The weather in Castellorizo
Castellorizo owes its name to Castello Rosso (Red Castle), that was built by the knights of St John on a red rock above the port and it is one of the important monuments of the island. This beautiful and distant island has a long history and it is an ideal destination for those travelers who are dreaming, calm and relaxed holidays, enjoying the Greek sun and sea as well as diving and fishing. Despite its small size and the long distance from the mainland, the island has great tourist facilities with remarkable hotels and restaurants. The majority of them are above average and offered in very good prices.
Castellorizo is known to Greece and worldwide due to the dazzling Blue Cave or else Azure Grotto! It is considered one of the biggest and most beautiful underwater caves in Greece. Its dome rises at 25m and is covered by colorful stalactites which are lighted by the reflections of the solar rays. Its length is 155m. The natural beauty that the refraction and the reflection of the solar rays create leaves the visitors speechless. The second chamber of the cave has a gravel section that constitutes a hideaway for the Mediterranean monk seal Μonachus- Monachus. The entrance of the Azure Grotto barely fits a small boat in its height when the waters are calm.
If you are fond of walking trails, then you can explore this island on foot and discover wonderful sunsets and tranquil scenery.
In Castellorizo, the traditions and customs are very much alive and if you visit the island during summer months, you can participate on a festival or fete, which you will remember. Every year during August the International Documentary Film Festival “Beyond Borders” takes place in Castellorizo.
The islet Strogkili or Ipsili, 5 nautical miles southeast of Castellorizo, is the boundary in the Europe-Asia maritime crossroads and is adorned by the nautical Lighthouse since 1918. Αnother wonderful boat trip is to Agios Georgios and Ro islets. If you want to wander around after the boating, on a solid land, one of the most beautiful walks are in Agios Georgios of Vuni, as the locals call it. About 400 stairs lead to a convent with fortress character with beautiful views.
Another remarkable archaelogical site to visit is Paleokastro (which means “old castle” in Greek). It is built over the ruins of an ancient Doric citadel on the west side of the island, around 1km from Megisti (capital city).
Castellorizo has a lot of wonderful beaches such as: Mandraki, Plakes, Aghios Georgios.
Mandraki beach, Castellorizo
Aghios Georgios beach, Castellorizo
Aghios Georgios beach, Castellorizo
Castellorizo is located very close to Turkish shores and you can participate on a 30minute boat trip to Kas (Turkey) and discover by taking a canoe, the partially sunk city ruins of Simena in Kekova. Destroyed during an earthquake, Kekova gives insight into the region’s importance as an ancient port and settlement.
Before leaving Castellorizo, do not miss to taste katoumari (sweet pie) and strava, the traditional sweets offered in local taverns.
Katoumari sweet
Strava sweet
Castellorizo has a ferry connection with the following ports: Piraeus (Athens), Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kos, Naxos, Nisyros, Paros, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Chalki. Also the island has a small airport with direct connection only to Rhodes airport.
Chalki the idyllic treasure
The weather in Chalki
If you are searching for a small island, quiet, with beautiful landscapes, to relax during vacations, and forget the stress of city life then Chalki is your dreamy destination. Emporio or Niborio is the port village of the island. The scenery is enchanting, beautiful mansions built around the picturesque harbor, fishing boats and absolute tranquility. In Chalki you will forget cars, taxis, buses and bicycles since in the center of Emporio, all the previous mentioned vehicles are forbidden. You will only use your foot or boats to discover the hidden beaches. Of course there is a bus and taxi to transfer you outside Emporio. However you will not find cars, bicycles or motorbikes for rental.
The island offers a quiet hiking holiday where you can discover, approximately, 360 desert churches and chapels. One of the most popular attractions on Chalki is the ruins of the medieval castle built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century in the now abandoned village of Chorio on the island’s south-facing shore. It’s a short, uphill walk from Emporio.
Furthermore, in the monastery of Aghios Ioannis (Saint John) Alargas of Apokephalistos, every August on 29th, there is a festival dedicated to this Saint, with the participation of islanders and visitors from all over the world.
There are a lot of wonderful beaches in Chalki such as: Areta, Pondamos, Trachia, Kania, Ftenagia, Giali.
From Chalki you can participate on a boat trip to Alimia island. Alimia is part of the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000. If you are lucky you may meet dolphins there!
Another boat trip you can select is to Krevatia islets and Vrachonisida Nisaki islet.
Vrachonisida Nisaki islet
Chalki has a ferry connection with the following ports: Piraeus (Athens), Anafi, Heraklion (Crete), Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kos, Milos, Nisyros, Rhodes, Santorini (Thira), Sitia (Crete), Tilos.
Would you like to discover even more amazing beaches of Greek islands? Then you can visit:
-
Ionian Islands
-
Cyclades Islands
-
Sporades Islands
-
Crete Island
-
The Islands of North-east Aegean Sea
-
Dodecanese Islands
-
Rhodes, Kos and Symi island
-
Patmos, Lipsi, Arkioi, Agathonisi islands
-
Karpathos, Kassos islands
-
Chios, Psara, Oinouses islands
-
Kalymnos, Nisyros, Tilos islands
Traveling through Greece and not only there... 