Swim at Aghios Dimitrios
On the island’s eastern coast lies Alonissos’ most iconic beach: Aghios Dimitrios. This spectacular horseshoe-shaped stretch of shoreline extends into the sea, creating one of the island’s most photographed landscapes with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and white pebbles. Facing the island of Peristera, the beach offers a mix of areas with beach bars and quieter sections where bringing your own umbrella is essential, as natural shade is limited. Just inland, the seasonal coastal wetland of Aghios Dimitrios provides an important habitat for a variety of bird species, including black-winged stilts, little egrets, Kentish plovers, and many others.
Stroll through the old village
Perched on a hilltop with sweeping views, Alonissos’ former capital was abandoned after the 1965 earthquake, when residents relocated to Patitiri. During the 1980s, however, foreign visitors began purchasing and restoring many of its traditional stone houses. Today, despite the presence of numerous ruins and partially collapsed buildings, the Old Village retains its unique charm, with architectural gems hidden among its cobbled alleyways. Fig, plum, and lemon trees, along with fragrant jasmine, spill from small courtyards, complementing the colorful shutters and whitewashed homes. From the tiny National Resistance Square, home to a memorial honoring those executed by German forces in August 1944, you can enjoy one of the island’s most beautiful sunsets.
