When planning your holiday to the beautiful island of Alonissos in the Sporades, you’ll want to know which are some of the best beaches so that you can really make the most of your trip! To be fair, as with most Greek islands, Alonissos offers a whole host of stunning beaches to choose from and you can’t really go wrong, but here I’ll list some of my favorites so you can choose whether you want a pebble or sandy beach and whether you’d prefer something bustling with cafes and tavernas or somewhere a little more laid-back.
Read on to find out about the best beaches in Alonissos and once you’ve visited, let me know your favorite in the comments below!
You might also want to check out: The best things to do in Alonissos.
Map of Alonissos Beaches
10 Beaches to Visit in Alonissos
1. Patitiri (Port)
Paralia Patitiri is the main port beach, with a stretch of pebbles located in front of the town’s hotels, cafes, and tavernas where you can lay out your towel. While the beach is quite small, it is a great spot to go for a quick dip in the water which is surprisingly clear for a port.
Patitiri is an unorganised beach so it’s probably not the best choice for a family day out as you won’t have the option of sunbeds and parasols, but you can easily pop into the nearby amenities for some shade and refreshments when you want to cool off.
2. Agios Demetrios
Agios Demetrios is often hailed to be the best beach on the whole of Alonissos with the crescent-shaped cove luring in travelers from all over the island. The beach features soft white pebbles and crystal-clear water and features a few different sections of sunbeds and parasols to accommodate visitors.
Agios Demetrios Beach also boasts a couple of tavernas offering classic Greek cuisine and beach snacks. Unfortunately, the monastery of Agios Dimitrios that the beach was named after was supposedly destroyed by pirates but the area is still beautiful and intriguing enough that it makes it worth the drive.
3. Georgie Yalos
Georgie Yalos (also sometimes spelled Tzortzi Gialos) is one of the nicer unorganized beaches in Alonissos with the small pebble cove being backed with pine trees. This beach is particularly famous for its lush turquoise water and is a popular spot for yachts.
There is one taverna on the beach that offers simple, local dishes that are ideal for a lunchtime break. Visitors can also follow the walking trail up from the south of the cove to gain a birds-eye view of the area which is fantastic for photography!
4. Leftos Yalos
Just one cove further north of Georgie Yalos lies Leftos Yalos another pebble beach but this time with sunbeds and parasols. This is a favorite among young people on the island as the beach bars serve up tasty cocktails and snacks.
Most of the sunbeds here are the comfortable, modern type with plush cushions and it’s a great spot for snorkeling!
5. Kokkinokastro
Kokkinokastro beach – meaning red castle – is one of the most dramatic landscapes on the island, with sheer red cliffs lining the edge of the beach and a large rock formation (known as Kokkinonnisi) jutting out of the water.
The beach is covered with small pebbles tinged with red sand and features lovely warm, azure waters. There are also some slight archaeological remains of the ancient city of Ikos which would have stood nearby. Kokkinokastro Beach features sunbeds parasols and a small coffee/smoothie bar.
6. Chrissi Milia
Chrissi Milia – meaning golden apple tree – is one of the few sand beaches on Alonissos with soft golden sand making it a lovely spot for families. The beach is one of the most popular on the island and as such, features sunbeds, parasols, parking, water sports, snorkel hire, diving trips, and a Greek taverna.
The cove is surrounded by verdant trees and a rocky backdrop which is particularly picturesque and the water is clean and clear.
7. Milia
Just further southwest than Chrissi Milia is the pebble beach of Milia, a smaller, quieter cove with some sunbeds and umbrellas. While there are areas where you can put your own towel or parasol, it’s worth noting that some of the pebbles can be quite large.
The beach is encased by a pristine pine forest and the stony sections of the cove are ideal for snorkeling. The middle of the bay offers clear, turquoise waters which is great for swimming.
8. Roussoum Yalos
Roussoum Yalos (or Gialos) is close to the port and Patitiri beach with visitors being able to walk from one to the other. Paralia Roussoum Yalos is ideally situated close to a number of hotels, apartments, and tavernas so is perfect if you’re staying nearby.
There is also a large car park at one end of the beach if you’re arriving from elsewhere on the island. The beach offers both organized and unorganized sections and has small pebbles and crystalline waters. This is a popular tourist spot so has pretty much all the amenities and facilities you’ll need nearby.
9. Megalos Mourtias
Megalos Mourtias is a pebble beach in the south of Alonissos, just a 6km/10-minute drive from the port town of Patitiri. Nestled down the hill from the Old Village, Megalos Mourtias is a peaceful cove that has the ideal combination of tavernas and sunbeds as well as clean, clear waters.
This means you could easily while away a whole day here, dipping in and out of the warm Aegean water, snorkeling near the rocks, and eating hearty moussaka for lunch. Please bear in mind that the walk from Patitiri is quite strenuous (45-50 minutes up and down hills) and the stones on the beach can be a little uncomfortable underfoot.
10.Gialia or Yalia Beach
Paralia Yialia/Gialia is one of the island’s more rugged beaches that is known for having a disused windmill perched on the hillside next to the bay. This makes the cove a great spot for photography and for those who love quieter beach destinations.
As the beach is located on the north-western side of the island, it is open to the wind which means that rough waves are quite common. It’s therefore not always the best spot for sunbathing or swimming but it’s still worth a visit.
So, there you have it, some of my favorite beaches on Alonissos. Most of these beaches are organized with sunbeds, parasols, and tavernas, but if you’re looking for some more off-the-beaten-track beaches then fear not as you’ll be able to find these on Alonissos too.