ALONISSOS
The green Alonissos is the most intact and wild island of Sporades. Nature has kissed these islands covering their lands of woods, pine forests, olive trees, almond trees, fruit trees and vineyards for which the island was famous throughout Greece. The production of this highly appreciated wine was unfortunately arrested in 1952 by an epidemic that hit the vines imported from California.
Marine Reserve
Alonissos is unique among the Greek islands of the Aegean as the site of a marine reserve established in 1992 that protects the last specimens of monk seal remained also its abundant fauna consisting of birds of all kinds like herons, kingfishers and falcons along with its seabeds full of fish and dolphins make the island a true paradise for lovers of nature and animals.
History
Like any other Greek island, Alonissos is a place of great history and tradition. It is thought that the island has been inhabited since ancient times when the Sporades were still a single body, without the sea that now divides them. Cretans, Mycenaeans, Romans and Byzantines passed through here leaving significant footprints on the population that suffered more than one tragedy when it was repeatedly attacked by pirates. Venetians and Turks Ottomans ended up devastating this small corner of land that was further proved by the earthquake of 1965, when all the buildings on the island were destroyed and rebuilt a few years later.
Beaches
The island offers tourists the opportunity to take part in all kinds of sports, from trekking in the valleys to underwater fishing and diving, from bird watching to windsurfing and kite surfing on its beautiful beaches. The beaches are the main attraction on this island, they mostly have white pebbles so the water is so clear that it takes on different shades of green that are breathtaking. The most beautiful places to swim are on the east coast as it is more sheltered and quiet. The Kokkinokastro beach stands out because of the red granite cliff that juts out into the sea.