The name translates as “twelve islands”, though in reality there are 15 larger ones and around 150 smaller islets scattered across the southeastern Aegean, just off the coast of Turkey. The Dodecanese is Greece’s most historically layered island group, shaped by centuries of rule by the Crusaders, the Ottomans, and the Italians. You can see all of that in the architecture, the food, and the atmosphere. It’s different from the Cyclades, less polished and more rugged.

Rhodes and Kos are the most well-known, but the Dodecanese rewards the traveler who looks a little further away from the beaten path.

Here’s what you need to know about each island.

Agathonisi

The northernmost and one of the least visited islands in the group, it appeals to visitors precisely because it’s still a hidden gem. You’ll discover three small villages, a handful of quiet coves, clear water, and unhurried hospitality.

Arki

Tiny, almost entirely off-grid, and located near Patmos and Lipsi, Arki has only a handful of permanent residents and a few tavernas, which makes it one of the most intimate island experiences in the Dodecanese. People come here for the quiet beaches, the crystal water, and the novelty of being somewhere that hasn’t been touched by tourism.

Astypalaia

Shaped like a butterfly — two landmasses joined by a narrow sandy isthmus — , this island architecturally closer to the Cyclades than the Dodecanese, with whitewashed houses cascading beneath a Venetian castle. It sits between the two island groups geographically and culturally, which gives it a distinctive character you won’t find elsewhere. The beaches are excellent, the hiking is great, and it’s still far less visited than it deserves to be.

Halki (Chalki)

Small, quiet, and located just west of Rhodes, it’s close enough for a day trip, but also characterful enough to warrant staying longer. The harbor town of Nimborio is lined with colorful neoclassical houses and waterfront tavernas, and the beaches are among the cleanest in the Dodecanese. Halki once had a thriving sponge-diving industry, and the history of that trade still shapes the island’s identity. It’s a great choice for anyone combining Rhodes with a quieter nearby island.

Kalymnos

Once the sponge-diving capital of Greece, it still lives up to the name with a heritage that’s very much alive in the island’s museums and harborside culture. These days Kalymnos has reinvented itself as one of the world’s premier rock climbing destinations, with dramatic limestone cliffs that attract climbers from across the globe. Beyond that, there are excellent hiking trails, quiet coves, authentic villages, and local food that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. It’s not your typical beach holiday, in the best possible way.

Karpathos

It’s the second largest of the Dodecanese, sitting between Rhodes and Crete, and one of the most beautifully rugged islands in the Aegean. Most of the villages are on the south coast, but the northern village of Olympos is the one everyone talks about: isolated, colorful, and still following traditions that have largely disappeared everywhere else in Greece. The beaches are superb and the island gets enough visitors to have good infrastructure without feeling overrun.

Kassos

The southernmost island of the Dodecanese, it’s a stone’s throw from Crete , and one of the quietest. It’s a mountainous island with few beaches but a lot of character. The capital, Fry, is built around the picturesque Bouka Bay and has a charm that’s easy to underestimate. Go if you want to explore a place off the beaten track.

Kastellorizo (Megisti)

The easternmost point of Greece, the island is closer to Turkey than to Rhodes, which makes it one of the most geopolitically interesting islands in the country. The only village is Kastellorizo town, a beautifully preserved collection of neoclassical houses around a harbor that looks almost too pretty to be real. There are no real beaches to speak of, but the sea caves, the history, and the atmosphere more than compensate. It gained international fame as the filming location for the movie Mediterraneo, and has been quietly attracting devoted visitors ever since.

Kos

It’s the third largest island of the Dodecanese and the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The capital has ancient ruins, a well-preserved castle, and a lively harbor scene that caters to a younger crowd. Kos is also one of the flattest Greek islands, which makes it unusually good for cycling, so bike rental is everywhere. It’s connected to Turkey by a short ferry crossing to Bodrum, making it a natural base for a combined Greece-Turkey itinerary.

Leros

Dotted with beautiful beaches surrounded by green hills, it’s still one of the more under-the-radar islands in the group. The capital, Agia Marina, is watched over by the remains of a Byzantine castle perched on a hill above the town. According to mythology, Leros is the island of Artemis, and the natural beauty on offer makes that easy to believe. It’s a diving destination with a growing reputation and a quiet, genuine character that more crowded islands have long since lost.

Lipsi

In the cluster of small islands near Patmos, only the main island of Lipsi is inhabited. And it’s so small you can walk everywhere. The beaches are sandy, the water crystal clear, and the pace of life is as slow as it gets. Lipsi is increasingly popular with travelers who’ve visited Patmos and want to extend the quiet a little longer.

Nisyros

It’s certainly pne of the most unusual islands in the Aegean, and even in the entire country. Nisyros sits on top of an active volcano, and you can walk right down into the crater, which might just be one of the most dramatic adventures to experience in Greece. The main village of Mandraki is charming, with black volcanic stone houses and a fortress looming above. It’s relatively easy to reach from Kos and makes a memorable day trip or short stay.

Patmos

Known as the Jerusalem of the Aegean, this is where St John the Theologian was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelation. The island is dominated by the fortified Monastery of St John, which crowns the hilltop Chora and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Below it, the Cave of the Apocalypse marks the spot where the visions are said to have occurred. Patmos has a spiritual, contemplative atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the Dodecanese. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and quite moving even if you’re not particularly religious.

While the island has no airport of its own, it is easily reached by ferry from Piraeus or by flying into neighboring Leros, Kos, or Samos and taking a quick high-speed boat connection.

Rhodes

It’s the largest and most visited island of the Dodecanese, and one of Greece’s most important destinations. The capital is a layered city of ancient ruins, a perfectly preserved medieval walled Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and a modern city that functions as the island’s commercial hub. The Palace of the Grand Masters is the main attraction, but the entire medieval quarter rewards extended exploration. Beyond the capital, Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies , and some of the best beaches in the eastern Aegean make Rhodes a destination that repays more than a quick visit. It’s connected by air from Athens and directly from across Europe in summer, as well as by ferry from Athens year-round.

Symi

It’s one of the most visually striking islands in the Dodecanese, and while it sees a flood of day-trippers from Rhodes in the afternoon, it remains a peaceful paradise for overnight travelers. Symi Town is a horseshoe of neoclassical houses in terracotta, ochre, and cream climbing steeply from the harbor, and the effect when you arrive by boat is jaw-dropping. The island has a long sponge-diving tradition and a relaxed, upscale atmosphere that attracts visitors who’ve discovered it and keep coming back. The Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis in the south of the island is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Dodecanese.

Tilos

Tilos was once home to a dwarf elephant — an interesting paleontological footnote — and is now one of Greece’s most committed rewilding success stories, with a strong focus on sustainability and conservation. The capital is built amphitheatrically above a castle, the beaches of Livadia and Plaka are lovely, and the whole island has a quiet, feel-good character that’s hard to put your finger on but easy to appreciate once you’re there.

Getting to the Dodecanese

Rhodes and Kos are the main entry pointsboth with airports receiving direct flights from across Europe throughout the summer. From Athens, you can also catch domestic flights to smaller island airports including Karpathos, Leros, Astypalaia, and Kalymnos.

Ferries from Piraeus cover most of the islands but the journey times are long — between 13 and 20 hours depending on the island and the vessel — so flying in and island-hopping by ferry from there is the smarter approach for most visitors.
Within the archipelago, Dodekanisos Seaways and Blue Star Ferries connect most islands to each other, making island-hopping straightforward. A classic circuit might take in Rhodes, Symi, Kos, and Nisyros for a mix of history, beauty, beaches, and volcanic drama. For something quieter, Patmos, Lipsi, and Leros make a lovely trio in the northern part of the group. Kalymnos pairs naturally with Kos, and Halki with Rhodes.

Rhodes and Kos are also connected to Turkey by summer ferry services — Bodrum from Kos, Marmaris from Rhodes — which opens up some interesting combined itinerary options.

Where to stay

Rhodes Town is a great base if you want history and good connections. Kos Town works well for a beach-and-nightlife holiday with easy ferry access to neighboring islands.

For something more boutique and atmospheric, Symi and Patmos both have excellent smaller accommodation options and a completely different pace from the big two.

And if you really want to get away from it all, Tilos, Leros , or Nisyros Nisyros will give you an authentic Dodecanese experience without the crowds.

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