Kasos (Kassos), Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Kasos (or Kassos) is a small island, very close to both Crete and Karpathos. In the summer, the northeastern winds blow from Crete, while rain rarely falls in the winter. Due to the dry climate and the rocky terrain there are not a lot of cultivated areas, yet there are many sheep and goats producing top quality dairy products. The island has a growing tourist business, and the people are always willing to be hospitable and helpful to anybody who decides to visit the island.

General Information
Kasos, the most southern of the Dodecanese, is only 27 nautical miles northeast of Crete. Its first inhabitants are thought to have been the Phoenicians. Homer mentions it in his catalogue of the Greek cities that took part in the Trojan War. Kasos is a mountainous island with a steep, rocky coastline and few beaches. In the 18th century, Kasos established its own merchant fleet and grew rich from trade. It played an active role in the Greek War of Independence of 1821, earning the revenge of the Turkish-Egyptian armada, which set fire to the island in May 1824 and subsequently slaughtered its inhabitants. Only a few survived.

The capital of the island is Fri, built on picturesque Bouka Bay. Its old stone houses – many of them constructed by sea captains – extend on both sides down to the sea.
To the east and very near Fri is Emborios, the island’s other coastal village. It boasts a beautiful church dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin.
Other villages include Agia Marina, set on a hill just one kilometre southwest of Fri, and Arvanitohori, southeast of Agia Marina, nestled in the island’s only valley.
Two kilometres from Agia Marina there is a cave called Sellai, 30 metres deep and 8 metres wide, with impressive stalactites.

Sightseeing
Fri is the capital of the island and is very picturesque with its stone houses. There is a church worth visiting here called Agios Spyridonas.
Emborios is another pretty village, with a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In Ellinokamara there are caves where archeologists have found traces of Neolithic settlements. Sellai is a stalactite cave you can visit.
In Poli, the old capital, there are some remains of the Venetian Kastro, and a beautiful church, Agia Triada.

Beaches

Swimmers will find pleasant beaches at Fri, Emborios, Ammouda, Antiperatos  and on the nearby islet of Armathia. 

Useful Information
How to get there
By air from Athens
Olympic Airways: +30 2103550500
By sea from Piraeus
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22450
Municipal Office: 41277
Police: 41222
Port Authority: 41288
Health Center: 41333

http://www.kasos.gr