With an area of just 11 square miles, Halki is the smallest inhabited island in the Dodecanese and one of the smallest in Greece. This wee rocky scrap of land doesn’t have the sandy beaches and variety of sights and attractions that many Greek islands have. So what can you expect from a holiday in Halki?  

The lack of mass tourism is exactly what makes this island so delightful. People visit to experience its sleepy charm and traditional way of life. This is an authentic Greek island with a pace of life that varies between ‘dead slow’ and ‘stopped’. An island where people come to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life – and just be…

Whether you’re visiting for the day or coming to stay for longer, here’s an idea of what you can expect from a typical day in Halki.

Updated May 2023

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, and picturesque monasteries and churches. There’s a spectacular high-mountain spine, with stunning views over the sparkling blue Aegean and neighbouring islands.  

This is an island of enduring beauty, kind-hearted people, and sleepy charm; a visit here feels like stepping back in time. However, thanks to the Greek Government’s GR-Eco Islands initiative, tiny Halki has taken big strides towards energy self-sufficiency. Along with its neighbour Tilos, it’s leading the charge to sustainability in the Dodecanese, as we’ll explain later in this guide to Halki. 

Free from the trappings of mass tourism, Halki is a very special island. To find out more, read on for our ultimate guide to Halki.

In a recent blog post, we gave you some advice on how to decide which Greek island to visit, for those of you having trouble deciding between our small, authentic Greek islands of Halki, Tilos and Nisyros.

But what if you’re still having trouble deciding? Perhaps you’re drawn to two of our islands and can’t make up your mind, or you’re stuck in discussions with your family or significant other, as you all fancy something different. Maybe you’ve been coming to Halki or Tilos for years and want to try something else… but also don’t want to miss out on your favourite island.

Luckily, when it comes to holidays, one size doesn’t have to fit all. If you can’t decide, don’t! We can arrange multi-centre holidays in the Greek islands, so you get to explore twice the amount of beaches, restaurants, landscapes and attractions – and keep everybody in your travelling party happy!

Famous for their parties since the dawn of Western Civilisation, Greeks love celebrations! After all, this is a country where everybody celebrates two birthdays per year – one on the day of their birth and the other on their name day, the official day of the saint they’re named after.

In addition, the Greek calendar is chock-full of festivals and celebrations, from key dates on the Greek Orthodox calendar, to days of national importance, and island and region-specific events, as noted on our post about Tilos festivals.

Whether you want to plan your trip to Halki to coincide with a celebration or are curious about an event you’ve witnessed, here’s an overview of some of the best Halki festivals and cultural events.

Renowned for its laid-back nature and picture-perfect harbour, Halki is an island people escape to for peace and tranquillity. But is it a good island for a beach holiday?

Halki is a dream destination for those seeking a slice of authentic Greek island life. You can while away hours ambling through the flower-lined streets of Emborio, watching fishermen bring in their catch or people-watching from a harbourside café.

And while it doesn’t offer long, stretches of white sandy beaches like some Greek islands, the beaches here are picturesque and, best of all, tranquil and relaxing. Here’s our guide to the best beaches in Halki.

With over 6,000 islands and islets, 227 of which are inhabited, choosing which Greek island to visit can be somewhat daunting. Obviously it’s subjective, based upon your personal preferences and what you’re seeking from your holidays.

If you’ve found your way to the Nissia Holidays website, we assume you’re looking for an authentic Greek island offering peace and tranquillity. Each of our three islands – Halki, Tilos and Nisyros – has that in abundance. But each has its unique attractions, too.

To help you decide which Greek island to visit, here’s an overview of Halki, Tilos and Nisyros.

Tourism is booming in Greece, with holidaymakers drawn here to admire the dazzling colours, relax on sun-kissed beaches, explore archaeological sites and savour traditional cuisine. But many people don’t venture beyond cosmopolitan islands, like Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes.

If you want to know the real Greece then it pays to get off the beaten track and seek out the lesser-known gems. Here are seven of the most authentic Greek islands.

The Greek islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations – although that popularity can come at a price. If you adore Greece, but don’t wish to spend your holidays jostling for a sunbed on the beach or queuing for the optimum sunset shot, it’s time to get off the beaten track and turn your attention to more sustainable destinations.

Luckily, with almost 6,000 islands, there are plenty of opportunities to find a quiet, unspoiled spot, untouched by mass tourism. If you’re keen to find out more about the best non-touristy islands in Greece, we’ve put together this guide to the most tranquil islands in our little corner of Greece, the Dodecanese.

If you want to enjoy near-deserted beaches, friendly neighbourhood tavernas, incredible nature, picturesque towns, stunning hiking trails, and abundant charm and character, head to one of these lesser-known lovelies – and hit the reset button!

Perched on a rocky outcrop above the abandoned town of Chorio, with mesmerising views over the island and out to sea, the Castle of the Knights is one of the most important – and most fascinating – sites on Halki. Following our recent article on the history of Halki, we thought it would be fun to focus on the castle and demonstrate why it’s worth the climb.

Here’s our guide to the medieval castle of Halki.

After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s only natural that we’re looking forward to 2022 with cautious optimism, eager for our annual escape to the sun.

Pre-pandemic, the importance of sustainable travel was becoming ever more obvious, with many destinations suffering the effects of overtourism (though luckily not our peaceful, unspoilt Dodecanese islands). The recent UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, further heightened our awareness of the benefits of travelling sustainably.

While many people are aware of the looming climate crisis, it’s easy to feel a sense of helplessness, a feeling of ‘well, what difference can I make?’

Luckily there are plenty of small adjustments we can all make that collectively make a big difference. Here are our tips for how to travel more sustainably in 2022.