Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the sea - is stunningly photogenic. And while it may lack powder-fine beaches the is-
land lays claim to the fabulous Blue Cave.
With only a few ferries and flights per week, Kastellorizo is not an easy place to get to,
but those who do make the effort are rewarded with tranquillity, simple accommodation
and a few nice restaurants.
History
Thanks to its harbour - allegedly the best between Beirut and Piraeus - Kastellorizo was
once a thriving trade port serving Dorians, Romans, Crusaders, Egyptians, Turks and
Venetians. It came under Ottoman control in 1552 and its cargo fleet became the largest
in the Dodecanese. Kastellorizo lost all strategic and economic importance after the 1923
Greece-Turkey population exchange and in 1928 it was ceded to the Italians, who
severely oppressed the islanders. Many emigrated to Australia, where approximately
30,000 continue to live.
During WWII Kastellorizo suffered bombardment and English commanders ordered
the few remaining inhabitants to abandon the island. Most fled to Cyprus, Palestine and
Egypt. When they returned they found their houses in ruins, and many re-emigrated.
While the island has never fully recovered from this population loss, in recent years re-
turnees have brought a period of resurgence and resettlement.
Getting There & Away
You can hop on a flight to Rhodes or wait for a ferry or catamaran, although boat ser-
vices from the island are often tenuous and always infrequent.
AIR
Olympic has four flights per week to Rhodes (€47, 20 minutes) from where you can get
connections to Athens. For flight and ferry tickets, visit
Papoutsis Travel
(
6937212530, 22460 70630;
www.kastelorizo.gr
)
in Kastellorizo Village.
Boat Services from Kastellorizo (Megisti)
DESTINATION
TIME
FARE
FREQUENCY
Piraeus
23hr
€81
1 weekly
Rhodes
4¾hr
€22
2 weekly
Rhodes*
2½hr
€36
1 weekly
