Kastellorizo
The painted harbour, the Blue Cave by boat, the Lycian tombs across the water in Turkey, and a sunset on the cliffs above the town.
Kastellorizo is closer to Antalya than to Rhodes. The island is essentially one beautiful harbour — a U-shaped bay framed by 19th-century mansions painted in pinks, ochres, and sienna, the houses pressed shoulder to shoulder against the water. The population is around 500 in summer, fewer in winter. The Italian film Mediterraneo (1991) made it briefly famous; the rest of the time it stays gloriously off the main tourist track. The big draw beyond the harbour itself is the Blue Cave (Galazio Spilio) — accessible only by boat, with light refracting through the water into the most extraordinary blue. Two days is right: one for the harbour and the cave, one for the Lycian rock tombs and an evening watching the lights of Kaş come on across the water in Turkey.
Getting there
Most remote inhabited Greek island — closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece. Reached via Rhodes — daily summer ferry (~3.5h, fast hydrofoil) or seasonal direct flight.
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Tip: Arrive by ferry the first time — the entrance into Megisti harbour is unforgettable.
When to Visit
Kastellorizo (Megisti) sits 2km off the Turkish coast — its own bizarre, beautiful microcosm. The Lycian rock tomb, the blue cave (better than Capri's), the Italian-built mansions painted ochre and pink. Open May-October. June or September are best. A day-trip to Kaş in Turkey (15 minutes by boat) is a highlight; bring your passport.
2-day itinerary for Kastellorizo
Day 1: The Harbour & Blue Cave
- 10:00 · Megisti Harbour
Arrive by ferry from Rhodes (4–6 hours) or by the small daily flight (45 minutes). The first sight of the harbour as the boat rounds the headland is the moment people remember — a perfect U of pastel mansions reflected in calm water. Walk a slow lap around the bay before doing anything else. - 11:30 · Archaeological Museum
Housed in a restored Ottoman building near the Knights' castle, the small museum tells the story of the island from antiquity through the Ottoman period to the Italian occupation. Free entry. Worth 30 minutes — particularly the section on the 1944 evacuation when the entire population was moved to British Mandate Palestine. - 12:30 · Knights of St John Castle
The reddish-brown castle that gave the island its Italian name (Castellorosso = Red Castle) sits on a low headland above the harbour. Mostly ruined, but the climb up gives the best photograph of the harbour from above. - 15:00 · Blue Cave (Galazio Spilio)
The single most extraordinary thing on Kastellorizo. Boats leave the harbour around 14:30 — book in the morning. The cave entrance is just under a metre high so you have to lie flat in the boat to get in; once inside, the chamber opens up to 20 m high and the entire interior glows electric blue from light refracted through the underwater entrance. About 15 minutes inside. Bring a swimsuit — many trips include a swim outside the cave. - 17:00 · Plakes (Swimming Rocks)
Kastellorizo has no sandy beaches — instead the harbour edge offers swimming rocks ("plakes") where you slip directly into deep, exceptionally clear water. The east-side plakes near the harbour are the most accessible and have shallow ladders for getting back out. A quiet swim after the boat back from the Blue Cave, before harbour-side dinner. - 20:30 · Dinner — Alexandra's, Harbour
One of the harbour-front tavernas with tables right at the water's edge. Try the local katoumari — pasta in a sweet cinnamon syrup, an island dessert that has nothing to do with anywhere else in Greece. Watch the lights come on across the water in Kaş, Turkey — close enough that you can see individual cars driving along the shore. Also on the harbour, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Ta+Platania+Kastellorizo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Τα Πλατάνια earned ★ in the FNL Best Restaurant Awards 2026 (Traditional Greek Cuisine) — the island's recognized traditional taverna.
Day 2: Lycian Tombs & Mandraki
- 09:30 · Lycian Rock Tomb
A genuine Lycian tomb cut into the cliff above the harbour — 4th century BC. The Lycians lived across the water in what is now Turkey, and the tomb shows how culturally connected the island was to the mainland in antiquity. Cement steps up the cliff face take you right to the carved doorway. 15 minutes; combine with the walk up to the Knights' castle. - 10:30 · Mandraki Bay
The smaller, quieter bay on the other side of the headland from Megisti — a 10-minute walk. Mostly ruined houses, a few being restored, no shops. Excellent swimming off the rocks at the far end. The neighbourhood feels like Megisti looked 80 years ago. - 12:00 · Profitis Ilias Monastery
On the highest point of the island (270 m) — a small whitewashed monastery with sweeping views of the entire island, the Turkish coast, and the offshore islet of Ro (where the famous "Lady of Ro" raised the Greek flag every day from 1943 to 1982). 1 km uphill walk from town; bring water. - 14:30 · Plakes — Swimming Rocks
There are no sand beaches on Kastellorizo. The locals swim from the flat rocks ("plakes") on the western edge of town — a small concrete platform with steps into deep, glass-clear water. Quiet in the morning, social by mid-afternoon. The water is exceptional. - 17:00 · Departure
Ferry back to Rhodes (4–6 hours, mostly overnight) or the small Olympic flight. If you have an extra evening, a day-trip to Kaş in Turkey (1 hour by speedboat) is straightforward — bring your passport.
Top beaches of Kastellorizo
Plakes (Swimming Rocks)
The main swimming spot on Kastellorizo and the closest thing the island has to a beach. Locals come at the end of the day; visitors discover it on day two. Bring goggles — the visibility is among the best in Greece, with fish visible 10 m down.
- Type
- Flat rocks with concrete platform
- Length
- 50 m of platform
- Depth
- Deep — drops away immediately, glass-clear water
- Wind protection
- West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- Steps into the water, no sunbeds. Tavernas a 5-minute walk away.
Faros (East Side Cove)
A small pebble cove past the lighthouse on the east side of the island. Almost no one goes — most visitors don't realise it's there. Walk along the coast road past the cemetery; the cove is signed. Excellent swimming, no shade.
- Type
- Pebbles and rocks
- Length
- 80 m
- Depth
- Medium — clear water, deepens gradually
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- None. 20-minute walk from town along the coast road.
Mandraki Cove
The bay on the other side of town from Megisti has several small swimming spots off the rocks. The setting is haunting — a bay of half-ruined houses being slowly restored, with calm sheltered water and almost no one around. Swim, then walk back along the headland for the harbour view.
- Type
- Rocks and small pebble strips
- Length
- Various small entry points
- Depth
- Deep — sheltered bay water
- Wind protection
- South-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare southern winds
- Facilities
- None — old houses, no commercial life.