The tiny Dodecanese island of Halki inspires an unprecedented level of devotion amongst visitors, with some Nissia customers returning annually for almost 30 years and others visiting several times each year. So what is it about this rocky scrap of land just off Rhodes that captures people’s hearts so comprehensively?
Here are seven reasons why Halki will steal your heart.
Greeks love a good festival! Which is lucky because there’s a reason to celebrate almost every day. Most Greeks have the equivalent of two birthdays: one marking the day they were born, and the other held on their name day – the official saint’s day of the saint they’re named after. In addition, individual islands and villages hold their own celebrations. And then there are the main feast days in the Greek Orthodox calendar.
If you’d like to experience a traditional Greek festival, here are the dates for the main festivals in Tilos along with a summary of each occasion.
The sparkling azure blue waters of the Aegean Sea lap gently at the shoreline. Pebbles dance in the surf with a soft, rhythmic hush, the sole soundtrack aside from the occasional cry of a seagull gliding gracefully in the wind.
Eagles soar over mountains, while out to sea, dolphins, monk seals and turtles frequent the crystal-clear waters.
Tilos may not boast long stretches of pure white sand like some Greek islands, but its beaches have a wild, natural and tranquil beauty that captivates visitors and entices them back year after year.
With 17 beaches dotted around the island, many of them secluded coves, there’s plenty for beach lovers to explore. Here’s our selection of the best beaches in Tilos.
The Dodecanese island of Halki is one of Greece’s smallest inhabited islands, located west of Rhodes. What the island lacks in size, it makes up for in heart.
Recognised by UNESCO as the Island of Peace and Friendship, Halki is a traditional island with beautiful Italianate houses, clear aquamarine waters, picturesque monasteries and churches, and a spectacular high-mountain spine with stunning views over the sparkling blue Aegean and neighbouring islands.
Free from the trappings of mass tourism, Halki is a special place. To find out more, read on for our ultimate guide to Halki.
Here at Nissia, we specialise in the unspoilt Greek islands of Halki and Tilos (since writing this, we’ve also added Nisyros to our portfolio). However, Greece has a staggering 6,000 islands dotted around its picturesque coastline, of which around 200 are inhabited. So there are plenty more islands to explore.
Some of our customers enquire about day trips or even island hopping to some of the other quiet islands of the southern Dodecanese, so here’s an overview of some of our favourite near-neighbours: Symi, Nisyros, Karpathos and Kastelorizo.
You may have noticed our lovely little Dodecanese island of Tilos has been making quite a splash in the news recently.
From herbs and myrrh in ancient times, to fragrant honey and incredible biodiversity today, Tilos has long enjoyed impressive green credentials. The entire island and surrounding islets are a protected nature reserve thanks to the vision and determination of the late major, Tassos Aliferis.
But it’s the innovative TILOS project that’s making headlines today, as Tilos is on track to become the first Mediterranean island to be entirely powered by renewable energy.
Creative holidays are becoming increasingly popular. And with good reason. There are few things more restful than combining a creative journey with a relaxing break in a beautiful destination. An artistic holiday compels you to consider your surroundings with fresh eyes. It helps you engage with your location, rather than simply pass through.
That’s why our painting holidays in Halki are in demand year after year. Held in the first two weeks of May, they offer the opportunity to explore the magical ‘Island of Peace and Friendship’, while learning a new skill or improving your painting technique in the company of a friendly group of people with shared interests and a mutual love of Halki and Greece.
Part of the Dodecanese archipelago, Tilos is midway between the popular tourist hotspots of Rhodes and Kos, but life on this tiny island is a far cry from the bustling resort ambience of its busy neighbours.
Tilos is a haven of tranquillity. Home to craggy mountains, secluded beaches, carpets of wildflowers, rare birds, medieval castles, sublime sea views, a remote monastery, and a cave of dwarf elephants.
The island has been spared the trappings of mass tourism, yet those who visit tend to return year after year. To find out more about this beguiling island, read on for our ultimate guide to Tilos.
We have some great news to share! There is now a Wednesday ferry connection between Rhodes and Tilos, operated by the Panagia Spiliani ferry.
The new Tilos ferry will depart from the little harbour of Kameiros Skala on Rhodes at 18:15 in the evening. Below you will find the Wednesday timetable.
Some great news just in! We have started selling our Halki holidays for 2017 and our villas in Halki that are not pre-booked are now free for 2017. Get in touch as soon as possible to secure your favourite villa!