Located a short hop from bustling Rhodes, Halki is one of the quietest Dodecanese Islands, but perhaps the one most likely to steal your heart. It’s also one of the most beautiful.
Every year, a group of painters visits Halki to capture its charms on canvas. But what if painting isn’t your medium? Easy – grab your camera, pick up your smartphone, pack your drone, and hop on the ferry to get creative behind the lens.
To help you out, here’s our guide to some of the most beautiful photo spots on Halki.
Halki’s Harbour
Make sure your camera is ready as your ferry chugs towards Halki, because the harbour is spectacular – especially from the boat! Picturesque Italianate houses line the waterfront like a low amphitheatre, topped by the silent clock tower and church spire. In the water, colourful fishing boats glide on transparent aquamarine waters. Everything about Halki’s Harbour makes it easily one of the most photogenic spots on the island.
The Village of Emborio
It’s easy to while away hours snapping pictures and wandering through the narrow alleyways of Emborio, one of Halki’s most charming little villages. Vibrant bougainvillea decorates tumbledown houses, fishermen sit in the shade preparing the catch of the day, peeling windows and doors are decorated with blooming plant pots, and the sparkling sea is never far from view. Just make sure you bring enough film or internal memory to snap up as much as your heart’s content.
Photographing Halki’s Windmills
Three derelict windmills line the low hill separating Emborio from Pondamos Bay. A short climb here is well worth the effort. Not only can you play with the shapes of the crumbling structures, but the view over Emborio, the island of Alimia, and the distant shores of Rhodes is superb. This is one of the best angles in the island!
Halki’s Dilapitated Village of Horio
The former island capital, Horio was once home to around 4,000 people. Today the village lies in ruins, but those dilapidated houses make excellent subject matter. As you wander amongst the crumbling remains and gnarly trees, keep your eyes (and camera lens) peeled for lizards darting across warm stones, look at the contrast between derelict buildings and those being renovated, and cast your lens up towards the imposing castle above.
Kastro – Halki’s Medieval Fortress
Accessed via a cobbled footpath winding through Horio, Kastro is a mighty medieval fortress set on a rocky outcrop. Its mighty walls house fascinating ruins and the old Church of Agios Nicholaos, but it’s the panoramic views over the island and Aegean Sea that make this a fantastic spot for a photo tour. Don’t miss the nearby Chapel of Panagia with its beautiful old frescoes.
Halki’s Monastery of Panormitis
The Byzantine Monastery of Panormitis may be pint-sized but it is a photographer’s delight! From the traditional Dodecanese mosaic courtyard to the chapel ceiling painted with stars and the large bell dangling from a tree, it’s pretty as a picture. Once again, the views from this vantage point over the island are stunning.
Halki’s Monastery of St. John
Set in a remote location on the west of Halki, the Monastery of St John is home to one of the island’s biggest festivals. During the rest of the year, this tranquil spot offers a glimpse of rural Greek religious life. Set in a courtyard backed with tiny monk’s cells, the whitewashed chapel sits beneath a giant cypress tree, its pale blue roof and window frames picking out the blue of the distant sea and cloud-free sky above.
The Islet of Alimia
Abandoned after the Second World War, the tiny islet of Alimia is a great excursion from Halki. Just don’t forget your camera! There’s a deserted village to explore, the remains of a crusader castle, a small church, and stunning, unspoilt beaches with calm, clear waters. If you have an underwater camera, this is a great snorkelling spot.
Discover the Most Beautiful Photo Spots in Halki with Nissia Holidays
If you fancy practising your photo skills in Halki, check out our superb range of Halki accommodation, including waterfront villas with unforgettable views of Emborio Harbour. For more information on holidays to Halki or to book your holiday to Halki, Tilos or Nisyros, get in touch with the friendly and helpful people at Nissia Holidays..
