Dodecanese Islands

The Dodecanese Islands are a rather large Greek island group that exists in the southeastern Aegean Sea, closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece. While the name Dodecanese translates to ‘twelve islands’,  actually 16 are permanently inhabited at present. Not as popular as the Cyclades, the Dodecanese are an alternative retreat where ardent travelers get to observe Ottoman and Byzantine architecture, discover beaches reachable only by boat, and spend lazy days in unpretentious Greek towns with appealing personalities.

Ferry tickets to Dodecanese Islands are available from all across Greece, be it Athens, the Cyclades, or Crete. You can check for the updated ferry schedules and the best prices using Ferryscanner. The capital of the Dodecanese, Rhodes, is the perfect island to start your tour of the region. A roam around the Old Town, past the Street of Knights, and a stop at the amusing Toy Museum in Archipoli are options for when you want to spend a day away from the beautiful beaches. With its colorful hillside homes and pretty Pedi beach, a boat ride to Symi is another must-have unforgettable island experience.

Kos is the Dodecanese Islands’ cultural center. On April 23rd, Feast of Saint George, the village of Pyli hosts a parade and horse race, a thrilling watch for spectators. Summertime is when the Acta Amateur Theater Group puts up several free and paid performances throughout the island. If having a drink at the ghost village of Haihoutes is not your cup of tea, take a boat to Nisyros for a daring exploration of Stefanos, the biggest crater on this actively volcanic island.

Well-connected with each other, one can readily get ferry tickets to Dodecanese Islands and visit the main ones in over a week or two. Just don’t leave out Patmos, a religiously significant island famous for the Cave of Apocalypse and the Monastery of Saint John, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is almost 1000 years old. Solitude seekers, though, should opt for Lipsi or Chalki, islands with an inviting, laidback appeal. While there, make your way to the kid-friendly Potamos Beach in Chalki and Hohlakoura in Lipsi for a wonderful beach day.