An Alonissos day trip from Skopelos crosses a short stretch of the Aegean to the next inhabited island east in the Northern Sporades. Island trips across Greece are gathered on Greece Tours.
This page covers the ferries, shared and private boat tours, Patitiri, the Old Village, beaches, the Marine Park and a plan for the day.
What is an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
An Alonissos day trip from Skopelos is a one-day crossing to the next island east in the Northern Sporades. You sail by ferry or tour boat, spend the day on Alonissos and return to Skopelos the same evening.
Both islands belong to the Northern Sporades, a group in the Aegean Sea northeast of Euboea. Four islands in the group have permanent residents: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros. Alonissos lies 3 km east of Skopelos, so the sea crossing is short.
Alonissos, also spelled Alonnisos, covers 64 square kilometres. It runs 20 km from southwest to northeast and measures 4.5 km at its widest point. The latest census counted 3,138 residents in the municipality. Boats arrive at Patitiri, the main port on the southeast coast.
An Alonissos day trip from Skopelos comes in three forms:
- A scheduled ferry or hydrofoil, with your own plan for the day on the island.
- A shared boat trip that takes a group of travellers on one tour boat along a set route.
- A private cruise on a boat hired for your party alone.
How do you get from Skopelos to Alonissos on a day trip?
An Alonissos day trip from Skopelos starts at Skopelos Town port, where ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils leave for Patitiri. The crossing takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the vessel and the route it sails.
Ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils link Patitiri with Skiathos, Skyros, Volos, Agios Konstantinos and Thessaloniki. The mainland boats that serve Skopelos also connect it with Alonissos. Ferry listings show up to 31 sailings a week between the two islands. The busiest service runs up to 3 times a day.
Glossa sits on the northwest tip of Skopelos, above Loutraki harbour and 25.4 km from Skopelos Town. If you stay there, check whether your boat calls at Loutraki. Timetables change with the season, so read the current schedule before you plan the day.
Confirm your return sailing before you leave. The last boat back sets the length of your Alonissos day trip from Skopelos. Northerly gales can close the main port of Skopelos, so watch the wind forecast on the morning you travel. Once you land at Patitiri, you have these ways to get around:
- Taxis, the main option for visitors without a hire car.
- A limited bus service to Steni Vala.
- No public bus out of season.
Which shared boat tours run an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
One shared Alonissos day trip from Skopelos leaves Skopelos Town. It is a small-group, family-run sailing cruise to Alonissos and the National Marine Park. Two more shared boat trips start in Skiathos and visit both Skopelos and Alonissos over 9 hours.
The Full-Day Sailing Cruise to Alonissos & Marine Park (GetYourGuide 1083248) runs on a sailing boat. Its card lists swim and snorkelling stops in the Marine Park. Breakfast, lunch and drinks are included. Options last 3.5 to 8 hours, and the tour runs in English and Greek. A private option is also listed.
Of the three shared cards, this Alonissos day trip from Skopelos is the only one that starts in Skopelos Town. Guests board at their own harbour, with no ferry to Skiathos first. The two Skiathos cards list no meals and no Skopelos boarding point. All three offer free cancellation, and bookings close 10 hours before departure.
The two Skiathos boats are the Boat Trip with Highlights (765102) and the Boat Trip with Stops (444452). Both last 9 hours, run in English and name Skopelos churches and the Alonissos blue caves. Tour 444452 adds pickup and a photo stop at Agios Ioannis Chapel and the Amarantos Rocks from Mamma Mia.
What does a private Alonissos day trip from Skopelos include?
A private Alonissos day trip from Skopelos (GetYourGuide 939879) is a 4-hour boat tour from Skopelos Town. It heads to Alonissos and the Marine Park area. The card lists sea caves, secluded beaches, snorkelling and a chance to spot dolphins or endangered seals.
One booking covers the whole boat for a group of up to nine people, so no strangers join. GetYourGuide files it as a day trip with a private-group tag. The tour runs in English and Greek, under the same free-cancellation and 10-hour booking rules as the shared trips.
Because this Alonissos day trip from Skopelos ends after 4 hours, the afternoon stays free. For a longer private outing, the sailing cruise card above also lists a private option.
- Pace: the private trip lasts half a day; the shared trips run up to 9 hours on the water.
- Route: the private trip keeps to Alonissos and the Marine Park; the Skiathos boats split the day between Skopelos and Alonissos.
- Group: the private boat carries only your party; shared trips are booked per person.
- Swim stops: the private trip and the sailing cruise list snorkelling; the two Skiathos cards name no swim stop.
What can you see in Patitiri on an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
On an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos, Patitiri is where the visit begins. This port town on the south-east coast is the island’s capital. It offers a folklore museum, the patron saint’s church and a compact harbour front.
Patitiri was not always the main town. The old capital stood on the hill above until an earthquake wrecked it. Its families then moved down to the bay. Rebuilding went fast. Patitiri is now the largest village, home to about 1,400 people. It holds the island’s main shops, cafés and rooms.
A privately run folklore museum sits on the hillside above the harbour, with a view over the port. Inside are traditional costumes, war memorabilia, items from the island’s winemaking past and works by local artists.
Down by the bay, the Church of Agia Paraskevi honours the island’s patron saint and hosts her yearly feast. The town is small, so the quay, the museum and the church are all reachable on foot. Spend the first hour of an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos here before you head uphill.
Why visit the Old Village of Alonissos on a day trip from Skopelos?
The Old Village is the high point of an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos. Locals call it Chora. It sits on a hill, 3 kilometres by road from Patitiri. Visitors find stone houses, narrow lanes, old churches and wide Aegean views from the castle.
Road signs name it The Old Village. Its stone-walled houses stand close together around a small fortress, built to keep out enemies and pirates. At the top, the area called the Castle keeps the remains of Venetian walls and looks out over the Aegean.
Narrow alleys lead past three churches that came through the quake. The tiny Church of the Birth of Christ holds colourful frescoes and a wooden iconostasis. Agios Georgios stands on the upper level with eighteenth-century icons, and Agios Athanasios has a stone exterior.
Today the lanes look lived-in again. Buyers from abroad took over the empty houses and repaired them in the old island style. Rebuilt homes now host visitors.
- Bus: a frequent service climbs from the port in high season, from mid-June to mid-September.
- Taxi: taxis from Patitiri cover the 3-kilometre road.
- Footpath: the old path takes about 30 minutes up and 20 minutes down.
Allow two to three hours in the village on an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos, with time at the Castle for the view.
Which beaches suit an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
The beaches that suit an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos sit between 2 and 14 km from Patitiri, the island’s port. Votsi, Marpounta and Milia lie within 4 km of the harbour, and Agios Dimitrios lies furthest up the northeast coast.
Pebbles cover the beaches around Alonissos, so expect smooth stones rather than sand. Chrysi Milia is the sandy exception on this list. The distances below run from Patitiri.
- Votsi: 2 km northeast, a pebble cove with tourist facilities around it.
- Marpounta: 3 km south, a family-friendly beach lined with trees on the south coast.
- Milia: 4 km northeast, a quiet pebble beach in a wild, green setting.
- Chrysi Milia: 5 km northeast, a sandy beach with sunbeds, umbrellas and a restaurant.
- Kokkinokastro: 7 km northeast, a calm pebble beach near the remains of the ancient city of Ikos.
- Leftos Gialos: 7 km northeast, a family-friendly cove with turquoise water and trees around it.
- Steni Vala: a small harbour with seafood taverns, a short walk from Agios Petros, a quiet pebble beach 8 km northeast.
- Agios Dimitrios: 14 km northeast, a pebble beach with partial facilities and the longest ride on this list.
On an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos, pairing beaches on the same stretch of coast saves time. Milia, Chrysi Milia, Kokkinokastro and Leftos Gialos all lie 4 to 7 km northeast of the port. Marpounta is the only one to the south, so it suits a quick swim close to the harbour.
Kokkinokastro, Leftos Gialos and Milia have no organised sunbeds. Bring water, a hat and shade if you plan to stay there through midday.
Can you add the Marine Park to an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
Yes, you can add the Marine Park to an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos by joining a full-day cruise. The park takes in the waters around Alonissos and the Northern Sporades islets, and these cruises sail into its protected zones.
It is Greece’s first and largest marine park. It was set up to protect the Mediterranean monk seal along with other sea life. Its waters are split into zones, and each zone has its own rules for boats.
A full-day cruise fills an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos, so it leaves less time for the beaches above. Choose the cruise or the beaches as the main plan for your day.
For the islets, the wildlife and the park rules, read our Alonnisos Marine Park from Skopelos page.
How do you plan an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
Plan an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos for the summer months, when tourism on Skopelos peaks. Check the sea forecast and the ferry timetable the evening before. Leave early, follow a simple timeline and pack for sun, wind and sea.
Alonissos keeps its peaceful feel even in high season. Skopelos gets about 2,400 hours of sunlight a year and a frequent, steady northerly wind, so a calm day makes the crossing easier.
Order the day simply: morning crossing, Patitiri, the Old Village, an afternoon beach, then the return boat. For lunch, look for local fish and produce. Island farms grow almonds, grapes, figs and olives, and fishing is a working trade there. For a guided outing, compare our Skopelos boat tours.
- Swimwear, a towel and water shoes for the pebble beaches
- Sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket for the wind on deck
- Drinking water and a snack
- Your ferry ticket or tour booking
Which questions do travellers ask about an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
How long is the crossing on an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
Scheduled boats take about 20 to 30 minutes from Skopelos Town to Patitiri, depending on the vessel. On a tour, the boat time is part of a longer outing. The GetYourGuide sailing cruise lasts 3.5 to 8 hours, and the private cruise to Alonissos lasts 4 hours.
Can you take a car on an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos?
Vehicle space depends on the vessel type, so check the ferry timetable before you plan to drive. Both GetYourGuide cruises sail from Skopelos, so your car stays on the island. Wikipedia notes summer traffic and parking problems in Skopelos town. Leaving the car behind keeps the morning simple.
Is an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos suitable for children?
Greeka says Alonissos is popular with couples and families. The GetYourGuide sailing cruise is family-run, with breakfast, lunch and drinks included. The private cruise takes one group of up to 9 people. Age rules and safety details sit on each listing, so check it before booking.
Do you need to book an Alonissos day trip from Skopelos in advance?
Yes, for a tour. Both GetYourGuide cruises must be booked at least 10 hours in advance, and both list free cancellation. The sailing cruise runs as a small group, with a private option. For a ferry crossing, check the timetable and buy your ticket for the date you travel.