Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cage) - the sort of place where, after two strolls up and down the pedestrianized quay,
you'll have a nodding acquaintance with your fellow visitors and all the island's characters.
Most of the town's surviving original
mansions
are ranged along the waterfront,
sporting tiled roofs, wooden balconies and blue or green shutters on long, narrow
windows. Derelict houses in the backstreets are being attended to, and even the hillside
is sprouting new constructions in unconventional colours, though the cumulative effect
of World War I shelling, a 1926 earthquake, 1943 air-raids and the 1944 explosions
will never be reversed. The black-and-white posters and postcards depicting the town in
its prime, on sale everywhere, are poignant evidence of its later decline.
Archeological Museum and Lycian house-tomb
Mandhráki • Tues-Sun 8.30am-3pm • Free
The outer bulwark of Mandhráki's clifftop castle houses the island's worthwhile
archeological
museum
. Displays include Byzantine plates, frescoes rescued from
decaying rural churches and a reconstruction of an ancient basilica on the site of today's
gaudy, crumbling Áyios Yeóryios Santrapé church at Horáfia. Immediately below and
beyond the museum, facing across to Psorádhia islet, Greece's only
Lycian house-tomb
is hollowed into the cliff face. Steep unrailed steps lead up to its imposing Doric facade
from the shoreline walkway.
ACCOMMODATION
KASTELLÓRIZO TOWN
Ì
Karnayo
T
22460 49266,
W
karnayo.gr.
An
excellent mid-range choice, of the platía at the west end of
the south quay, spread over two quiet, sensitively restored
buildings, and offering four double a/c en-s
uite
rooms as
well as two studios, one of which sleeps four.
€70
Ì
Kastellorizo Hotel
T
22460 49044,
W
kastellorizohotel.gr.
Right in the thick of things in the
middle of west quay, this lovely hotel has friendly
management and some of the best amenities on the
island. All its fourteen individually styled suites have
kitchenettes, four have balconies, and there's
a thal
asso-
spa-pool as well as waterfront lido. March-Nov.
€130
Ì
Megisti Hotel
T
22460 49219,
W
megistihotel
.gr.
Beautiful hotel in an unbeatable location, at
the northwest corner of the harbour, with fabulous views
and fifteen spotless, attractively decorated rooms plus four
large and very lavish suites. There's great swi
mming
immediately off the spacious patio. Closed Oct-April.
€160
Pension Mediterraneo
T
22460 49007 or 697 36 76
038,
W
mediterraneo-kastelorizo.com.
Simple rooms at
the end of the northwest quay, furnished with mosquito
nets and wall art, some with sea view, plus an arcaded,
waterside basement suite that's worth the extra cost for
the privilege of being able t
of roll
out the door and into the
sea. Rates include breakfast.
€80
Poseidon
T
22460 49257,
W
kastelorizo-poseidon.gr.
Newly built houses in traditional style, set back from the
platía at the west end of the south quay, and offering a
total of sixteen well-appointed studios
sim
ilar to the
neighbouring Karnayo, some with balcony.
€70
8
EATING AND DRINKING
Kastellórizo's harbour quayside is a wonderfully romantic spot to enjoy a leisurely meal, though taverna prices are
significantly higher than elsewhere. The island has its own fish, goat meat and wild-fig preserves, and assorted produce is
smuggled over from Kaş, but otherwise food and drinking water have to be shipped here from Rhodes. Incidentally, the
mains water is contaminated by goat droppings, and not safe to drink.
Ì
Akrothalassi
T
22460 49052.
The best of the
waterfront tavernas, near the west end of the quay, dishing
out large, great-value grills and salads. It's especially
popular at lunch, as it offers the only shaded quayside
seating.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Iy Ypomoni
Cheap, cheerful and popular waterfront taverna,
two doors to the left of the arcaded market. Open for dinner
only, it serves a limited seafood menu.
Daily 7pm-late.
Ta Platania
T
22460 49206.
Set well back from the sea,
up the hill on the Horáfia platía, this welcoming place is
festooned with film posters, and a good option for
daily-changing
mayireftá
and desserts, though the prices
are much the same as down by the port.
June-Sept only,
daily lunch & dinner.
To Mikro Parisi
T
22460 49282.
Long-established seafood
specialist alongside the port, with succulent soups and stews
and zestful meat and fish grills. Not the cheapest by any
means, but good for a special occasion.
Daily lunch & dinner.
Zaharoplastio Iy Meyisti
Sweet shop and café by the
harbour, serving a fine array of fresh-baked pastries and
cakes. Just the place to linger over a fine breakfast or
pudding.
Daily 8am-6pm.
