While millions of Brits flock to the party hubs of Skiathos and the landscapes of Skopelos, made famous by the 2008 blockbuster, Mamma Mia, a quiet revolution is happening on their doorstep. Alonissos, the most remote of the Northern Sporades islands, has long been the best-kept secret of the Aegean.

But in 2026, it is emerging as the ultimate destination for dupe travellers looking to escape the skyrocketing prices and the over-tourism now plaguing the likes of Santorini and Mykonos. Known for having the cleanest seawater in all of Greece, this eco-paradise offers a frozen-in-time experience that many fear has been lost elsewhere in the Mediterranean as they fall victim to the tourism curse.

There are several key villages that every visitor must hit when exploring Alonissos. Perched high on a hill with 360-degree views, the medieval village of Chora (Old Town) was nearly destroyed in a 1965 earthquake. It has since been restored into a maze of bougainvillaea-clad alleys and boutique tavernas.

Meanwhile, Steni Vala, a tiny fishing port, is a must for foodies. It has become world-famous for its Lobster Pasta, with many restaurants serving catch straight from the boats moored just feet away.

Nature lovers are also being urged to visit the National Marine Park of Alonissos, the largest protected marine area in Europe. It is the primary sanctuary for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, one of the world’s most endangered mammals. Lucky holidaymakers on boat tours often spot dolphins, turtles, and rare falcons, making it a bucket-list destination for wildlife photographers.

Agios Dimitrios is frequently voted among the most beautiful in the world, featuring a dramatic “V-shape” of white pebbles that makes the water glow that iconic turquoise colour.

The island’s biggest draw isn’t just on land. Alonissos is home to the Peristera Underwater Museum, dubbed the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks”.

Discovered by a fisherman in the 1980s, the site contains over 4,000 ancient wine amphorae dating back to 425 BC. While certified divers can explore the “hauntingly beautiful” wreck firsthand, the island has cleverly catered to those who want to stay on dry land. A high-tech VR Information Centre in the Old Town allows visitors to explore the site without getting their hair wet.

Getting to Alonissos in May is relatively straightforward, but because the island has no airport, it does require a two-step journey. May is an excellent time to travel, as direct seasonal flights from the UK have just begun, but the summer crowds have not yet arrived. The most popular route is to fly directly to the neighbouring island of Skiathos, with airlines including easyJet, Jet2 and TUI operating direct flights via airports like Gatwick and Stansted, and then take a short ferry across.

In May, Alonissos also enjoys warm and pleasant daytime temperatures, with daily highs typically ranging between and 22C and 24C.