Chalki

Chalki

Chalki (or Halki) is the smallest inhabited island of the group, located next to Rhodes. It is only 10 km long, rocky and barren, and the permanent population is about 300 person. There is only one village on Chalki, Nimborio or Emborio, and its port looks like a mini copy of Symi`s island port, with Venetian style houses in various pastel colors. Usually tourists come here for a day trip from Rhodes as the island does not offer plenty of facilities and services but Chalki is an ideal place for people who seek quietness and relaxation while lying on the beach all the day and eating in traditional tavernas.

The best way to reach Chalki is via Rhodes as it has no connection to other islands. There is a ferry line from Piraeus to Rhodes (not every day) which stops at Chalki but the journey takes about 20 hours. Once on Rhodes, you can go to Chalki via the local ferries which depart from Kamiros Skala and Rhodes town port. No car or bike rental is available on Chalki.

Two kilometers away from Nimborio one can see the abandoned village Chorio which used to be the old capital but people moved around the port. On the top of a hill above Chorio is the Medieval monastery built by the Knights of St. John in the 14 century. Today only the castle walls are preserved and it is accessible via a paved path but it reveals a full view to the south side of the island its coastline.

Chalki has a couple of beaches among which Potamos (Pondamos) is the most visited. It lies in a sandy cove 300 meters from Nimborio, with shallow water and a beach tavern which rents sunbeds and parasols. Other beaches on Chalki are Kania, 1 km away from the port, and the peaceful Ftenagia 500 meters south of Nimborio. They both have small beach tavernas operating in the summer. Trahia is another place that may be called a beach but it is actually a tiny peninsula with two pebble strips on both sides and crystal blue water. Trahia can be reached only by boat or on foot via a path which starts from the castle.

highlights: the smallest inhabited island of the group, island in Dodecanese Islands, Greece