REGION OVERVIEW

An island group South East of the Aegean, East of the Cyclades, close to Turkey. Dodecanese means “twelve islands”. Though the group includes 15 larger and 150 smaller islands, twenty-six of the islands are inhabited.

Rhodes is the largest, most well known and most visited island in the Dodecanese island group. 

The Dodecanese have retained a long and rich history and often served as a bridge between East and West. Very close to the Turkish coast they are characterized by long, dry summers and lots of sunlight year-round and a relaxed pace of life

Rhodes town is more of a city, the old town has a medieval walled city and is one of the most important historical sites in the world including a fantastic castle built by the Knights of Saint John.  

Patmos is the island of St John the Evangelist and is home to the monastery where he wrote the Book of Revelation.  

Kos is the second most visited of the Dodecanese islands, famous for its beaches, traditional character and historical sites.

They are easily accessible by plane, either through Rhodes or the smaller regional airports in Kos, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Leros and Astypalaia. Ferries leave Pireaus in the late afternoon and arrive in Rhodes some fifteen hours later after stopping in Patmos, Kalymnos, Leros and Kos.  

Some of the islands have a well-developed tourist infrastructure while others are more secluded. A few of the islands are even close enough to Turkey for day-trips through them.