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Kastellorizon is a collector’s item: it is some 80 miles east of Rhodes, normally considered the most easterly point of Greece, but only just over a mile from the south coast of Turkey at Kas, to which boat excursions operate though probably rather unofficially. Despite its small size, it has an airport (serving correspondingly small planes), a handful of even smaller islands to deter invaders and the remarkable Blue Cave to which there are also excursions.
However, its real claim to fame is because its calm and almost weather-tight harbour became a refuelling station for flying boats en route to India between the wars. That brought it some prosperity and accounts for some of the once-smart sea captains’ houses which grace the slopes of the harbour and are similar in style to Symi’s.
The island declined in the years after the wars, with most of the population emigrating to Australia although – be warned! – most of them return on holiday every August which is the time to avoid the island unless you are trying to learn Strine.
The atmosphere round the taverna-strewn harbour is friendly and the views are absorbing. There is a little walking and exploring in the immediate neighbourhood, some decidedly prickly walking on the hill behind the town (once you have climbed a couple of hundred steps up) but a book is probably the most useful sporting tool for a holiday here. We advise all but the most determined masochists not to stay more than a week.
A stay in Kastellorizon may easily be combined with one in Symi, Halki, Tilos (with some circumspection) and of course Rhodes, with which it is linked by ferries and flights.
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