You can start
your Dodecanese route from either in Rhodes (Marina Mandraki),
just opposite the famous medieval city, or from Kos, in the popular island with its lush green wooden hills.
The
cruising possibilities in the Dodecanese are endless, thanks to the 14
beautiful and unique islands in this area. In this Eastern part of Greece,
and along the Turkish coast, in the crystal blue waters of the Aegean Sea,
some of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean can be
found.
Discover Simi with its picturesque harbour, Patmos with its
famous monastery of St. John, Arki, Lipsos, Leros, Kalimnos home of the
sponge divers. It is worth a visit to the whole group of islands in the
Dodecanese.
There is an endless, amazing variety of opportunities
for pleasurable sailing, historic exploration, nightlife, or alternatively
the tranquillity and relaxation of the many numerous small bays.
The remotest of the Greek archipelagos the Dodecanese was only
incorporated into modern Greece in 1948, after 500 years of occupation
by the Latin Knights of St John, the Ottomans, the Italians, the Germans
and the British. Through it all the islanders have retained their Greek
cultural identity.
The islands' history has left a legacy of rich and diverse archeological
remains. Members of the Dodecanese display a marked schizophrenia. Dry
limestone outcrops such as Kalymnos, Symi and Kastellorizo attract those
in pursuit of the traditional island life while the sprawling sandy
giants of Rhodes and Kos have beaches and bars galore. Nisyros and Tilos
are volcanic, while Astypalea and Patmos at the fringes resemble more
the Cyclades.
This island group is renowned for its temperate climate and long tourist
season.
RHODES
246 nautical miles from Piraeus
 With an east
coast of endless sandy beaches and sunshine 300 days a year, Rhodes is
the most popular of the Dodecanese. It is also the largest, with a
population of over 98,000. The luxuriant interior is beautiful. Tucked
into the foothills of its mountains are charming villages. The
incredibly well preserved old town of Rhodes is the largest inhabited
medieval town in Europe. Behind imposing walls, it is the fortified
nucleus of Rhodes City. The tranquil, twisting alleyways in the old town
are a web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin architecture. A fascinating
sight to explore is the cobblestoned lanes and Gothic inns of the
Knight's Quarter. With its old mosques and Turkish baths, the Hora has
more of an Ottoman influence. The new town was once the site of the
ancient Hellenistic city of Rhodes, today it is a lively entertainment
center with over 600 discos and bars to choose from. The brilliant white
houses of Lindos with their pebbled mosaic courtyards date back to the
17th century. It will be a pleasure exploring the maze like alleyways of
this beautiful village. The Acropolis of Lindos is the most famous of
the Dodecanese's ancient cities. Dating back to 2000 BC, it is a mélange
of Byzantine, Frankish and Turkish remains. It is strikingly set atop a
rock 116m high.
The butterfly covered gorge of Petaloudes is a must see. You will find
the best beaches on the east coast: Faliraki Beach is the island's
premier resort; the beach at Kalithea Thermi is the site of an abandoned
Italian spa. If you are looking for quiet shores head to Stegna Beach or
the sandy cove of Agathi.
KARPATHOS
 242 nautical
miles from Piraeus
The unspoilt villages of mountainous Karpathos are rich in tradition,
here the inhabitants have retained their local customs and ways. In the
village of Olymbos (pop 340) the women dress in colorful, ornamental
skirts, vests, headscarves, and goatskin boats. They still bake in
outdoor communal ovens and grind corn in windmills. The inhabitants
speak in a dialect containing some Doric words.
Clinging to slopes of Mt Kali Limni (1215m), the Dodecanese's second
highest peak is the beautiful village of Pyles. With its spiraling
steeped streets, pastel houses and citrus groves it is most definitely
worth a visit. The loveliest sand beaches are found on the east coast:
Ahata, Kyra Panagia and Apella, which is exceptionally gorgeous with
crystalline waters.
KASTELLORIZO 
2.5km from the southern tip of Turkey
The tiny, remote island of Kastellorizo has a population of only 200,
tourism here is very low key. There are no beaches, instead you will
find several rocky inlets, where you can swim and snorkel in the
crystalline sea. The only settlement is Kastellorizo Town, imposing
three story mansions border the waterfront. With the Knights of St John
Castle situated above the quay, it is one of the most picturesque
harbors in the Dodecanese. On the southeastern coast of the island is
the beautiful blue cave.
TILOS
 220 nautical
miles from Piraeus
Isolated Tilos has fine tranquil beaches, vistas of high cliffs,
rocky inlets and valleys of almond and walnut trees. For those seeking a
relaxing, authentic Greek island feel, Tilos is it. There are only two
settlements, the peaceful whitewashed village of Magalo Horio and the
waterfront town of Livadia. The uncrowded beaches of Eristos (shaded),
Agios Antonis (sandy) and Plaka are a real treat after spending time at
some of the popular beach resorts on Rhodes and Kos
NISYROS
 Nisyros is one
of the most beautiful of all Greek islands, it is a strange combination
of luxuriant vegetation and stark moonscapes. A dormant volcano lies at
the center of the island. The charming port town of Mandraki is
comprised of winding alleys and brightly colored houses. It is situated
beneath the cliff top monastery, Moni Panagias Spilianis. Near the port
you will find the black stoned beach of Koklaki. Set on the volcano's
ridge are the villages of Emboreios and Nikea, both have spectacular
views into the caldera. With only 20 inhabitants, the spiraling, steeped
streets of Emboreios are eerily empty. On the other hand the picturesque
village of Nikea buzzes with life. The islands best beaches are at Pali
and Lies.
ASTYPALEA
 Astypalea,
the most western of the Dodecanese, is more reminiscent of the Cylades.
The picturesque hilltop village of Hora is comprised of narrow twisting
streets and dazzling white cube houses with brightly colored wooden
balconies and doors. Rising above the village is a Venetian fortress and
a row of windmills. The tiny resort of Livadia is situated in a fertile
valley, its beach is the best on Astypalea. Mesa Vathy and Exo Vathy are
two cozy beach hamlets. Across the laid back settlement of Maltezana are
a number of uninhabited islets to explore.
SYMI
 10km from the
Turkish peninsula of Dorakis
Symi's rugged interior is accented with cypress and pine forests. The
small bays and pebbled beaches along the coast are indented with
towering cliffs. Because of the mild climate, the season here lasts
until late October. Symi Town is a Greek gem. Neoclassical mansions
painted in a variety of colors ascend the steep hillside, surrounding
the curved harbor.
Symi has a number of wonderful beaches, such as Nanous Beach and Agia
Marina, both of which have a taverna, and Symi's only sand beach Agios
Nikolaos. The beach at Georgiou Disalona Bay is set against a backdrop
of towering cliffs.
The more remote Marathounta and Agios Emilianos beaches are only
accessible by boat.
KOS
200 nautical miles from Piraeus
 Situated only
5km off the Turkish peninsula of Bodrum, is Kos, one of the most fertile
islands in the Dodecanese. Like Rhodes, it is abundant with ancient
remains and beautiful beaches. The landscape of modern Kos Town, the
island's capital and main port, is picturesque and luxuries. The Castle
of the Knights prevails over the port, while Hellenistic and Roman ruins
are littered everywhere. There are numerous archaeological sites to
visit here. The Asclepion is Kos' most important ancient site, it is
located on a pine covered hill 4km southwest of Kos Town. Until 554 AD
people came from far and wide to be treated at its healing center, there
was also a school of medicine where the teachings of Hippocrates was
followed.
There are several lovely unspoilt villages spread across the northern
slopes of the green and forested Dikeos mountain range, such as the
pristine hamlets of Agios Georgios and Agios Dimitrios. Amongst the many
sandy beaches, Agios Stefanos set next to the ruins of two 5th century
basilicas, is a must. At Masthari you can find a number of secluded
spots on its sandy shores.
LEROS
 Leros' gentle,
slopping countryside is spotted with smallholdings and huge, impressive,
almost-landlocked bays, resembling lakes more than open sea. Platanos,
the capital of Leros is 3km north of Lakki, the main port. This tiny
picturesque village spills down the slender hillside to the port of
Agios Marina. On the east side of Platanos, the mountainside dwellings
are crowned by a massive castle.
Set on the wide Alinda Bay, are the adjoining resorts of Krithoni and
Alinda, which has a lovely, long tree-shaded sand beach.
At Belfoutis Bay you will find a shaded sand and pebble beach and a good
taverna. A good spot for snorkeling, Xirokambos Bay is a mellow resort
with a sand beach.
PATMOS
 For both
Orthodox and Western Christians, Patmos has long been a place of
pilgrimage, for it was here that St John wrote his divinely inspired
revelation, the Apocalypse. Once a favorite destination for the devout,
Patmos is now just as popular with sun and sea worshippers. All boats
dock at glitzy Skala, which sprawls around a large curving bay. Wrapped
around the immense Monastery of St John the Theologian, the beautiful
hilltop village, Hora. With its immaculate whitewashed houses and maze
like alleys, it is absolutely enchanting. A tour of the monastery and of
the cave where John received his divine revelations, the Monastery of
the Apocalypse, is a must.
There are a number of sandy tree-shaded beaches around the island. Psili
Ammos is the islands best beach, it is only accessible by boat.
LIPSI
 Lipsi is a
delightful little island with good beaches. The picturesque port town of
Lipsi is the only settlement. The countryside is dotted with olive
groves and cypresses. Lipsi produces a strong wine known as Lipsi Black.
The island's main attraction, are its beaches, such as Platys Gialos a
lovely sandy beach with a good taverna and the pebbled beach of
Monodendri (nudist), set on a rocky peninsula
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