Dodecanese Islands: Volcanic Landscapes and Island Culture
Accommodation in Sporades
The Dodecanese Islands form an island group in the southeastern Aegean Sea. The Dodecanese chain includes 15 large islands, as well as numerous smaller islets, some of which are uninhabited—despite the name literally meaning “twelve islands.” Each island has a different focus, helping you choose a destination.
Volcanic Landscapes and Nature on Nisyros
The Nisyros UNESCO Global Geopark encompasses the volcanic island of Nisyros and the surrounding islets. Its geological features include hydrothermal craters and fields, lava domes, volcanic cones and submarine volcanic centers. The volcano on Nisyros has a prominent caldera and geothermal fields, while the volcanic soil supports endemic and rare plant species. Visitors can hike among the smoldering volcanic craters.
Nisyros has six museums, including an archaeological museum, a folklore and history museum, and a volcanological museum. Mandraki is the island’s capital and port. Nikia and Emborios are also part of the island’s character: these picturesque villages are among the places that shape Nisyros’s culture. Volcanic landscapes, museum visits and village culture can all be experienced on the same island.
Medieval Heritage and Pilgrimage
On Rhodes, the medieval city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace of the Grand Master was the administrative center of the Knights Hospitaller and is considered probably the most significant monument to the medieval history of Rhodes and the rule of the Knights. The Street of the Knights is considered one of the most outstanding examples of Gothic urban architecture. At the end of the Middle Ages, the fortifications of Rhodes influenced the entire eastern Mediterranean region.
Patmos offers a different historical focus. The World Heritage ensemble on Patmos is an outstanding example of a traditional Greek Orthodox pilgrimage center. The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian has been a place of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox scholarship since its foundation in 1088. The Cave of the Apocalypse is traditionally associated with the account that Saint John dictated the Book of Revelation and his Gospel to his disciple Prochoros there.
The historic settlement of ChĂłra on Patmos also tells the story of its development over several centuries: in the 15th century, neighborhoods for refugees from Constantinople, known as the Alloteina, were added; in the 17th century, the Kretika followed for refugees from Crete. Several small churches date mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries and contain wall paintings, icons and other ecclesiastical furnishings.
Hiking, Climbing and Island Nature
Kalymnos is a distinctive choice for climbing and hiking. Climbing is available there year-round, and the island has 77 organized climbing areas. Around 200 hiking trails offer challenges for different skill levels. Check current climbing options and trail information when planning your trip. Kalymnos is also known for its honey; thyme, sage and oregano are among its key ingredients. Narrow streets, old mansions, stately captains’ houses and traditional one-room sponge divers’ houses shape the built environment. Mansions are also associated with the island’s sponge-diving tradition.
Kos has its own network of cycle paths, and the island is considered the birthplace of Hippocrates. Karpathos is known as a windsurfing destination, though this does not imply any particular conditions or facilities. In the north of Karpathos, Olympos sits on rugged terrain overlooking the sea. Thanks to its isolation, the village has preserved its cultural identity; visitors can explore an ethnographic museum there.
Other islands have their own natural and architectural highlights: Harkadio Cave on Tilos is associated with finds of dwarf elephants. On Lipsi, Arki and Agathonisi, visitors can observe rare birds; all three islands also feature traditional architecture with courtyards. The coasts of Symi are mostly pebbly and include steep cliffs, shady conifers and clear turquoise water.
Regional Cuisine and Getting There
Dodecanese cuisine includes a variety of dishes and sweets. Kapamas is stuffed kid goat, while boukounies is pork cooked with various herbs. Xerotigana are spiral-shaped pastries fried in syrup or honey. Pastelaries are made with dried figs, almonds and sesame seeds. Melikouni, a sesame bar with honey, is served at weddings and baptisms. Diving, snorkeling and other water sports are also among the activities in the Dodecanese.
The Dodecanese Islands can be reached by boat from the ports of Piraeus, Kavala and other Aegean islands. Rhodes, Kos and Astypalea have airports. Check current ferry routes and schedules when planning your trip. After arriving by plane, visitors can rent a boat locally in the Dodecanese. Rhodes, Kos and Leros have marinas from which travelers can sail around these three islands and then visit other Dodecanese islands. Check current travel and rental options before departure.
Discover more destinations: PatitĂrion, Koukounaries, Platanias, Skopelos, Votsi, Kolios, Skiathos, Neo Klima, Achladias, Alonnisos, Glossa, Stafilos, Agios Petros, Agnontas, Isomata, Sporades.
For the overview of the wider region: Thessaly.
