 Patitiri Beach | ||
| Alonissus, Αλόννησος | ||
| region | Thessaly | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 208 (2011) | |
| Tourist info web | www.alonissos.gr | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Alonissus, also Alonissos (Greek Αλόννησος) is a Greek island of Northern Sporades.
background
Hills and small mountains (up to 493 m) shape the landscape. In the northern part of the island the coast drops steeply, while in the eastern part it is more flat. The southern part of the island is covered by pine forests, a little to the north by low bushes with kermes oaks, mastic and strawberry trees. The main occupation of the approximately 3000 islanders is agriculture, livestock and fishing, while tourism has also played an important role in recent years, especially since the founding of the Alonissos National Marine Park - Northern Sporades. Most of the inhabitants live in Patitiri, the port and administrative center of the island. To the north of it are the bay of Roussoum Gialos and the settlement of Votsi. In the past, Patitiri was only the port for the mountain village of Alonissos, today's Old Village. The residents left the Old Village when most of the houses were destroyed by an earthquake in 1965 and moved to Patitiri. The place owes its name to the wine presses (in Greek: patitiri), when red wine production was still the main occupation of the locals.
getting there
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By plane
Alonissos' airport (in the village of Votsi) is so far only suitable for helicopters. Otherwise there is no airport on the island itself, but in the high season you can either fly to the nearby island of Skiathos or to Athens or Thessaloniki on the mainland.
By boat
Alonissos is daily from the port city Volos, which also has an international airport, approached by small passenger ferries (“Flying Dolphins”). The outward journey often takes place at lunchtime and the return journey daily at 6.30 a.m. The journey lasts with a stopover Skiathos and Skopelos about 2 ¾ h (price: 54.60 €, April 2016). The larger ships (“Flying Cats”) also stop in Glossa and offer snacks, but are a bit slower and cost € 52 (April 2016). Tickets are offered in the port area, but also at points of sale in Athens. Alonissos is also served daily by car ferries from Agios Konstantinos approached (there in the morning, back in the afternoon / evening, travel time e.g. 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.). There was probably also a route over it Kymi.
Of Athens There is no direct ferry connection from, a bus to Volos runs several times a day from near the Kato Patissia S-Bahn station. To do this, get off at Kato Patissia, in the direction of the city center (i.e. coming from the airport, the platform with the ticket booth), up the short stairs of the S-Bahn station (in the direction of travel) and take the fifth turn to the right (at a broken barber's sign), so you walk past a bar and straight to the bus station. But taxi drivers also know the way. The bus runs several times a day, e.g. 7 a.m. or 9 a.m., and is usually not fully booked. The drive to Volos takes a good 4 hours (price: € 29.80, April 2016). On arrival in Volos you can already see the freight port signposted, but keep to the left on foot (if you don't want to take one of the taxis at the bus station) and reach the ferry port in less than along a large, open port street with a fish market and cafes an hour's walk. If the counter at the ferry terminal is closed, travel agencies are right across the street, next to a café.
After the ferry connection from Thessaloniki to the Northern Sporades has been completely discontinued, the bus to Volos must also be used from here. The bus station is difficult to reach on foot, as the sidewalks are becoming more and more impassable and you finally have to cross a motorway bridge. So you will take one of the taxis that are standing around in the city center. The earliest departure time (to catch the ferry afterwards) is at 8.15 a.m., the sales point in the bus station opens at 6 a.m. The journey takes 2½ hours and costs 18.40 euros (July 2015).
mobility
At the larger jetty, where boats are moored, there is a bus and taxi stand with a telephone and a map of the island. There “Main Street” begins with a bank, supermarket, bike and car rental shops. You can borrow bikes, mopeds and boats.
Tourist Attractions
The island does not offer any special attractions or archaeological sites, it is nature that draws visitors here. It is very popular with sailors because of the many bays where they can anchor easily.
- 1 Patitiri (Πατητήρι Αλοννήσου).
Main town of the island with a ferry port and many restaurants and accommodations. - 2 Old village. Above Patitiri is the country road that leads along Alonissos' east coast to the neighboring village of Votsi. Votsi also has a beach, hotels and restaurants. Before Votsi, the street to the “Old Village” branches off to the left. The ascent can take half an hour or more on foot. “Old Village” has an old chapel, many holiday apartments and various restaurants, some with a picturesque view. During the season there is a bus to “Old Village” (€ 1.60) and also to “Steni Vala” (€ 1.70). The tickets can be bought in advance in the restaurant next to the bus stop. Steni Vala also has good restaurants, accommodation, a beach and boats. On the way you can see olive trees again and again. The elongated northern part of the island is much less inhabited and actually not manageable on foot, but requires a vehicle of some kind, which can be rented in many places in Patitiri. Several archaeological remains are signposted. Nature is remarkably intact and worth protecting.
- 1 Folklore Museum. The museum at the port shows objects from the earlier simple life on Alonissos and from pirates and sailors from 15th to 19th centuries. or from the wars of the 20th century, old cameras and exhibitions by changing artists (admission: 4 €).
- 2 Academy of Homeopathy. Just above the village of Votsi is the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, the homeopathy school of Georgos Vithoulkas. The courses are aimed at a special audience, but guided tours on homeopathy or herbal hikes are offered on request.
- 3 Alonissos Marine Park Information Center (Θαλάσσιο Πάρκο Αλοννήσου).
An information center shows boards and video films on protective measures for monk seals and other animals, for which a protection zone with Alonissos as the only inhabited island has been set up (free entry).
At the harbor, yacht tours to the neighboring island of “Peristera” and the “blue lagoon” or bus tours to the island's pebble beaches are also offered. The painter Stamatoula Kalogianni also lives on Alonissos.
activities
- Diving. several diving schools in Patitiri offer diving courses. That is particularly interesting Peristero wreck Classic merchant ship from the 5th century BC, also known as the “Parthenon among the shipwrecks”. at a depth of 25m.
- Boat tours. Several companies offer boat tours to the uninhabited neighboring islands and island tours from the port in Patitiri.
- hike. There are many hiking opportunities on Alonnisos and more than 10 hiking trails have been marked.
beaches
Almost all of the island's beaches are Pebble beaches and organized with beach chairs, umbrellas and beach bars. There are some small secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat. For Nudism Friends, the island is not the first choice, but there are some suitable ones to a limited extent Nudist beaches, at least outside of the high season.
- 1 Gerakas. Managed, often dirty beach in a bay with a small fishing port.
- 2 Agios Dimitrios. one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, narrow but very long pebble beach with crystal clear water, beach bars, restaurants and an aqua playground. The "northern part" is windier and turns at the top into the windless "southern part".
- 3 Vamvakies. small pebble beaches along the road.
- 4 Glyfa. small serviced beach with calm water.
- 5 Agios Petros. small, quiet beach with clear water and unspoiled nature with natural shade from pine trees in a beautiful bay with a restaurant.
- 6 Lefto Gialos. quiet, beautiful pebble beach with crystal clear water, 2 beach bars and good restaurants.
- 7 Tzortzi Gialos. small, not organized but in a very beautiful landscape.
- 8 Kokinokastro. Small organized beach in a particularly scenic location with a beach bar.
- 9 Chrisi Milia. The only sandy beach on the island, organized, with restaurants. Beach bar. Easily accessible by car. Since the water is shallow, this beach is also very popular with families with children.
- 10 Milia. Managed beach in a very beautiful bay with a restaurant, not overcrowded.
- 11 Spartines. 2 small quiet beaches in beautiful surroundings with lots of stones and very clear water.
- 12 Votsi. small beach at the harbor with calm water.
- 13 Roussoum Gialos. Well organized pebble beach with restaurants and a beach bar. Often quite crowded and noisy because of the close proximity to Patatiri.
- 14 Plakes (Patitiri). small, uncultivated, quiet bay 10 minutes' walk from Patitiri.
- 15 Marpounta. small managed beach in a hotel complex.
- 16 Vythisma. Scenic wild beach without beach bars. Quiet and relaxing when Nudist beach suitable, somewhat difficult to access.
- 17 Megalos Mourtias. Small, beautiful, well-organized pebble beach with clean water and two taverns.
- 18 Mikri Mourtia. Somewhat secluded, unorganized beach, suitable for nudists outside the high season.
- 19 Vrisitsa (Lakes). small, quiet, uncultivated beach, often polluted, somewhat difficult to access.
- 20 Gialia. small, wild, unsurfaced beach with lots of rocks and a windmill.
- 21 Tsoukalia. very small beach with lots of stones and a picturesque windmill.
- 22 Megali Ammos. beautiful, organized pebble beach with taverns, somewhat difficult to access.
- 23 Agalou Laka. very small, quiet unsupervised beach.
shop
Patitiri's shops are open late every day.
kitchen
When you arrive at the port of Patitiri, the main town on Alonissos, you can see a number of restaurants and hotels. From simple Italian cuisine to fresh fish dishes, pubs and ice cream parlors, everything is there. Two streets lead from the three berths into the village, in both there are bakers and supermarkets.
nightlife
The restaurants and bars of Patitiris are open long at least in summer.
accommodation
security
health
Practical advice
The people are nice and you can get along with English, as in Greece in general. Prices are moderate. A car costs € 30 per day. Tap water is partly salty, partly drinkable, but also not expensive in bottles. Occasional short power failures do not interfere. The port has travel agencies to book the ferry connections. Sandals, short clothing and, if necessary, sun protection are highly recommended in summer and some of them can be bought at the port. The mosquito problem is limited. There is an ATM in Patitiri, Main Street (National Bank of Greece). There is also a medical ambulance nearby.
Cell phone / internet reception works, also via hotspot in restaurants and hotels.
