Call us at +306949885983
🇬🇷 Kastelorizo Travel Guide: What to See, Do & Know on Greece’s Most Charming Remote Island
For those in the market for a respite from the hordes and a more genuine taste of the Greek isles, there is no better place to put on the agenda than Kastelorizo (or Megisti).
You will find it in the most remote part of southeastern Greece, nearer to Turkey than to any of its own. It is a small, vivid island that leaves an impression.
Size is not its forte, but then again, it has plenty of character, a rich past and some of the clearest water you are likely to see to show for it.
The following is a full guide to the island to help put together a well-put-together trip.
🗺️ Where Is Kastelorizo?
Situated some 2 km from the Turkish shore and 125 km from Rhodes, Kastelorizo is as far east in Greece as one can go. While it is technically of the Dodecanese, being so isolated gives it an air of its own.
The way to make it there is by a 3- to 4-hour ferry out of Rhodes, or if time is of the essence, a 40-minute hop on a plane from either Rhodes or Athens.
🧭 Why Visit Kastelorizo?
A place to put mass tourism in the rearview. What you’ll find is a quiet, unvarnished kind of authenticity.
There is plenty of natural splendor on display, the Blue Grotto being just one example. The harbor is as serene as it is picturesque, with neoclassical homes making up the view.
It’s easy to let your guard down here with the locals and some fine dining. In short, an ideal spot for those who like to take their time, for couples or anyone with an appreciation for good culture.
This is not the island for parties or packed beaches — it’s for peace, simplicity, and discovering Greek island life at its purest.
🏛️ A Bit of History
There is a good deal of history to be found on Kastelorizo. Over the years, it has seen the rule of Romans, Byzantines, the Knights of St. John, and later the Ottomans, Italians and British, until 1947 when it was made part of Greece.
You can trace the name back to “Castello Rosso,” or Red Castle, which the Knights put up in the 1300s.
In its day the island was teeming with more than 10,000 inhabitants. These days, with only a few hundred left to call it home, it is as quiet and untroubled as any place in the country.
🌊 Top Things to Do in Kastelorizo
1. Explore the Blue Grotto (Galazia Spilia)
Few sea caves in Greece, or for that matter in all of Europe, can compare to this one. When the sun comes in and strikes the water, it is as if the whole place has been put in a blue haze.
To see it at its finest, an early start is in order.
Getting there is by small boat only; figure on about €10 to €15 a head. The harbor is where you will find most of the boatmen.
2. Stroll the Harbor and Neoclassical Homes
Walk along the colorful harbor promenade lined with pastel 19th-century mansions, many lovingly restored. It’s perfect for photos, café-hopping, and lazy evenings.
3. Visit the Castle of the Knights (Kastro)
Climb the steps to the top of the ruined castle for the best panoramic views of the island and the harbor. You’ll also see the Turkish coastline just across the water.
4. See the Lycian Tomb
This unique tomb carved into the rock near the harbor is a rare sight in Greece — a connection to the Lycian civilization from ancient Anatolia.
5. Check Out the Archaeological Museum
Located in a restored mansion, this small but fascinating museum tells the story of Kastelorizo’s past — from antiquity through Ottoman times to World War II.
🏖️ Best Beaches on Kastelorizo
You won’t find the kind of broad, sandy shores on some other islands in Kastelorizo. What you do get, however, are some fine swimming holes with a shade of turquoise that is hard to believe.
- Mandraki Bay
Some 15 minutes from the port is this unassuming pebble beach. It’s a tranquil place, well suited for putting in some time in the sun or for families. - The Faros (Lighthouse)
If you head to the lighthouse point, you’ll see why it is a local favourite for a dip. There is no sand here, but the even rocks are as good as any for lying down. Come for the sunset and the view is something else. - Plakes
Just on the outskirts of town is another of those rocky coves. There are ladders and platforms to put you in the water. It is all very clean and undisturbed. - An excursion to Ro and Strongyli
For a day at the beach with a bit more seclusion, there is always a boat to these two islets. Ro in particular has its share of history and not much else to mark it but a lone Greek flag.
🌙 Nightlife in Kastelorizo
You won’t find any 2 a.m. club-hopping in this part of town. The after-dark scene is more on the side of being unpretentious and pleasant: a meal by the water, some good wine, and a clear sky for stargazing.
Make your way to a taverna such as Alexandra’s, Ta Platania or Athina for an evening in. Let the sun go down over the bay with a glass of ouzo or red in hand. Later on, you can put in some time on the docks with a few other people, be they from the area or in passing.
There is a reason for the draw; the very stillness of it all is what makes it so worth while. Whether one is here with a partner or on one’s own, it is the kind of place to get some well-earned rest.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Kastelorizo
You won’t find a great number of them on an island as small as Kastelorizo, but there are some fine boutique hotels and inns to be had. A good many of them have been put into old neoclassical buildings and given new life.
Here is where we suggest you put down for the night:
Poseidon Hotel – for a room with a balcony by the water and a bit of tradition
Mediterraneo Kastellorizo – a high-end option that has a private dock and a view to match
Megisti Hotel – a more spacious and comfortable property, well-suited to those with children
Studio Parthenon – if one is after self-catering with a touch of local character
Tip: Book early, especially in July and August — rooms are limited.
🍽️ What to Eat in Kastelorizo
The food in the area is of the fresh, homemade variety, with a bit of Turkish flair to it.
Some you don’t want to miss:
- Gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers)
- Octopus and fish off the grill, straight from the harbor
- A lobster pasta, if you can find a taverna that puts one on the menu
- Kouneli stifado for a proper rabbit stew
- The usual baklava and spoon sweets
Then there’s the setting. You’ll be hard-pressed to have a meal without a good view and the sound of the water at the quay.
💶 What Things Cost (Prices)
Kastelorizo isn’t expensive — but because it’s remote, some things (like imported goods) cost a little more.
| Item | Estimated Price (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Coffee by the harbor | €2.50–3.50 |
| Meal at a taverna | €12–18 per person |
| Small boat to Blue Grotto | €10–15 |
| Double room per night | €70–130 |
| Local souvenirs (fabrics, art) | €10–30 |
💡Tip: There’s one ATM on the island — bring some cash just in case.
📆 When to Visit
For the most part, one is better off coming in May or June, or from September into the first part of October.
You will find it a bit more lively and on the warm side in July and August, though it is hard to call it crowded.
Then there is spring and the start of autumn, when the conditions are just right for a swim, some time on the trails or out on the water.
Winter is another matter: a number of places put up their shutters and the island is very hushed.
💡 Insider Tips
A rental car is not a must. The island is small enough to put in on foot.
You will want to be in some good walking shoes, though; there is no shortage of cobblestones and stairs to be had.
Keep in mind this is a place for some peace and quiet. It’s a rather unassuming island with little in the way of nightlife or blaring music.
Make time to see the sunset from the old castle. Hard to beat the vantage point.
And don’t forget your snorkel. The visibility is as good as you can find in Greece, with plenty of marine life to go with it.
🌟 Final Thoughts
There is a certain timelessness to Kastelorizo. You won’t find the kind of commotion and hordes of people that can be hard to escape from; in their place is an unadorned kind of beauty.
The island is as much about doing nothing as it is about making your way to a sea cave or having some of the freshest catch by the water. It is the sort of place where one can put in a quiet evening on the balcony under the stars and have room to reset.
Some may not be for it, but if what you are after is a bit of realness and calm, this is as close to a perfect Greek island as you will come.
About The Author
