Dodecanese
Kassos
The most remote inhabited Dodecanese island — and one of the most overlooked.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Quiet
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Kassos
Kassos carries its history heavily, and it is history worth carrying. In June 1824 the Ottoman fleet descended on the island and massacred most of its population of around 30,000 in retaliation for the island's role in the Greek War of Independence — an event still commemorated solemnly every year on June 7th. Today around 1,000 people live here, spread across five small villages, and the island has an airport (with occasional connections to Rhodes and Crete), a proud maritime heritage, and almost no tourist infrastructure whatsoever. The landscape is stark and volcanic; the beaches modest; the experience of being here has the quality of genuine discovery in the sense that almost no other recent traveller has been here before you. The warmth of local reception is in inverse proportion to the island's tourist infrastructure.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Very limited facilities. Visiting requires commitment and flexibility with ferry schedules.
Where it sits
Dodecanese, Greece
Kassos — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Kassos? +
- The best months to visit Kassos are May to October. It's very quiet, even in August, so even peak season is workable.
- How do you get to Kassos from Athens? +
- Kassos has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry.
- Is Kassos good for couples? +
- Kassos is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Kassos good for families with kids? +
- Kassos is a solid family option, though you'll want a car for the best beaches.
- Is Kassos expensive? +
- Kassos is one of the cheaper Greek islands.
- Do you need a car on Kassos? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Kassos. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Kassos? +
- Very limited facilities. Visiting requires commitment and flexibility with ferry schedules.