Kastellorizo Island (Greece)

Kastellorizo (officially Nisos Megisti) is a Greek island in southeastern Mediterranean. The island has total area approx 12 km2 (5 mi2) and population around 500.

Kastellorizo island lies roughly 2 km (1 mi) off the south coast of Turkey, 125 km (78 mi) east of Rhodes, 280 km (170 mi) to Cyprus and around 570 km (354 mi) southeast of Athens. Kastellorizo is part of Rhodes' regional unit.

The island became well known in recent years among travelers looking for an isolated place in Dodecanese, due also to the Oscar-winning movie Mediterraneo (1991), by Gabriele Salvatores, that is set on the island during WW2 (1939-45).

The houses on the island are slender, featuring wooden balconies and windows of the Anatolian type. Many houses are in a ruinous state yet, behind the waterfront. At the entrance to harbor, on the eastern side, stand single story remnants of palazzina della delegazione (former Italian government house), 1926-built Florestano Di Fausto (1890-1965), who also designed a number of the most important buildings of Rhodes' Italian period.

Beyond the summit of Kastellorizo island known as Vigla (270 m/886 ft), stands the old castle and island's ancient acropolis, Palaiokastro. This fortified elevation features classical origins: its plan is rectangular, measuring 60x80 m (200x260 ft). In the interior stand large water cisterns and an ancient tower, constructed with square limestone blocks.

Kastellorizo island is linked with Kas, Rhodes and Piraeus by ferry. The frequency of passenger ferries is as follows: Kastellorizo-Rhodes-Symi-Tilos-Nisyros-Kalymnos-Piraeus (two crossings per week in winter), Kastellorizo-Kas (1 weekly crossing).

Air connection is provided via Olympic Air, operating from Kastellorizo Airport four times per week during winter. There is a small bus in service on the island of Kastellorizo, used to collect visitors from the airport.

Kastellorizo Island cruise terminal