The 11 things to do in Kassos

You want to know how to visit Kassos? Discover this Greek island on another day following our advice!

Located on the Greek Dodecanese Archipelago, about forty kilometres northeast of Crete , in the heart of the Aegean, the island of Kassos has about 1,000 inhabitants. Coming to Kassos, you can enjoy both the beauty of the Aegean beaches, the charm of small picturesque villages, the elegance of the historical heritage and the character of the surrounding nature. At only a few hours of plane and boat from France, the island of Kassos assures you of a real change.

What to do in Kassos? Whether you’re in search of tranquility or animation, farniente or sporting outings, nature or culture, you’ll find in Kassos what to give your stay the tone you expect. Whatever it is and whatever your travel prospects, you will be seduced by the authenticity of the places, still preserved from mass tourism.

Embark on the 11 essential things to do in Kassos!

1. Visit the villages of Kassos

Visiting Kassos passes through the discovery of its small authentic villages. Apart from Fry, four towns deserve your attention: Agia Marina and its small churches, Emporios and its church dedicated to the Virgin, Panagia and its religious complex of Byzantine architecture, as well as Poli and the ruins of its kastro Venetian.

The monastery of St Mema, which is not far from Poli, will complete this cultural getaway.

2. Discover the island of Armathia and its fabulous beaches

Are you wondering what to do in Kassos? Go to Armathia! If you want to enjoy a swim in crystal clear waters, visit the island of Armathia. Links are in place during the high season. You can then enjoy the calm and beauty of the landscapes of this uninhabited island of the Aegean Sea. The island of Makronisi also deserves to be tackled.

3. A boat ride

Visiting Kassos is also enjoying its coastline. Indeed, very nice excursions, during the day or a few hours from the port of Fry, are to be made by boat and allow to approach the island from another angle.

It would be a shame not to rent a boat in Kassos! You can also rent a boat in Karpathos to discover the island of Kassos.

4. Walking around in Fry

Get out your sword, whistle out of your tricorn and visit Kassos by discovering the ancient pirate den of the island! Fry is the main port of Kassos. It is located not far from the small fishing port of Bouka, to the pretty white and blue stone houses, dominated by the delicious little cathedral of Agios Spyridon.

If you enter the direction of Agia Marina, you will find two windmills, just ten minutes walk from the port.

5. Adventure in caves

If the sun and heat become hard to bear in the summer, come refresh yourself in one of the caves of Kassos. Admire the stalactites of Selai, located south west of the village of Agia Marina. Take a leap in the past to imagine the daily life of the people of Neolitics who had invested the cave of Ellinokamara. The latter would also have been a place of worship for the poplars of the Mycena era.

6. Taste local specialties

Visiting Kassos is also done through your senses, especially by making your palace travel! Despite its small size, the island has some culinary specialties:

• pasta sitaka, which is a goat cheese;
• the leaves of stuffed vines;
• l_elaiki_ : rather tender cheese, based on mizithra ;
• the bustia : stuffed lamb intestines with rice and meat;
• the notpara : stuffed lamb with herbs and rice, etc.

7. Live a festival in Kassos

At certain times of the year, Agia Marina is transformed to host religious or cultural festivals. This is the case on 16 and 17 July, as well as on 13 and 14 September.

Panagia also folds to the game and becomes the decor of a major religious festival, organized on August 15.

8. Bathing in the Aegean Sea

Kassos is not the destination to swim in a paradise. It is indeed not known for its beaches, which are quite few and rather narrow. Far from being the most famous of the Dodecanese archipelago, they are not the ones of Armathia.

However, it is still pleasant to break into the turquoise waters that frame the island. For this, come and put your towel on one of the beaches around Ammouda, west of Kassos. The beaches of the north, like that of Emboreios, are few and often very frequent in the summer. However, you can continue your walk and go in search of small isolated coves.

9. Relax on the terrace drinking ouzo!

The holiday in Greece is also that! Think of visiting Kassos, but don't neglect to rest! Take a look at the time when you sit on the terrace of a café in one of the small authentic villages of Kassos and order a orzo . This typically Greek aperitif will give another flavor at your end of the day!

10. Hiking

With an area of 66 km2, Kassos is large enough so that hiking enthusiasts can get rid of their legs. Between the ridges of the steep arid coastline, the green central valley and the typical villages, you will discover contrasting landscapes. You can go from Fry to Panagia, to Poli. It is also possible to make a two-hour loop from Fry, via Agios Georgios Vrissi and Agia Marina.

11. Visit the Fry Archaeological Museum

In high season, don’t hesitate to visit the archaeological museum of the village, open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 4pm. They are preserved from collections of antique pieces, but also newer tools and pieces.

Some objects come from the cave of Ellinokamara.

How do I get to Kassos?

While you are now incollable on the must-sees to visit Kassos as it should be, it would be good to ask you about the best way to get to the island. Two options are available to you: the plane and/or the boat.

By plane

It is possible to get to Kassos from France only by plane, but you do not expect to do so in direct flight! Several options are possible:

Paris to AthensFrom Athens to Karpathos, and from Karpathos to Kassos;* Take a flight from Paris to Rhodes, then from Rhodes to Karpathos, and finally fly to Kassos ;

• board for Heraklion from Paris, then go through Rhodes, Karpathos and finally Kassos.

In any case, visit Kassos at a price, that of your patience! There are at least three stopovers before reaching your final destination. Paris-Athens flights are not always direct, and Paris-Rhodes and Paris-Heraklion flights are never.

By plane and by boat

For more trouble, you can choose to cross the island of Kassos from the foot after a journey between the sky and the sea. After joining your first plane stage, continue your boat trip. There are links for Kassos since:

• Rhodes between: 4:30 and 9:00 travel;
• The Square : approximately 3 p.m. travel;
• Karpathos : approximately 1:30 ;
• Heraklion : approximately 6h.

You want to save on your plane tickets? Think about using a flight comparison such as Ulysses .

♪ highspeed , you win 1h30 to 2h on classic boat trip times.

How to move between Kassos and the surrounding islands?

Visiting Kassos is also discovering its surroundings. Although the island is quite isolated, it is not cut off from the world! It is quite possible to reach other Greek islands, for a day trip or as a new stage of a travelling trip. There are marine connections between Kassos and:

• Other Dodecanese islands (Rhodes, Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Patmos, Symi, Chalki, Diafani, Karpathos and Lipsi)
• The Square,
• Some Cyclades Islands (Milos, Théra and Anafi),
• Some ports of Crete (Heraklion and Sitia).

Where to stay in Kassos?

Before you ask Kassos to do it, it is important that you take the time to look for a roof! The offer of accommodation on the island is not infinite, but you should still find accommodation Airbnb or a hotel to your taste.

For this, visit one of the five main villages of the island: Fry, Agia Marina, Poli, Arvanitohori and Panagia. For example, using a Compare hotels will help you to find the best value for money.

Now you know what to do in Kassos!