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Alonissos
Home to less than 1,200 year-round residents and lacking the
hustle and bustle of its neighbours, Alonissos is tranquil,
quaint, and a pleasure to visit. Undulating hills rise sharply
from the sea on this small northern Sporades island. Its rugged
coast and distance from the mainland has allowed it to escape the
tourist trade until fairly recently. As a result, Alonissos is one
of the most unspoiled and idyllic islands in the Aegean Sea. Many
boats leave daily from Skiathos touring Alonissos and the small
islets around it. This is a pleasant way to see the island if you
don't have much time. If you do have time, a stay of several days
on Alonissos is recommended as a way to unwind in complete
tranquility.
In 1992, following concern that the Mediterranean monk seal was
becoming an endangered species, a Marine Park was established at
Alonissos covering the area of the Northern Sporades. This was the
first park of its kind in Greece and as well as monitoring the
marine environment the park’s personnel have a programme for
rescuing and caring for injured seals from all around Greece. For
this purpose a centre of refuge and reintegration of rescued seals
is based in Alonissos where the injuries can be treated and the
seals returned to their natural environment when they are judged
to be fully recovered. It is estimated that around 50 seals live
in the marine park.
Because Alonissos has escaped the type of development that
typifies the more popular tourist destinations, its beaches are
best accessed by boat, either a hire boat or one of the local
caiques.
Close to Alonissos is the small island of Peristera where there
are some excellent beaches well worth a visit and, a little
further away, Kira Panaghia or Pelagos which boasts a famous
monastery and some beautiful beaches. Also within reach by
excursion boat are the islands of Skantzoura, Gioura, which
contains the “Cyclops Cave” with multicoloured stalactite and
stalagmite formations, and Psathoura where the submerged remains
of an ancient city can sometimes be seen.
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