Halki

alki has been inhabited since prehistoric times. According to mythology, the Titans were its first inhabitants. The Pelasgians lived on the island for many years, leaving behind numerous structures. In the 7th century, the island was conquered by the Arabs until it was liberated in 825. The Venetians and Genoese arrived in 1204. In the 14th century, the Knights of Rhodes granted Ηalki as a fief to the Assanti family from Ischia. In 1523, the Turks took control of Ηalki. It participated in the Greek Revolution of 1821. From the mid-19th century, Ηalki, under Turkish rule, reached the height of its prosperity. Together with Symi, Kalymnos, Kastellorizo, and Kasos, it developed trade and sponge diving.

In the final years of Turkish rule and during Italian rule, traditional privileges were abolished, and trade and sponge diving suffered, leading to a hemorrhage of emigration. It was occupied by the Italians in 1912, along with all the Dodecanese, and came under Italian sovereignty, initially as a military occupation and later as a political one after 1923.

During World War II, Ηalki was glorified thanks to the struggles and the bloodshed of its worthy sons, such as Lieutenant Alexandros Diakos and Captain Diogenes Fanourakis.

Some of the island's beaches can be reached on foot, while others can be accessed by taking a caique from Nimborios.

Pontamos: It is the busiest beach on the island with its pristine white sand.

Kania: It is a picturesque pebble beach, just like Yali, Ftenagia, and Areta, which are famous for their turquoise waters.

Trachea: This beach is washed by two seas and can only be approached by caique.

• The Church of Agios Georgios: The church is located in the village of Nimborios and is an impressive church that stands out for its imposing white bell tower and black-and-white pebble mosaic in its courtyard. Additionally, inside the church, you will find a small ecclesiastical museum with interesting exhibits.
• The Monastery of Taxiarchis Michail Panormitis: The monastery is located on Agios Onoufrios Hill, about 5 kilometers west of Emporio. The monastery is surrounded by many trees, creating a pleasant atmosphere. On the floor of the church and the monastery's courtyard, you will be impressed by a characteristic example of the traditional art of the Dodecanese: mosaics. Inside the church, you will see images and dedications dating back to the 19th century. A little further away, there is a Byzantine chapel with impressive frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. The panoramic view from this point will enchant you, as you will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the many small islands adorning the sea around Ηalki.
• Medieval Castle: The impressive Medieval Castle, which definitely deserves a visit, stretches with a view of the endless blue of the Aegean. Besides the stunning view, you can visit the abandoned medieval village located there.
• Clock Tower: The impressive Clock Tower is a beautiful building that dominates the port of Ηalki and is the emblem of the island. With its imposing presence next to the town hall, it offers an exceptional view.

Some popular ferry routes to Chalki are listed below:

• Ferry Routes Piraeus - Chalki: You can travel to Chalki from Piraeus, as there are three available ferry routes per week with the maritime company Blue Star Ferries. However, please note that the travel duration will be over 19 hours. The ship from Piraeus follows the route: Piraeus - Santorini - Anafi - Kasos - Karpathos - Diafani - Chalki. The ticket cost for a passenger starts from €45.5, while for a car, it's €128.
• Ferry Routes Crete - Chalki: Additionally, Chalki is connected to Crete by a ferry, with three weekly routes from the ports of Sitia and Heraklion, following the route: Sitia (Crete), Kasos, Karpathos, Diafani, Chalki. The travel time for this route is approximately 7 hours, and the ticket cost for a passenger is €18, while for a car, it starts from €79.
• Ferry Routes Rhodes - Chalki: Another easy way to reach Chalki is to take a day trip by ferry during your stay in Rhodes. The ferry companies operating these routes are Blue Star Ferries and Alko Shipping N.E. The ticket price ranges from €4.5 to €8, and the travel duration is 1 - 1.5 hours. This way, you will have the opportunity to visit both islands during your vacation!

Through the booktickets platform, you can purchase ferry tickets online with just a few clicks. Here, you will find all available routes with the lowest ticket prices and all available discounts for passengers and vehicles.opportunity to visit two islands during your vacation!