Northern Sporades Islands Attractions

The next island to the northeast of Pélagos, in the chain of the Northern Sporades, is Ghioúra (area 9 sq.km/3.5sq.mi; alt. 1,870ft/570m), with a ruined monastery; it is now a reserve for wild goats (bezoar goats). On the south coast are the Caves of Cyclops, which according to legend were the home of Polyphemos.

Some 13 km/8 mi northeast of the northern tip of Alónnisos is the wooded island of Pélagos (area 25 sq. km/9.5 sq. mi; alt. 991ft/302m), known in antiquity as Euthyra. It is also called Kyrá Panayía after the monastery of that name on its east coast. The monastery, which is under the jurisdiction of Athos, has an 11th century church with old icons.

Off the southeast coast of Alónnisos, separated from it by a sheltered sound, lies the barren island of Peristéra (area 14 sq. km/5.5 sq. mi; alt. 820ft/250m), also known as Xeró.

East of Ghioúra is the little island of Pipéri (area 7 sq. km/2.5 sq. mi; alt. 1,161ft/354m), a seal reserve.

The volcanic island of Psathoúra (area 6 sq. km/2.25 sq. mi; alt. 65ft/20m) lies at the north-eastern tip of the chain of the Northern Sporades. There are remains of buildings belonging to an ancient city under the sea just off the coast of the island.

The light-house on rocky Psathoura is one of the most powerful of the Aegean Sea.

The island of Skántzoura (area 7 sq.km/2.75 sq. mi), which belongs to the monastic republic of Athos and is used for the grazing of goats, lies some 20km/12.5mi southeast of Alónnisos. It is occasionally visited for the sake of its sea-caves and its underwater fishing.