Dodecanese Islands

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Regions of Greece : Dodecanese islands

 

Dodecanese island

The Dodecanese islands are located in the southeast part of the Aegean Sea and consist of twelve major islands and a number of smaller islands: Astypalea, Leros, Lipsi, Nisyros, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Patmos, Rhodos, Tilos. They are situated close together and are connected by ferry boat, high-speed boat and airplane, facilitating those who want to do a bit of island hopping from island to island in the Dodecanese, Greece. Some of those Greek Islands are located at the border to Turkey. They have everything to offer to the visitors: whitewashed houses, beautiful beaches with crystal waters, charming villages, exciting nightlife and more…

Kos island 

Kos is a lovely island located in the Dodecanese cluster, in the southeastern Aegean Sea region. It is the third largest island in the cluster and is one of the most frequented holiday spots in Greece, receiving thousands of visitors form Greece and abroad every year.

Due to its popularity, as well as its large number of permanent residents, Kos Island Greece has a very well-developed tourist infrastructure, including tourist offices, travel agencies, car rental agencies, and shops of all kinds. Accommodation in Kos Greece is excellent, with Kos hotels, apartments, studios, and rooms for rent throughout the island. As Kos caters to all types of tourists, there is a large variety of Kos hotels available, ranging from budget accommodation to luxury Kos hotels and resorts.

Nightlife in Kos Greece is amazing, as there is an abundance of bars and clubs for all tastes, and dining venues galore, ranging from traditional cafeneion, ouzeries and snack bars to tavernas and gourmet restaurants.

Kos island

Kos Beaches

Kos has some of the best beaches in the Dodecanese. There is a wide variety, catering to all tastes. Visitors can find busy beaches packed with sunbathers and popular beach bars, as well as quiet beaches, secluded from the hoi polloi. Several beaches in Kos Greece have shallow water, making them ideal for families with small children. Other Kos beaches are hot spots for water sports lovers. A good map of Kos will show you the location of all the best beaches.

The Kos beaches near the capital town tend to be less crowded than others, because they are pebbly. Despite this, they are lovely; the most attractive being Lambi Beach and Psalidi Beach. A variety of facilities are available at both beaches, including sunbathing and water sports facilities and an abundance of dining venues. Travelling southeast from Kos Town is Agios Fokas Beach, which is half black sandy and half pebbly, making it quite impressive. Close to Agios Fokas is Thermes, a black sandy beach famous for its hot springs. The warm water is considered therapeutic for rheumatism and arthritis. In the middle of the eastern coast of Kos Greece, you will come across the extremely popular Kardamena Beach, which is a 3-km stretch of fine white sand, with clear water and a plethora of facilities, including chaise lounges, umbrellas, cafes, tavernas, and a wide range of water sports facilities. South of Kardamena Beach are the Kos beaches of Paradissos, Kamila, Agios Stefanos, and Kamari, all of which are wonderful sandy beaches, ideal for sunbathing and relaxation. Kamila Beach (otherwise known as Camel Beach) is surrounded by unusual rocky formations that are quite impressive. Paradissos Beach is very popular, while the rest are less congested. Kefalos Beach is another favorite, with cool and very clean water, fine sand, and organized facilities.

The beach of Agios Theologos, located on the southwestern tip of Kos Greece, is ideal for surfing. Mastichari Beach, which is situated in the middle of the western coast, resembles the beaches of the Caribbean, with white sand and turquoise water. Travelling northwards along the western coast, you will find Marmari Beach, a very long stretch of sand, equipped with chaise longues, umbrellas and water sports facilities for rent. Approaching Kos Town, about 10 km southwest from the capital is Tigaki Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Kos Greece, famous for its length (10 km), fine sand and shallow, clean water.

Kos Weather - Kos Climate

The climate of Kos is similar to the rest of the Dodecanese Islands, with typical sunny summer days and mild winter days. This marvellous climate makes Kos Greece an excellent vacation destination throughout the year. The island has its fair share of rainfall during the winter, contributing to its lush vegetation. Some believe that the best seasons to come to the island are spring and autumn, when the weather in Kos Greece is pleasant and there is less crowding.

From January to March, temperatures in Kos range from 9°C to 15°C. Kos weather warms up a bit in April and May, when temperatures are between 13°C to 22°C. June is the month when the weather in Kos really becomes summery, with temperatures in the low to high 20s. July and August are the warmest months, reaching the low 30s, while September is still warm with temperatures in the 20s. In October, the weather in Kos Greece starts to cool down, and continues to do so until the end of the year, although temperatures remain pleasant, ranging from a low of 11°C in December to a high of 23°C in October.

Ferries & Flights to Kos

There are direct flights to Kos Airport from Athens Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' and ' Macedonia' Thessaloniki Airport. Several European countries have charter flights to Kos Greece, facilitating visitors from the UK, Germany, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and others. There are also Kos flights from the Dodecanese Islands of Rhodes, Leros and Astypalea, allowing visitors to do some island hopping. You will find flights to Kos Airport for all budgets, as airlines offer cheap airfare, as well as first-class tickets.

Ferries to Kos depart from Athens ( Piraeus Port), Thessaloniki Port and Alexandroupoli Port. There are also high speed boats and ferries to Kos from the other Dodecanese Islands, the Cyclades Islands of Mykonos, Amorgos and Syros, and several islands in the NE Aegean cluster, including Samos, Chios, Lesvos and Lemnos. Departures are very frequent, especially during the summer months when tourism is in its high season. We suggest booking your transport to Kos Greece in advance to ensure that you receive the means of transport and seating you require. Summer is the peak travel season, therefore you should take care of your personal and car ferry tickets on time.

Karpathos Island

Karpathos island

Leros island

Leros, the island of the Olympian goddess Artemis, is a small fertile island in the Dodecanese Cluster. It is characterized by its endless natural beauty, as it is full of sandy beaches, lush rolling hills, charming coves and green valleys.

Leros Greece is situated between the islands of Leros and Kalymnos. It covers an area of 53 sq. km, has a coastline of 71 km and a population of approximately 8,500 inhabitants .

Leros is especially admired and visited by people who wish to spend their vacations in a beautiful natural environment, embraced by soft sands and leafy green hills. It attracts many visitors during the high season, but is also ideal in the spring and autumn, when nature is at its loveliest. Leros Greece has many attractive settlements, most of which have very good tourist infrastructures, with many Leros hotels, apartments, rooms to rent and studios, catering to a visitor's every need.

Platanos, the capital of the island, is the commercial and administrative center of Leros and has lovely neoclassical manors and narrow alleyways and a plethora of Leros hotels, studios and apartments . Agia Marina is located north of Platanos and is the second port of the island with many quaint shops and beautiful buildings. Panteli is a quaint fishing village located south of Platanos and is built amphitheatrically around a bay.

Alinda is a verdant village with golden sandy beaches and many impressive buildings. Lakki is the main port of the island and is a naturally created harbor. It is well-known for its impressive architecture and abundance of vegetation. Xirokambos is built in a small valley and is famous for its natural beauty. Partheni is a very picturesque bay area in the north of Leros Greece .  

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 Holy Island of Patmos

Patmos island

Patmos, the island of the Holy Grotto of the Apocalypse, is a small island belonging to the Dodecanese cluster. It is characterized by its spiritual aura and its contrasting natural features such as sandy beaches, valleys, rock formations and hills.

The island of Patmos Greece has been inhabited since Prehistoric Times. During the Roman Period, it was a land of exile and it was here that St. John the Theologian, during his exile, wrote the Apocalypse, known also as the Book of Revelation. As Christianity spread throughout the world, Patmos began to develop into a center of religion, with many Christians finding refuge on the island, and as a result, Patmos Greece increased both its commercial and intellectual aspects.

Patmos Town (Hora) is a medieval town built around the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. The town is quite beautiful and is comprised of whitewashed houses, grand manors, splendid small squares, a number of churches and narrow alleyways that have quaint Patmos hotels. Skala is the port and capital town of Patmos Island and is the busiest settlement on the island with a wide variety of Patmos hotels, hotel apartments and luxury suites.

Visitors are offered a wide range of Patmos hotels that are situated in lovely settings close to the beach, dining and entertainment venues, the Apocalypse Cave and the Monastery of St. John the Theologian Patmos. In the lovely seaside resort of Grikos, Patmos, guests can stay in luxurious suites and rooms with a view of the beautiful Grikos Bay. Other areas of the island also provide Patmos hotels, hotel apartments, studios and villas for comfortable accommodation while on holidays in Patmos.

Patmos Beaches

Patmos Island has some of the cleanest sea waters in the Aegean, with numerous pebbly and sandy beaches. Some Patmos Beaches are popular and organized, while some are quiet and secluded, providing visitors with several options, depending on their needs and preference.

On the northeastern side of Patmos, you will find Lambi Beach, a wonderful stretch of colorful pebbles, located in a bay area. The eastern coast provides the popular Kambos Beach and Agriolivado Beach, which are fully-organized and also situated in sheltered bays. Near Skala Port, you can swim at Meloi Beach.

The village of Grikos, on the southeastern coast of Patmos, is surrounded by small beaches with tamarisk trees. Psili Ammos is considered by many to be the best Patmos Beach, with soft sand, tamarisk trees and azure waters. It is located on the southwestern tip of the island and can be reached on foot from Stavros or by excursion boat from Skala.

Patmos Nightlife - Patmos Restaurants - Patmos Events

Do not let the fact that Patmos is a holy island fool you. It has a number of fabulous nightlife venues, most of which are located in Skala, the island's port, and in Patmos Town. The bars in Patmos Town, close at 2 am, at which time there is a mass transfer of people to the clubs and bars in Skala, keeping Patmos nightlife strong till the early morning hours. Charming tavernas and restaurants can be found throughout the island. Most serve the traditional dishes of Patmos, including goat in lemon sauce, pork in wine sauce, stuffed calamari, fresh fish and Patmos cheese pie.

Patmos Sights & Attractions

Patmos is considered a holy island, where the exiled St. John the Theologian found refuge and wrote the Apocalypse. There are two very significant sights in Patmos that are connected to St. John the Theologian. The first is the Monastery of St. John, located in Patmos Town (Chora). Visitors can walk through the monastery, admire the beautiful murals and icons, and visit the museum of the monastery, where many relics and important documents are displayed.

Half-way between the Port of Patmos in Skala and Patmos Town is the Cave of the Apocalypse, otherwise known as the Holy Grotto, where St. John the Theologian heard the voice of God and witnessed visions, which he then inscribed, creating the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse. Visitors can sit in the cave and listen to a monk tell the story of St. John and how the Apocalypse was written.

Apart from these two impressive sights, there are other excellent places to see on your Patmos tour. Get a map of Patmos and visit the wonderful churches and museums in Patmos Town (Chora), Grikos, and Kambos, as well as the ancient sights in the rest of the island. In Skala, we suggest visiting the Acropolis Ruins and the site where St. John the Theologian baptised the inhabitants of Patmos.

From Patmos you can catch tour boats to the small islands of Arki, Agathonissi, and Lipsi where you can spend a lovely day swimming in superb waters and relaxing on lovely beaches.

Ferries to Patmos

You can travel to Patmos by ferry boats or high speed boats that depart from Athens ( Pireaus Port ). High speeds and ferries to Patmos are frequent, especially in the summer, when tourism on Patmos Island is at its peak. High speed and ferry boats to Patmos Port in Skala also depart from other Dodecanese Islands, some Cyclades Islands and Samos. The cost of boat fares for Patmos Island depend on the season and the type of boat, so book in advance to pay lower fares. Depending on the number of stops the ferry makes at other islands, the trip from Piraeus Port to Patmos Port (Skala) may last anywhere between 9 to 11 hours.

RHODOS Island

Rhodos Beaches

The island of Rhodes has many stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters, satisfying all types of visitors. Most Rhodes beaches are sandy, while some also have a bit of pebble. Water sports facilities, umbrellas and chaise lounges are provided at the majority of the beaches.

Anthony Quinn beach is located in a small bay where many people do scuba diving, while Ialyssos Beach is a favourite for windsurfing. In Faliraki, Rhodos (Rodos) there is a fully-organized nudist beach, while Kallithea Beach is well-known for its therapeutic springs.

 

Rhodos Nightlife

Rhodos is famous for its cosmopolitan lifestyle and thus provides an abundance of entertainment venues. Along the coastline of the island, visitors can find quaint Rhodes restaurants, tavernas, cafes and ouzeries.

Rhodos Island also hosts a variety of traditional festivals and fairs, as well as cultural events. From April to October, the 'Sound and Light' Show is held in the courtyard of the Knight's Palace, while a plethora of cultural events take place at various other locations in the Medieval City. Rhodos Town also hosts the International Film festival 'Ecocinema' in the summer.

The Carnival Celebrations and the Festival of the Virgin Mary on August 15 are the major happenings in Afandou. You may like to attend the 'Ialysia' Cultural Events during the first 15 days of August in Ialyssos, or the 3-day festival of Stavros on 13-15 September in Kalythies. The summer dance and song festival in Lindos are also wonderful.

 

Rhodos Sights & Attractions

Situated in the Dodecanese cluster is Rhodos, an island of rich history and one of the most popular holiday and business destinations in Greece. Throughout the centuries, a number of different cultures have influenced the architectural features of the island and the everyday life of the people of Rhodos (Rodos).

Rhodos Weather - Rhodos Climate

The weather in Rhodos is quite mild throughout the year, with a bit of excess rainfall, which accounts for its lush green vegetation. It has the typical Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and temperate winters with some rain. From spring till autumn, Rhodos is the ideal vacation spot, with clear sunny skies and warm waters. The evenings in spring and autumn are comfortable but cool and a light jacket is recommended.

From January to March, the temperatures in Rhodos (Rodos) are approximately 11.5°C - 13.5°C. As spring arrives, the temperature rises, ranging from 16.5°C to 21°C in April and May. June, July, August and September, are the warmest months, although they are very pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from the mid to the high 20s. In October and November the weather in Rhodos remains comfortable, with temperatures between the mid teens to the low 20s. December cools down to the low to mid teens, starting off the winter period in Rhodos.
The northern to northwest Meltemi wind blows in the Rhodos (Rodos) region in July and August, providing a cool breeze during the hottest months.

 

Ferries & Flights to Rhodos (Rodos)

Due to its distance from Athens and Thessaloniki, most visitors prefer traveling to Rhodos by airplane. Flights to Rhodos, Greece are frequent, particularly during the summer at the peak tourist season. There are direct flights to Rhodos Airport from Athens Airport and Thessaloniki Airport, as well as Crete, other Dodecanese Islands and some islands in the NE Aegean cluster. As Rhodos is both a business and holiday location, you can find cheap flights to Rhodos with discount fares as well as first class flights and budget business class fares. Book as well in advance as possible if you want to find low airfare prices and seat availability.

Ferries to Rhodos Port depart from Athens ( Piraeus Port ) and other Dodecanese Islands, Cyclades Islands and Crete. Boat fares fluctuate depending on the season and the type of vessel (high speed or conventional ferry boat). Some ferries travel direct to Rhodes, while some make stops at other islands before reaching Rhodos (Rodos). 

 

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KALYMNOS Island

Kalymnos island is part of the Dodecanese islands and is known as the island of the sponge divers. kalymnos located between Leros to the North and Kos to the south. The island is mountainous and rocky with the exceptions of Vathy ,Massouri and Myrties ,its mountainous nature made Kalymnos the last years a beloved place for rock climbing. The capital and main port of the island is Kalymnos or Pothia.The old capital of Kalymnos was Horio.The short distance to Kos and Leros ,30 minutes about by hydrofoil gives the visitor the opportunity for daily trips to those beautiful Greek islands.

Vathy Kalymnos,This settlement appears before ones eyes at the end of a trajectory through arid mountainous, waterless land. A vivid contrast to the austerity of the route, the arrival is a greeting in green, a true oasis at the end of a fecund valley, sparsely build with small houses comfortably scattered around until the picture becomes denser with several more houses built at the other extremity, where the valley gives way to a delightful bight, protected enough to resemble a fjord. This valley - reaching as far as Stimenia - is known to have been inhabited since the Neolithic Age, a fact further corroborated by the vestiges of an ancient shrine and a citadel. Settlement activities were obviously pursued well into the Byzantine era. That was the time of the settlement of Rina, extending over the slopes of the hills, near the port and reputedly destroyed on an Easter evening, sometime in early 15th century, at a corsair raid. Where the imposing cathedral of Saint Irene once stood currently raises a humble church dedicated to the same saint, after which the entire settlement was named. At a 13 km distance from the port of Pothia, Vathys is currently inhabited by 600 people.

Emporios Kalymnos, At a 24 km distance from Pothia, A peaceful waterfront village, sparsely populated by farmers, cattle raisers and fishermen. In ancient times, Emporios had been an important maritime hub, benefiting from the havening effect of the islands of Kalavros and Telendos.

Massouri Kalymnos. A favorite tourist destination and holiday resort at a 9 km distance to the northwest of Pothia, right across from the islet of Telendos, Massouri antagonizes Myrties in popularity. Quite picturesque, this site is gracefully set against a background of impressive, steep rocks.

Myrties Kalymnos, "Myrtia" is the Greek word for myrtle and indeed it is after this particular species - abounding in the region - that this picturesque, waterfront settlement was named, at a spot where only a narrow strait (a mere 700 meters in width) separates Kalymnos from the islet of Telendos, a piece of land once forming part of Kalymnos until it split away under the horrible tremors of the earthquake that devastated the region in AD 535. Small boats connect Myrties to Tenedos several times within the day. Myrties lies at an 8 km distance northwest from Pothia and currently boasts 14 inhabitants.

Panormos Kalymnos. A favorite holidaymaker's destination, this settlement has been set against a lavishly green background, featuring lace-like waterfront spots, amongst which Kantouni and Linaria. Panormos lies on the site of what was once the ancient Mesos Dimos (Central Municipality), Damos, as the area is still referred to, to this day. Close to this site there is a location known as Tsoukalario, where findings suggest the existence, in ancient times, of pottery workshops. The ancient settlement of Panormos boasts of 800 dwellers and lies within 5 km distance northwest from the port of Pothia.

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Regions of Greece: Attica, West Peloponnese, East Peloponnese, Crete Island, Ionian Islands, Cyclades Islands, Saronic Gulf Islands, Dodecanese Islands, Evia, Sporades Islands, Sterea Hellas, Epirus, Thessaly, Central Macedonia, East Macedonia, West Macedonia, East Aegean Islands, Thrace. 

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