Kastellorizo, officially Megisti and Castelrosso to Italians, is Greece's easternmost island, about 2 km from the Turkish town of Kaş and over 120 km from Rhodes. In the early 20th century it had some 10,000 inhabitants and lived from maritime trade; wars, earthquakes and emigration, mainly to Australia, have reduced it to a few hundred people. It is famous in Italy as the location of Mediterraneo by Gabriele Salvatores (1991), Oscar winner for best foreign language film.
What to see
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| The harbour | Colourful neoclassical houses and seaside tavernas, the film's setting |
| Blue Cave (Parastas) | Sea cave with a very low entrance and blue light inside, reached by boat |
| Red castle | Remains of the Knights' fortress that gave the island its Italian name |
| Lycian tomb | A rock-cut tomb of the 4th century BC, unique in Greece |
| Museum | In the mosque and castle, telling the island's story |
There are no sandy beaches: people swim from ladders in the harbour or take a boat to the islet of Agios Georgios. Day trips to Kaş also leave from here.
Getting there
A small airport has flights to Rhodes; ferries and fast boats link the island with Rhodes (about 3-5 hours).
See also Rhodes and Italians in Greece.