Kastellorizo
Travel information on Kastellorizo in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.
Kastellorizo is a difficult island to reach, which is why it
has retained so much of its charm. It is definitely one to seek out for those
who like to get away from it all and have a real and unique Greek island
experience.
Kastellorizo
Fewer than 300 people live on Kastellorizo, and almost all
of these live in the one village on the island, which is also called
Kastellorizo. See it today and it's hard to believe that about a hundred years
ago there were some 10,000 people living here. Most left during the
Greek-Turkish population exchange in 1923, and more were forced to leave during
World War II, ordered out by the British army.
Kastellorizo Harbour
The main reason for the island's previous importance is its
magnificent and vast horseshoe-shaped harbour, which takes the breath away if
you arrive by ferry. It's one of the biggest harbours in the Eastern Mediterranean,
and the island's location just one nautical mile from the Turkish town of Kaş. By contrast, the
nearest main Greek island is Rhodes, seventy nautical miles away.
The amount of trade the harbour generated resulted in some
wealthy people here. Many of their mansions fell into ruin after 1923, and
others were destroyed during World War II. Some remained however, and a lot of
these have been renovated by islanders returning home either to live or have a
second home. Some lining the harbour have been painted in bold colours, making
for a striking sight.
Kastellorizo Town
For such a small
population, the main - the only - town on the island is surprisingly lively,
thanks to returning ex-pats and the more adventurous holidaymakers that get
here. There's a good choice of accommodation and of eating places, a bank, post
office and several travel agents.
There are several things to see in the town and around the
island. In the town itself is an Archaeological Museum and the Megisti Museum. Megisti
is an alternative name for Kastellorizo. It means 'biggest', but only in the
sense of it being the biggest of this little group of islands. It is in fact
the smallest of the main Dodecanese islands.
On a hill above the town stand the ruins of a castle, which
is where the name Kastellorizo comes from. Because of the red cliffs on which
it stands, it was originally known as the Castello Rosso, or Red Castle.
Other attractions on the island include a Lycian tomb dating
from the 4th century BC, and the Blue Cave. You can take a boat trip to the
cave from the main town, and from here you can also take trips to Kaş in Turkey.
Getting to
Kastellorizo
Flights to
Kastellorizo
Kastellorizo does have a domestic airport but the only
flights are a few each week from Rhodes with Olympic Air. Be aware that at the
time of writing there's no bus from the airport to the main town, which is 1.5
miles (2.5 kms) away, though there is a taxi service on the island. Be prepared
for a walk or a wait, although there has been a bus service in the past so
perhaps it may get reinstated.
Ferries to
Kastellorizo
Kastellorizo is not much easier to reach by ferry. There is
only one ferry a week from Rhodes, and that only operates in the summer months,
going to Kastellorizo and coming back on a Saturday. It takes 2.25 hours each
way. You can also get there from Rhodes on a different ferry service which
operates from Piraeus twice a week, year-round. It takes almost 24 hours to get
from Piraeus to Kastellorizo.
Ferries in Greece
Ferries in Greece has an excellent and very thorough website where, in addition to checking ferry schedules and times, you can also book tickets and get lots of useful information about travelling by ferry in Greece.
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
Other Dodecanese pages
Astypalaia in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is a largely unspoilt island with good beaches.
Travel and vacation information about the Dodecanese islands of Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Patmos, Halki, Tilos, Karpathos, Leros, Lipsi, Astipalea.
Symi (or Simi) is a small island in the Dodecanese near Rhodes with regular ferry connections, hotels, rooms to rent, beaches, tavernas.
Kos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece has good beaches and night-life, and archaeological remains.
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Kos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Tilos is a small island in the Dodecanese between Rhodes and Kos with regular ferry connections, hotels, rooms to rent, beaches, tavernas and ancient remains.
Patmos in the Dodecanese islands is famous for the monasteries of St John and the Apocalypse and on this page you can also read about flights and ferries
Greece Travel Secrets helps celebrate a feast day on Astipalia in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece, for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.
Nisyros is a unique volcanic island in the Dodecanese and easily reached on day trips from Kos Town and Kardamena.
Travel information on Lipsi in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.
Leros is a sizeable island in the Dodecanese with flights from Athens, ferries from Rhodes and Piraeus, good beaches, restaurants and hotels.
Travel information on Kasos in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.
Karpathos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece is noted for its traditions, its music, and mountain villages like Olympos.
Kalymnos in Greece in the Dodecanese islands is most famous for its history of sponge fishing, and see here information about flights and ferries.
Travel information on Halki in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, including flight and ferry information from Greece Travel Secrets.
Arki is a small island in the Dodecanese close to Lipsi, with beaches and tavernas with rooms to rent and ferry connections with Patmos, Samos and Marathi.
Agathonisi is a small island in the Dodecanese with quiet beaches, a few hotels, pensions and rooms to rent.
Wild Abandon by Jennifer Barclay and published by Bradt Guides is A Journey to Deserted Places of the Dodecanese islands in Greece, including Rhodes and Kos.
Mermaid Singing by Charmian Clift is a fine example of 1950s travel writing about the Greek island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese.
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