Head to the islet of Chalki for tranquil surroundings and a completely different landscape than you'll see on the larger and much more famous Rhodes, where most of the regular ferries leave from.

Beaches with crystal clear water

Chalki has 3 easily accessible beaches that can be reached within 15 minutes of the port.

Compared to the beaches on Rhodes, they are considerably smaller and much more natural. As all the beaches are located in bays with shallow water, the sea is always calm without waves, creating great conditions for swimming and snorkelling.

Find beachfront accommodation

These are the 3 most visited beaches in Chalki:

• Pondamos
• Ftenagia
• Kania

There is always a restaurant and sunbed rental at all beaches (prices are the same everywhere - 12 eur for a set of 2 sunbeds + umbrella for the whole day).

Nature - majestic arid mountains

Chalki has a mystical very hilly and at first sight absolutely arid landscape.

However, in the valleys and on the slopes of the mountains you will find many fields, olive groves and a large number of grazing goats.

You'd be hard pressed to find well-marked hiking trails in Chalki, but just a hike along a road without any traffic to Chalki Castle or even further to Agios Ioannis Monastery (a day trip with a total of 16 km) is highly recommended.

Boat trips

There are several local tourist agency booths in the harbour offering cruises to hard-to-reach beaches, snorkelling cruises or trips to the nearby uninhabited islet of Alimia.

The local water taxi, Giannis Express, has the most cruises and offers regular routes:

• 3 times daily to Kania beach for 5 eur / return
• 1-2 times a day to Alimia Island for 25 eur / return
• 1x daily to the remote beaches of Areta and Trachia for 20 eur / return

Cruises are always in the morning from Chalki port and back in the afternoon so that you have 3-4 hours of time on the beaches.

Sights and history

The Chalki islet doesn't have many sights, but the main one - the 14th century Johanite castle of Chalki - is definitely worth seeing.

You'll have the castle practically to yourself the whole time, as most tourists only head to Chalki for the beaches. The views are absolutely breathtaking and we would recommend a visit to the castle for that alone.

For detailed information, please see our page about Chalki Castle.