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.

A quick travel update for the Tilos ferry.

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!

This upcoming season marks our 10th year in providing you with the most unspoilt Greek island holidays to Halki and Tilos. We pride ourselves in providing the highest level of personal service and your feedback is so welcoming and encouraging. This is all because of you, thank you.

How many times have you returned home from another Halki holiday and you wondered, “OK, I’ve bought this Halki pasta, but how does one cook it?”. It would be great to have one of your favourite taverna owners and cooks there to assist, but that’s a little difficult. Worry no more, we’ve come up with the traditional Halki pasta recipe so that you can make the lovely onion sauce in order to cook your pasta, in true Halki fashion.

Hello everyone! I hope all is well!

Your beloved company has some really important news to share. Lynne Evans has now retired and also left her position with Nissia Holidays Ltd. We would like to wish her all the best for the future and we hope she has a great life, sharing all her wonderful stories from the many years on our lovely island of Halki.