Peristera is an inhabited islet very close to Alonissos and has some nice beaches and bays: Kokkalias, Vassiliko, Kokkali, Peristeri, Kounoupas, Livadakia, Tarsanades, Xylo, Spasmeni. Peristera stretches parallel to the eastern shores of Alonnisos and takes its name (meanning Dove in Greek) from its shape. It is also known as Xiro (Dried-up) because it has no fertility, in contrast to Alonissos which is full of pines. Most of its surface is covered with scrubby vegetation, on which a few goats graze. Its highest point is 259 metres. We recommend it only to those who like explorations, since its does not have any interesting sites and its beahces are inferior to those in Alonissos.
It has a bay in the western coast, named Vasiilikos, which is quite well protected and used to be the islets harbour in antiquity.
It was inhabited in ancient times, as we assume from graves that have been found. In Byzantine times the island was called Sarakonisi (Saracen Island) because, according to popular tradition, in 904 A.D., after the fall of Thessaloniki, the Saracens passed through the Norther Sporades and anchored in then island's harbour of Vasiliko. Among the ships was one with women and children intended for the Anatolian slave markets. The pirates stayed for three days and the wailing of the women and children could be heard throughout the area. The same harbour is used by the Navy as a secret refuge during exercises.
There are two shepherd's houses on the island: one at Mnymata in the South and the other at Livadia in the North.
In the southwestern part of the island an ancient shipwreck was discovered (about 25 meters dephth). It is considerd to be a ship of the classical era (4th cetury b.c.) which was carrying about 3.000 amphoreas.