Dodecanese
Medieval walled towns, ancient ruins and whitewashed villages on Greek islands off the Turkish coast. Rhodes and Kos are the main hubs.
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The Dodecanese are a group of islands in the southeast Aegean Sea, part of Greece and close to the Turkish coast. Rhodes is the largest and best known. Its medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the hilltop village of Lindos has an acropolis above whitewashed houses. Kos has the ancient healing sanctuary of the Asklepion and a harbor town with tavernas.
Patmos is known for the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the cave where tradition says the Book of Revelation was written. Symi is small, with a harbor lined with neoclassical houses, and Karpathos is larger and quieter. The islands suit beach and history trips. Ferries link them, but services from Athens are long, so basing yourself on one hub saves time. One hub suits about a week; add days if you want to island-hop. The best months run from late spring to early autumn, when the sea is warm enough to swim.
Dodecanese in five
- Fly to Rhodes or Kos, then hopFerries from Piraeus take most of a day or night, so most travelers fly and use local boats between islands. Check the season's schedules before you book rooms.Rhodes
- Choose a hub island by interestRhodes has a medieval old town and Lindos, Kos has beaches and an easy flat landscape, and Karpathos has remote villages and wind sports. Pick one hub and add one more.Kos
- Plan a day to Turkey only with your passportBoats link Kos and Rhodes with Bodrum and Marmaris in season. Turkey is outside Schengen, so you pass a border check both ways; check entry rules for your passport.Visas and entry
- Add Patmos for a quieter overnightThe Cave of the Apocalypse and the monastery of St John form a UNESCO site. Check ferry times from Kos or Rhodes before you plan a stay.
- Expect wind in July and AugustStrong summer winds can delay boats and make some beaches rough, especially on Karpathos. Keep a spare day before international flights.Karpathos
Things to do in Dodecanese
See all attractions in Dodecanese
Need to know
- Getting there
- Flights to Rhodes and Kos; long ferries from Piraeus
- Getting around
- Local ferries and catamarans between islands; cars and buses on each
- Best base
- Rhodes Town or Kos Town for a first stay
- Time needed
- 7–10 days for two or three islands
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMild, quiet
- FebruaryMild, quiet
- MarchMild, wildflowers
- AprilSpring, Easter
- MayWarm, ideal
- JuneWarm sea
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, windy, busy
- SeptemberWarm sea, calmer
- OctoberWarm, quiet
- NovemberMild, showers
- DecemberMild, quiet
Right now in Dodecanese
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Dodecanese
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today20°19°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue22°19°83%Tuesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Wed21°18°60%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Thu19°16°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri17°15°0%Friday: Clear. High 17°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat17°14°3%Saturday: Clear. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun18°15°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 07:22 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Rhodes Townabout 1 hour by flight from Athens, or by boat from KosA medieval walled town and a hub for island boats.Read the guide
- Kosabout 2–3 hours by boat from Rhodes in seasonFlat beaches and ancient ruins.Read the guide
- Lindosabout 1–1.5 hours by bus or car from Rhodes TownA white village below an acropolis.Read the guide
Before you go to Dodecanese
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Rules for Dodecanese, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU visitors are fingerprinted at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current EES guidance on the European Commission site.
- Do not take stones, pottery or other antiquities from archaeological sites. Exporting antiquities needs a permit under Greek law.
- Cover shoulders and knees when you enter churches and monasteries, such as the Monastery of Saint John on Patmos.
Plan around Dodecanese
Athens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideRhodesThe medieval old town and Lindos
Read the guideKosBeaches and a flat island good for bikes
Read the guideKarpathosA remote, windy island with mountain villages
Read the guideLindosA white village below a hilltop acropolis
Read the guideGreek IslandsHow the Dodecanese compare with other groups
Read the guideDodecanese FAQ
What are the Dodecanese islands?
A group of islands in the southeast Aegean, including Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Symi and Karpathos. They lie close to Turkey and have mixed Byzantine, medieval and Italian-era architecture.
Which Dodecanese island should I visit first?
Rhodes if you want history and an old town, Kos for easy beaches and bikes, and Patmos for a quiet, spiritual overnight. Pick one hub and add a second.
How do you get between the Dodecanese?
By local ferries and catamarans in season, plus a few flights. Check the schedule before building a route, since boats run less often in the shoulder months.
Can you visit Turkey from the Dodecanese?
Yes, from Kos and Rhodes in season. Carry your passport, because Turkey is outside Schengen. Check entry rules for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit the Dodecanese?
May to June and September to early October, for warm sea and open boats without peak crowds. July and August are hot and windy; winter is quiet.