hills on both sides, This will make engine noise from ferries being thrown back and forth, which can be a pain if one stays in one of the hotels on top of the hills. On the backside of the hills, facing Votsi on the other hand, one can find the perfect place to stay, with nice rocks to go swimming from, a beautiful view of Votsi, center of town only a short walk away - and peace and quiet at night.

Old Alonissos town. How about a break right here?

The harbour is "the place to be" at night, this is where most restaurants and bars are situated. On the corner where the main street ends you will problany find the "restaurant with the yellow tableclothes". The previous time we were there, in 1998, one of the bosses was a Greek with a Norwegia wife, very fond of speaking Norwegian, which he did rather weel. There is a small beach in Patitiri, but it is not really very suitable for swimming. One should rather take a boat to one of the beaches, Kokkinokastro and Chrissi Miglia are only two of more very nice beaches. If one enjoys walking, this can be done to the beaches as well, but it will naturally take some more time. We had a wole day trip to Chrissi Miglia one day, we left Patitiri at about 10 a.m., came to Chrissi Miglia in perfect time for lunch, had out meal and went for a swim before we walked back. If one lives in Patitiri, the walk up to the old Alonissos town is also very nice. It can be done in just over an hour, then one can have a stroll in the town, have a lunch, and walk back "home".

Old Alonissos Town is by the way the main town of the island. It is situated rather high away from the coast and with a view in all directions. The town was populated until 1965, it was then struck by an earthquake, and the inhabitants moved down to Patitiri or to other places on the island. The past few years quite a lot of foreigners, especially Germans and Britons, have bought and rebuilt houses, and loclas have also started moving back. Living in Patitiri, old Alonissos town is perfect for a night trip with a taxi or the bus. There are several very nice bars and restaurants, and a couple of really cosy tavernas on your way from the taxi and bus stand to the center of town.

We do not find this town unattractive! Patitiri seen from the footpath to old Alonissos town.

Around the isle there are aras that are protcted, and some very special seals stay here. The are called "monk seals", and even have their own museum in Patitiri. They are threatened by extermintation, and in the little community of Steni Vala there is a "seal hospital" where seal babies that have lost their parents are being taken care of. Many of the sales are being said to be killed by fishermen who want "their" food to themselves. Outside Alonissos there is also a small isle with an old monastery that is very well preserved. Here one can see an olsolive press, and on the ground there are mllions of crushed olive stones. One can also see old jars that were dug halfway into the ground, where food was kept. The island once belonged to the monk "state" of Athos, where no female whatsoever is admitted, including animals. So the monks kept their animals on this isle in order to produce more animals.... The tourist office has tours to this isle, the Marine Park and more. We went on a trip where a Greek marine biologist was the guide, and this can definitely be recommended!

The ferries do not have much space to turn in the harbour of Patitiri, with the molo on the right and the little peninsula on the left, it is apparently only just possible to get in and out. If we were captains, we would probably have had to have a large gulp of Ouzo before we even tried! But Greek ferry captains have impreesed us with their manouvers many times, so maybe it IS Ouzo and a little bit of luck?

From out balcony we had the perfect control of everything that happened on the harbour in 1995. When th ferries stop here over night they often keep their engines running. So if one finds a room on the back of the hill on the left side of the picture, this is highly recommendable if one wants to sleep with an open window.