Brits looking for a holiday destination that’s a little less well known but no less beautiful can find any number of hidden gems in the Greek islands. On the eastern side of the country is Kastellorizo which offers pretty much everything you could want on a relaxing trip.
The small, but gorgeous, island is packed with history, natural beauty and port towns offering a great holiday to those who want a more remote holiday surrounded by a serene and picture perfect atmosphere. You’ll be able to get stuck into village life as well as enjoy the small sandy beaches.
The island’s long history which includes knights, castles and stately homes can be explored while on the island. Castello Rosso on the reddish rock above the port boasts battlements and double walls perfect for military history buffs.
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Plus, an economic boom in the 19th Century led to the building of gorgeous homes on the Kordoniou coast. You’ll be able to spot them from the harbour alongside the red dome houses which showcase documents, heirlooms and pictures from the island’s history.
Taking a walk through the cobblestone streets, picturesque stairways and through arches will unveil the islands charms even further especially as the island is apparently barred to vehicles with more than two wheels. So there’s no traffic to bother you or add excessive noise.
The island is also full of cafes where you can sip coffee and dine on pastries. While there are lots of tavernas for sipping wine and tucking into homemade Greek food before you hit the elegant shops.
The gothic church of Agion Konstantinou and Helenis even has a roof which sits on twelve columns taken from the temple of Apollo in Patara Lycia. The best views are found at the top of the steps at the fort-monastery of Agios Georgios tou Vounou. Make sure you wear comfy shoes as there are 315 steps to the top.
Those who love a beach can find a few sandy beaches including Mandraki Beach, located in a small bay near the island's main harbor. It’s not huge, but you can relax there and take in the views of the shockingly blue sea.
While exploring the coast you’ll also find plenty of caves and salt baths and the large bay that surrounds Megisti is like a large swimming pool which welcomes bathers. Sunbeams are available for rent on the promenade.
Thankfully, the island is just a few miles off the coast of sunny Turkey close to Antayla and so boasts incredible hot weather perfect for sun seekers. The average temperature in August is a whopping 30C while in winter – the coldest month being January – it reaches 14C on average.
July is the sunniest month for those wanting to get as many rays as possible while December can be wet, but still peaceful if you don’t mind rain.
It can be fairly expensive to get a flight to Kastelorizo with Skyscanner putting the return flights from £262 with a stop in Athens or Rhodes. However, you can get a flight to Athens from £39 and then get a ferry for £55 from the capital to the island, claims Rome2Rio.
Rooms won’t break the band either as you can bag a pretty traditional apartment just 50 yards from the centre of Meyisti for £322 for two people over five nights – that’s £32.20 each per night. Anyone wanting an even cheaper bargain can find an apartment for £240 for the same duration – just £24pp per night.
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