Poseidon Hotel
Meyisti - Meyísti
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Kastellorizo, also known as Megisti, is the most remote island in Greece and lies at its eastern end, just over 2 kilometres from the Turkish coast and 116 kilometres from Rhodes, in the Dodecanese archipelago. With an area of just 9 square kilometres and a population of around 500, this little pearl of the eastern Mediterranean won the hearts of travellers from all over the world thanks to Gabriele Salvatores’ film Mediterraneo, which received the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1991.
The name Kastellorizo derives from the Red Castle erected by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century and still visible today, built on the reddish rock overlooking the island’s natural harbour. The only inhabited centre is Megisti, developed amphitheatrically around the harbour with its brightly painted two- and three-storey houses that constitute an exceptional example of Dodecanese architecture.
This unique destination represents the last Greek outpost to the East, where time seems to stand still and where you can experience the authentic Greek island lifestyle away from mass tourism. Its proximity to Turkey, from which it is only 2.5 kilometres away, gives the island a special charm and border atmosphere that enriches the visitor experience.
Kastellorizo is an anomalous island, where the best thing to do is to allow yourself to do little, nothing if you can. However, despite its small size, the island offers unique attractions worth discovering.
The village of Megisti is the beating heart of the island. The two- or three-storey houses, arranged amphitheatrically and painted in bright colours, constitute an exceptional example of Dodecanese architecture. Strolling through its cobbled alleys, you can admire the elegant neoclassical buildings with wooden balconies that testify to the island’s period of prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th century.
The natural harbour is considered one of the most beautiful in the eastern Mediterranean, perfect for long walks along the waterfront where you can enjoy a Greek coffee or a drink while watching the sunset. The horseshoe shape of the harbour creates an intimate and sheltered atmosphere, ideal for relaxing and savouring the slow pace of island life.
The remains of the Red Castle still dominate the harbour entrance, built by the Knights of the Order of St. John in the 14th century. From its ruins there is an exceptional panoramic view over the entire town of Megisti and the mighty mountains of Turkey that form a backdrop to the horizon.
Carved into the rock beneath the castle is the Lycian Tomb. The only one of its kind in Greece, the tomb dates back to the 5th century B.C. and is particularly noted for its Doric columns. This extraordinary example of the funerary art of the ancient civilisation of Asia Minor is a unique testimony to the rich history that characterises these borderlands.
There are two interesting museums in the harbour area: the Kastellorizo Archaeological Museum with a collection tracing the history of the island from antiquity to the 19th century and the Folk Art Museum housed in an old mosque, dedicated to the island’s troubled history and local traditions.
The largest of the monasteries dotting the island. Inside is the underground church of Agios Haralambos, reached by descending steep stone steps. To reach this monastery you will have to tackle a flight of 401 steps that will take you to the top of the mountain, where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the entire island and the surrounding sea.
The cathedral where you can see granite columns taken from the temple of Apollo at Patara in Anatolia and incorporated into this building. This interesting example of the reuse of ancient materials testifies to the historical links between Kastellorizo and Anatolia.
The old capital of the island located in the mountains above Megisti, from where one can enjoy a breathtaking view of Megisti and above the mighty mountains of Turkey. The remains of this ancient settlement, untouched since Byzantine times, offer a fascinating insight into the island’s past.
On the island one mainly swims by diving from the rocks, the harbour bay or the ‘Lighthouse’, as there are no sandy beaches except for a small beach at Mandraki. However, the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island offer numerous opportunities for swimming and snorkelling.
One of the most beautiful underwater caves in the Mediterranean, located in the south of the island, the Blue Cave or Parasta Cave is for many the reason to visit this border island. The inner chamber of the cave measures 75 metres long, 40 metres wide and 35 metres high. At 75 metres long, the Blue Cave hides a palette of vivid colours and rich stalactite decoration. Swimming in this mystical emerald green lake is a unique experience.
The cave is only accessible by boat and when sea conditions permit, boats can also enter it, offering visitors the opportunity to swim among the rock formations in a magical atmosphere.
Ro Island: The island’s boatmen will take you to the beautiful beaches of nearby Ro, now uninhabited, to swim and visit the monument of Despina Achladioti, the famous ‘Lady of Ro’, the last inhabitant. This island is famous for the story of Despina Achladioti who would hoist the Greek flag on the small island every day, clearly visible from the Turkish coast and became a symbol of the Greek spirit in the face of adversity.
Islet of Agios Georgios: The islet of Agios Georgios, off the harbour of Kastellorizo, is a green and rocky paradise. Swim in its emerald waters, next to a small picturesque church.
Strongyli: This is a small island east of Kastellorizo. You can swim in the cool, clear waters and admire the lighthouse.
The plane is the most comfortable and fastest way to get to Kastellorizo. From Rhodes, or very rarely even from Crete, with the company Aegean Olympic it will only take 40 minutes to get to the island. The flights, seasonal only, are operated by Olympic and depart from Rhodes. Flights are daily except on Saturdays, with two flights on Fridays.
The airport of Kastellorizo is famous for its runway of only 800 metres long and 25 metres wide, which only allows small 20-seater aircraft to land. The runway is located more or less in the centre of the island, about 2.5 km south-west of the capital Megisti.
Connections by sea are provided by three ferry companies: Blue Star Ferries, Dodekanisos Seaways and Saos Ferries.
From Rhodes: From Rhodes, you can take a hydrofoil of Dodekanisos and arrive on the island of Kastellorizo in only about 2 hours. Blue Star Ferries departs twice a week and takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.
From Athens: From Athens it will take about 21 hours, so book a cabin to make yourself comfortable. There are normally 2 departures a week from Athens to Kastellorizo.
From other Dodecanese islands: Before Rhodes it even arrives from Athens, allowing you to reach Megisti also from Symi, Tilos, Nisyros, Kos, and Astypalea.
For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of reaching Kastellorizo from Turkey. The company that handles the route from Kas to Kastellorizo is Turkish, and is called Meis just like the name of Kastellorizo in Turkish. A passport is required for this route.
Sleeping places are obviously limited given the size of the island, about a hundred divided between two hotels and a few studios, so booking is essential. The accommodation on offer includes boutique hotels, traditional guesthouses, flats and studios.
Most of the facilities are concentrated in the centre of Megisti, near the harbour, providing easy access to restaurants, taverns and the island’s services. Despite the small size of the island, you can choose from accommodation of different levels, from budget guesthouses to charming hotels with sea views.
It is essential to book well in advance, especially for the summer months of July and August, when demand far exceeds the limited supply of available beds.
Kastellorizo owes much of its worldwide fame to the film Mediterraneo by Gabriele Salvatores, which received the Oscar for best foreign film in 1992. This dramatic comedy tells the story of a group of Italian soldiers who find themselves ‘forgotten’ on a small Greek island in the Dodecanese during the Second World War.
The filming of the film took place entirely in Kastellorizo in the summer of 1990, using as main locations the port of Megisti with its colourful houses, the waterfront where many scenes of the protagonists’ daily lives take place, and the famous airport runway where the iconic football match scene was filmed. Many of the island’s old town buildings, taverns and alleyways are easily recognisable in the film and are still an attraction for film buffs and lovers of Italian cinema.
The international success of the film has turned this remote Greek island into a film pilgrimage destination, attracting thousands of Italian and international visitors who come here to relive the magical and melancholic atmosphere of Salvatores’ masterpiece.
What's the weather at Kastellorizo? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Kastellorizo for the next few days.
Located on the edge of the Aegean Sea at the eastern end of Greece, Kastellorizo is the most remote island of the Dodecanese archipelago. The island lies opposite the historical region of Lycia in Turkey and about five nautical miles from the uninhabited islet of Strongyli, the easternmost tip of Greek territory.
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