Top Things to do in Dodecanese
Top Hotels in Dodecanese
- 1. Elissa Lifestyle Resort
- 2. Atrium Platinum Luxury Resort Hotel & Spa
- 3. Atrium Palace Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas
- 4. Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa
- 5. Eden Roc Hotel
- 6. Mitsis Grand Hotel Beach Hotel
- 7. Utopia Boutique Hotel
- 8. Atrium Prestige Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas
- 9. Mitsis Blue Domes Resort & Spa
- 10. Pegasos Deluxe Beach Hotel
Things to do in Dodecanese, South Aegean: The Best Historic Sites
On the Aegean's eastern, edge the Dodecanese present perfect Greek vistas of whitewashed walls, turquoise blue skies and seas. Island-hopping by ferry, hydrofoil or catamaran is a splendid way to get into the leisurely pace. Once docked, you'll find many of these twelve idyllic islands are easily explored on foot. Don't miss Rhodes' Acropolis, the ruins of ancient Kamiros and Valley of the Butterflies or Kos' Askepion ruins. Tiny Patmos is known for the cave of St. John of the Apocalypse.
Restaurants in Dodecanese
1. Monastery of St. John
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 670 reviews
Massive stone monastery completed in the 11th century in honor of St. John the apostle.
Reviewed By Alex280546 - Melbourne, Australia
My wife and I were very happy that our ship, the MV Celestyal Olympia, visited Patmos, on a cruise around the Greek Islands. As practising Catholics, we looked forward to seeing the cave where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. We took an optional tour (paid tour). The tour took us first to the cave, then to this magnificent monastery on top of the hill. While the cave had a lot religious significance, this monastery was a real sightseeing gem. Wonderful location, great views, and plenty of history. (it is 1000 years old, whereas St. John lived in the cave, in exile, over 1900 years ago). There is a fantastic little museum, where you can see some very interesting church treasures, including the document signed by the Byzantine Emperor Alexis in 1088, establishing this monastery. As we had taken a paid tour, we had an excellent guide, who gave us an enormous amount of information. She also pointed out the best places to get photos. The views are stunning. One caution: your transport cannot take you right up to the entrance, it will need to park a fair way below. So, there is some climbing involved. If it is rainy, the cobblestones will be slippery and dangerous. Not a place to take a stroller!
2. Ancient Kamiros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,071 reviews
Built around the 7th century B.C., this ancient city of Rhodes contains the remains of an advanced civilization that is dated nearly 3,000 years old.
Reviewed By Philip_Marsh - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Situated on the North West coast of Rhodes Kamiros is the smallest of the 3 ancient cities that formed the Rhodian state. It’s a Hellenistic city and whilst I’ve seen larger, more impressive ruins this is a little treasure. Built in a cleft of a hill this is a perfect place to visit, with a path that takes you to the top of the site before bringing you down hill via the Main Street with the city laid out on both sides. There is also a nice breeze which funnels down the slope and keeps you cool. This site is situated near the coast road (hence easy access), there are taverns nearby on the coast (although not the cheapest places to eat/drink) and there is plenty of free parking on site. The cost is €6 per head (adults), it requires some effort to climb the slope originally (there are seats on the way up) but it isn’t crowded and it will only take you about 45-60 minutes to explore (a positive when it’s hot). Go, explore, enjoy the city, history and the setting.
3. Agios Pandeleimonas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
This 15th-century monastery was built in honor of the patron saint of Tilos.
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
There is nowhere further to go from Livadia than to the monastery of Agios Pandeleimonas in the northwest of the island. It is a distance of 14km by road with the last stretch being quite narrow and spectacular high up on a very steep and rocky hillside There is also a not very easy path from Eristos Beach towards the monastery over 6km of rugged terrain. The monastery lies in a small valley at an altitude of 270m asl. Its location must have been selected because of the water found here. There is still today a spring to the left of the outer entrance gate, with flowing water, which is considered to be very healthy. Unfortunately there are often dozens of oriental hornets around it, so many visitors might skip this offer of a healthy sip.. In the old days the pirates didn't spare religious sites on their forays, so the monks fortified their monastic buildings all over the Aegean. Here too one encounters first a defensive tower and it is through a passage in it that one enters the monastery proper. As so often in the Dodecanese one will find a lovely courtyard with a floor mosaic made from black and white pebbles. The not very big, but pretty church was open, when I visited. From the icons, especially the 'Proskinitari', one can see that Agios Panteleimon is venerated here, the physician and patron saint of Tilos. The monastery is considered to be one of the most important in the Dodecanese, together with Panormitis on Symi, the Panagia Spiliani on Nisyros and the famous St.John the Evangelist monastery on Patmos. There was one monk around, when I passed by in May, but I didn't get a chance to speak to him. What I especially also enjoyed here was the rich vegetation, with oriental plane trees, with pines, cypresses and walnut trees.
4. Filerimos Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
Reviewed By woodie49
Through the village of Ialysis up to an ancient Filerimos Monastery and 14th Century Church. The mosaic floor in the innermost chapel dates from 6th C AD. We also walked up the 865ft hill to see the huge cross. The route had bronze reliefs of the Stations of the Cross. Amazing views from the top. Peacocks everywhere! 6 Euros entrance, 3 Euros for over 65s.
5. Village of Lindos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,226 reviews
Reviewed By lushlou - Crawley, United Kingdom
We had a day trip here Well what can I say Kind is what a beautiful beautiful place We wandered round the cobbler streets It’s just stunning absolutely stunning We then went onto the beach Again beautiful! As good as the Caribbean ! Would love to see it at night it just is a magical place
6. The Church of the Panagia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 466 reviews
Reviewed By The_Running_Tenor - Croydon, United Kingdom
We really didn't get on with Lindos; parking atrocious, too crowded and difficult to navigate. Fortunately we found what we were looking for more by luck and suddenly spotting the bell tower. It costs €2, you won't be allowed to take pictures and both men and women will need to cover bare legs and shoulders (coverings provided) but it's well worth it if you like churches. It's also nice and cool inside. The main building is completely covered in frescoes of bible stories with a "doom" picture at the back representing the day of judgement.There is a small exhibition of religious artifacts in a side chapel. It's all kept in good condition and very atmospheric with Greek orthodox church music playing. Probably the best €2 you'll spend on the island!
7. Paleo Pili
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Old Byzantine fortress located in the old village of Pili, it is amazing and beautiful, one of the most beautiful places on the island.
Reviewed By j_tizzle87 - London, United Kingdom
This was one of the highlights of our week in Kos. We hired a Jeep from Kos Town and spent the day exploring villages in the mountains and this was the last place we saw. Hardly anyone else around, free to enter (though you should bring some change for the old man who watches the cars), and a fairly quick and easy ascent to the top of the ruin. Views from here are sensational - if someone else is around ask them to take a photo of you taking in the view from the giant hole in the wall, see pic below! Also, the small cafe overlooking the ruin is a great spot to rehydrate and view the castle itself. Worth the extra few steps.
8. Astypalaia Castle
9. Mandraki Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,311 reviews
Reviewed By Scottish_Traveller64 - Oban, United Kingdom
Very clean and enjoyable to walk round Lots of boats and windmills on the harbour or browse for a boat trip to book
10. Casa Romana Kos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 437 reviews
Reviewed By simonwilliampizzey - Leicester, United Kingdom
Whenever I visit a new city, island or country within Europe I look to identify if there are any Roman Empire archaeological sites or museums. On this occasion there was fortunately a number of historical locations within the archeological quarter of Kos Town. This site is an excellently preserved example of a Roman villa with excellent murals. There are a number of internal and external ruins, excellent descriptions of the purpose of each room and the types of activities that would have occurred. There are very well preserved pots and utensils as well as statues. Finally there was also a very well preserved garden area in the middle of the villa. This is a very enjoyable location and a must visit for Roman history fans such as myself.
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