World Country Guide

Dodecanese Islands

This cluster of 12 (dodeca) islands lies east of Peloponnese, closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece. All the islands can be reached by ferry from Piraeus, and distances between them are fairly small, so visitors can easily hop from one to another, swapping the relative sophistication of Rhodes and Kos for the calmer and simpler life on Tilos or Astipalaia.
(Piraeus, 267 nautical miles.) One of the most popular and best-developed islands in the Mediterranean, Rhodes offers international-class hotels, varied nightlife and good sports facilities. It has 370km (230 miles) of coastline and a good, well-surfaced road network, with bus services linking most of the towns and villages. Travel agents organise daily sightseeing trips to the archaeological sites and beauty spots.
The capital, Rhodes Town, lies almost at the northern tip of the island. It is made up of two distinct parts – an old town and a new town. The old town, contained within the walls of a medieval fortress, centres of the Avenue of the Knights, lined with magnificent medieval buildings, including the monumental 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. The 15th-century Knight’s Hospital now houses the Archaeological Museum. 2km (1.2 miles) west of the town walls lies the Acropolis of Ancient Rhodes. Many impressive ruins can still be seen, including the Temple of Apollo, and a theatre and stadium dating back to the second century BC.
Just out of town lie the main tourist complexes of Faliraki on the east coast, and Ixia and Ialissos (also known as Trianda) on the west coast, all with numerous hotels and good beaches. At Filerimos, 15km (9 miles) from Rhodes Town, lie the ruins of ancient Ialisos, and 25km (16 miles) southwest from here stand the remains of ancient Kameiros. 56km (35 miles) southeast of the capital stands the delightful town of Lindos, made up of winding streets and whitewashed buildings, crowned by a 15th-century hilltop fortress standing aside an imposing ancient Acropolis. Rhodes can be reached by ferry from Piraeus. There are regular flights to Athens and several other Greek islands, plus a number of European cities.
(Piraeus, 201 nautical miles.) This fertile island boasts sandy beaches (some of black volcanic sand) and ample hotel accommodation. Most places of historical and sightseeing interest lie in or close to the main settlement, Kos Town, and can be visited on foot or bicycle (available for hire). Activity centres on Platia tou Platanou, a piazza named after the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, a massive tree (12m (39ft) in circumference), beneath which the philosopher Hippocrates is said to have taught his students. Close by, the 15th-century Castle of the Knights of St John is accessed across a drawbridge. There are also some interesting ancient Greek and Roman archaeological sites. From Kos Town, a road traverses the length of the island all the way to Kefalos, a town on the southwest coast with an old Fortress and a splendid beach. Also of note is Kardamena, a pretty fishing village and well-developed resort with many hotels and beautiful sand beaches.
Kos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus and Rhodes. There are regular flights to Athens and Rhodes.
(Piraeus, 235 nautical miles.) A lovely mountainous island with several good beaches, Simi offers limited hotels and tourist facilities. The chief settlement, Simi Town, is divided between Ano Simi (upper town) and Kato Poli (lower town). The lower town, also known as Yialos, is made up of charming pastel-coloured, neoclassical mansions built close to the port, while the upper town is capped by the ruins of a castle, built by the Knights of St John. On the southwest coast stands the 18th-century Monastery of St Michel of Panormitis.
Simi can be reached by ferry from both Piraeus and Rhodes.
(Piraeus, 227 nautical miles.) Karpathos, a mountainous island with fertile valleys and several good beaches, lies between Rhodes and Crete. The main settlement and port, Karpathos Town (also known as Pigadia), sits in a bay on the southeast coast. It was built primarily from funds sent home by immigrants to the USA and does not reflect the traditional style found in the older villages, but has good tourist facilities and numerous hotels. From the island’s second port, Diafani, on the northern coast, a road leads to Olimbos, an isolated but well-preserved medieval village where local customs are very much alive.
Karpathos can be reached by ferry from both Piraeus and Rhodes. There are regular flights to Athens and Rhodes.
(Piraeus, 255 nautical miles.) Kassos, the most southern of the Dodecanese lies just 3 nautical miles from Karpathos. Emborios, the port, and Fri, the principal town, are picturesque settlements, both with good beaches. Selai, a cave to the west of the village of Agia Marina, is filled with impressive stalactites.
Kassos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus.
(Piraeus, 140 nautical miles.) St John is said to have been exiled to Patmos and was inspired to write his Revelations here. During the 11th century, the massive fortified Monastery of St John the Divine was built above the capital, Patmos Town (also known as Hora), to honour the saint. The monastery is worth visiting for its church and chapels, displaying Byzantine icons, and also for the panoramic view it affords out to sea. The island’s main tourist resorts are Skala and Grikos. Skala, made up of whitewashed houses, bars and tavernas, is also the principal port, and lies 2km (1.2 miles) from Hora Town. Grikos is built overlooking Grikos Bay and has a fine beach nearby. Patmos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus.
(Piraeus, 180 nautical miles.) Kalimnos is famous for its sponge fishing – a tradition which is expressed in many folk songs and local dances. Along the northwest coast of the island there are several resorts with lovely beaches, notably Mirties and Massouri. Good hotels can also be found in the chief settlement, Pothia, a cheerful port town with brightly coloured houses, founded in 1850. Close to Pothia lies Therma, a well-equipped spa with therapeutic bathing installations and overnight accommodation. The old capital, Horio, stands below the remains of a medieval castle. Kalimnos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus.
(Piraeus, 169 nautical miles.) Leros is an island of fertile valleys, green hills and unspoilt beaches. The chief settlement, Agia Marina is made up of steep winding alleyways, whitewashed houses, and several neoclassical buildings, and crowned by a 14th-century Byzantine fortress. Most hotels are found in Laki (one of the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbours) and Alinda, both of which have fine beaches.
Leros can be reached by ferry from Piraeus and by plane from Athens.
(Piraeus, 290 nautical miles.) Little known by tourists, Tilos is a hilly island with many isolated and unspoilt beaches. The main settlements are the inland town of Megalo Horio, crowned by a medieval castle, and Livadia, the island’s port. Close to Megalo Horio it is possible to visit the monastery of Agios Antonios.
Tilos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus.
(Piraeus, 200 nautical miles.) This small volcanic island lies between Kos and Tilos. The capital and port, Mandraki, is built below a medieval castle. Close by at Loutra lie the renowned hot springs, while in the centre of the island one can visit the vast smouldering crater, formed in 1522 by a massive volcanic explosion.
Nissiros can be reached by ferry from Kos, Piraeus and Rhodes.
(Piraeus, 302 nautical miles.) Halki is a small hilly island, little known by tourists. From the main settlement and port, Nimborio (also known as Halki), Potamo is the only beach accessible on foot, though many other beautiful unspoilt beaches can be reached by boat. The island’s second town and former capital, Horio, was built inland to avoid pirate attacks. Halki can be reached by ferry from Piraeus.
(Piraeus, 165 nautical miles.) The westernmost of the Dodecanese, Astipalaia is mountainous but fertile, and little discovered by tourists. The capital, also called Astipalaia, is built on a steep hill and dominated by an austere Venetian castle. The most beautiful part of the island is around Livadia, where there is a fine sandy beach. Astipalaia can be reached by ferry from Piraeus and by plane from Athens.