Are you looking for a tourist-free Greek island to explore on foot during your vacation? Do you dream of welcoming nature, afternoons on the beach and traditional tavernas serving delicious cuisine? We’ve got a lovely surprise for you: the charming Dodecanese island of Halki! Just a few minutes by boat from Rhodes, this unspoilt land is a little haven of peace for dreamers and contemplatives. So get ready: we’re off to Chalki (or Halki)!
Why visit the island of Chalki?
Tiny and beautiful, the island of Chalki is located in the Dodecanese archipelago, just a stone’s throw from Rhodes and the small island of Tilos. Its modest 28 km² are home to splendid secluded beaches, romantic nature, astonishing medieval ruins and pretty little churches.
Chalki is one of those discreet little paradises that you can discover on foot. The hiking trails through the valleys are almost as numerous as the island’s inhabitants! Charming and peaceful, this wild land is an ideal destination if you’re looking for peace and beauty on a small Greek island that knows how to take its time!
What to see / What to do on the island of Chalki?
1 – Visit Emborio, the only village in Halki
Chalki has just a hundred inhabitants and a single settlement: the pretty port of Emborio. This small coastal town has the air of a Neapolitan port: colorful facades and red-tiled roofs spread out in an amphitheater around the landing stage where ferries from neighboring islands dock.
The setting is idyllic. Three windmills sit high above the harbor, with a few lively taverns below. The turquoise waters gently rock the multicolored caiques moored at the quay. To complete this picture-postcard view of the island, the magnificent bell tower of Agios Nikolaos church rises against an azure-blue sky. When you arrive by boat, the picture is breathtaking!
The ancient neoclassical buildings and imposing mansions of Emborio bear witness to the island’s rich past. In the past, Halki was renowned far beyond Greece’s borders for its fishing and trade in sea sponges. Don’t miss a visit to the Folklore Museum to get an idea of the daily life of merchants in those days!
2 – Walking on the island of Chalki
Still perfectly preserved, the island of Chalki can be discovered on foot. It takes just 2 hours to walk from the east to the west of the island, through soothing natural surroundings.
Several itineraries are available to explore the heart of Chalki:
- Set off from Paleo Chorio, the ancient capital of Halki, to reach the Kastro. The Kastro is a medieval fortress of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem dating from the 14ᵉ century. You’ll wind your way through fragrant garrigue, dotted with prickly pear trees and low dry-stone walls. You’ll discover several small chapels as well as the church of Panagia Choriani, dating from the 16ᵉ century.
- From the Kastro, a pretty footpath leads north to the small beach of Saint-George. Along the way, you’ll come across a charming white and blue chapel nestled among olive trees.
- From the port, head west. A 10 km trail takes you to the monastery of St. John. This is the most famous hike on the island. It is also the most important pilgrimage in the Dodecanese, taking place every year on August 29.
You don’t need to be a great sportsman to enjoy these beautiful walks. But don’t forget to bring your hats and bottled water: you won’t find any shops along the way!
3 – Enjoy the beaches of Chalki
The island of Halki is renowned for its secluded paradise beaches.
The most popular is the white sandy beach of Pondamos, a 10-minute walk from the port.
To the west, Trachia beach links the island to a small deserted peninsula.
It is only accessible by boat, as are Kania cove and the inlets of Giali and Areta.
You can reach these beaches very easily with the small fishing boats converted into cabs that leave from the port of Emborio. Don’t forget to take one of these water cabs for a swim in the Socrates underwater grotto, which you can see from the port!
4 – Taste the local cuisine of Halki
The port of Emborio is home to a number of traditional taverns where you can sit down and enjoy Chalki’s delicious cuisine! Feast on local specialties that can only be found here:
- Makarounia: homemade pasta made with local thyme honey.
- Ofto: a lamb dish cooked over an open fire or in a traditional wood-fired oven.
- Fakorizo: a salad of rice and lentils simmered in a bouquet of spices,
- Local goat’s cheese: enjoy it in salads or in thyme puff pastries (tyropitas).
- Souma: a fig-based brandy typical of the Dodecanese islands.
Our tip: go early in the morning to the Dimitris patisserie, near the pier. The bougatsa just out of the oven are a real treat!
How do I get to Chalki Island?
Getting to Halki by plane
Chalki is far too small to have an airport. The easiest way to get there from France is to fly to Rhodes. A ferry will then take you to Emborio in just over half an hour.
Go to Halki by boat
The island of Chalki is only 6 km from Rhodes, and there are regular ferry connections. You can also embark from the port of Piraeus in Athens, Heraklion in Crete, other Dodecanese islands and some Cycladic islands.
Once in Chalki, you can easily get around on foot or by boat. The island has no regular public transport, but there are a few cabs.
We hope you enjoy your stay on the island of Halki!
Sandra B.
