I&M Motorbike Rental in Patitiri Now Renting Cars Too

For anyone interested in renting a car in Alonnisos, I am pleased to report that I&M Motorbike Rental is now offering cars for rent as well. They have two new Citroen C1 passenger cars available for daily rental this summer (2018, see photo to your right). Both cars have manual transmissions and rent for approximately 50ϵ/day during high-season (August) and 45 ϵ/day in May – June and in September.

Based on my very positive experiences over 21 years with the owners, Ilias and Maria and their fine son Apostolis, I can say without question you won’t find a better place to rent a car or a motorbike in Alonnisos.

I&M’s Patitiri location is  on what we call “the back street” up from the port on the west side of Patitiri. The photo to your left of Ilias and his father Apostolis was taken back in 2011 and provides some insight as to what the storefront looks like. It’s easy to find because there’s usually a large number of motorbikes parked across the street from it. To contact I&M by phone call (30) 2424-065010 (where 30 is the country code). To reserve a car (or motorbike) via email click here.

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Votsalo Restaurant in Rousoum

During our trips to Alonnisos we always meet our good friend Eva, who operates the Maria Studios pension in Patitiri, for dinner at the Votsalo Restaurant in Rousoum at least once during our stay. We have always been very pleased with the quality of the food we order there, and with the portion sizes as well. During July of 2023 we visited Votsalo again, and as usual, the food and the service was excellent.

The kolokethiakeftedes (zucchini/feta patties) appetizer we ordered was delicious, the vlita (cooked greens) was fresh and nicely seasoned, and the chicken souvlaki was very moist and tasty as well. Like virtually every restaurant or taverna on the island, the Votsalo Restaurant is a family-run business, and it is operated by a very nice couple named Nikos and Ioanna along with their three sons, and all of them are always really friendly and welcoming.

For those who haven’t visited Alonnisos before, Rousoum is a small bay/beach located east of the main port of Patitiri. If you have a rental car or motorbike, you get there by taking the main road up from Patitiri harbor and then keep going past the first cross-street (where the school is on the left) following that main road all the way down and around to Rousom. Votsalo is right on the waterfront – the first restaurant in from the road. Those who like to walk also can travel there by foot, but with the understanding that the walk back up is quite steep in spots.

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Alonissos Raw Honey Royal Jelly

During the latter part of our 2017 trip to Alonnisos I learned that a young man named Dimitris was producing and selling raw honey on the island. So, I made a point of stopping by the little shop where he sells his Alonissos Raw Honey Royal Jelly and met him one evening. We had a great conversation and I was immediately impressed with him, as his sincere desire to produce the highest quality honey possible was very obvious. I bought a 500g jar that night and then enjoyed having it on my Greek yoghurt the next morning, and every day after until the jar was finished – it took only a week! The honey is simply awesome, and the price is reasonable given its very high quality.

Known as “the harvester,” Dimitrios is a wonderful person who is, of course, exceptionally knowledgeable about the many benefits of consuming raw honey. For those who visit Alonnisos regularly as well as those planning to come to the island, during your stay make sure you purchase some. His small shop is located in the Old Village, just a few meters to the right (north) of the plateia beyond the small church there.

Raw unheated honey is, in fact, one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Click on this link to learn about the numerous benefits of this food.

To contact Dimitris directly about purchasing honey during your stay in Alonnisos, telephone or text him at +30-6947 428585. To contact him via email click here.

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The Drunk Seal Bar in Patitiri

For those visiting the island who are interested in late night dance music and a broad assortment of delicious cocktails, the Drunk Seal bar is the best place to be on the waterfront in Patitiri. While my wife and I are not really into the night-life scene when we visit Alonnisos, the fact is over many years we’ve heard from numerous people that the Drunk Seal is THE place to be after midnight.

After visiting there for the first time ever in the summer of 2017 to attend a birthday party, I can say without a doubt that it’s true. With a talented and very innovative DJ spinning all sorts of powerful dance tunes, and the co-owners Vasilis and Lykourgos mixing up their very creative libations at a breakneck pace, the place has this incredible energy that’s really hard to describe. What is obvious is that everyone working there quite obviously loves their “gigs,” which clearly shows by the very genuine smiles on their faces, and, the patrons can really feel it. Bottom line, it’s a really fun place to be, and as such, I highly recommend it for anyone looking for exciting nightlife while visiting in Alonnisos.

The Drunk Seal, which also features very eclectic decor, is located right on the waterfront in the port town of Patitiri, about six businesses to the west of the main road that crosses the front of the port. Just look for the front part of an old Volkswagen bus outside and you’ve found it! To learn more visit the bar’s Facebook page.

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MeNTa Café in Patitiri

The MeNTa Cafe in Patiri opened this summer and is located  about 50 meters from the harbor where the Flying Cats and Dolphins arrive, at the corner where the road up to the Marpunta area begins. It is being operated by a very nice young man named Gerasimos, with much assistance from his mother Aliki, his sister Evina, and his girlfriend Katerina. We have known this family for many years now, and were pleased to see that Gerasimos chose to follow his heart and open this café on the island that he and his family love very much. His grandparents originally bought their property here over 50 years ago, so to say the least he has strong roots in Alonnisos.

With that said, I am pleased to report that MeNTa Café has a great selection of freshly prepared menu items. This includes breakfast foods, crepes (sweet & salty), sandwiches, a wide selection of coffee drinks,  smoothies and other beverages, home-made baked goods, fruit salads, veggie salads, ice cream, and much more.

MeNTa Café has truly brought a new flavor to Alonnisos, so be sure to check it out when you are in Patitiri.

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Αρτολιχουδιες Bakery in the Old Village

During our 2016 trip we made it almost a daily practice to visit the Αρτολιχδιες Bakery in the Old Village. We did the same thing each summer we’ve visited since then (i.e., 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023) because we really enjoy their milopita (apple pastry) and chocolate-stuffed croissants, and their breads and are excellent as well. It was also a great place to get an inexpensive but tasty sandwich, spanakopita, cheese pie, or sausage pie for a quick lunch. In addition, the Αρτολιχδιες Bakery has wide selection of other sweets and has coffee products and other beverages.

Just as important as the bakery products are the people who work there, Costas  (pictured to the left), is always incredibly friendly and welcoming to us when we visit.

The Αρτολιχδιες Bakery is located perhaps 30 meters from the bus stop in the Old Village on the left side of the walkway, just before the Italian gelateria. I highly recommend it!

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Welcome to the “Alonnisos Insider” Site

Welcome to the Alonnisos Insider Site! As a frequent visitor to Greece (i.e., 18 trips between 1997 and 2024) I’ve learned many things about traveling there, and am particularly knowledgeable about Alonnisos island. My primary intention with this site is to provide readers with valuable insights into the island itself, including guidance with respect to:

  • The primary methods of getting to/from Alonnisos
  • Information about what to see and do when visiting there
  • Courtesy listings for rooms, studios and homes available for rent on the island

In addition, I share “insider information” through my opinions regarding restaurants and other service providers in Alonnisos. In this regard, please note that any recommendations I make here regarding specific businesses are simply my experiences and suggestions, and of course, they should not preclude you from visiting and experiencing other establishments or using other service providers during your stay on the island.

If you are using a PC or laptop, the best way to use the site is to refer to the Category Archives box to your right, as it provides a summary of all topics covered.

NOTE: For those visiting this site using a smartphone or other mobile device, please look to the right of the screen to see the nav-bar content, which includes links to specific categories of posts (e.g., “Alonnisos-Restaurants”, “Getting to Alonnisos from Volos,” and many, many more).

If you have any questions regarding anything on this site, or have specific questions about Alonnisos, contact me via email by clicking here.

If you have found value in this website and are a member of Facebook, please click on this link to be taken to the Alonnisos Insider page on Facebook, where you can choose to “Like” the site. This will help us to spread the word about the Alonnisos Insider. Thanks! Also please note that I regularly share new photos on that page.

Important Notice: The date and time stamp at the bottom of every post is not  reflective of the “newness” of the information shared. Note that as of August 2024 I have made several updates to posts that required update. I also make it a practice to update older posts when necessary whenever I make another trip to Alonnisos. Also, please note that to keep this site “pure,” none of the links on this site provide compensation to me or this website for any click-throughs.

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Ikia Vacation Houses in the Old Village

ikia-housesIkia Vacation Houses are located in the Old Village of Alonnisos and welcome guests from April until November each year. The property consists of two independent and fully renovated two-floor houses, with a garden, that overlook Megalos Mourtias beach (about 1.5KM by foot/car). Each house can accommodate up to five people.

The first house (known as the “Green House“) has a double bed bedroom with a fireplace on the ground floor, and a multipurpose room (with a double bed), a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with a shower and a small balcony on the first floor. To view a photo gallery of this house please click here.

The second house (known as the “Brown House“) has a ground floor multipurpose room with a fully equipped kitchen, a couch (converted into a double bed), a fireplace and a bathroom with a shower. Finally, the first floor has a bedroom that consists of a double and a single bed with a small balcony and a veranda. To view a photo gallery of this house please click here.

Facilities: The houses operate as self-serviced lodgings and include Hunter ceiling fans. They also feature fully equipped kitchens, hair dryer, iron, filter coffee machine, kettle, CD player with radio and Wi-Fi. There also is a washing machine available upon request.

To book accommodations for either Ikia Vacation House, please click here.

If you have any questions, please click on this link to contact George Tsoukanas, who serves as the property manager for the houses.

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Veterinary Clinic Opens on Alonnisos

In 2015 a new veterinary clinic has opened on Alonnisos. Here’s the information directly from the veterinarian:

2015-01-19 12.58.45Vetcare AlonnisosWe are proud to inform you that our veterinary clinic in Alonnisos is up and running. For information and appointments do contact us at our phones: Dimitris Papaioannou ( 6945445548) and Niki Lemoni (6931777842). To contact us via email with any questions click here. You will find us in Patitiri next to the Sea park administration office, in front of Machi’s Pharmacy.

2015-01-19 13.00.56Vetcare Αλλοννησο – Με χαρα σας ανακοινωνουμε την επισημη εναρξη της κλινικης μας και στην Αλλοννησο! Για πληροφοριες και ραντεβου επικοινωνητε στα τηλεφωνα: Δημητρης Παπαιωαννου (6945445548 ) Νικη Λεμονη (6931777842) Σταθερο mail. Θα μας βρείτε δίπλα από τον θαλασσιο φορέα, απέναντι από το φαρμακείο της Μάχης.

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Elia Café – Leftos Gialos Beach

Elia CafeDuring our 2014 trip we also had the opportunity to visit the Elia Café, which is located at Leftos Gialos beach on the land just in front of the Eleonas Estiatorio, a restaurant we have visited numerous times over the nearly 20 years we have been traveling to Alonnisos. The Elia Café is in a prime spot; with an unobstructed view to what many feel may be the most beautiful beach and bay on the island.

Eleni at Elia CafeThe Café, which is operated by Eleni (the daughter of Nikos & Magda of Eleonas) and her husband, features an extensive drink menu and serves snack-type food as well. The ambience is excellent, as is the service, which Leftos Gialo viewisn’t a surprise given the quality of service we’ve experienced at Eleonas for so many years.

The next time you are in Alonnisos, be certain to visit the Elia Café, as I can assure you that you will have a wonderful experience.

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