Lipsi, Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Not far from Patmos is a group of tiny islands, known collectively as Lipsi. They cluster round the largest, the only one which is inhabited, Lipso or Lipsi. Located in the Northern Dodecanese, south of Samos, north of Leros, east of Patmos, with just about 700 residents, it is a quite island where people still live a traditional lifestyle and farmers still ride on their donkeys, mules or horses to the fields.
 

General Information
Most of the island’s real estate; its land was owned by the Monastery of St John the Baptist, on Patmos. Today, you can see small, white, blue domed churches dotted all over the island’s rolling hills, which gently slope down to meet the sparkling sea. Lipsi’s coastline consists of a number of small bays, sheltered coves & beaches with shallow crystal clear waters. Relax away your day at the beach or at sea, to one of the other nearby islands and then enjoy the evening at a taverna in the village harbour.
 

Here you will find beautiful sandy beaches and translucent waters. The island is so small that you can go everywhere you want to on foot. The hamlet on the protected natural harbour is composed of spotless whitewashed houses, while its mini-piazza boasts tavernas, ouzeri, cafes and other eateries.
 

Lipsi is ideal for people who enjoy a quiet holiday close to unspoilt nature in the beautiful Mediterranean climate. There are also little islands around Lipsi. During the season there are boats crossing over and back. Spending a day on one of these little islands, swimming, getting a tan, snorkelling in crystal clear waters, BBQing on tiny “private” coves, would be an unforgettable experience. But if you are the “travelling type” you can always take a day trip to Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos or Samos, to go sightseeing or shopping.
 

Sightseeing
Christianity has a strong foothold here, which can be seen in the many churches and religious celebrations on Lipsi. In the capital, Lipsi, there are several churches with blue domes, the most dominating being the church of Agios Ioannis (St. John). Enjoy strolling around here! There is a small museum with archaeological findings and icons.
 

The mountain at Kimissi used to be a hiding place for hermits, and here there is a 16th century Church dedicated to the Sleep of the Virgin Mary (Kimissi tis Theotokou). It is very pretty and open to visitors.
 

Beaches

A selection of 14 major beaches along with the innumerable small ones and tranquil little coves, makes your holidays anything but boring. Lientou, by far the most popular, at a very short distance from the harbour, Kampos, Platys Gialos; a beautiful sandy stripe of land on the sea and sandy Papandria are a few close to the harbour, at walking distance. Chochlakoura with pebbles and beautiful caves, Tourkomnima and Xirokampos, Monodendri and Kamares, slightly remote beaches of wild beauty definitely worth a visit.

Useful Information
How to get there
By sea from Piraeus
Piraeus Port Authority, tel.: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005
 

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22470 
Municipal Offices: 41206, 41209

Police: 41222  
Port Authority: 41133
Health Center: 41204 

http://www.lipsi-island.com

Kos, Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Very popular with Scandinavians, Kos Island is rich in archaeology including Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian sites. Many of the beaches can be quite crowded just as they are in other popular islands, but not everyone comes to Greece to be alone…despite the amount of tourists in the summer you can still get away and enjoy private moments by the sea. The interior of the island is still undeveloped, fertile and agricultural and best of all, largely flat so that riding bicycles (and of course motorbikes) is a fun way to get around.

General Information
Kos is the island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The third largest of the Dodecanese, it is long and narrow in shape, mostly flat with two low mountains, Dikaio (875 m.) and Simpatro that run along its southern coast.
It lies south of Kalymnos and was first inhabited in the Neolithic era. In 700 BC, it joined together with Lindos, Kameiros, Ialyssos, Knidos and Halikarnassos to found the Dorian Hexapolis.
In the 4th century B.C., Asklepieion became famous as the leading “hospital” of antiquity.

The capital, Kos, is situated in a verdant district on the northeast of the island, at the back of an open bay. Around the port you can still see the ruins of the ancient city and the castle, built between 1450 and 1478 after the Knights of St. John took over the island.
Excavations in the ancient city brought to light building foundations of the Classical era (e.g. the Agora) and of Hellenistic and Roman times (the Gymnasium, Odeon, Roman baths, a Roman mansion with beautiful mosaics), sections of wall from the Classical period, the foundations of a temple of Aphrodite and another temple, probably dedicated to Heracles.

The rest of the town is modern and well laid out, with contemporary buildings, hotels and avenues lined with palm trees. In a lush area 4 kilometres west of town, you’ll find the Asklepieion (Asklipiio) or Sanctuary of Asklepios. Its buildings, owing to the slope of the site, stand on four different terraces united by a marble staircase. The view from the highest one is stunning.
The most important structure is the temple of Asklepios, a Doric peripteral temple erected in the 2nd century BC. Other buildings include the Stoa (Colonnade), which housed Hippocrates’ medical school and the Bomos or Great Altar (3rd century BC), which was decorated with sculptures attributed to the son of Praxiteles.

During your visit to Kos, it would be well worth your while to visit the pretty villages, which are scattered round the island. Among them are Asfendiou, 14 kilometres southwest of town, built on the slopes of Mt. Dikaio overlooking the sea; Pili, further south, with its ruined Byzantine castle and the Ypapanti church within it; Andimahia, perched on a plateau in the middle of the island; Thermes, with its hot springs and spa and Kardamena, a seaside resort, both on the east coast; Tingaki (near the airport), Marmari, and Mastihari, Kos’s second harbour, on the north coast; and finally Kefalos on the southwest coast with its splendid beach. The ruins of the ancient town of Astypalaia can be seen at the district known as Palatia nearby.
You’ll find wonderful beaches all over the island. You can reach the closer ones by bicycle, a popular means of getting around on Kos.

Sightseeing 
Starting with the capital, Kos, there is an interesting archaeological museum, the Kastro from the 13th century, where the knights of St. John had a stronghold, the plane of Hippocrates where he supposedly taught and read, as well as the Mosque of Gazi Hassan Pasha from 1786.
There is also an archaeological excavation area here where ruins from the ancient agora have been found. Houses, temples, baths and mosaics from different eras have been found here as well as the statue of Hippocrates. You can visit the Roman Villa, Casa Romana, which is a replica of an ancient Roman house open for visitors.

Asclepion is a must for those interested in ancient history. Here, the great temple of the god of medicine lays, and it dates back to the 4th century BC, but might be even older than that.

Kos has many small villages worth visiting, and it is a good idea to rent a vehicle and explore them on your own. Palio Pylio is a deserted village from Medieval times, where there are many interesting little churches and a kastro. In Asfendiou there are very old churches and the Kastro of the Knights of St. John. Kefalos used to be the capital, Astypalea, in ancient times, and there are excavations going on here. Kardamena has a Byzantine church dedicated to Agios Theodotas, in Antimachia there is a Venetian castle, Zia is built like an amphitheatre with many little churches and shops.
You get the best sunsets on the southern peninsula Moni Agiou Theologou.

Beaches
Kos has a lot of swimming options all around the island and can satisfy all kinds of swimmers.
Well known, organized beaches with extensive facilities such as Psalidi & Lambi just outside the town of Kos, Thermes beach with volcanic pebbles & hot seawater due to the nearby mineral water springs and Agios Focas at the northern side just before Thermes.
At the northwest side of Kos, there are well known sandy beaches such as Mastihari, Marmari and Tigaki.
At the southern coast of Kos, near Kefalos village there are many beaches, most of them long and sandy such as Limnionas, Agios Theologos, Kamari, Kefalos, Agios Stefanos, Kamila, Paradise, Magic beach (Polemi), Chryssi akti (Golden Coast) and Kardamena.

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 22420
Municipal Office: 23226, 28223 

Police: 28211

Port Authority: 26594-5 

Olympic Airways: 28331-2 (tickets), 51590 (airport)
Health Center: 23423, 28050

http://www.kosisland.gr

Karpathos, Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Karpathos, the second largest island in Dodecannese, is spectacularly beautiful, with wild, rugged landscape; mountainous in the north and fertile in the south with wildflowers is a paradise for naturalists. Karpathos has extensive beaches with white sands, often looking quite empty.

General Information
This second largest island of the Dodecanese chain lies between Rhodes and Crete. It is rather rectangular in shape and its terrain is mountainous, the highest peak being Kali Limni at 1,214 metres above sea level. Most of its settlements are to be found on its south coast, which is relatively flat.
Near the north coast is a small island called Saria, with which Karpathos used to be united. On this islet, at the site called Palatia, there are some ruins belonging to the ancient town of Nisyros.

Karpathos’ capital and main port is Pigadia or Karpathos on the southeast coast. It was built primarily with funds sent home by immigrants to the United States and it does not reflect the local architectural style found in the older villages.

Southwest of the capital is Menetes, whose history started after the Middle Ages, and Arkassa which has been identified as the site of ancient Arkesia. Here the ruins of a Christian Basilica of 5th/6th c. AD can still be seen.
Thirteen kilometres to the northwest you come to Piles, mountainous Othos to the northeast with its folk art museum, and Volada, a traditional village with houses whose interior decoration is well worth a look.
Further north, near the west coast, is Messohori, where there is a genuine Karpathian house open to the public. Note its characteristic wooden ornamentation and the pebble mosaic floor. 

Still further north, almost cut off from the rest of the island is its most important village, Olympos , which is accessible only from Diafani, Karpathos’ second port. Olympos sits on a hillside (600 meters altitude) overlooking the Aegean. Founded sometime between the 10th and 15th century, it was originally fortified to afford its residents protection from the pirates. The highest spot in the village used to be crowned with a tower. Even today Olympos has preserved its local architecture intact, both in the interiors and exteriors of the houses. Its citizens take pride in maintaining their traditions and still speak a dialect, which contains several Dorian words and idioms.
Traditions have been well kept in Karpathos and especially in Olympos village; women still wear their beautiful colourful traditional costumes every day, bake bread in their outdoor ovens.

Sightseeing 
The village Olympos is a must!!! Pirates often raided in Karpathos and this little village was a natural camouflage since the people built their houses with natural stone. The village is also called "the Women's' Village") since the women have been and are in majority: their men have either been out fighting pirates and Turks, or forced to work abroad. There are also many local customs here not to be found anywhere else in Greece.

Lefkos is a very pretty little fishing village that is worth a visit, or why not stay the night here. In Arkasa there is a church from the 5th century, Agia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom"). The village Aperi is located on a height of 320m, and used to be the capital, and it is very pretty with small churches, a little square and a fountain.
Menetes is a village in the mountains built during the Middle Ages. There are many churches here as well as an archeological museum, and the view is breathtaking.

Beaches

Karpathos has many beautiful beaches: Finiki, Arkasa, Agia Irini and Amfiarti are long, sandy beaches located to the west, Makriyialos to the southeast, Damatria, Diakoftis, Devils Bay, Agriopotamos to the southern side, Amoopi, Achata, Kato Latos (reachable only by foot), Apella, Agios Nikolaos on the east; mostly pebbled. Diafani, Vananda, Forokli and Agios Minas are at the northern side of the island.

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: 22229 

Police: 22218

Olympic Airways: 22057, 22222 (airport)
Port Authority: 22227
Health Center: 22228

http://www.karpathos.gr

Patmos, Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Located on the eastern borderline of the Aegean Sea, Patmos is the northernmost island of the Dodecanese island group. Its interesting landscape features low barren hills succeeded by small plateaux, while its lacy coastline is deeply intended by tens of promontories forming countless picturesque bays and coves. With a mostly dry climate, the island is regularly visited by north winds, bathing into the sunrays for 3000 hours out of a year. Situated at a distance of 158 nautical miles from the mainland port of Piraeus, it covers an area of 34 square km with greatest length of about 25 km.
 

General Information
“The Jerusalem of the Aegean” is one way of describing Patmos or Patnos, as it was referred to in one 5th century inscription. It was here that St. John the Theologian was exiled between 95 and 97 AD and was inspired to write the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse.
Later the emperor Alexios Komninos ordered the monk Christodoulos Letrinos to find a monastery in honor of the Apostle. Thus the holy monastery of Patmos was built, the most important landmark on the island.
In September 1995 it was celebrated the anniversary of the 1900 years from the date that the Book of Revelation was written.
 
Patmos, situated between Leros and Ikaria, is a mountainous island with rocky soil and an abundance of small coves.
The majestic fortress-monastery crowns the hill above the port, surrounded by dazzling white, cubelike houses, which spill down its flanks. Interspersed among them are miniscule churches and grand sea captains’ mansions, separated from each other by narrow lanes, high walls and small squares opening onto breath-catching views over the Aegean.
 
Ships arriving at Patmos dock in the island’s harbour, Skala, a lively place with its white houses, flowered courtyards, fish tavern as, hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops.
North of Skala is the village of Kambos, set among trees and greenery, and near it is what many consider to be the island’s finest beach.
 

Sightseeing
Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is a must. Its real name is Agios Ioannis o Theologos ("St. John the Theologist") and it looks like a huge fortress above Hora. In fact, it was built as a fortress in the 16th century, since the island needed some sort of defence when pirates attacked. In the monastery you can visit the church, the Treasury and the museum.

The construction of the monastery began in the 11th century. It is circumscribed by massive grey stonewalls with battlements that protected the main church and another five chapels. Its extraordinary treasury contains Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, sacred vessels, 9th century embroideries and other pricelless objects, while its library houses parchment documents, patriarchal seals, illuminated manuscripts and rare old books. In the chapel dedicated to Our Lady frescoes can be seen which date to 1210-1220.

The Cave of Revelation lies between Hora and Skala and is where St. John had his vision. There is a crack in the roof where Jesus appeared to him and John dictated his vision to his disciple Prochorus.
The nunnery of Zoodochos Pigis ("Life-giving Source") lies in Chora and can sometimes be visited, but the most active nunnery is outside the village and is called Evangelismos.
If you are up for a climb, visit the monastery of Profitis Elias ("Prophet Elias") where you'll get a fantastic view since it is the highest point of the island (269m). On a clear day you'll see as far as to Turkey.
In general, Chora is well worth walking around in. It is built like a labyrinth to keep the pirates away, and has many nice houses and little shops.

Beaches
Patmos’s indented coastline conceals a host of lovely beaches. Among the favourites are Grigos, Kallikatsou, Psili Ammos and Diakofti.

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

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22470 Municipal Offices: 60300, 31577
Police: 34100
Port Authority: 31231
Health Center: 60000

http://www.patmos.gov.gr

Nisyros (Nissiros), Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Nisyros according to the mythology, is the stone that sea god Poseidon (Neptune) picked up from Kos Island and throw it to Titan Polyvotis. Apart of all that it is small volcanic island, a mere 41 square km in area, situated between Kos and Tilos. Untouched by tourism but popular with day-trippers from Kos, it has very few beaches but its distinct wild beauty offers stunning views and remarkable walks.
 

General Information
In antiquity it was known as Porphyris. Mythology holds that once it was united with Kos and that when Poseidon was chasing the giant Polyvotis, he split the two islands asunder.
The capital and port of Nisyros is Mandraki, set in the northwest at the foot of a steep hill. The whiteness of its houses forms a striking contrast to the dark, volcanic earth. Yet another castle erected by the Knights of St. John looms above the small town, while a chapel nearby dedicated to the Panagia tis Spilianis (Our Lady of the Cave), the patroness of the island, clings to the tip of the rock. Built in 1600, it is linked with many traditions and has a lovely 18th century iconostasis.
 

As a volcanic island, Nisyros has hot sulphurous springs, well known for healing properties for arthritis and rheumatism.
The island’s hot springs, fabled since antiquity and still in use today, are to be found at Loutra just 1.5 kilometres from Mandraki. East of Loutra is the picturesque fishing village of Pali.
Another village, Emborios, lies to the southeast of Mandraki, in the interior of the island, in a lush area with mineral springs and planted with olive trees, fruit trees, fig trees and grapevines.
 

You have to go almost to the middle of Nisyros to the Lakki plateau, to see the crater of the extinct volcano, Polybates. It is 260 metres in diameter and 30 metres deep with steps leading down to its Center. The reek of sulphur fills the surrounding air, while the scenery could belong to the moon.
In the south of the island, the charming village of Nikia perches on the crest of a hill 400 metres above sea level. Its white houses with their brightly coloured doors and windows and tile roofs are an attractive complement to the greenery that abounds in the district.
 

Sightseeing
The capital, Mandraki, is a very pretty village by the sea in typical Greek style. Here there is a folklore museum with various things displayed from the island's history. Above the capital is the 15th century monastery dedicated to Panagia Spilianis (Virgin Mary of the Cave), which is also Nisyros' patron saint. It is open for visitors, but as always when visiting churches and monasteries in Greece, you should dress appropriately: covered shoulders and long skirts for women, long trousers for men. On the 14th and 15th of August the Virgin is celebrated here with a great feast.
 

There is also a fortification nearby, Paleokastro, which dates back to the 4th century BC, which might have been the ancient capital of Nisyros.
Yet another castle is the Kastro of the Knights of St. John.
The volcano Polyvotis lies on the Lakka plateau, and has a diameter of 260m and is 30m deep.
At Loutra there are hot, supposedly healing, wells.
There are also some wonderful villages here: Nikea and Emboria are definitely must-sees.
 

Beaches

Nisyros has many lovely beaches: at Mandraki, Hochlaki, Agia lrini, Avlaki and on Giali, the islet directly opposite.

Useful Information  
How to get there  
By sea from Piraeus 

Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005 

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22420  
Municipal Offices: 31204

Police: 31201

Port Authority: 31222
Health Center: 31217

http://www.nisyros.gr

Leros, Dodecanese Islands

In brief
Leros, the island of Artemis, the goddess of nature and the hunt, is a paradise in the blue waters of the Aegean. It’s still an unspoiled island, retaining its strong Greek character and friendly, hospitable inhabitants always happy to assist their visitors.
Leros is a lovely verdant island with a variety of natural settings. Green valleys interchange with dry hills and sandy beaches with spectacular rocky cliffs over the sea. The numerous bays and little coves offer an excellent selection of beaches.
 

General Information
Situated between Patmos and Kalymnos, Leros is an island of small fertile valleys sandwiched between rolling green hills, deep coves and pretty beaches.
Leros’ topography has given rise to many villages. The most important is the capital, Agia Marina – united with two other villages, Platanos and Panteli, on the back side of the hill – a collection of little white houses, neoclassical buildings and narrow alleyways. It starts at the seaside and gradually climbs up the sides of the hill, whose summit is dominated by the sombre remains of a Byzantine castle. Of special significance during Byzantine times, its shape is that given it by the Knights of St. John, who arrived in Leros in the 14th century. Still standing today are the circuit wall and the church of Our Lady within it.
 
Laki, 3 kilometres south of Agia Marina, is the island’s port, also one of the best examples of Art Deco Architecture. Mussolini’s architects designed it in 1923, though in defiance of the dictator, the capital was moved above to the village of Platanos.
It is built at the back of a deep, practically enclosed bay, whose mouth is only 500 metres wide. This is one of the largest and best natural harbours in the Mediterranean.
 

Sightseeing 
One of the most striking features of Leros is the Kastro of the Virgin Mary (Panagia Kastrou) that towers above the island's capital Platanos. It dates back to the 11th century, and was a stronghold for the Knights of St. John.
Here, there is also a museum with findings from various time periods, as well as an old church.
In Platanos stands the old cathedral Agia Paraskevi. The town itself is nice for strolling around in, and most of the houses were built in the 1800's.
 
In Alinda you can visit the church of Agios Isidoros that was built on top of an ancient temple. There is also a castle here, which is open to the public, and holds some interesting finds from the island, including parts of the warship Queen Olga that was sunk here by the Germans in 1943. The island's first printer can also be seen here.
Just outside Partheni there are the remains of a temple to Artemis.
In Xerokambos you can visit the church of Panagia Kavouradina ("The Virgin Mary of Crabs"). Legend has it that a fisherman found it here, and was immediately cured from a crab bite on his hand. In a dream he was told by a woman dressed in black to return the icon to where it was found, and so the church was built.
 

Beaches
Alinda, Xirokambos, and Partheni are charming seaside villages, while you’ll find wonderful swimming at the beaches of Agia Marina, Panteli, Vromolitho, Alinda, Laki, Merikia, and Xerokambos, to name a few.

Useful Information
How to get there
By air from AthensOlympic Airways: +30 2103550500
By sea from Piraeus

Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005
 

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22470 Municipal Offices: 60200

Police: 22222

Port Authority: 22224, 23256

Olympic Airways: 22777 (airport)
Health Center: 23978

http://www.leros.gr