Halki

Halki is a stunning small island of the Dodecanese. It stands out for its peaceful atmosphere, magical beaches, natural landscapes, and its picturesque port with impressive architecture. This low-key island is also on its way to becoming one of the first emission-free islands in Greece.

On this page, you will find information about holidays in Halki: its beaches, sights, food, and ferry routes. Book ferry tickets on Ferryhopper and plan your trip to Halki with ease!

The colorful port of Halki, Nimborio

Vacation in Halki

Halki is one of the smallest islands of the Dodecanese and it is located between Rhodes and Tilos. Although it is a relatively unknown destination, it is full of charm and hidden treasures. You will immediately fall in love with it when you arrive at its beautiful picturesque port…as if it comes straight out of a picture postcard.

Aside from being an appealing and slow-living destination, Halki is also on its way to becoming the first Gr-Eco Island. The island is part of a larger project aimed at transforming Greek islands into models of green economy, energy autonomy and eco-mobility. In order to combat climate change and improve sustainability, Halki has now a photovoltaic power plant, an advanced public lighting system and "smart benches" that are powered by solar energy.

Moreover, families and couples frequently choose Halki for their summer vacations because it is also ideal for day trips from neighboring Dodecanese islands.

Tip: apart from Halki, check out additional islands for exciting sustainable holidays in the Dodecanese.

How to get to Halki

You can travel by ferry to Halki from the port of Piraeus. 

There are weekly crossings from the main port of Athens to the island and the ferry trip lasts over 1 day. In addition, there are also ferry crossings to Halki from other islands of the Dodecanese, such as Rhodes, Kalymnos and Kos.

Find more details on ferry routes and schedules to Halki below. 

What to do in Halki

Halki has managed to preserve its original character and offers rest, simplicity and quiet holidays to its visitors. 

Only a few hours in Halki can be enough in order to get acquainted with the island and ease into the slow pace of life of the locals. Endless hours of relaxation on its enchanting beaches, a hospitable atmosphere, breathtaking nature walks, dancing at festivals, and delicious traditional food await you in Halki!

Beaches in Halki

The beaches of Halki are ideal for peaceful holiday moments. Most of them are accessible either by sea or foot, but keep in mind that only a few have visitor amenities. Here are our 6 favorite beaches in Halki: 

1. Potamos: it is the most popular beach on the island, just a 10-min walk from the port. It has white sand and crystal clear blue waters and offers amenities such as umbrellas and sunbeds. There is also a taverna and a canteen nearby. 
2. Kania: with impressive turquoise waters, pebbles, umbrellas, and sunbeds, this is also one of the most popular beaches on this small island. It is accessible on foot and by boat. 
3. Yiali: this is a small secluded beach on the southern side of the island, ideal to enjoy peace and privacy. It is relatively hard to access it but the deep clear waters and the white pebbles are surely worth it. 
4. Ftenagia: another beach with crystal waters, pebbles and tamarisk trees. It is situated close to Nimborio, the capital village of Halki, and there are amenities like umbrellas and a taverna nearby. 
5. Areta: a small, magnificent beach with turquoise waters and an impressive seabed. It is surrounded by high cliffs and is only accessible by boat. 
6. Trachea: actually, this is a peninsula with a beach on either side. The wonderful landscape and the heavenly waters will definitely enchant you. Keep in mind that Trachea is only accessible by boat. 

The magnificent crystal clear waters in Halki

Sightseeing and activities in Halki

Halki has various sights that are definitely worth visiting. The island also has many hidden natural beauties that are best discovered through its hiking trails. Some suggestions on what to see and do in Halki are:

• The old church of Agios Nikolaos and its murals, in Chorio (Khurion)
• The Monastery of Panormitis, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole island
• The Monastery of Agios Ioannis
• The Castle of the Knights of Saint John in the nearby islet of Alimia
• Walking in Nimborio, the port and only settlement of the island

Tip: the biggest festival of Halki takes place at the Monastery of Agios Ioannis in late August with traditional music, food and dancing until the morning. 

View to the Medieval castle of Halki and its restored chapel

Nightlife in Halki

As you can imagine, the nightlife in Halki is pretty low-key. 

Most visitors choose a small taverna or bar to enjoy their meal and drinks, since there are no clubs on the island. The main events of Halki are the summer festivities, aka panigiria, where you can eat, drink and have fun all night!

Food in Halki

While in Halki, you will have the opportunity to taste delicious traditional dishes and local products. During your stay, we recommend that you try:

• Halki pasta (small pasta served with fried onions and goats’ cheese)
• koulia (traditional flatbread)
• ofto (local lamb stuffed with rice and kidneys)
• Halki shrimp
• local cheeses
• thyme honey
• spoon sweets

Useful information about Halki

Nimborio is the port and only settlement of Halki. Here, you will find most of the visitor amenities such as an ATM, a supermarket, a regional doctor's office, as well as most of the taverns and cafes of the island. Halki has one pharmacy, though you can also get basic medicines from the supermarket. 

In terms of accommodation, there are some hotels and rooms in Nimborio. Keep in mind that their number is limited, so we recommend that you book your stay in Halki well in advance.

A souvenir from Halki

Important phone numbers for your stay in Halki

Here are some contacts that you could use in Halki:

• Halki Regional Clinic: +302246045206
• KEP of the Municipality of Halki: +302246045100
• Halki Port Authority: +302246045220
• Halki Police Station: +302246045213
• Municipality of Halki: +302246360201

Transportation in Halki

There is no need for public transportation on such a small island. There are few cars on Halki, as the distances are short. In fact, driving in Nimborio is prohibited after a certain hour. Therefore, the most usual way to explore Halki is on foot.

There are a few taxis as well as a bus, even though there aren't many regular bus routes. Another option is hopping on a local boat to reach some of the island’s beaches!

Ports in Halki

The port of Halki is quite small and it’s located in Nimborio. 

Since this is the main settlement of the island, you will find many visitor amenities nearby, such as cafes, stores, restaurants, and hotels.

Fishing boats at the picturesque port of Halki

Island hopping from Halki

The port of Halki is well connected to other Dodecanese islands. The closest destination to Halki is Rhodes, which is very easy to get to as the crossings are frequent and the ferry duration ranges from approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Halki has direct ferry routes to:

• Rhodes
• Karpathos
• Kalymnos
• Kassos
• Kos
• Nisyros
• Symi
• Tilos
• Heraklion (Crete)
• Sitia (Crete)
• Anafi
• Milos
• Santorini

On Ferryhopper's Map of ferries, you can find all available ferry connections between Halki and other islands of the Aegean. Plan your holidays now in just a few steps!

Halki ferry: schedules and tickets

The port of Halki is connected to Athens with ferries departing from the port of Piraeus. The Piraeus - Halki ferry route is served at least 2 times a week by Blue Star Ferries and the ferry journey lasts about 29 hours. 

However, you can also reach the beautiful island of Halki from Kos by ferry. Ferries travel to Halki from Kos twice a week throughout the year. All crossings are direct and operated by the ferry company Dodekanisos Seaways.

Tip: the ferry trip from Piraeus to Halki is long and the ferry also travels during the night. For that reason, we highly recommend that you book a bed cabin for a more convenient journey. 

Where to book ferry tickets to Halki online

Are you looking forward to visiting the picturesque island of Halki? On Ferryhopper, you can compare companies, prices and schedules, and book your ferry tickets to Halki online with no hidden fees!