dodecanese islands islands

The Dodecanese or Dodekanisa which translates as twelve islands is a group of 12 larger islands and 150 smaller ones set in the heart of south-eastern Aegean. Many visitors, for instance, come here to venerate the miraculous icon of Archangel Michael kept at the monastery of Panormítis, one of the most significant monasteries of the Dodecanese. Did you actually know that you can sit under the plane tree where Hippocrates himself, the Father of Medicine, used to teach his students and examine his patients? Almost every island has its Classical remains, its Crusaders’ Castle, and its traditional villages in a region where eastern and western cultures have wonderfully blended for many centuries. Its main settlement is filled with cheerfully painted houses of exceptional architecture, awe-inspiring churches and picturesque alleys. The Dodecannese Islands are located in the South East of the Aegean Sea, with capital being the famous large island of Rhodes. These 12 large islands, followed by a group of smaller ones, each with its unique qualities, are rich in history and a favourite sailing area. All content included on this site consists intellectual property of GNTO and you are not allowed to reproduce the whole or part of this work in any way. Take the opportunity to visit an unspoiled destination formed by volcanic eruptions. Most of all, you will love the Medieval Old Town. Did you know that this tiny beautiful island formed part of Kálymnos in antiquity, but was separated in 554 AD due to a devastating earthquake? Its small villages and secluded beaches attract tourists that are looking for an alternative destination. Pserimos means “looking for the ideal destination for serene, relaxing holidays”. The southern side of the island is touristically developed, while the southern side keeps its raw natural charm. Where to eat? Explore Dodecanese holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. With lovely beach resorts and relaxing vibes, Kalymnos is a nice island for family vacations. Ferries to Dodecanese Islands. Explore the Dodecanese islands through the lens of the talented members of Greeka community. Dodecanese and Turkey Marvelous sea, archeology, volcanoes and mysticism Δωδεκάνησος or "the 12 islands" that in reality are about 200 islands and islets! Despite its small size, Kássos was once a mighty maritime and commercial power. The most characteristic sight of Patmos is the Monastery of Saint John, just above Chora. The plane tree must be over 2,500 years old, and it is in fact the oldest in Europe! You can reach Télendos by boat departing from the cove of Mirtiés at Kálymnos. Due to this wild rocksides, Kalymnos has developed over the last years as a popular rock climbing destination. The island’s trademark is its medieval castle (Nerantziá Castle) situated at the entrance of the port. Kos is the third biggest Greek islands of the Dodecanese island group and a place that has it all! If you are desperately seeking to discover lesser-known, unspoiled destinations visit Leros or Pserimos. It has emerged as a great alternative destination. An island blessed with an abundance of streams, pine-tree forests, vineyards, olive groves, rocky caves (which are actually home to monachus monachus) and mountainous landscapes, Kárpathos is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and lovers of deep-rooted tradition. Arki & Marathi. Wander around its magnificent Old City, surrounded by medieval walls with seven gates, and admire the Palace of the Grand Master, the most awe- inspiring building in the whole island. An island great for calm family vacations, Leros is a small island with relaxing atmosphere. Visit Meyálo Horió, the island’s capital, with its imposing stone houses and narrow alleys. This clause held since 1908. Agathonissi is the northernmost island of the Dodecanese; it consists of three large traditional settlements (Agios Georgios, Megalo Horio and Mikro Horio). Azriel Rahav explains about the … Agathonissi has a significant and vulnerable ecosystem rendering it an important habitat of rare bird species. Symi. Region: Aegean / Ionian Islands Group: Italian Occupations in the Aegean Sea Classification: Military Occupation Prior Regime: The Ottoman Empire Key Dates: 1912, May – Invasion by Italy 1912, Oct – Treaty of Ouchy, agreeing return to Ottomans, which was never implemented 1921, Jan – Castellorizo aquired from the French 1923, Jul 24 – Dodecanese Islands annexed by Italy Following Regime: Italian Colony of the Dodecane… Rhodes and Kos are the most popular islands of the group, while Karpathos and Patmos are also gradually developing without losing their original character though. Don’t forget to observe its colourful houses which are actually built with hewn slabs of andesite and dacite (volcanic material)! The islands that compose the Dodecanese are: Astypalaia Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Kastelorizo, Nissyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Telos, and Chalki. An island with long tradition in sponge diving, Kalymnos is beautiful place with barren landscape. The town of Halki or Niborió, the island’s capital, is listed as a traditional settlement and it is amphitheatrically built overlooking the clear-blue sea, whereas impressive neoclassical mansions reveal the prosperity the island enjoyed in the past. Around the island, there are lovely beaches to enjoy a day under the sun. The Dodecanese is a complex of over 163 islands and islets, of which 26 are inhabited, situated at the easternmost part of Greece, at the borders of Europe. Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, where you'll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more! All Rights Reserved. The tiny island of Simi is regularly visited as a day trip from Rhodes or for a short summer break. Twelve large islands and numerous smaller ones with crystal clear waters, sandy or pebbly beaches, important archaeological finds, imposing Byzantine and medieval monuments and unique traditional settlements are waiting to be discovered. Map of Dodecanese Islands and travel information about Dodecanese Islands brought to you by Lonely Planet. Find the right tour for you through Dodecanese Islands. Visit also Kárpathos during Easter or Carnival time and participate with the locals in celebrations that will remain in your memory forever! They lie close to the Turkish Southern coast and their history is much tied to the fortune and misfortune of Rhodes. The Dodecanese islands stretch across the Aegean Sea, leaving picture-postcard villages in their wake. The rest of the islands are more quiet and truly relaxing. This is the reason why in Astipálea the characteristics of both island complexes blend together to create the island’s uniquely varied scenery. A perfect occasion to visit the island would be the International Climbing Festival in May, a unique festival that will thrill the action fans! This Dodecanese islands travel guide will give you all the necessary information to organize your holiday in Greece. The main islands of the Dodecanese group, with their Italian names in parentheses, are: Kárpathos (Scarpanto), Pátmos (Patmo), Kásos (Caso), Astipálaia (Stampalia), Lipsoí (Lisso), Léros (Lero), Kálimnos (Calino), Nísuros (Nisiro), Tílos (Piscopi), Chálki (Calchi), Sými (Simi), Rhodes (Rodi), and Cos (Coo; Modern Greek: Kos) and the outlying Kastellórizo (Castelrosso). Kalymnos is developing as a rock climbing destination, Leros is a diving destination, while Patmos is famous for its spiritual character. Upload your photos or share your experience with us! Agathonissi is the northernmost island of the Dodecanese; it consists of three large traditional settlements (Agios Georgios, Megalo Horio and Mikro Horio). Discover our best island hopping packages in the Dodecanese! Walk along the paved streets of the Old Town and you will have the sense that time has stopped in the time of the Knights. The well-preserved mansions that still stand in Fre, the island’s capital and main port, reflect today this former grandeur. The rest islands of Dodecanese, smaller in size, are considered more alternative holiday destinations. Let’s explore the Dodecanese islands! Set out on a day trip to the traditional settlement of Horió, the former capital of the island, and admire interesting Byzantine monuments (like the Great Castle). The Medieval Castle and the underground War Museum are the most impressive sights on the island, while a walk along the portside under the moonlight will leave you with the most romantic impressions from your summer holidays. The early-Christian settlement at Eliniká is a must-see, since it is perhaps the best preserved settlement in Greece. The Dodecanese islands are located on the southeastern side of Greece, between the Cyclades and the coasts of Turkey. Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, lush vegetation, ancient and medieval monuments, tree-lined wide roads, large squares, parks, a superb city plan and an extensive bicycle-only routes network are the distinctive characteristics of the third largest island of the Dodecanese, Kos! It is worth doing your research to get the right mix of high octane partying and chilled out bliss on in other locations but this should be a jumping off point. This village and many beaches around Halki can be reached on foot. Island-hopping by ferry, hydrofoil or catamaran is a splendid way to get into the leisurely pace. With romantic atmosphere and secluded beaches, Astypalea is ideal for peaceful vacations. Distances are short and this makes Halki is a great place for hiking. Dodecanese islands, Greece accommodation. Upload your best photos of Greece and interact with other Greeka members! We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. Well-preserved castles, like the ones of Kritinia and Monólithos are also waiting to be discovered! Perhaps you were looking for other islands in the Aegean, such as the Aegean Islands, the Cyclades Islands, the Ionian Islands or even to Crete. Kalymnos, the island of the sea- sponge harvesters, Sponge harvesters from Kalymnos: The diving legends. On the Aegean's eastern, edge the Dodecanese present perfect Greek vistas of whitewashed walls, turquoise blue skies and seas. Some are so small and distant from each other that they have remained almost uncontaminated over the centuries. We've got 40 tours going to Dodecanese Islands, starting from just 5 days in length, and the longest tour is 15 days. Ferries leave Pireaus in the late afternoon and arrive in Rhodes some fifteen hours later after stopping in Patmos, Kalymnos, Leros and Kos. Here, both landscape and people will definitely help you find inner peace and tranquility. Nisyros is a beautiful little island, which belongs to the Dodecanese island chain. The islands of the Dodecanese are the furthest grouping from the Greek mainland, and hug the Turkish coastline so closely that in some places one could seemingly swim between the two continents. Thanks to its small size, lack of mass tourism and long distance from Athens, Lipsi is one of those Greek islands that has emerged as a peaceful destination for relaxing holidays away from the hustle and the bustle. Get into a boat and sail around Maráthi, another small island with a beautiful beach covered with lentisks and tamarisk (salt cedar). . Enter the far-flung Dodecanese archipelago, curving through the southeastern Aegean parallel to the ever-visible shoreline of Turkey. Kalymnos. Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? Tilos is a small, remote island of Dodecanese, located between Nisyros and Rhodes. Did you know that after WWII Kálymnos remained the only Greek sponge-harvesting industry supplying both domestic and international markets with sea sponges? The Dodecanese- The “twelve islands” located SE of the Aegean Sea near the Turkish coast. Visit among others the castle of Chrissoheria and the Archaeological Museum. The twelve islands in the Dodecanese chain, including the islands of Kos, Rhodes, Symi, Kalymnos and Kaparthos, each have a different distinctive and are well worth a visit. In fact, a rock climbing festival takes place there every year. The picturesque main village is constructed along the slopes of a hill, with a Venetian castle at its top and offers great view to the sea. Situated on the southern part of the Aegean Sea, between Rhodes and Crete, Karpathos has a rather secluded location. If you are looking to spend peaceful holidays in a pure, dreamy environment with pine trees, olive groves and low plains with freshwater streams, then Léros is your destination! Enjoy sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, swim in paradise bays (like the small bay of Vathí), rent a boat and sail around the island’s beaches, follow several hiking routes, participate in local fairs (the most famous ones take place on 15th August) or go scuba diving and climbing. In short distance from the village, there are small beaches with clean water. Less popular than the Cyclades and with a different style, these Greek islands stand out for their Medieval architecture and the peaceful beaches. A cluster of twelve islands at the southeastern edge of the Aegean, the Dodecanese form a bridge between Europe and the East. Rhodes Lipsi is also surrounded by countless uninhabited islets ideal for bird watching. Actually the Dodecanese count much more than 12 islands. Karpathos. Everywhere you go, you’ll see traces of peoples and cultures that have made their mark over the centuries: Ionians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans and Italians. Nightlife is little on Tilos, as there is only one bar that opens in summer in the abandoned village of Mikro Chorio. Leros. Explore our travel services & make the most out of your GREECE holidays! Visit a dreamy cluster of islands east of Pátmos with sparse vegetation, old whitewashed houses, and cute little tavernas. Ragged mountainscape, densely forested ranges and hilly vistas, verdant valleys –home to four hundred species of flowers and herbs–, and habitat of rare species of birds. GNTO © 2020. The Dodecanese islands were formally annexed by Fascist Italy, as the Possedimenti Italiani dell'Egeo in 1923, following an agreement between Mussolini and Kemal Atatürk. Right tour for you through Dodecanese islands with romantic atmosphere and secluded beaches attract that! Palace of the Sea sponge harvesters from Kalymnos: the diving legends style and many monuments... Busy waterfronts and small portsides, monasteries and ancient ruins will have a field day.... 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