Another Greece. Holiday Ideas
Have you heard of the Dodecanese Islands? No? Well, then remember the main fact - there are...350 sunny days a year here. The archipelago is not as popular as Crete or Mykonos, but that's only a plus!
Yes, you'll have to make at least one transfer to get to one of these islands, change from a plane to a ferry, and maybe more than one, but how pleasant it is to be Magellan - at least in your dreams!
A characteristic feature of Patmos is its many capes - be sure to visit Koumanas, Vamvakias, Geranou, Hodro Kalana, and Genoupa, which offer amazingly beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. The caves are also impressive, the most important of which is the Cave of the Apocalypse, followed by the caves of Kinopa, Apollou, Arapi, Sykiamias, Alikes, Fournakia, and Fokospilies.
Until recently, Patmos was considered an island for those who prefer a quiet holiday. Today, this is no longer the case. Every tourist will find everything their heart desires here: picturesque tavernas, centers with Greek music, cafes, bars... The ancient settlement of Chora has its unique atmosphere - nightlife buzzes here in summer, but monasteries coexist alongside all the bars and clubs. Patmos is literally steeped in religiosity; there are over 150 monasteries and churches here. For example, the Monastery of St. John the Theologian was founded in 1088, and services have never ceased there since.
One of the many windmills in Chora has been restored with funds from a Swiss patron and is once again producing flour. This is almost the main attraction of Chora with a wide audience - tourists take home a bag of flour, and local schoolchildren learn about the historical craft of their homeland. Chora itself, with its white stone buildings, resembles Santorini and Mykonos, which have long been popular with tourists.
You can reach Patmos by ferry from Piraeus, from the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean Sea, from Kavala, from the Cyclades, Rhodes, and other Dodecanese islands.
The island has a large number of attractions, some of which are about 2500 years old.
Almost all man-made attractions are located in the administrative center of the island - Mandraki town: here you will find a 14th-century Gothic cathedral, a 17th-century monastery, the Nisyros museums: volcanic and archaeological - which present the entire history of the island's life, the ancient acropolis of Paleokastro, built around the 4th-5th century, the ruins of the ancient city of Nisyros, and pumice deposits - one of the island's sources of income, besides tourism.
In the town of Emporios, you can see magnificent olive groves, visit healing mineral springs, and a cave with steam. Also located here are the ruins of a Venetian fortress and the Monastery of the Virgin Mary. You won't be able to stay here long, as only a few families live in the town, there are two tavernas, and no hotels at all. If you decide to spend the night here, you can rent a room from local residents.
Near Mandraki, on the coast, there is another port town - Pali. This town boasts its authentic seafood cuisine. If you try the local seafood even once, you, like other local guests, will claim that the best cuisine in Greece is right here.
Experienced travelers and volcano hunters definitely recommend visiting Nisyros at least once in a lifetime. Here you can photograph hundreds of masterpieces, escape from civilization, and swim on volcanic beaches.
Since Nisyros island is located far out at sea and has no airport, you need to get here by yacht or ferry. The journey from the islands of Kos or Tilos will take about 50 minutes. The proximity to the Turkish coast, about 20 kilometers, allows you to get here not only from Greece.
Another option for visiting Nisyros is to purchase an excursion. In this case, departure occurs from any point in Greece and can take up to 10 hours of travel time.
The fastest way to get to Kalymnos is by scheduled catamaran of DODEKANISOS SEAWAYS, which starts its journey from Rhodes and goes to Patmos, making stops at the islands of Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, and Lipsi along the way. The journey from Kos to Kalymnos takes 35 minutes.
You can view the schedule and prices for ferries and catamarans here.
Patmos
In 1981, the Greek Parliament named Patmos the Holy Island, and in 2006, UNESCO officially recognized Patmos as a World Heritage site. Although the island is small (population around 25,000 people), it is considered one of the most 'impressive' due to the beauty of its wild nature; it is rocky and almost treeless. Patmos consists of three parts, each connected to the others by narrow isthmuses 2 km wide. The main bay, Porto Skala, is the island's port.
A characteristic feature of Patmos is its many capes - be sure to visit Koumanas, Vamvakias, Geranou, Hodro Kalana, and Genoupa, which offer amazingly beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. The caves are also impressive, the most important of which is the Cave of the Apocalypse, followed by the caves of Kinopa, Apollou, Arapi, Sykiamias, Alikes, Fournakia, and Fokospilies.
Until recently, Patmos was considered an island for those who prefer a quiet holiday. Today, this is no longer the case. Every tourist will find everything their heart desires here: picturesque tavernas, centers with Greek music, cafes, bars... The ancient settlement of Chora has its unique atmosphere - nightlife buzzes here in summer, but monasteries coexist alongside all the bars and clubs. Patmos is literally steeped in religiosity; there are over 150 monasteries and churches here. For example, the Monastery of St. John the Theologian was founded in 1088, and services have never ceased there since.
One of the many windmills in Chora has been restored with funds from a Swiss patron and is once again producing flour. This is almost the main attraction of Chora with a wide audience - tourists take home a bag of flour, and local schoolchildren learn about the historical craft of their homeland. Chora itself, with its white stone buildings, resembles Santorini and Mykonos, which have long been popular with tourists.
You can reach Patmos by ferry from Piraeus, from the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean Sea, from Kavala, from the Cyclades, Rhodes, and other Dodecanese islands.
Nisyros
Nisyros, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, is famous for its young volcano, Stefanos. It is active to this day, although its last eruption occurred 'only' 150 thousand years ago. Its scale and grandeur are best understood from a bird's-eye view, by climbing to the observation deck near the Church of Prophet Elias. You can get there from the village of Nikia. However, you can also descend into the volcano's crater - to feel the instability of the ground and the hydrogen sulfide aroma....mmm...
Only about 75 people live in the village of Nikia (in winter) and about 300 in summer. Most 'summer residents' come from the USA and Australia to spend their summer holidays here.
The island has a large number of attractions, some of which are about 2500 years old.
Almost all man-made attractions are located in the administrative center of the island - Mandraki town: here you will find a 14th-century Gothic cathedral, a 17th-century monastery, the Nisyros museums: volcanic and archaeological - which present the entire history of the island's life, the ancient acropolis of Paleokastro, built around the 4th-5th century, the ruins of the ancient city of Nisyros, and pumice deposits - one of the island's sources of income, besides tourism.
In the town of Emporios, you can see magnificent olive groves, visit healing mineral springs, and a cave with steam. Also located here are the ruins of a Venetian fortress and the Monastery of the Virgin Mary. You won't be able to stay here long, as only a few families live in the town, there are two tavernas, and no hotels at all. If you decide to spend the night here, you can rent a room from local residents.
Near Mandraki, on the coast, there is another port town - Pali. This town boasts its authentic seafood cuisine. If you try the local seafood even once, you, like other local guests, will claim that the best cuisine in Greece is right here.
Experienced travelers and volcano hunters definitely recommend visiting Nisyros at least once in a lifetime. Here you can photograph hundreds of masterpieces, escape from civilization, and swim on volcanic beaches.
Since Nisyros island is located far out at sea and has no airport, you need to get here by yacht or ferry. The journey from the islands of Kos or Tilos will take about 50 minutes. The proximity to the Turkish coast, about 20 kilometers, allows you to get here not only from Greece.
Another option for visiting Nisyros is to purchase an excursion. In this case, departure occurs from any point in Greece and can take up to 10 hours of travel time.
Kalymnos
The only state diving school in Greece is located here. The island is also known for sea sponges being harvested from its seabed. While here, you can take excursions to Telendos, Plati, Pserimos (islets of solitude and relaxation, where there are no tavernas or cafes, but there are unique beaches), as well as to other Dodecanese islands. Tavernas, cafes, cinemas, vibrant nightlife, numerous cultural events, folk festivals, and festivals of Mountaineering and Diving - all make up a rich list of daily entertainment programs. It's no wonder they say that Kalymnos has something for everyone and every taste
Kalymnos is a relatively barren island: there is almost no greenery on it. The only plant that is relatively abundant here is mountain thyme. Fragrant thyme honey is a delicacy and the pride of the island.
Almost every second island in Greece has the right to claim the 'second most beautiful sunset' (Santorini confidently holds the palm). Kalymnos is no exception. The 'most beautiful' sunset here is the sun setting over the picturesque steep contours of Telendos island.
Thanks to its geological features, Kalymnos has become almost a cult place for modern rock climbers. International competitions in this sport are held here every year. Officially, no titles are awarded at them, but one way or another, almost 10,000 guests visit the island every year specifically for mountaineering.
The Kalymnos Climbing Festival in 2017 will take place on October 6-8. The event has long ceased to be purely sporting: organizers arrange rock concerts, lectures, and children's activities.
Thanks to its geological features, Kalymnos has become almost a cult place for modern rock climbers. International competitions in this sport are held here every year. Officially, no titles are awarded at them, but one way or another, almost 10,000 guests visit the island every year specifically for mountaineering.
The Kalymnos Climbing Festival in 2017 will take place on October 6-8. The event has long ceased to be purely sporting: organizers arrange rock concerts, lectures, and children's activities.
The fastest way to get to Kalymnos is by scheduled catamaran of DODEKANISOS SEAWAYS, which starts its journey from Rhodes and goes to Patmos, making stops at the islands of Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, and Lipsi along the way. The journey from Kos to Kalymnos takes 35 minutes.
You can view the schedule and prices for ferries and catamarans here.
