The Ultimate Guide to 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.

A Brief Guide to the History of Halki

Our knowledge of Halki’s history is relatively sparse. According to Greek mythology, its first inhabitants were the Titans. Its name comes from the Greek, halkos, meaning copper, as the metal was produced here in ancient times.  

There are signs of settlement from the Pelasgians, Caraes and Phoenicians, but Halki’s fortunes mostly depended on neighbouring Rhodes. It suffered successive invasions from the Arabs, Venetians, Genovese, Turks, and Italians, while marauding pirates pushed the island’s inhabitants to live inland.

By the early 19^th century, most people had moved to the harbour, Emborio, as the threat from pirates receded. Throughout the 19^th century under Turkish and Italian rule, the island flourished as a centre for sponge fishing, until resources ran dry and people began moving away.

In 1948, the island became part of Greece, by which time its population had reduced from 3,000 to a few hundred.

Guide to Halki Villages

Emborio

The elegant town of Emborio rises like an amphitheatre from the harbour, its colourful neoclassical houses forming a picturesque backdrop. Also known as Niborio or Halki Town, it’s the only settlement and the hub of tourist activity, though its laid-back atmosphere is a far cry from nearby Rhodes.  

Quaint and traditional, this charming town has a sprinkling of tavernas, cafes, a silent stone clock tower, and a neoclassical town hall. It’s backed by a row of three windmills.

There are several places where you can plunge into the water for a swim, including from many of our exclusive waterfront villas.

Abandoned Village of Horio

The medieval village of Horio sits on a hill beneath the imposing castle. This inland village, once capital of the island and home to approximately 3,000 people, was gradually abandoned during the 19^th century.

Today it lies in ruins and is an atmospheric place for a wander, with traces of stone houses and an old school. The church of Panagia is home to wonderful frescoes and is a hive of activity on 14 and 15 August as people celebrate the festival of the Virgin Mary.

Guide to the Best Beaches in Halki

While Halki is a dream destination for people seeking an authentic Greek island escape, it doesn’t boast the stunning white sand beaches of some Greek Islands. But what Halki does have are beaches with character, natural beauty and tranquillity. Here’s our guide to Halki’s best beaches.

Pondamos

The sand and pebble beach at Pondamos is Halki’s main beach, situated a short walk from Emborio. Its sheltered shoreline is great for kids and there’s a taverna serving food and drink with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.

Ftenagia

The small, rocky beach of Ftenagia is a 15-minute walk south of Emborio. With small, smooth pebbles and clear turquoise waters, it’s a beautiful spot to relax and has good facilities with a taverna and sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.

Kania

A pebbled beach on the east of the island, Kania is reached via a 30-minute walk or by bus or car. It’s an organised beach with a taverna, sunbeds and umbrellas.

Yiali

Yiali is a small pebbly beach on the south of the island, accessed via a winding path from Horio. It’s a tranquil spot with cliffs providing some much-needed shade, but there are no facilities and currents can make swimming difficult.

Trachia

A patch of barren land juts out to the south of Horio, attached to Halki via a small peninsula, Trahia. A 30-minute difficult walk from the old town, there’s a little beach along both sides with safe, sheltered waters that are excellent for swimming and snorkelling.

Things to Do in Halki

Amble around Enchanting Emborio

Arranged like an amphitheatre around the harbour, Emborio is a maze of alleyways, lined with pastel-coloured neoclassical mansions and decorated with vibrant bougainvillea and other flowers. This is the perfect spot to while away time, wandering through the lanes and exploring the charming architecture. Watch fishermen prepare their catch in the shade of a tree, and discover the windmills, town hall and famous bell tower that afford the town its unique charm.

Kastro

High on a rocky outcrop above Horio is the medieval Castle of the Knights of St. John, known as Kastro. This 14^th century castle protected the island and its people from invaders, and was ideal for spotting approaching ships.

While the castle lies in ruins, its impressive walls are testament to its strength and it dominates the northeast of the island.

Follow the paved path to the top for panoramic views.

Monastery of Panormitis

The tiny deserted Byzantine monastery of St Panormitis sits on a hill above Horio. It’s undergone extensive renovation in recent years and is well worth the climb to see the traditional Dodecanese pebbled courtyard, its star-studded vaulted roof, and mesmerising views of the eastern side of Halki and its beaches including Pondamos.

Monastery of St John

The Monastery of St John (Agios Ioannis Alargas) is a sacred spot on the west of the island, accessible via minibus or a two-hour walk from Emborio. There’s a small church with beautiful icons, and a shaded courtyard with an ancient pine tree. Visitors can spend a night in one of the monk’s cells off the courtyard to experience this serene atmosphere overnight.

Pilgrims flock here on 28 and 29 August for the island’s biggest feast in honour of Saint John, considered the patron saint of sponge divers.

The Island of Alimia

The tiny island of Alimia has a long, interesting history. Its sheltered bays were used in ancient times as safe anchorage for a Rhodian fleet, and a medieval castle dominated the highest peak. The small bay served as a naval submarine yard during the Italian rule. It’s been abandoned since the 1960s and is a protected settlement. Local boats will make excursions from Emborio so you can explore the island and swim in its clear, calm waters.

Green Halki

In November 2021, the Greek Prime Minister announced the GR-Eco Island initiative, which aims to transform the Greek islands into models of green economy, energy autonomy, digital innovation and ecological mobility. And Halki was chosen as the first GR-Eco island.

The project enabled the construction of a state-of-the-art solar energy station, which led to Halki becoming entirely energy self-sufficient in March 2023. This superb achievement resulted in lower energy costs and more jobs for the islanders, and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

In addition, the Municipality of Halki now uses electric vehicles for their police and coast guard, and an electric boat powered by solar panels has been introduced. Vodafone Greece has updated the island’s communication system to 5G, giving the islanders access to improved e-health services via a telemedicine programme. Thus tiny Halki is now a more attractive destination for those looking to travel and work from the island.

Getting to Halki

Halki doesn’t have its own airport, so the best way to travel to the island is via ferry. If you have time to spare and fancy an adventure, you can hop on a ferry from Piraeus (Athens), but the easiest route is to fly to neighbouring Rhodes. This busy airport handles domestic flights from Athens and direct flights from many European countries.

Once in Rhodes, there are several options for getting to Tilos. The best and most direct option is to catch a direct ferry from Kamiros Skala, which takes around 50 minutes and runs several times a day in high season. Alternatively, there are ferries and catamarans connecting several Dodecanese islands running from Mandraki Harbour. If you book your holiday to Halki with Nissia Holidays, our local representatives can arrange for onward transport between the airport and Halki.

Climate

Halki has a typical southern Mediterranean climate, meaning it’s gorgeous in the shoulder seasons with April, May, September and October seeing few rainy days with an ideal climate for walking. If you love being in the water, September and October are particularly wonderful for swimming with the sea heated by the long, hot summer.

Temperatures heat up in June, with August generally the hottest month, when the island is perfect for lazy beach days. Don’t forget good sun cream and plenty of water when you’re out and about.

Where to Stay in Halki

Emborio is the only settlement on the island, and this is where you’ll find all of our Halki accommodation, with a fantastic range of villas and apartments on offer, including many of our popular waterfront villas.

For a creative twist to your Halki holiday, join our popular painting holidays with Margaret Wiles.

If our guide to Halki has inspired you to learn more about this unspoilt Greek idyll, contact Nissia Holidays on 01455 289421 or email us: info@nissiaholidays.com. We’ll answer any questions you may have and help you to plan your dream holiday to Halki. We look forward to welcoming you to this tiny island with a very big heart.