How to visit Chalki Island on a Day Trip from Rhodes

Rhodes Blog › How to visit Chalki Island on a Day Trip from Rhodes

I took a day trip from Rhodes to the neighboring island of Chalki and absolutely loved it. The island is beautiful—truly quintessentially Greek, with colorful houses along the harbor—and incredibly cozy because there are hardly any cars. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind. In this post, you will find information about visiting Chalki: beaches, things to do, food, and ferry routes.

Chalki (or Halki) is the smallest inhabited island in the Dodecanese archipelago, located close to Rhodes. The rocky and barren island measure only 10km long and has a permanent population of just 300 people. There is only one village on Chalki, Nimborio (Emborio), and its harbor looks like a miniature version of the harbor of Symi—with Venetian-style houses painted in various pastel colors.

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Chalki captivates visitors with its natural beauty, ancient history, vibrant traditions, and three sandy beaches.

How to get to Chalki Island?

A small ferry departs for Chalki twice a week from Rhodes Town and takes about 1 hour.

During the summer season, Chalki can also be reached by 2 daily boats from Kamiros Skala, a small port located on the western coast of Rhodes. The crossing from Kamiros Skala to Chalki takes around 50 minutes. Departures operate on a daily basis.

There are no car or bicycle rentals available on Chalki but the island is easily walkable.

After a little over an hour, I arrived at the port of Chalki on the Dodecanese Seaways ferry from Rhodes Town. Approaching the natural harbor, I was impressed by the picturesque and colorful village of Emborio—a pure postcard-perfect idyll.

Taverns, cafés, and bars at the harbourfront have been beautifully renovated and colorfully painted. Prices here are slightly higher than in Rhodes, since food and drinks have to be shipped here from Rhodes.

Things to do on Chalki

Chalki Island has managed to preserve its distinct character and offers you rest, simplicity and a peacful holiday. Already a few hours on the small island can be enough to get acquainted with the island and ease into the slow pace of life of the locals. Relaxation on its enchanting beaches, breathtaking nature walks, a hospitable atmosphere, and delicious traditional food await you in Chalki.

Take a walk through the alleys of Emborio

In the main town adjacent to the port of the island of Chalki, it’s the many little details that make it so charming. In addition to the colorful neoclassical houses and villas in Emborio and the narrow alleys, there are a few other highlights.

The Church of Agios Nikolaos

The bell tower of Agios Nikolaos, built in 1861 from marble taken from the ancient Temple of Apollo, is also the tallest bell tower in the Dodecanese. Together with the clock tower, the bell tower of Agios Nikolaos defines the Emborio skyline, and it’s always a spectacular sight when we sail into the harbor on the ferry.

Tip: Situated righ below the church is Magefseis Restaurant-Taverna where I had lunch after my arrival. The food was top quality and the service ver friendly.

The Windmills of Chalki

The windmills of Chalki are located on a hill above Emborio. Since they are an important part of the island’s history, they have been renovated, though they are no longer in operation today. From the top of the hill, you’ll enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the town and the sea.

Tip: It gets very hot in the summer with July and August temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees celsius. I arrived at 09:30am and had until 16:30pm until I left on the return to Rhodes.

Hiking Trails: Hike the Nimborio–Chorio–Palarniotis path

Chalki has numerous hiking trails that are ideal for hiking enthusiasts.

Starting from Nimborio, this hiking trail passes by the Byzantine chapel of Agioi Anargyroi, the ancient domed tomb near Spilios tou Arapi, the old olive press in Chorio, Kato Vriti with its old well and large pine tree, and Pano Vriti (the oldest well in Chorio).

It then crosses the old cemetery, which contains the Church of the Transfiguration before emerging into an area with beehives.

Where to stay on Chalki?

Chalki has only a handful of hotels and guest houses with the majority located in Nimborio close to the harbour. Many of them are quite pricy. My recommendation is Villa Antonis, located on the southern side of the harbour without many steps to climb. I met a couple who were staying there and the told me the rooms were spacious and stylish with stunning views of the port from the balcony. If you prefer it very quiet, choose Remvi Seaside House at the very eastern end of the harbourfront where no tourist paths lead.

Keep in mind that the number of accommodations on Chalki is ver limited. I recommend that you book your stay well in advance.

Chalki Beaches

Most of Chalki’s beaches are easyly accessible on foot from the main town of Nimboria and offer basic visitor amenities. The beaches of Halki are ideal for relaxation and peaceful holiday moments. 

Here are my 3 favorite beaches in Chalki: 

• Pondamos: The most popular beach on the island, located in a sandy cove just a 10-min walk from the port. It has white sand and shallow rystal clear blue waters and offers amenities such as a taverna, umbrellas and sunbeds.
• Kania: With impressive turquoise waters, pebbles, Kania beach is also very popular. Located about 1kn from the harbour, it is accessible on foot and by boat. 
• Ftenagia: A pebble beach with crystal waters and tamarisk trees, situated 500m south of Nimborio, the capital village of Halki.

Trаhia is another place that could be described as a beach, but it is actually a small peninsula with two strips of pebbles on either side and crystal-clear water. Trahia can only be reached by boat or on foot via a trail that starts at the castle.

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